November 2012

Northwood High School • Pittsboro, N.C.

www.nhsomniscient.com

OMNISCIENT ­- THE NORTHWOOD -

(om-nish-ent) adj.: having infinite knowledge and awareness November 19, 2012 • Volume 6 • Issue 2

What’s Inside...

YouTube Hits The Omniscient looks at popular videos that originated on YouTube and became famous.

Page # 7

Jump for Joy Freshman Nick Higgins travels the country as a competitive jump roper.

Page # 7

Record Setter Senior Jourden Blackmon sets a school record for tackles in a season, with 186.

Page # 10

Suspensions for drugs and fighting increase

By Jessica Clayton Staff Writer A new year, new kids and new teachers brought new challenges to Northwood’s front door. There have been more incidents involving fights, drugs and alcohol this year than there have been in the past four years.

According to principal Chris Blice, this year there have been three fights so far, as opposed to only one last year.

“Primarily it has been our freshmen [fighting]. New school, big place, lots of people, new environment and people get caught up in things and let things get away from them,” he said.

Since most of the participants were younger, they experienced different consequences than an older student might have. “[Students that are] 16 years and older can be charged as adults.

Fifteen and under are charged with juvenile petitions,” Blice said.

Blice believes that these incidents have, in some ways, affected the school’s reputation negatively.

“We’ve had folks who are interested in putting their children here at our school [contact me about incidents]; it happened a few weeks ago after a situation.

I got a call from a parent who was supposed to come on Friday of that week and she was very concerned,” he said.

Although the three fights are high for Northwood, the number is low compared to other high

schools in the area.

Senior Charles Hope believes that Northwood is a great school despite the recent events.

“Hands down, I love Northwood,” Hope said. “I don’t think it’s a bad place.

It’s just that teenage kids are going to make mistakes. It just happens.”

There has been a lull in fighting, and some credit the turnaround to steps the administration Tori Nothnagel/The Omniscient took.

“We’ve respond- NORTHWOOD has seen an increase in fights and drug-related suspension ed to [fights] quickly, early this school year.

“I feel like you should come fairly and firmly,” under the influence versus buyto school to get an education, Blice said. “We’ve talked to paring, selling, transmitting. There is not make it a drug lord place or ents and we’ve sat down with the a three-tier system for possession come to school to fight people,” young people and assured them and under the influence. Buying Hope said. that they have our attention.” and selling is long term suspenUnlike fighting, students who The number of fights has gone sion the first time,” he said. bring drugs and alcohol to school are down for the most part, but the Blice is confident that he harder to catch because while fights fight against drugs and alcohol and the administration can stop are out in the open, drug and alcohol the frequent fighting, drugs and continues to be a struggle. use tends to be more discrete. “[Drugs] are something we alcohol at Northwood as well as “I don’t know if we’ll ever be don’t want in our school,” Blice create an environment that will able to prevent it. I think we’re said. “I think a positive piece impress colleges. going to keep trying to do some that has come out of [busts] is “I want our high school to that we are receiving information of the right things. We are going be held in high esteem, not for to encourage [students] to do the about this from students who are me, [but] for [students],” Blice right things,” Blice said. not happy with this being in our said. “When you leave here and Consequences vary depending school and don’t want it to be in you apply to colleges and union what rules students are violating. versities I want people to look their school,” Blice said.

“If you look at the student Hope agrees that drugs and at your applications and say code of conduct it makes a disfighting don’t belong in the educa‘Oh, Northwood, that is a great tinction between possession and tional system. school.’”

Just how effective are suspensions?

By A lly D e Jong S taff W riter

For years, schools used paddling and physical labor as punishment, but today primarily use three types of discipline: After school detention (ASD), in school suspension (ISS) and out of school suspension (OSS). But do suspensions actually work?

Keeping students out of the classroom raises concerns on several levels. One former student interviewed said that a series of suspensions was one of the primary reasons he ultimately dropped out.

According to the ‘Dignity in Schools’ factsheet about school suspensions, students who have received three or more suspensions by the end of their sophomore year are five times more likely to drop out than students who have not been suspended.

In the 2009-10 school year, the state of North Carolina reported 131,607 short-term suspensions across the state, which represents a lot of time out of the classroom.

“I don’t think it makes any

sense to take kids from their learning because it hurts them academically, and it’s like being on vacation,” said sophomore Jacob Fowler, who has not been suspended.

On the other hand, many teachers and administrators credit firm discipline as one of the keys to Northwood’s recent success. Principal Chris Blice argues that 90-95 percent of students will graduate without ever being suspended.

“I think our approach to suspensions is firm but fair. I’m a firm believer of that if you get people’s attention the first time, they are less likely to do it again,” principal Chris Blice said.

To illustrate that philosophy, Blice points to Chatham County Schools data that states that of the 239 current students who have had a drug violation during their school careers, only 30 (about 13 percent) have more than one. Blice sees that as proof that suspensions are working.

see SUSPENSIONS page 3

Tori Nothnagel/The Omniscient

DONALD WILLIAMS gathers his players during basketball tryouts. Williams won an NCAA title as a starter for UNC.

Former UNC star becomes new boys’ hoops coach

By Tori Nothnagel Staff Writer

In the 40-year history of Northwood, the school has never once won a championship in basketball. This may all change with the help of the new boys’ basketball coach, former UNC star Donald Williams.

Williams will be the new coach taking the place of Russ Frazier, who left for Leesville Road High School.

“I’m just happy to be here and I think so far all the people

that I’ve met are great people at this school and in the community and I’m looking forward to [this season],” Williams said.

Williams played at UNC and was a starter for the 1993 NCAA national championship team. That year he also won the NCAA tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.

“It was like a dream come true,” Williams said. “In the off season I really practiced all day every day and I was just hungry that year. My freshman year I

see WILLIAMS page 10

Page 2

The Omniscient

November 19, 2012

Briefs

Marching Chargers win big

The Marching Chargers went to Lee Senior High School in Sanford Saturday, Nov. 3. In class 3A competition, they won first place in Percussion, Drum Major, General Effect, Marching, Music and class 3A overall band. The band scored higher than 20 other bands and received its fourth superior rating of the season.

Blice wins Chatham principal of the year

Superintendent Robert Logan announced principal Chris Blice as principal of the year for Chatham County schools on Monday, Oct. 29 in the cafeteria.

Blice will now compete at the regional level against other winners.

“Its very humbling,” Blice said. “I’m excited to have the opportunity again—this will be my third time—I’m excited to have the chance to represent Northwood and Chatham County Schools and I hope that I do a good job.”

Blice last won the award for the 2009-2010 school year.

40 years of Northwood

By Frances Beroset S taff W riter

Kidd said. “I actually did what I do [now].”

Both Foust and Kidd expressed concerns about the spread of technology and the impact that has on To a lot of Northwood students, it feels like the education. school has been around forever. This year, “Students [now] have so much they can students and staff alike take a look back as do that I think school becomes secondNorthwood celebrates its 40th anniversary. ary.… There were a lot less distractions,” The school opened in 1972 to replace Foust said. “Academics sometimes seems the white Pittsboro High School and to get lost in the shuffle.” black Horton High School. Schools in Kidd points to cell phones as a major Chatham County became integrated the difference between students of yesterday year before, and Northwood was built to and students of today. accommodate both the black and white “[Cell phones] are such a distraction,” student populations.

Kidd said. “It’s just a much more lenient The school has grown since then, with world.” anda idd the addition of the pods, trailers, and arts As for the next 40 years at Northwood, lass of wing. It has seen fashions go out of style no one can say for sure what will happen. and come back in, and it has seen 39 “I think it’s almost impossible to tell classes of seniors graduate. [how the school will change],” Foust said.

Henry Foust began teaching Span“I don’t think that people imagined some ish at Northwood in the fall of 1984. of the things that are happening now.”

As the teacher who has been here the Kidd thinks that technology will third longest, behind Dave Pendergrast continue to improve and change the way and Sharon Mercer, he has seen a lot of lessons are taught. changes go by.

“Everything’s changing,” Kidd said.

“I don’t think most students realize “I’ll be surprised if they even need teachhow good of a situation we have here at ers after a while.”

Northwood. It’s never been a bad school, Harris also thinks improvements in ames arris [but] we’ve had years where it’s been technology will change the school. rougher,” Foust said. “It really is a good “Instead of having an instructor right lass of place to be.” there in front of you, you’ll be watching A handful of faculty and staff that them on T.V.,” Harris said. graduated from Northwood now roam The staff seems to agree that it is the the halls once again. Lead janitor James people that form the history of the school.

Harris is one such staff member. He found “Slowly but surely I think we are the shift in discipline over the years to be building more of a sense of tradition and particularly noticeable. belonging to Northwood,” Foust said. “In “Back in those days if you got in the last 10 years we have had significant trouble you would go to the principal’s numbers of students whose parents also office and you had a choice—you could went to Northwood… They have some of go home for three days or you could get the same teachers that their parents had. three licks from the paddle,” Harris said.

They look at some of the activities their enry oust “They would whack you pretty good.” parents did and they’re doing the same Another striking change is the addition things. There is a lot more involvement eacher of a smoking ban. and I think that will grow.”

“Behind the cafeteria was the smoking When Harris cleans the school over the area,” Harris said. “Kids could smoke.” summer, he sees firsthand how different the building is Wanda Kidd, the school’s receptionist, is also an without students. alumna.

“Without the kids this is no building,” Harris said.

“I was an office assistant [when I was a student],” “It’s a dead building; it’s useless.”

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Photos courtesy of NHS Yearbook

TOP: Chargers basketball players sport very short shorts in 1978.

ABOVE: The Charger horse walks in a parade with Charger cheerleaders, as pictured in the yearbook from 1983.

November 19, 2012

The Omniscient

Prioritizing in High School

Suspensions

Northwood students who do it all

Page 3

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

By Kiada C apel S taff W riter

Kenya Lee said.

Naturally, sacrificing social lives to get work done is a part of high school, but it can be difficult at times for Many Northwood students have busy lives outsome students. side of school because of activities like clubs, sports, “It is good to still have a social life and talk to church, taking care of siblings your friends, but you need to and working. Along with atget your school work done so tending these extra activities on you can do well in school and a regular basis, some students have a good future and have a are enrolled in honors and good high school experience,” AP classes. While school is a Thomas said. part of most teenagers’ lives, It is not all work all the time balancing classes with the extra for students. For some of these activities is not as easy as some students, extra activities also make it look. happen to be things that they “Sometimes during basketlike to do on their own time. ball season it’s kind of hard “I listen to music, I eat and because practice ends at 6:00 watch TV, or I dance,” said seand you go home and you’re Meredith Norman/ The Omniscient nior Ebone Rhodes, who is on tired and you don’t feel like the Northwood dance team.

ALEXIS BROWER, like many seniors, has a doing anything,” senior Alexis lengthy To Do List.

The students offered up Brower said. “So I’ll go to some advice for students who practice, go home take a nap, have a hard time with prioritizand then do my homework so I won’t be as tired.” ing school and other activities.

Aside from after school activities, some students “I make sure my grades are good and I know how to decide to get jobs because of the expenses that come balance things,” Lee said. “Don’t stress yourself out too along with things like driving, college applications, much, know what you can handle.” sports, helping support family and just wanting extra money.

“I just decided that it was probably time [to get a job],” junior Holly Thomas said. “I was about 16 and • “Get a planner and make sure you plan out I decided I needed money and I was going to have to pay for gas and going out to eat some with my friends everything, have good time management and because my mom didn’t want to pay for everything that always put academics before everything.”

I had to do, so I took responsibility.”

— Senior Alexis Brower More times than not, hard work in high school tends to pay off for students in the future. Students take rigor• “ I love extra curricular [activities], but my ous classes and do more extra activities in hopes of having better chances at getting into top colleges, as parents have always taught me that school well as earning scholarships. comes first before any extra stuff, so I make “I like to be active in activities outside of school and sure my grades are good and I know how to inside of school, and my motivation for good grades balance things.” — Junior Kenya Lee is that you have to stay focused in high school, and it should pay off in the future and in college,” junior

Advice About Prioritizing

But a lot of students believe OSS is not an effective punishment, and believe ISS is much more effective, because students are forced to work.

“If you want punishment, then put them in ISS, but if you send them home they are just going to enjoy it. They are not going to learn anything. If you’re in ISS you will do work, you will write sentences, and it does suck,” junior Shannon Burke said.

Some students liken OSS to a vacation from school.

“It really wasn’t that bad. I caught up on a lot of schoolwork and went out to eat with my friends who were also suspended.

Yeah, it was alright,” said one senior about his suspension.

But other students say suspensions not only hurt their reputation and how people perceive them, but their grades as well.

“I went back and forth to the school getting work and talking to the administrators to try to let me come back. I’m grounded for eternity and it made me never want to do it again,” one sophomore said. “I’m failing all my classes now. My teachers didn’t give me all the work and I wasn’t allowed to take tests or be on campus, so when I came back I had a pile of zeros.”

Although when students return to school and may have many missing assignments bringing their grades down, there are opportunities to make up the work.

And while some students clearly learn from their mistakes, others do not.

“I don’t know if I regret it or not,” said one senior. “I do in a college perspective because they don’t like suspensions.”

Some students who do not get suspended feel that consequences at home are a reason they follow the rules.

“If I got suspended, my parents would be so upset and disappointed with me, so not being suspended [or in trouble] is a better incentive for me to make them proud,” sophomore Ellie Frost said.

Many students look at the suspension system and don’t know the reasons behind it. The years before Blice came to Northwood the discipline systems were inconsistent and students were committing offences more often.

“There was a real sense of nothing was happening.

I think that the proof that it has been working is five years ago Northwood was averaging 20 plus fights a year. Last year we had one, and the year before we had one,” Blice said.

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November 19, 2012

The Omniscient

Adventure of a lifetime: the Italian experience

By Jessica C layton S taff W riter

Two cities in Italy that stood out to Walker were Venice and Rome. She said they were unlike any other city she had ever visited.

Most teenagers in America don’t get the chance to say “Venice is like a whole different city than I’ve ever they have traveled around the world. The exception is seen,” Walker said. “There are no cars, there are no junior Dana Walker, who has been traveling with her buses, there aren’t even bikes. You walk everywhere or family since first grade, and more recently ventured on you take a boat and the taxis are boats.” her own to Italy.

There was also a distinction between the people of “I went just to get the experience. I really just Italy and the people of America. wanted to see the cultural differences and I’ve always “It’s not that Americans are rude, but people tend to had a thing for Italy and I had never been there before,” think of us as more rude and [Italians] are really welWalker said. coming and they show hospitality and they are really Over the summer, Walker got the chance to spend family orientated,” Walker said. eight weeks in Italy with two host families. She experiPeople in the towns were closer together due to the enced a culture that contrasted with the American way smallness of the community. of life.

“There you could walk five minutes to school. Their “Everything is smaller there from their drink sizes parents aren’t as strict and people go out all the time to buildings and roads,” Walker said. “Over there you because everyone knows who you are and it’s a safe don’t drive cars everywhere. Basically there are just environment,” she said. little towns and you ride a bike everywhere or you One obvious difference between the two countries is walk. It’s very nice and the food is very different and the language. Although Walker didn’t know Italian, she just their culture.” still managed to communicate in English.

“The first family I stayed with, the mom was an English teacher but some of the family didn’t speak it and so I learned some Italian but most people over there know a little English. The teenagers that I hung out with all knew some [English].”

The time difference challenged her because of the barrier it caused between her and the people back home. “[I hated] the time difference and I missed everyone here. I got homesick like the third week I was there and then I was six hours ahead of everyone there so I would get on Facebook or my email and try and talk to people but either I would be sleeping while y’all were awake or the opposite,” Walker said.

When it was time to return home, she found out her flight from Milan to New Photo courtesy of Dana Walker VENICE, ITALY was a trip highlight for junior Dana Walker, who York was delayed. Then when she finally spent eight weeks in Italy this summer. got to New York, that flight was delayed

too. It added a total of eight hours to the trip.

“No one was speaking English and I was really scared because I had no idea what was going on. I was ready to be home and I couldn’t get home. I was halfway across the world,” Walker said.

The hardest part of the whole trip was going home, not only because of the flight delay, but also because of the culture shock.

“Coming home was harder for me because once I got there I already had an idea of what I expected and it fit my idea. There were new things I learned along the way but coming home was really hard for me just because I’d been [in Italy] all summer and I’d grown accustomed to their customs,” Walker said.

Now that she is home, Walker wishes she could have brought a little piece of Italy back with her.

“I wish I could have just brought Italy home,” she said. “Their whole culture and country was so different and I loved it so much because it’s everything I want.”

Photo courtesy of Dana Walker

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The Omniscient

November 19, 2012

Kayla Cotton: Makeup Guru

Page 5

By Morgan Y igdal S taff W riter

her “barely any time at all” to get done, unless it is something she has never done before.

You walk through the entrance of the Cotton has done makeup for other school and immediately you are met with people and events. gasps of disgust and shock. You continue “I did prom makeup last year for a on your way and a smile makes its way few people and I’ve done a wedding beon your face as the looks continue. The fore,” Cotton said. “It was really fun. [A makeup on your neck and face move girl from my church] was getting marwith you as you turn ried. I had to do her to look at the girl who makeup and it turned just jumped into her out really well. They boyfriend’s arms. You were really happy.” feel this cannot get any Like any other better. person with a passion “You’re gonna for something, Cotton make me throw up!” has many reasons why shouts a girl from she has a passion for across the hallway and makeup.

— Junior Kayla Cotton “I like doing then you feel satisfied. Character day has makeup because I love started wonderfully. the feeling when I This is what happened to junior Kayla do [makeup] on somebody else,” CotCotton when she showed off her makeup ton said. “I love how [my skills] makes skills during Northwood’s 2012 spirit them happier about who they are. You week last month. get to feel that you’ve made somebody “I went through dance with [my feel more attractive and have more selfzombie makeup] and it moved with me confidence.” because my neck was ‘sliced’ and it While wearing her makeup, Cotton freaked my dance teacher out,” Cotton has received “a lot” of different reactions said. “She had to go on the other side of about her makeup. the room every time I’d go by.”

“People just stare a lot. People Cotton’s interest in makeup began in here have gotten used to me unless it’s sixth grade. something way different like the zombie “I just wanted to try new things,” makeup I did, but here everyone thinks Cotton said. “I hated who I was and I it’s just me,” Cotton said. “But when I go hated being a copy of everyone else. I out, I’ve had people take pictures of me wanted to be different so I started dying like people will just be driving by and my hair and really trying to find out who ‘click.’”

I was, and then I started doing makeup She hasn’t always had positive reacand started doing crazy stuff and it went tions from her fellow classmates. on from there.”

“When I first came here with [my Cotton’s usual makeup routine takes makeup] a lot of people didn’t like me…

“I hated who I was and I hated being a copy of everyone else. I wanted to be different.”

Morgan Yigdal/The Omniscient

JUNIOR KAYLA COTTON hopes to be a makeup artist in the future. She says students are used to her style, but sometimes when she’s out, people take pictures. a lot of people were all ‘it’s just bewant to wear,” Cotton said. “[I want cause you express yourself’ and because them to] just feel like ‘I don’t care what [I was] different,” Cotton said. “I just you say.” ignored it.”

Makeup is a key factor in Cotton’s Cotton wants people to have the same life and something she says that she is way of thinking as she did in her situagoing to pursue in the future. tion.

“As soon as I graduate, I’m going “I want people to feel like you can to California to the Empire Academy do whatever you want to do, be whatof Makeup to become a makeup artist,” ever you want to be, wear whatever you Cotton said.

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6

REVIEWS

MUSIC

Artist: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros Album: Here Go Download: “That’s What’s Up” Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zero’s newest album, Here, has sadly not measured up to the potential of their first album, Up From Below. I found myself skipping through most songs because of their monotonous nature. I liked that it took a turn toward a laidback, folky feel, but some songs seem like they were recorded in a rush. Although the majority of songs on Here are less catchy than those on the first album, songs like “Man on Fire” and “That’s What’s Up” live up to the potential of Up From Below.

— Katie Robbins

FILM

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Though Emma Watson is the most well-known actress in the film, she doesn’t steal the show, partially because her character, Sam, is a severe manic pixie dream girl. This allows Logan Lerman to shine as Charlie, a lovable and introverted high school freshman. I laughed, cried, grimaced and grinned. Based on Stephen Chbosky’s novel of the same name, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an aggressively hipster movie. Literary references and old songs abound—almost to the point of cliché —but once you start connecting with the characters, the film becomes beautiful and relatable.

— Frances Beroset

TV

Nashville Sassy, sweet and a little dramatic, ABC’s Nashville takes entertainment to a new level. It combines musical talent and fierce competition between two main stars, played

by Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. Imagine every possible problem someone could face and throw it into one show: fading and rising careers, drugs, money, abuse of power and a thin line between love and lust. One thing’s for sure—your attention will always be captured. I doubted I would like the country music drama scene, but I fell in love from the first glimpse into Nashville’s world.

— Jessica Clayton

Entertainment

Why do you listen?: Teens and Music

By Meredith Norman Staff Writer “I listen to entirely too much music,” said freshman Jacqueline Helgans, who says her favorite genre of music is indie rock.

“I listen to so much music, I’m always just singing or bursting into song.”

Teenagers listen to an average of about 2.5 hours of music every day, according to a study

by The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. So the question is: Why do teens listen to music?

One of the reasons is because music gives teenagers a way to let out their creative side.

“Music inspires me very much,” Helgans said. “Music is a great motivator for both exercise and intelligence; it activates the creative part of my brain when I’m working on an essay or something, and it clues into the certain part of my brain that makes me more interesting.”

Studies show that teens who listen to music regularly since birth are more likely to be able to play an instrument, learn another language or be better at art, said the study by The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

“Music inspires me a lot with my own art,” said senior Madison King, whose favorite genre

of music is Japanese pop.

“A lot of the music I listen to is very visual,” King said. “So I like to draw things that go along with that.”

Sophomore Aiyana Morton says music is a big influence on her writing style.

“Music is really great at inspiring me,” Morton said. “It may not seem like everything’s up there in my mind, but music helps me bring my ideas out so it’s a big influence on me.”

Music creates an outlet for teenagers to express emotions through listening or playing.

Sometimes listening to certain types of music can either make or break a person’s day.

“Music definitely influences my mood,” Helgans said.

“Listening to a certain song in the morning can totally change my day and just make it so much better.”

For teenagers, music can provide a way of identifying certain emotions. When teens use music as a mood modifier, it can make a big difference in them.

“Music can alter my mood,” junior Blair Schemmer said.

“Music inspires me to be confident in myself, it inspires me to keep fighting and not give up.”

For sophomore Tyler Whitaker, music is an easy way to get rid of negative emotions.

“I listen to a lot of smooth

jazz,” Whitaker said. “It’s very soothing and helps me concentrate and calm down when I do things.”

Studies have shown that listening to music can help people concentrate by blocking out excess noise around them, helping them to focus better. A lot of teens use this to their advantage by listening to music Meredith Norman/The Omniscient while they SENIOR ESTEFANI SERRANO reads a book study.

“I listen to while listening to her favorite music. a lot of clasand studying, according to a sical music study by the Stanford University while I study,” Morton said. “It School of Medicine. helps me concentrate on what “I do think music helps my I’m doing right in front of me concentration,” sophomore instead of being distracted by Garrett Kidney said. “When I everything else that’s going on study, it’s like giving my brain a around me.” workout.”

In studies classical music and It seems that the reasons why other types of music have been shown to stimulate the part of the we listen to music is just another brain that has to do with memory way teens differ in opinion.

We the People

During election season, fall play explores Constitution

By Katie R obbins S taff W riter

“It’s very different [from Mirrors],” Carlin said.

This year’s fall “It’s much shorter, play called We The and it’s meant for a People, written by small cast. Mirrors Pat Cook, was crewas written specifiated to expose the cally for those girls audience to the true and this [was] kind meaning of being an of a general play American through written for high the preamble of the school students, so Constitution. it’s different than The play is the other things about a few comwe’ve produced munity members through the years.” coming together to Mirrors was do a skit in time for meant for an all Veteran’s Day by girls’ cast, limiting using the preamble the themes possible to the Constitufor the play. The tion. It includes an two males in We The interpretation of People opened up each individual line more options for the of the preamble. production this year.

We The People “It’s definitely Katie Robbins/The Omniscient was intended to not built around NORTHWOOD STUDENTS perform in the play We The People. inform viewers girls’ themes like about the Constitulast year’s play was; The historical aspect of this cast members do not believe this tion in the days right before the it’s not about drama or figuring play did not attract a large teenaffected attendance. election. yourself out; it’s more about figage audience, possibly because “A lot of [teenagers did not] “A lot of people [were] uring out the country. It’s about students were tired of election come to this because of the choosing sides and [drama coverage and history classes. historical aspect, but I also think the bigger picture,” Kerscher teacher Lori Carlin] just wanted said.

“On one hand I think the that we [gained] an older and a to send a message out there that Sophomore Devin Howard people [were] a little overyounger audience,” junior Quinn we’re all still Americans, and played one of the lead roles, whelmed with all the election Kerscher said. we all have things in common George. coverage, on the other hand I The fall play last year was and to really create more of a “We all [tried] our best and think [the play has] a positive called Mirrors, and was persense of community,” junior did what we [needed] to do,” message and [is] a really good formed by the acting ensemble.

Carter Smith said. “This play experience for people,” Carlin Carlin wrote it herself for the all Howard said. “This year’s group gives a taste about what the really wanted to do this play, said a week before the play. girls cast. We The People has a Constitution and what American and [we were] willing to work Although We The People is majority female cast with two history is about.” hard and give it our all.” a historically based play, many males.

Page 7

The Omniscient

November 19, 2012

YouTube hits: the most popular videos then and now

Over the years YouTube gives people a chance to upload their talents and even help them become famous. These snapshots are a few of the most popular viral videos since YouTube originated.

Sweet Brown: A recent viral video is the Sweet Brown interview, with over seven million views in less than seven months.

Gangnam style: This popular dance from South Korea is the second most watched video on YouTube in less than 4 months.

Rebecca Black: Singer Rebecca Black got millions of views with her music video “Friday.” Since then, she has starred in one of Katy Perry’s music videos and released her own album.

Lennon and Maisy: Sisters Lennon and Maisy started posting videos two years ago singing popular songs just like Justin Bieber. They are now on the new TV series “Nashville.”

First video posted: “Me at the Zoo” by one the founders of YouTube posted the very first video; it now has 4.8 million views.

Top 5 most watched videos on YouTube 1. “Baby” by Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris 2. “Gangnam Style” by PSY 3. “On the Floor” by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull 4. “Love the Way you Lie” by Eminem ft. Rihanna 5. “Waka Waka (this time for Africa)” by Shakira

Graphic created by Taylor Maloch, All photos courtesy of youtube.com

You only trend once:

A look at The Herding Effect

By Tyler White Staff Writer

First there was MySpace. Then there was Facebook. Now it is Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Trends can range from social media to sayings such as “YOLO” to fashion trends like jeggings and Polo shirts.

We all know of some trends, and may have even participated in them, but where do they start and why do they catch on?

Whenever a trend comes about, it seems that the whole world is joined in the same hype.

Many fads come in quickly and without warning, such as Tebowing and planking.

The popularity is usually high with these trends, but is very rarely missed when the fad is gone.

So we know what a trend is, but where does it start? These hypes are usually started by trendsetters. Trendsetters are those who the common folk look up to to decide what is going to be “cool.”

“The people that kids look up to in the media, like celebrities, determine what is going to be in, and others quickly do the same to fit in,” junior Hayden Davis said.

Many people flock from one thing to the next, but why? According to junior Alex McLaurin, people always want more than what we have.

“We always want the newest thing,” McLaurin said. “We do not like what we have, or we enjoy it for a little bit, but

we always want to have more and better [things].”

Others feel that trends change based on peoples interests in different things.

“I went from Facebook to Tumblr for the different and new content,” freshman Val Moreno said.

Experts suggest that trends come from a behavior known as the Herding Effect.

The Herding Effect describes how individuals can act together without planned direction. This effect comes from human’s need to feel accepted.

“It’s a good way for people to feel more comfortable with each other knowing they have something in common,” junior Josh Carver said.

Another beTori Nothnagel/The Omniscient havioral attitude that can have an impact on the way people act is the Bandwagon Effect. This effect states that when more people start to like something, then the probability of others liking that thing increases because humans have a tendency to conform to their peers.

The Bandwagon Effect is illustrated by the popularity of the iPhone. Apple had 38.6 million iPhone sales in 2011, and over $90 million sales in just the first two quarters alone. Once a large number of people had iPhones, others jumped on the bandwagon and were in line to get the newest version.

Trends come and go with the creation of new things, and people will always be there to try it out. The next big thing may last two days or two years, but will always be taken over by something else.

Jenna Marbles: Comedian Jenna Marbles has become popular by posting funny videos of herself (and her two dogs) talking about her life. She has over four million subscribers.

Sophia Grace and Rosie: Cousins Sophia Grace and Rosie became popular by posting a video of Sophia Grace singing “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj. Since then the girls have had many appearances on the Ellen show and have their own segment called “Tea time with Sophia Grace and Rosie.”

Jumping to the Top:

Freshman excels at jump rope

By Ryan Millis Staff Writer

competition that allowed him the chance to compete in the 2012 National Jump Roping Championship. Higgins qualified for two difFreshman Nick Higgins has been jump ferent events to allow him to compete in the roping for seven years and at age 14, has 2012 Grand Nationals. already competed in two jump roping naIn the national championship, Higgins tional championships. He has placed in many competed in Single Rope Pairs Freestyle and competitions and his jump rope team has one the Double Dutch Pairs Speed. The Cary team Grand National title. went on to win the 2012 championship in Long Higgins competes with the Super Skippers Beach, CA, becoming the 2012 USA jump ropfrom Cary. The team has traveled as far as ing national champions.

Long Beach, CA to compete Ten players from the and all the way down to Super Skippers were chosen Florida. Higgins has been to represent the US team with his team to several difin Tampa, Florida, for the ferent states like Michigan, International Rope Skipping New York, Texas, CaliforFederation World Youth nia, Florida, and Iowa.

Championships and World The YMCA based youth Championship. Higgins, as program is founded on well as four other teamprimary Christian beliefs mates, came in first place in and is dedicated to promotthe World Youth Tournaing physical fitness through ment. Higgins placed first jump roping, as well as creatin his division in the World ing responsibility, leadership, Youth Tournament and third discipline and confidence. overall in his three events.

Courtesy of Jamie Isaac “It’s teaching you to be a As well as being in two good person, care for other FRESHMAN NICK HIGGINS has National Championships, won a national title in jump roping. Higgins has been on the people and be responsible for your actions,” said HigNew York talk show Live gins on the YMCA. With Kelly, where to his The Super Skippers practice three times a surprise, he met First Lady Michelle Obama. week for about 90 minutes a day, increasing to “I was freaking out,” Higgins said. “It was a five days a week when they are preparing for a once in a lifetime thing.” competition. Higgins focuses mainly on speed, The Super Skippers jumped rope with both which is completing as many jumps as possible the First Lady and Kelly Ripa, and were visibly in a certain amount of time, and his free styling. surprised at how well the First Lady did. Not Higgins also focuses in double-dutch, where he many kids, and people for that matter, can say jumps over two crisscrossing jump ropes. they have hugged Mrs. Obama.

Higgins’ favorite stunt is his front tuck, also “I performed with my other teammates known as a front flip. Doing gymnastics in and after that we turned [ropes] for Michelle jump roping allows the individual to be creative Obama,” Higgins said. and show their skills.

“It’s the only trick that I can do and it’s fun to show off,” said Higgins.

Higgins competes in various categories in his 13-14 age division and has won a first place award in a Double Dutch Pairs Speed

8

Legalization: A successful solution for the states?

Staff Editorial

The 2012 election brought drastic new changes to the American people: a re-elected president, new laws and things we have never seen before.

Two states, Colorado and Washington, voted for the use of recreational marijuana for people over the age of 21. Oregon also had it on its ballot, but voted against the proposed law.

There are also 17 other states that legalized marijuana for medical use. The Drug Policy Alliance says that according to a Gallup poll performed last year, 50 percent of Americans support the legalization of marijuana. We believe it would be a positive move for other states to follow suit.

Since marijuana is an illegal drug according to the federal government this could cause a potential clash between states rights and federal laws. The War on Drugs was initiated in 1971 by President Nixon. So the question stands: is this the end of the war on drugs or a whole new beginning?

Marijuana as a state regulated product has the potential to create millions of dollars of revenue. Within the next couple months, Colorado and Washington will tax marijuana 15 to 25 percent, three times in its entire journey: grower to producer, producer to retailer and retailer to customer. The two states are looking at an annual tax revenue of $60-$500 million a year.

If marijuana was federally legalized, The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) says the government would save $10 billion dollars a year in prevention and enforcement. So it is safe to say that not only would it cut spending, but also it may help boost the economy if legalized. States and the federal government could

stop cutting back on important programs and initiatives such as education. Regulation could also create numerous jobs. Farms, processing plants and retail stores could all be built in response to legalization.

Enormous amounts of money are spent on law enforcement and on jails every year.

NORML says in a normal year, approximately 750,000 people are arrested for possession throughout the country. People’s lives are being ruined because they are committing a crime that is not hurting the people around them.

Not to mention the cost of sending a person to jail for a long period of time coming from the pockets of every taxpayer in America. This number exceeds the amount of violent crimes committed a year including rape, murder, robbery and aggravated assault. Law enforcement could then focus solely on teen prevention rather than such a broad spectrum of users and more serious crimes that harm others.

Although the excessive use of marijuana is harmful to teenagers, and we do not endorse its use, is it worse than alcohol and cigarettes?

According to NORML, there is no record of deaths by marijuana and it is not possible to overdose. So why should this product be illegal when cigarettes and alcohol are legal?

Each year 443,000 people die from smoking cigarettes, and alcohol accounts for an average of 80,000 deaths, but yet these products are stocked on shelves on almost every corner.

This law is economically sensible, would prevent mostly harmless people from going to jail and proves to be a safer drug than the already legal cigarettes and alcohol. Could the legalization of marijuana in two states mark a revolution of societal changes? Only time will tell to see how this newly planted seed will grow.

Editorial Cartoon

Opinion

Students behind bars: Is there democracy in education?

While student safety should be number one, students shouldn’t dread coming to school because it feels more like a prison than a place to learn.

Another breached amendment is the fourth: protection from unreasonable search and seizure. This amendment states there must be probable cause for a search. A school only As a student in the American education needs reasonable suspicion. So basically while system, I can boldly say I feel that I have fewer a police officer must have hard evidence, a rights than I am entitled to. The Bill of Rights school does not need evidence, only a suspiestablishes my rights as cion, making this amenda citizen of the United ment completely useless States. A school is like to students. This means a mini government, so while on school grounds, why shouldn’t it be run anything in your posseslike one? Does being a sion can be searched—a teenager mean I shouldn’t purse, backpack or car—it have equal rights of those doesn’t really matter. around me? For a country A student could easily that boasts the democratic tip off an administrator dream, it feels more like a with no cause, just to do it. dictatorship.

Then an innocent student Students are expected would be searched and to act as responsible adults may not have the opporbut are treated like kids on tunity to face their accuser.

Jessica Clayton/The Omniscient a leash. We are not trusted I understand that most to handle our rights responof the rules that schools sibly or use them to the best of our abilities. have are to protect students, but how far is too The first amendment guarantees the far? I feel schools are oppressing students to freedom of speech, the freedom of press, the the point where they have no voice and are freedom of assembly, the freedom of religion being shaped to be just like everyone else. and the right to petition. At times I find myself It seems like too often the concerns of the scared to say what’s really on my mind because students are not addressed. of the fear of suspension or other punishments.

In the future, we are not going to have such As a journalism student, I’m faced with a restriction on our rights. How are we going things I’m allowed to say in the paper and things to deal with a dose of freedom when we go to I’m not supposed to say because it’s against college or get a job if we are not trained to deal school rules. There goes freedom of press right with them as kids? How can America claim out the window. In the 1988 case Hazelwood v. to be land of the free when a good chunk of Kuhlmeier, the Supreme Court ruled that school its population has no voice? I feel if students officials could censor student media. Though weren’t held on such a tight leash, we wouldn’t administrators are not allowed unlimited censor- dread coming to school so much and become ship over student media without justification, more responsible. this still proves to be a limitation of the voice of So why can’t I use my phone in the hallway, the students, because a principal can review the or state my opinion on the curriculum that we materials and declare it a disruption. are taught, or even wear pajamas on a day that Students should have a say in the rules of the I’m tired. As long as I’m not hurting the people school and just how the school is run in general. around me, why should my rights be violated?

Jessica Clayton

In God we may or may not trust

ment out of that sensitive area. Pledging allegiance to America shouldn’t require a religious belief.

Atheists and non-theists can feel isolated, and the Pledge should be able to include believers and nonbelievers alike. For a saying that is supposed to unify the nation as one, The Pledge of Allegiance was first writit sure seems to divide America into two ten in 1892 and originally read: “I Pledge groups of people.

Allegiance to my Flag In 1956 Congress and the Republic for changed the United which it stands; one States’ unofficial Latin nation indivisible, with motto from “E Pluribus liberty and justice for Unum,” to “In God We all.” President EisenTrust.” This endorsehower and Congress ment of a deity violates added the “under God” the Constitution. The phrase to the pledge in Federal currency we 1954. use everyday has a The Constitution clear backing of a God. protects minority rights Many secularists Tori Nothnagel/The Omniscient against the majority THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE did oppose this motto and will, and the phrase in not include “under God” until 1954. even take the liberty to question violates the stamp over this mesEstablishment Clause sage on paper currency. in the First Amendment. This phrase in I do not have a problem with religion, but the Pledge would give the assumption that I do think that it should be kept out of govAmerica is a Christian nation. Our Foundernment institutions. ing Fathers intended to keep a strict separaIt may not seem like a big deal to most tion between church and state. people, but the separation of church and The Framers’ idea to protect citizens from state needs to be reformed, because there is religious freedom was to keep the governtoo much religion in government affairs.

Tyler White

— Morgan Yigdal

- THE NORTHWOOD -

OMNISCIENT - STAFF -

Frances Beroset Kiada Capel Jessica Clayton Ally DeJong Taylor Maloch Ryan Millis

Meredith Norman Tori Nothnagel Katie Robbins Jack Teague Tyler White Morgan Yigdal

-ADVISORNeal Morgan nmorgan@chatham.k12.nc.us (919) 542-4181

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.

November 19, 2012

To be or not to be... a classic book

Tori Nothnagel/The Omniscient

THE SCARLET LETTER has tormented students for generations. But why?

comes too easy for a teacher to put blinders on and ignore other, better books.

A lot of books become classics at first because they are sensational for their time.

The Scarlet Letter was one such book. Books that challenge ideas become popular, but as literature evolves they are still held in high regard even though modern authors have moved on to better literary styles and more topical subjects.

There is a tendency to judge a book “for its time.” I think books that are valuable because of their historical significance should be taught in history class, rather than in English. I think it’s important not only to sing the praises of a book in English class, but also to be aware of and discuss its shortcomings.

There are a lot of great contemporary novels that are not only more relatable to modern high school students but also hold up as excellent works of literature.

Protecting children?: Banning books is never the answer

Mockingbird and The Kite Runner, all classic books we have, or will probably have to read sometime in school, have all been banned from various libraries and schools.

Isn’t it undermining the First Amendment, that the government or other people cannot prohibit an idea, just because Anyone that knows me is aware that society finds it offensive?

I’m a huge book freak. I can go off into A book shouldn’t be taken out of the a conversation about a book and happily hands of others simply because it disenjoy chatting someone’s ear off. agrees with someone’s beliefs. Books We all know at Northwood we don’t should be available to all have access to every book people; if you don’t like it, printed; they have to be don’t read the book. school appropriate, but comA lot of the problem here pared to other schools, we seems to lie with parents. have an incredible library, According to the list of with a greater freedom of challenges by initiator, reading selection than most. institution, type, and year, But more and more books done by the American Liare being banned from brary Association, parents libraries, something I believe challenge materials more isn’t right. often than any other group.

Books are banned from Yes, parents should libraries with the intention monitor what their children to protect children and teens are reading, and set limits from difficult ideas and information, as well as to take THE CATCHER IN THE on what they think isn’t suitable for their child, but away any book seen to be RYE is taught at NHS, they shouldn’t freak out “unsuited for age group.” but banned elsewhere. about a book just because it A book can be banned disagrees with them. They when someone files a conshould have the right to take a book away cerned report with the American Library Association. The book is then placed on a from their child, but not away from everyone else. list of “challenged” books, and afterword All books should be available to the can be officially banned from libraries public through libraries; the reason the and school curriculums, thereby restrictbooks are there in the first place is to ening the material from others. tertain us, and help us expand our knowlSome of the most frequently banned edge on different things. books include the Harry Potter and the Libraries should be a place of freedom Hunger Games series, as well as classic to read, without the threat of books being books we’ve read in school. taken out of our hands.

The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill A

Meredith Norman

Jack Facts: Random facts from around the world Jack Teague

Frances Beroset Each year, every English student is forced to read a series of so-called “classics.” Works like The Scarlet Letter, The Odyssey, The Epic of Gilgamesh and a myriad of Shakespearean plays are among the most beloved

by English teachers. The problem? Kids hate them. English teachers need to be more open to teaching new books.

One of the problems with older books is that they tend to be very plodding and sequential. I think that contemporary authors do a much better job of creating an atmosphere and writing descriptively. I like authors that take time to stop and write about the roses, literarily speaking. Updike, Vonnegut, Doctorow, Eggers, and Rushdie are some of the most influential authors of the 20th and 21st centuries, but a lot of you have never heard of them. That’s because even though we’re in the 21st century, we’re mostly being taught 18th century books.

I think one would be hard-pressed to find an English teacher who can justify the books they teach as more classic than other books.

Teachers often name ‘timelessness’ as a factor. It can be argued that classic books address important topics like sexuality and loss, but so do a lot of other works. It would be difficult to walk into any bookstore and pick out a book without those themes in them.

I think the world of English teachers can sometimes be a bit of an echo chamber.

Often, English teachers are required to teach certain books, like the works of Shakespeare.

When everyone has to teach the same books year after year, I worry that it be-

Page 9

The Omniscient

Fernando Rodney finished this last baseball season with a 0.60 ERA, the lowest ever by a relief pitcher.

Simo Häyhä, in the Winter War between Finland and Russia, killed 505 Russians in 100 days. No sniper has more confirmed kills. His nickname is the White Death, because his white uniform blended in with the snow on the ground.

A four man anti-poaching team in Kenya protects a single Northern White Rhino.

The largest pyramid in the world was found in 2009. It was hidden by the canopy of a Mexican jungle.

While the Titanic was sinking, not a single of the ship’s engineers escaped.

They all stayed behind to keep the power on, so that others could escape.

Almost half the world’s newspapers are published in Canada and the U.S. Italy has more elevators than any other country in the world.

In 1943, the U.S. put a ban on sliced bread. The ban was designed to conserve food for the war effort.

In 2009, Israel enforced calorie restrictions on the people in Gaza. The limit of 2,279 calories per person per day was designed to turn the population against Hamas, the local ruling faction.

Anomalocaris is a predator from the Cambrian Age that has been classified as

three different animals. That’s because as it decomposed, it broke into three different parts that were each classified as a jellyfish, a sponge and a shrimp.

Bruce Lee was so fast that his fight scenes had to be slowed down.

The world’s longest movie is called “A Cure for Insomnia” and features a man reading a 4000-page poem for three days.

Hoya, as in the Georgetown Hoyas, roughly translates to “What” in Greek.

The school got the name from the cheer “Hoya saxa,” which means “What rocks!”

Cashews are never sold in their shell because the oil on their shells irritates human skin.

The rock band Jethro Tull is named after an English farmer that revolutionized farming in the nineteenth century with a drill that drilled straight holes in the ground. Because of the drill, seeds could be put into the holes instead of thrown randomly about.

Mexican jumping beans jump because caterpillars (moth larvae) are living inside of them. When the beans are heated, the caterpillars wriggle around, causing the bean to “jump.”

In 1937, the German Labour Front founded Volkswagen. At the time, the average automobile was a luxury car and the “Deusthce Arbeitsfront” wanted a car that the normal German could afford.

The group was a Nazi trade union.

The oldest written recipe in the world was found in a jar in the Middle East and includes instructions for making beer.

The recipe, written on a stone tablet, is over 4,000 years old.

FaceBlock: Social media websites should be unblocked after school hours Taylor Maloch

Website blocked. Just about every student has seen this on his or her school laptop at least once. Here at Northwood, we as students are fortunate enough to be given a Mac laptop to take home all year for schoolwork.

This is a great opportunity, especially for people who don’t own laptops at home.

Every year more and more websites are blocked from our laptops to limit distractions in our learning environment. Of course some students find Twitter or Pinterest more entertaining than chemistry or algebra class, so I understand why the school blocks these social media sites.

The one thing I don’t understand is why they don’t unblock things after school hours. If they can unblock Gmail after school hours for the underclassmen, why can’t they unblock other websites too?

Unblocking social media websites after school hours has no affect on learning in the classroom because we’re not in class. So there is no excuse why it should still be blocked. We as students have grown up with technology and social media since we were in middle school or younger. Since we have used social media so much at such a young age it’s part of our daily routine that most of us can’t go a day without it.

Another key point is the number of students who do not have a personal laptop or computer at home. With the school laptop being their only access to social sites, having so many websites blocked makes things difficult. If sites were unblocked, people who stay after school can have access while they’re waiting to get picked up. Students could also message class-

Screen shot of CCS firewall

A FAMILIAR SITE greets a Northwood laptop user.

mates on Facebook about an assignment at home if social sites were unblocked.

Having these websites unblocked can also reduce the amount of trouble students get in. Teachers have programs to see your laptop screen as well as the technology department. If you are caught on a website unrelated to what you are assigned, you can get written up for in school suspension or have your Internet taken away. The punishment is a little harsh, but this keeps students focused on learning, and the distractions out of the way. Fewer students who don’t have a personal laptop wouldn’t try so hard to get on during the day if they knew they could have access to it later.

In my eyes, this is a reasonable idea that can benefit a lot of students here at Northwood. All I’m asking for is a few hours in the day so I can upload pictures and make a status about whatever I’m doing. If the school can unblock Gmail during that amount of time, why can’t social media have the same?

10

Sports Briefs

Boys’ soccer knocked out in 3rd round The boys’ soccer team finished its season Nov. 6 with a 4-1 loss against Corinth Holders High School. They advanced to the third round of the playoffs after defeating North Pitt 3-2 in a dramatic double over-time victory.

“It took us, players and coaches, a long while to find our common ground this season. But once we did, we started running and haven’t looked back,” said coach Kevin Tanceusz after the win.

Football eliminated in 1st round The Chargers’ season came to an end Nov. 2, with a 22-17 first-round playoff loss to St. Paul’s. Northwood finished the season 6-6.

Northwood took the lead in the second quarter with a 56-yard scoring pass to Chris Smith, but St. Paul’s tied it up with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. St. Paul’s had a 51-yard interception return that set up the game-winning score.

“We became a much tighter family as the season moved on, not that we were not close to start with, but as the season moved on these guys really bought into what we were doing,” coach Bill Hall said. “We came really close [to winning].”

Golf takes 7th in state The girls’ golf team finished its season, coming in seventh place in the state tournament Oct. 29-30 at Foxfire Country Club in Pinehurst.

Senior Rachel Wynne, who earned conference player of the year honors, finished 13th out of 77 competitors.

Northwood advanced to the state competition after finishing second at regionals the week before.

“Our coach runs practice very well,” Wynne said. “Our new comers have definitely improved.”

Girls’ cross country finishes 6th in state The girls’ cross-country team finished sixth in the state meet held in Kernersville Nov. 3. Senior Maria Vanderford placed 16th in the field.

Every runner on the team set a new personal record at some point this season.

“Toward the end of the season, they consolidated more and gave each other more encouragement,” said English teacher Kathy Greenlee, who volunteers with the team. “I think that kind of pushed them to do a little better every time.”

— Compiled by Ally DeJong, Tyler White, Ryan Millis and Jack Teague

Sports

Jourden Blackmon: “He’s just a monster.”

B y Jack T eague S taff W riter When asked what he thinks of when someone says “Jourden Blackmon,” senior Daniel Burwell said, “I think of every time he hits somebody in lacrosse or football and he just lifts them off their feet. He’s just a monster.”

Now a star player on the football team, senior Jourden Blackmon wasn’t always as confident about his abilities as everyone else is now.

“Well, I came to Northwood not thinking I’d be able to break a record, because the [tackles] record was 133, which is still a lot of tackles. And then, junior year, I just started making a lot,” Blackmon said.

Blackmon credits coach Brian Harrington for teaching him the skill set he needed to make all those tackles.

“Coach Harrington taught me how to read a guard and how to make tackles,” Blackmon said.

Reading a guard involves watching how the opposing player moves to judge what they’ll do next.

This season, Blackmon led the team with 186 tackles. In 10 games, that equals 18.6 tackles per game. Blackmon also set a Northwood career record for tackles with 360.

Another of Blackmon’s coaches, Bill Hall, who has coached Blackmon in some form since the fourth grade (first at a summer camp and then on the varsity team), had

this to say about him: “Every Friday night of the last three years is Jourden Blackmon time.

He’s one of the few that when you look at this kid, there is no doubt what he is,” Hall said.

“He is a linebacker, he is a football player, and he’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever coached, and not only that, he is one of the best football Jack Teague/The Omniscient players I’ve ever SENIOR JOURDEN BLACKMON set the school record for tackles in a season, coached. His and also competes in wrestling and lacrosse. time is Friday “I tried out for the basketBlackmon reached state night at 7:30.” ball team my freshman year and competition, but lost both of Three colleges, Catawba, didn’t make it, and I ended up his matches.

Campbell and Wingate, have getting surgery on my shoulder Last year, Blackmon led the already expressed interest in at the end of football season lacrosse team in hits, an unoffisigning the linebacker. cial stat, and had the second most “I really like Catawba because freshman year. And I couldn’t play, so after that I just decided groundballs on the team with 52. the coach has shown a lot of into wrestle,” Blackmon said.

“Any time someone tried to terest in me,” Blackmon said.

Last year, Blackmon had cut to the middle, Jourden was Besides football, Blackmon a 24-8 record in the 195 lb. happily there to meet them,” has also excelled in wrestling weight class. He beefed up to lacrosse coach Kevin McDaniel and lacrosse. As a junior, 220 for regionals. said. “He makes a lot of guys Blackmon qualified for state “I wrestled at 195 the whole shake in their shoes on the competition in wrestling, and season until I went to regionals lacrosse program. Our team and was named second team Allbecause 195 was too stacked other teams. He used to be out Conference in lacrosse. up with too many good wresof control, we used to call him a Blackmon didn’t go into high loaded gun. Now he’s controlled school wanting to wrestle. In fact, tlers, and I had never made it to states, so I bulked up to 220,” TNT. We can’t wait to unleash he tried out for the basketball said Blackmon. him out there this season.” team before he started to wrestle.

Williams

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 worked so hard on the off season.”

His number 21 jersey is one of the honored jerseys for the Heels. He says it feels “great.”

Having Dean Smith as a coach taught him a lot in basketball and life. Williams considers him as a “father figure” and mentor. Williams hopes to pass on some of the knowledge to the boys.

“He’s shown me the ins and outs, especially in basketball,” said Williams. “All the x and o’s about being disciplined, and just the things he taught you about life, and the values and morals about life, is something I want to teach to the young men. He just raised me to be like a young man.”

Williams wanted to pursue the NBA after UNC, but after being cut a couple times instead played overseas for 12 seasons.

After playing professionally overseas, Williams started a basketball academy in Chapel Hill called the Donald Williams Basketball Academy. He does private lessons, clinics, camps and AAU programs. “[I started this program because] of the love and passion I have for basketball and the knowledge I have of basketball,” Williams said. “ It goes back from what I learned from Coach Smith, I just want to feed and give back to all the kids who have an interest in basketball.”

Williams was the assistant coach last year to his old high school coach and “soaked up” all the knowledge he could from him, and feels he is now ready to take on being a head coach.

“My approach to coaching is teaching,” Williams said. “I’m teaching the game of

basketball and the game of life to a group of young men that have goals and dreams and aspirations, not only about basketball, but about being successful young men.”

Williams also takes the student part of student athlete seriously.

He believes the boys should be students first and athletes second.

His number one goal for this season is for the players to have fun.

“I do want to win, but at the end of the day I want the kids to have fun and represent Northwood and Pittsboro to the best [of their ability],” Photo courtesy of Wilson Library Williams said.

DONALD WILLIAMS played college basketball for the UniBeing the boys’ versity of North Carolina. varsity head coach of a new school, Wilcoach with experience coming to “lead” the liams’ expectations are high. team.

“I think I have very high expectations, Senior Adam Leviner said, “Because he’s and I want to put that on the players,” been there and he’s been winning, he went Williams said. “I think that if I put that on to a national championship, he was a really the players then they’re willing to work good player at Carolina so he knows what harder.” he’s talking about and he’s going to be a reThe players think it’s great having a ally good asset.”

November 19, 2012

The Omniscient

Page 1

Painted faces, team wig, jersey? You must be a super fan

By Taylor Maloch Staff Writer

every team they beat, especially Carolina,” Perez said.

The Duke super fan watches every game At any sporting event there are always on TV, and says if he went to a game he those “super fans.” The ones that paint would wear a crazy outfit to support his their face, wear wigs or anything out of the team. ordinary to show their team spirit. When “I would be dressed up with that Duke it comes to a favorite team, no matter how afro and my face painted with Duke painted old, super fans will do just about anything. across my chest. I would be one of those So are these over the edge fans too much, or people; I would be that guy,” Perez said. just showing their love for the team?

Another basketball super fan, senior Freshman Jordan Perez says he is a super Samantha Desiderio, says she loves her fan when it comes to Duke basketball. hometown professional basketball team the “I go crazy every time they play and Miami Heat.

“I was born and raised in Miami. I love them so much, my parents just taught me to go crazy,” Desiderio said.

While watching professional or college sporting events occasionally there is a super fan getting arrested for fighting another fan. Last year during a baseball game, super fans got out of control when the Dodgers won against the GiPhoto courtesy of Kristen Carpenter ants. Fans were FRESHMAN KRISTEN CARPENTER surrounds herself with LSU threatening merchandise. others and got

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in a fight. Two men were fighting and one had to go to the hospital for a brain injury.

Less seriously, but more commonly, is a fan running onto the field during a game; they can get arrested for doing this as well.

Freshman Kristen Carpenter says she is a super fan for her favorite football team the LSU Tigers. If she could run onto the field, Carpenter says she would hug coach Les Miles. But Carpenter believes that not just anyone should be allowed on the field.

“It depends because somebody crazy could run out on the field and attack one of the players. I don’t think you should get arrested, I think you should pay extra for it,” Carpenter said.

Superstitions make or break the game to some super fans. A pair of lucky socks or a tshirt could determine whether a fans favorite team will win it all or lose it in one play.

Sophomore hockey fan Josh Donnald says he isn’t a “super fan” for his team the Detroit Red Wings. Donnald doesn’t have any superstitions for his team because he believes it is not needed.

“There is no need for superstitions because [the Detroit Red Wings] have a lot of skill,” Donnald said.

Some super fans however, believe that their lucky item can give their team just what they need to win the game.

“Every time [me and my dad] watch a game together we sit in the exact same spot we watched the last game in, I have lucky socks lucky underwear and lucky keys,” Perez said.

If superstitions are true, they have shown some good luck to super fans like Perez.

“When [Duke] made that winning shot [against Butler] me and my dad were jumping up and down going crazy screaming, ‘Yeah!’ I couldn’t even say anything I was just screaming.”

Students and their teams Jordan Perez, freshman Favorite team: Duke Favorite sport: basketball Favorite player: Seth Curry Samantha Desiderio, senior Favorite team: Miami Heat Favorite sport: basketball Favorite player: LeBron James Kristen Carpenter, freshman Favorite team: LSU Favorite sport: football Favorite player: Barkevious Mingo Josh Donnald, sophomore Favorite team: Detroit Red Wings Favorite sport: hockey Favorite player: Jonas Gustavsson

12

Student showcase

Every month we’ll showcase an individual and his/her achievements from an ongoing sport. In order to qualify, one must be nominated by his/her coach for athletic ability, outstanding leadership, work ethic and sportsmanship.

Jessica Anderson cheerleading

— Compiled by Tori Nothnagel

She is the captain of the varsity cheer team.

“She motivates the team to do their best. She’s always there for us.”

—Cali Powell, So.

Frances Beroset/The Omniscient

Rob Hamlet boys’ cross country

His best run time is 18.30.

“He’s very dedicated.

He’s just a great person overall.”

—Jesse Greenlee, So.

He has 328 total rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. He has a total of 34 tackles.

Gaby Mehringer volleyball

“She always knows how to pep up the team and always had good spirit.”

—Shelby Kremer, Jr.

Erin Nelson girls’ cross country Best run is 20.03 at states.

“She brings joy and laughter to the team.”

—Nicole Croutwater , Jr.

Adam Leviner football

Jack Teague/The Omniscient

“He’s a great leader and keeps us on track if we ever stray off.”

—Jay Williams, Jr.

Pedro Becquer-Ramos Elise Crawford & Borden Thomas boys’ soccer “He was strong in the Carmen Reichle golf midfield. He gave a lot of tennis “Borden was a great assists [and] was behind

Went 12-3 in regular season and teammate, always leading made it to 2nd round playoffs. by example of hard work “I’m very proud of how far and determination.” they’ve gone.”

—Coach Preston Hardage —Courtney Daniel, Sr. .

the scenes.”

—Chase Golden, Sr.

“He was the architect.”

—Anthony Castro, Jr.

Art Spotlight

TOP (LEFT TO RIGHT): Kristen Sellars, Katharina Rudy, Jordan Pollard

BOTTOM (LEFT TO RIGHT): Drew Hill, Bailey Revels, Danielle Harris