Auburn High School, 405 S. Dean Road
Volume 28, Number 3, February 2012
www.auburnschools2.org
Food waste in America: a growing problem Sydney Smith Editor
As we have seen in the past few months, our environment is drastically changing. Due to increased amounts of greenhouse gasses and global warming, communities around the world are experiencing droughts, floods, famines and other natural disasters that cause destruction and loss of food supply. According to the World Food Programme, there are over 925 million undernourished people worldwide. This means that nearly one in every seven people on Earth live without proper nutrients. The World Food Programme‘s Climate
Change and Hunger: Responding to the Challenge
report states, ―By the year 2050, the number of people at risk of hunger as a result of climate change is expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent more than would be expected without climate change; and the number of malnourished children is expected to increase by 24 million.‖ Senior Committee of 25 Co-President Amanda Patterson said, ―World Food Programme reports that regions such as Karamoja, in the northern part of Uganda, have only one season of agricultural production per year (instead of the usual 2) and must be careful in conserving their harvested food and other resources. The amount of care and food waste awareness that countries like Uganda have to maintain highlights how large of an issue it is when Americans take advantage of an accessible supply of food and waste millions of tons of food that would otherwise gladly be used conservatively and efficiently by countries with less food security.‖ Associate Dean of Agriculture at Auburn University Dr. Paul Patterson said, ―Thirty percent of all food produced in the world is wasted. In developed countries such as America, the waste is due to people just throwing it away. In developing
countries, such as Uganda, waste is due to a loss in harvested food during transportation of trade between countries.‖ The United States produces about 34 million tons of food waste annually. According the Environmental Protection Agency, wasted food has ―huge economic impacts and immediate environmental impacts. When food is disposed in a landfill, it quickly rots and becomes a significant source of methane — a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. Landfills are a major source of human-related methane in the United States, accounting for more than 20 percent of all methane emissions.‖ The average person consumes about 3 to 5 pounds of food per day, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. This statistic stands only in the U.S. In developing countries, the number is much smaller, so with all of the food wasted in America each year, we could feed more than 14 billion people. That is double the Earth‘s entire population. According to the Stockholm International Water Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Water Management Institute‘s Saving Water:
From Field to Fork – Curbing Losses and Wastage in the Food Chain, ―Losses of food between the
farmer‘s field to our dinner table – in food storage, transport, food processing, retail and in our kitchens – are huge. This loss of food is equivalent to a loss in water. Reducing food loss and wastage lessens water needs in agriculture. We need to pay more attention to this fact.‖ (Continued on page 3)
Page 2, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Seniors face deadlines for college planning Abby Farrow Business Manager
As graduation approaches, seniors are becoming more and more pressed to make decisions. College is right around the corner, and many important deadlines can easily sneak up on you without warning. Mr. James Tindell, College and Career Coordinator, said that most colleges have a February 1 deadline for priority admission, and most schools require students to make up their minds on what college they are attending by May 1. The next step in the process is applying for scholarships. There are many private scholarships available that you can find by searching Google and school websites. Mr. Tindell‘s website (www.auburn schools.org/ahs/jetindell/), called the College and Career Capstone, can direct you to helpful scholarships as well. His website also provides helpful information about SAT/ACT testing and college specific opportunities. Many schools give scholarships to all applicants who meet certain criteria. Senior Autrey Eastman, who will be attending Auburn University in the fall, says that she received scholarships
upon admission without separate applications. She also plans to look into other departmental scholarships. Even though juniors still have another year and a half until their graduation, they should still start to focus on ACT/SAT testing and maintaining their GPA. Now is also a good time to tour colleges. Mr. Tindell recommends narrowing your search to three colleges. Junior Joanne Joung has toured four colleges in order to determine where she wants to attend. She said, ―I toured University of North Carolina and enjoyed the campus town and atmosphere. I‘m planning on touring Northwestern University and the University of Chicago this summer because I really love the city of Chicago. Touring these institutions has helped me decide what I am looking for in my future college.‖ If you have any questions on scholarships, ACT/SAT testing, college applications, or future career plans, you may schedule an appointment with your counselor in the counseling suite or see Mr. Tindell in room 9118.
Editors: Taylor Branch, Ben Brinkerhoff, Sydney Smith, Trey Van Nostrand Assistant Editors: Payton Beck, Carolyn Starks Copy Editors: Sarahanne Vaughan, Mitchell Warren Sports Editors: Seth Taylor, Jawad Sayegh Fashion Editors: Lauriston Carpenter, Katie Kimberly Assistant Fashion Editors: Alicia Graham, Marlee Yoxall Photography Editor: Peyton Kendrick, Amy Adrian Entertainment Editors: Chase Reid, Ben Parsons Circulation Managers: Samone Brooks, Meredith Walsh Special Events Coordinators: Jake Smith, Tatyana Newman
Business Manager: Abby Farrow, Aaron Yates Assembly Managers: Daniel Cannon, Andrew Hays Archivists: Maggie Rogers, Marc Tucci Webmaster: Courtney Guinane Duplication Technician: Codairious Finley Editors-in-Training: Matt Acker, Alex Beisel, Zsofia Bezdek, Jeff Brown, Tyler Rowell Staff Writers: Peyton Brewer, Su Jin Choi, Cole Feehan, Kevin Frinak, Reed Godbee, Duncan Henderson, Will Hudson, Charlie Johnson, Seth Kendrick, Ga Eon Kim, Debbie Mitcham, J.D. Nutt, Olivia Smith, Stephen Smith, Maeve O‘Shea, Will Pinyan, Tyler Thompson Advisor: Mr. John Pennisi Principal: Dr. Todd Freeman
Page 3, AHS Free Press, February 2012
How teachers change lives By Meredith Walsh Circulation Manager
Most everyone would say that a good teacher not only makes school better, but encourages students to become better people. Have you ever thought about how a teacher pursued that specific career in education? What do they try to accomplish with each student? AHS Science Teacher Mrs. Hollis Davis said she had a chemistry teacher, Ms. Susan Smith, who was absolutely phenomenal; she made chemistry enjoyable. According to Mrs. Davis, her chemistry teacher was personable and cared about all students in helping them achieve success. She said, ―I want my students to push further than they think they can. There are no boundaries to knowledge.‖ What qualities make a teacher ―great‖ according to students? Junior Abby Jones said, ―Qualities that make a teacher great are when I can see how much effort and hard work they are trying to put into their kids‘ education. Also, it‘s good when I see a teacher that just always comes to school happy and not a moody mess!‖ In response to this question, Senior Sydney Smith said, ―I think a great teacher is someone who has a passion for helping their students grow and learn. A great teacher cares about the material that he or she is teaching, and does whatever he or she can do to make the material interesting. Great teachers are the ones who care about the future of their students and invest themselves in their students‘ success.‖
Some students may think that a teacher should love teaching and make it fun. Junior Hannah Rose Duraski said, ―Great teachers are ones who love their students. If they don‘t love their students, then they don‘t love their jobs and everyone is miserable. Great teachers have a sense of humor and they are fair to all their students. They know what they‘re teaching and they make it fun and interesting, like (History Teacher) Mr. York. He‘s a great teacher.‖ Many teachers are able to motivate their students to be better. Abby said, ―Mrs. Glass has really motivated me just because I can see how much she actually cares about her students and she doesn't just try to fly through everything. She makes sure her students grasp the concept. Mrs. Glass was one of the first teachers that actually got me to enjoy math! Before, I couldn't stand it, and now it's one of my favorite subjects!‖ Hannah said, ―Doc (AHS Band director) has definitely inspired me to try hard, practice more, and be the best I can be. And Mr. York has inspired me to study more.‖ A teacher‘s early life may not be known by school students, but if so, it may be touching. Hannah said, ―I had teacher at my old school that went through abuse as a child and she put herself through college and she overcame a lot. That shows me that no matter how bad things can get or how stressful life is, I‘ll come out a better person.‖
(Continued from page 1) Many components go into producing food. Food production requires water, fertilizers, soil, energy, and other things. So when food is wasted, many of other things are wasted along with it. For example, according to the United States Geological Survey, it takes 500 gallons of water to produce one pound of chicken. To produce one pound of beef requires 4,000 to 18,000 gallons of water. The average person should consume about one gallon of water daily, so the water used to produce each pound of beef that is wasted could be used to nourish thousands of people. Regulating portion sizes and buying only necessities that will be consumed play a vital role in reducing waste. According to the Food Network special The Big Waste, the consumers have been trained by society to demand flawless products from food producers. The American consumer‘s expectation for food perfection is one of the main causes for food waste. The products that do not meet their standards are thrown away. As for food waste at AHS goes, according to Child Nutrition Manager Ms. Sharon Ogburn, 20 percent of the food produced at AHS is wasted. However, she said that AHS produces a lot of paper and material waste.
Page 4, AHS Free Press, February 2012
It’s a new day on AHS Today By Trey VanNostrand Editor
The new semester brings on a whole new cast and crew to Tiger TV‘s AHS Today. At the top is Junior Kassidy Mask, serving as Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief is the boss of Tiger TV and is responsible for gathering announcements, writing the script, running the class, and doing a whole list of tasks that take place behind the scenes. Under the guidance of Kassidy is the director, Junior Jared Hamilton. Jared‘s job is to film the show (which comes with many technical responsibilities), direct the anchors, put together all the components of the show (which include highlights and all segments aired on an episode), and make sure the show is turned in on time. This season‘s cast of anchors is Senior Carolyn Starks, Junior Kylie Jacks, Junior Jennifer Mayo, and Junior Andy Atkinson. This season‘s anchors are taking on dual roles on camera. Each anchor must serve as a regular co-anchor and serve as a weather person. When not on camera rotation, the anchor that is not anchoring or reporting the weather is helping behind the scenes with the director, filming and editing the show. This is a new arrangement that seems to be working very well because more people are able to help with the behind-the-scenes production, which helps produce a show more quickly. Anchors are
also responsible for filming the lunch guy broadcast for the day‘s lunch. Alongside the co-anchors are the World News correspondents. This season Juniors Hannah Johnston and Lauren Robinson are taking the stage. World News is a new segment that was created last season by former Editor-in-Chief and World News Anchor Brittany Bonner, and Trey VanNostrand. The goal was to bring a new and dynamic aspect to the show to add worldly relevance to AHS. Last season, the strength of the show was its beat reporters. Beat reporters are responsible for making and producing weekly highlights to air on the show on a particular day of the week. This season‘s reporters are Senior Gabby Burton, Character Ed; Junior Cody Bass, Character Ed and Lunch Guy; Junior Michael Jenkins and Junior Chance Caylor, Sports; Senior Kierra Pittman and Junior Mary Carpenter, Arts; Junior Bionca Edwards and Junior Hollan Humphries, Reading; and Junior Autumn Gardner and Junior Morgan Emfinger, Clubs and Academics. Completing the family is Mass Media Teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Antoine, Executive Producer of Auburn Community Channel and Tiger TV.
Senioritis, the disease that affects students By: Andrew Hays Assembly Manager
Senioritis is a word that cannot be defined by one definition. It‘s a word that lives on belief and opinion. A lot of people believe a ―case‖ of senioritis does not exist and is a false disease for the weak minded. Senior Josh Connely thinks otherwise, though. He said, ―I definitely agree that
senioritis is a bad habit which progressively worsens and can eventually destroy all motivation to put forth effort.‖ Josh is an IB student as well as a national merit scholar. Senior Nathan Smith, an AP student, said, ―For the first time, there is more to work for than just high school, and that‘s why seniors don‘t care about
senior year.‖ Core students also feel the effects of their last year as high school students. Senior Michael Sanders said, ―I think it‘s something that gets progressively worse and you have no control because all it is is the excitement of being independent.‖
Page 5, AHS Free Press, February 2012
The gist of Pinterest By Taylor Branch Editor
If you love pictures, cooking, researching the latest trends, DIY/helpful tips and sharing ideas with like-minded people, then Pinterest is the social website for you. Pinterest is basically a virtual bulletin board. It lets you organize and share all the beautiful and creative things you find on the web. The Pinterest user base is full of designers from every different category, whether it be clothing designers, photographers, chefs, artists or even everyday people that formulate ideas and information that you may never have otherwise been interested in. One of the best uses of Pinterest is to paint a clearer picture of what you want than you could ever put into words. Pinterest has been around for almost two years, but the popularity and interest over the last year has dramatically increased. This prevailing website became one of the Web‘s Top 10 social networks last December. The simple way to sign up is to visit www.pinterest.com and request an invitation. Your acceptance should be sent to you rather
quickly and will range within five minutes to two days. Once you are accepted, you can use your Facebook or Twitter account to help find friends to follow. A few terms to know are Pin, Repin, and Board. A pin is an image added to Pinterest. You can link an image from a Web site and ―pin‖ it to your board where you post all your pins. A repin is when something pinned is ―repinned‖ by other users. It is similar to a ―re-tweet‖ on twitter. This is basically how the images are virtually spread. If you notice anything you like on Pinterest, repin it to share with your friends. A board is where you place all your pins. You can create a separate board for each subject, such as a wedding or favorite recipe. Similar to other social networks, users have their own profiles where they build a list of people to follow on Pinterest. The followers will impact what shows on a homepage. The homepage displays all of the pins that friends have posted. Pinterest users can follow all of a user‘s boards, or just one. It‘s their decision.
Teachers use twitter to reach students By Tatyana Newman Special Events Coordinator Twitter is a new way teachers and students are staying connected. Twitter is a social network that allows users to follow and have followers. It awards individuals the freedom to post random thoughts as well as important notices. Twitter is a new fad, and even teachers are using it to announce assignments and upcoming holidays. ―Twitter is not a negative thing as long as it is appropriate for students and about school,‖ said English Teacher
Ms. Suzette Davidson. She said it is helpful for those who would otherwise forget assignments. English Teacher Mr. Kendrick Myers feels that Twitter gives students twenty-four hour access along with the opportunity to share notes. He said, ―It strengthens interactions between the teacher and students.‖ Mr. Myers tweets things that make his followers think deeply. Nine out of twenty-eight students in English Teacher Mrs. Holly Robinson‘s fourth block
blue day class follow her on Twitter. She said, ―It is a personal choice for me to tweet with my students. I‘m able to remind them of assignments. ―I don‘t use it for academic reasons,‖ said English Teacher Mr. John Pennisi. ―All the school stuff is on my Moodle page. I use my tweets to give my students a guarded glimpse into my life, and I also use it to make them laugh. Maybe they learn that it‘s possible to be clean and funny at the same time. ‖
Page 6, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Fashion column: rainy day outfits for wet weather By Lauriston Carpenter and Katie Kimberly Fashion Editors Auburn is notorious for its unpredictable weather. With that weather comes dark skies, wet shoes, dull outfits and gloomy moods. However, there‘s always something you can do to brighten up a rainy day outfit in order to stand out from the crowd. One way to brighten up an outfit is to add a bright pair of rain boots. Rain boots should be an essential item in any Auburn native‘s outfit. Rain boots are a cute and affordable way to dress up or dress down any outfit while sloshing around in Auburn‘s wet conditions. Hunter is a great brand; they have an excellent selection of bright solid boots that will be in style no matter what season. With your bright boots, a cute button down will always add a classy touch. Try adding a solid color or even a pattern to liven up your out-
fit. Always make sure that your button down complements instead of clashes with your boots to ensure that your outfit doesn‘t fight itself. Another necessary addition to any rainyday outfit is a rain jacket. Bright, fun colors cheer up even the gloomiest of days. Remember that the purpose of a rain jacket is to stay warm and dry but most importantly to finish off your outfit, not to hide it. Make sure to get a rain jacket that fits properly so people can see your outfit underneath. To top it off, make sure that you have a cute umbrella. An umbrella will not only complete your outfit as a whole, but it will also keep the all important hair and outfit as dry as possible. Always remember to get an umbrella that is an extension of your personal style.
Cheetah Print Umbrella $32.00 Saks Fifth Avenue
Hunter Willies $125.00 Hunter
High-Low Shirt $13.80 Forever 21
Page 7, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Meet the man behind Polo/Ralph Lauren By Alicia Graham Assistant Fashion Editor
From age 12, his look was always succeeding, from buying expensive suits with the money he earned with his after-school job to making the suits look stylish with expensive threads. He was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in Bronx, New York, and brought up in a middle-class Jewish family, the youngest of three siblings. He is the man behind the label Polo/Ralph Lauren. Lauren never went to fashion design school, surprisingly. He attended City College in Manhattan and studied business, but he dropped out after two years. After working by day at two glove companies, he took a job at A. Rivetz & Co. as a salesman. This job led him to his successful fashion empire he leads today. He founded Polo Fashions in 1968 with only new tie designs, which generated his first entrepreneurial career and a $50,000 loan. Along with his older brother, he chose the name Polo because of the power, style, and intrigue that the name has always been associated with. When Lauren was developing his new line of wide ties in the late 60‘s, Bloomingdale‘s suggested that Lauren remove his name from the tie‘s label and make them wider. Lauren disagreed with Bloomingdale‘s suggestion and refused to sell to Bloomingdale‘s stores under these conditions. After seeing the brand‘s success, the re-
tailer ran back to Lauren. In the early 80‘s, Polo was considered the ―Power Suit.‖ Armani had brought the Italian power suit back in style which shoved Polo‘s preppy look aside. Lauren fought back with his line of men‘s shirts and suits, made with fine fabric. The look made workers look stylish and powerful in the office. Also in the early 80‘s, Lauren broke out his line of women‘s clothing, furniture, and his home collection items. Lauren‘s originality and traits as a model businessman made him the founder, designer, and chairman of a $900 million company. Lauren was the first fashion designer to have his own store. Lauren has had several business failures, but these failures made him a man with a net worth of one billion dollars today, a man of three children and a wife, a man who owns many vehicles and houses, and a man who gives everyone the chance to look as good as he does by buying his products. A taste of preppiness is the trait that keeps Ralph Lauren/Polo brand endless. There are 350 contract manufacturers worldwide; the firm operates 275 retail and outlet stores in the United States. Lauren still controls 90 percent of Polo‘s voting power today.
Local accident reminds us to click it (or ticket) By Alex Beisel Editor in Training
Most people don‘t wake up and think, ―What if I die in a car accident today?‖ But on January 4, that could have been a very real thought for Libbie Ainsworth. Libbie, a sophomore at Auburn University, and her boyfriend, Auburn University football player Drew Cole, were returning home from a hunting trip on Highway 280. Cole was entering an address into his in-dash GPS when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle. Libbie wasn‘t wearing her seat belt. She was ejected from the car and died two days later from traumatic brain injury. This same situation happens all over America daily. Between 42 and 252 people die
every single day in car accidents, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Seat belts are the most effective way to save lives, so why doesn‘t everyone wear them? According to CDC, 53% of people killed in car accidents in 2009 were not wearing their seat belts. Since 1975, about 255,000 lives have been saved because of seat belts. Think about how many more lives could be saved if we all wore our seatbelts every time we traveled. Senior Abby Aulner said, ―Seat belts are very important because they can save your life. But it‘s also a personal responsibility. Your safety is up to you.‖
Page 8, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Flex watches benefit multiple charities By Sarahanne Vaughan Copy Editor
A new, different type of watch known as the Flex Watch is rising in popularity while also aiding multiple charities. The watch was first exposed on MTV‘s The Real World. Since then, the watches have become a hit sensation throughout the country. The central difference between these watches and other watches and products that support charities is that each color watch represents a different charity. The green watch benefits the Be Perfect Foundation, which supports those who have spinal cord injuries and don‘t have the money for the necessary recovery procedures. The gray watch represents the Imerman Angels, which carefully and thoughtfully pairs a cancer fighter with a cancer survivor in a one-on-one relationship. The black watch benefits a company known as LHON, which aids those inflicted with rare disease that leads to blindness. All of these charities and the other seven are listed on the Flex Watch website. The company runs on what they call the ―10-10-10‖ method: There are ten colors of watches, representing ten charities, and each charity gets ten percent of the cost of a watch ($3 for every $30 watch). The watches have a unique design. They are lightweight and water resistant. They are between 1.75 and 3 inches in diameter, making a loud statement. The creators did this on purpose, hoping to create awareness not only for their company, but for the meaningful charities behind their brilliant invention.
Auburn’s Kmart closing: who is next? By Marlee Yoxall Assistant Fashion Editor
Sears Holding Corporation announced in December that it would be closing up to 120 Kmart stores around the country due to low sales, continued margin pressure, and increasing expenses. Soon after the announcement, the Opelika-Auburn News reported that Auburn‘s Kmart would be among the stores closing. The official closing date has not been determined for Auburn‘s Kmart, which has been open since the 1980‘s. Sears Holding Corporation hopes from closing these stores at least $140 million in revenue will be created from the selloff in addition to property sales. Sears Holding Corporation has not determined how many employees will be affected, but a typical store employs between 40 and 80 people. With the selloff of Kmart in progress, one has to think about other businesses that we all probably consider being pretty successful, suddenly closing or filing for bankruptcy. In addition to Kmart, Auburn‘s local Bruno‘s announced in 2009 that they would be
closing their doors, after reporting weeks earlier that they would remain open. Blockbuster also closed its doors in Auburn in 2009, but the company announced that they wanted to create more revenue from their online movie rental business. Companies that have filed for bankruptcy include Sbarro, AMR Corporation, and Northwest Airlines. More recently, Kodak and Hostess Brands have been added to the list. RIM, the makers of Blackberry, also recently announced financial hardships that might signal the end of their once dominating presence in the cellular phone industry. So who‘s next? MSNBC created a list of ten companies that the public might not see much of in 2012 based on their criteria (including a severe drop in sales). MSNBC predicts that Sony Pictures, A&W, Saab, American Apparel, Sears, Sony Ericsson, Kellogg‘s Corn Pops, MySpace, Soap Opera Digest, and Nokia might not make it to the end of 2012.
Page 9, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Easy recipe: chicken and spinach pasta bake Assistant Editor Carolyn Starks
Want some delicious but simple recipes? Well here are two that will make your mouth water and keep your wallet full! Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake 8 oz uncooked rigatoni 1 T olive oil 1 c chopped onion 1 (10oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed 3 c cubed, cooked chicken 1 (14oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained 1 (8oz) container Philadelphia chive and onion cream cheese ½ t salt, ½ t pepper 1 ½ c shredded mozzarella cheese Prepare rigatoni according to package directions. Spread oil on bottom of 11x17 baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, or until tender. Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside. Drain chopped spinach between paper towels. Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, and next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish and sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover and bake for 15 more minutes. Cheesy Biscuits 1 ½ c Bisquick ¾ c buttermilk 3 T sugar ¼ T vanilla 1 c shredded cheddar cheese
What does student council do? By Olivia Smith Staff Writer
Student Council (STUCO) is the governing body for AHS, and ideas are presented to Principal Dr. Todd Freeman for approval. STUCO plans many activities such as the Homecoming Dance, Homecoming Week, the Door Decorating Contest for Opelika Week, and various fundraisers. This past Christmas, STUCO collected six boxes of toys for the Toys for Tots Drive. STUCO makes decisions in regard to school policies that students want or changes they wish to see. ―We make plans for the student body,‖ said Sophomore Anna Kate Chambliss. According to STUCO Advisor Ms. Laci Fral-
ish, STUCO representatives are students who care about the school, are involved, want to see change, and are willing to listen to the students. Ms. Fralish said, ―Leadership is an important role for the officials.‖ Representatives are the elected students from every advisory class. Sophomore Darby Pruett said, ―We've done Christmas cards for veterans and we will host the Senior Pageant. We ask people what they want to incorporate in the school, like more organized activities.‖
Page 10, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Restaurant review: Chipotle gets no love By Cole Feehan and Charlie Johnson Staff Writers
Have you heard about the New Mexican Restaurant in town? Chipotle‘s grand opening was January 17. It‘s a Southwestern Mexican Grill restaurant, similar to Moe‘s. But it‘s a downgrade from Moe‘s in our opinion. When we first walked in, it was packed, loud, and smelled of good food. It was filled with a diverse crowd including college students, families, and the elderly. There was a good atmosphere with a unique setting. We were surprised on how remodeled and fresh it was compared to an old Arby‘s. We were disappointed, however, in the limited menu. They have four different burritos and burrito bowls: chicken, steak, beef, and vegetable. Toppings include beans, salsa, cheese, lettuce, and onions. So going from that menu, the choices are quite limited. To us, though, that‘s somewhat usual for a Southwestern joint. We ordered burrito bowl and a chicken burrito. Both were fairly large portions. They were $6.25 each, too expensive for the quality, but spot on for the quantity. We didn‘t like the burrito bowl, especially the flavor of the chicken. It was marinated in something that made our taste buds
cringe. The burrito was decent but not much better than the burrito bowl. We tried the chips and salsa (after being disappointed they did not serve queso) for an extra $1.25. At Moe‘s, the chips and salsa come with the meal. The medium salsa had a huge kick to it, which we liked. We can only imagine what the hot is like. We‘re sweating just thinking about the intensity of it. The only positives were the speed of the ordering and the remodeling. From when we ordered, it took about two minutes to get our food. We‘ll give them credit where credit is due. If you‘re impatient and love average-quality Southwestern food, this place is perfect for you. If you‘re patient, go somewhere for the better quality, especially if you don‘t like this type of food. Chipotle had good atmosphere, poor food, overly priced items, and the average service. We‘d rather take our money and time to Taco Bell, Laredo‘s, or El Patron. If we had to eat at any Southwestern place, it would be Moe‘s. Overall, between the limited food and the not-so-great quality, we‘d give Chipotle a 4/10. Honestly, it was disappointing and we had high hopes for this place.
Chocolate is loved around the world By Zsofia Bezdek Editor-in-Training
From the first day of its invention, the race towards improving chocolate began in Europe and spread to the United States as the technique of manufacturing chocolate evolved, increasing the demand for this special treat. The history of chocolate dates back to 1500 B.C. when the Mayans and Aztecs grew cacao, from which they developed chocolate drinks. To add some flavor to it, they added vanilla or chili, but nevertheless, it was a bitter drink. Not until the age of exploration did chocolate go to Europe and from then on, chocolate was unstoppable. Before chocolate bars could be manufactured, a Dutchman named Conrad J. van Houten invented cocoa powder. His process of making cocoa powder became known as ―Dutching.‖ In
1840, Joseph Fry made the first solid chocolate when he mixed cocoa powder and sugar with melted cocoa butter instead of water. Fry later merged with the Cadbury Company and they were credited for making the first chocolate bar in 1847 and the heart-shaped boxes for Valentine‘s Day in 1861. It was in Switzerland where Daniel Peters invented the milk chocolate in 1875. This invention was an immediate success; until then, people ate dark chocolate. Rudolphe Lindt even took it further by inventing a process called ―conching‖ which improved chocolate by making it smoother and blendable. His ―melting chocolate‖ quickly achieved fame and significantly added to the worldwide reputation of Swiss chocolate.
Page 11, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Mary’s Alterations Specializing in formal wear alterations We also sell prom dresses from Milano’s Formal
Open Mon-Fri 9-5:30 923 Stage Road Suite E Auburn, AL 36830 (334) 501-6002 (On Stage Road turn at The Drug Store, Past Twin City’s Yamaha)
Page 12, AHS Free Press, February 2012
DECA competes in state competition By Jake Smith Staff Writer
DECA has been preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs all over the world for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management for over sixty-one years. DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America. It trains high school and college students in real-life situations where they have to use problem solving skills to resolve real problems in role-play situations. The problems range from areas of sales and marketing to fixing management issues. These role-playing situations train students to quickly think on their feet and solve problems. Students start with regional competitions and then move on to state competitions. If they win at state, they move to nationals where they compete with the best of the best from around the world. Being a part of DECA teaches students critical skills for life after high school. Practice situations in marketing, sales, management and hospitality prepare these students for real world
situations. Being in DECA also looks great on college applications. It shows that students are not only part of an organization, but they are also active in it. In order to get into DECA, students should enroll in Marketing I and II classes. Marketing Teacher Mr. David Killingsworth has years of experience in training students to be successful in these competitions. AHS is known throughout the country as having wellprepared students, and we have numerous state winners each year to prove this. Students get ready for these competitions by practicing these live role-plays often throughout the year. The Auburn High DECA team is competing in the state competition this week. More information is available http:// www.deca.org/.
Benefits of taking driver’s ed By Maggie Rogers Staff Writer
Are you trying to find an easy way to get your license? You can do that by taking Driver‘s Ed. Students at AHS who choose to take Driver‘s Education classes benefit because they learn about driving safety. They also have the opportunity to take the driving test; if they pass the test, they don‘t have to take the test in Opelika. Sophomore Ally Cound
said, ―I learned a ton of tips that help me while driving. I feel that it helped me so much because I wouldn‘t have known [the tips] as well if I hadn‘t have taken the class.‖ Driver‘s Ed Teacher Mr. Duke Smith said, ―I would recommend students take Driver‘s Ed because car accidents are the number-one cause of death for people between 16-21, and young drivers are not always aware of the risk involved when
driving.‖ Taking the class will also give you a discount on insurance. You also have the option to take the class during the summer. Students in the summer learn the same material but at a faster pace. Mr. Smith said, ―Students who take it in the summer don‘t get as much time in class as in the school year.‖
Page 13, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Apps playing a role in fitness By Payton Beck Assistant Editor
Taking the time to make sure you‘re eating and exercising right can be difficult in high school. Using your smart phones, iPods, or iPads, you can download two apps that may be very helpful to you. We all must eat to survive, but we might not all eat what we should be eating. Most people, when they put things in their mouths, don‘t even know how healthy or unhealthy their food is. An app called My Fitness Pal, though, could help you decide what you may want to take a bite out of or set back down. The process is very simple. Download the free app, then enter your age, weight, and how much weight you would like to lose. The app will then determine how many calories you can intake in a day. It can tell you how many calories are in the food you are about to eat, and it has almost any food item you can imagine. You can also input your exercise, so it keeps tracks of how many calories you burn off during the day. Another app that will help with exercising is Endomondo. The next time you take a walk or go for a run, this app can track your distance and the slope. It allows you to track and map your exercise over weeks and months, and it even allows you to challenge other users of the app to contests.
Tiger TV and Community Channel Director Mrs. Beth Antoine uses both of these apps. During her second pregnancy, she gained eighty pounds, and when her child was ten months old, she weighed 185 pounds. She eventually got down to 160 pounds. On July 4, she just got over having mono and decided to start walking. After that decision, she started using both apps. When Mrs. Antoine was asked if My Fitness Pal encouraged her, she said, ―It‘s not going to work unless you‘re committed. People have to figure out why they don‘t like to exercise.‖ She started listening to books while she walked, and she loves it. She encourages you to find something that makes the exercising enjoyable. She added, ―You start to realize what you eat, and you can work around what you eat to fix your diet. It‘s a very good way to educate yourself about the foods you eat.‖ Mrs. Antoine walks everyday in her neighborhood. She now weighs 130 pounds, and when she hits her goal weight she plans to stay toned and active. She added, ―It‘s hard and you can‘t cheat. I feel healthy and alive. Exercise is what you need to do to feel better. It makes you feel alive and more than just existing.‖
Page 14, AHS Free Press, February 2012
eBooks versus traditional paper books Maeve O’Shea Staff Writer
As eBooks become more readily available, many people are wondering whether or not eBooks are worth their time and money and if they should retire their paper books altogether. Many eBook proponents cite their environmental impact as a significant reason to use digital books instead of physical books, which use paper and ink, believing eBooks to be better for the environment. But, according to the New York Times, although eBooks do not require transportation to distribute to stores, they do require 33 pounds of minerals and 79 gallons of water compared to two thirds of a pound of materials and 2 gallons of water for a paper book. EBooks also take 100 kilowatt hours of fossil fuels to manufacture, and they produce 66 pounds of carbon monoxide, while books require only two kilowatt hours and produces 100 times fewer emissions. With e-Readers, people have the advantage of downloading as many books as they want and being able to take all of those books with them wherever they go without carrying around a large and heavy stack of paper books. ―I like eBooks,‖ said junior Alyssa Parish. ―I like their mobility. You can take them any-
where.‖ Fans of eBooks also enjoy not needing to worry about lighting while reading. EBooks can be read with or without a light on, while traditional paper books cannot be read without adequate lighting. EBooks themselves tend to be less expensive than paper books, although the e-readers cost a considerable amount of money, and some people feel that the cost of the technology is not worth the savings on the individual eBooks. ―Why would you buy an eBook, which is so expensive, when you could buy the actual hardback book for a cheaper price?‖ said Junior Paula Judit. More books are available in paper than in a digital format. Despite liking eBooks, the selection annoys Alyssa: ―I wish more books were eBooks. I like eBooks, but I just can‘t find much of what I want to read available as an eBook.‖ People who prefer paper books to eBooks often do so because they love the experience of feeling and turning the pages. ―It takes away the enjoyment of actually OWNING the hardback/ paperback book,‖ said Paula.
Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows By Matt Acker Editor in Training
The second installment of Guy Ritchie‘s Sherlock Holmes provides viewers with an even wilder and more exiting ride than the first film. The plot for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows revolves around the brilliantly logical and observant Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson as they become enthralled in a ―game of shadows‖ with the psychopathic antagonist, Professor James Moriarty. The plot takes Sherlock and Watson on a journey throughout nineteenth century Europe, where the height of political tension, nationalism, and war threatens to uncover a deep and contorted conspiracy. Moriarty only proves to make things far worse by using a combination of witty charm and sadistic brilliance to cause trouble and distort perceptions. Soon Moriarty becomes aware of Sherlock‘s presence and turns his efforts toward ending them. This creates a mood of palpable tension and excitement only interrupted by the occasional bit of humor, usually concerning the love-hate friendship of Sherlock and Watson. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows provides the viewer with everything desired in a movie: suspense, fear, excitement, love, plot, and setting — all and all combining for a cacophony of sensory input and emotion. In conclusion, this movie should leave you in a good mood while at the same time feeling restless as you wait for yet another sequel.
Page 15, AHS Free Press, February 2012
2012 Golden Globes: a night of surprises By Ben Parsons Entertainment Editor
―The Golden Globes are just like the Oscars…but without all that esteem.‖ The great Ricky Gervais said it best at the th 69 Annual Golden Globe Awards, his third stint at hosting the prestigious award show sponsored by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the best in both film and television. The first winner of the night was Christopher Plummer, who won Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in Beginners, a coming-of-middle-age film about a young man (Ewan McGregor) who is shocked by his father‘s (Plummer) two confessions: he has terminal cancer as well as a young male lover. Although haven‘t seen this film yet, I‘ve heard great things about it and I am looking forward to experiencing Plummer‘s performance. The night then headed, almost out of nowhere, into a flurry of TV awards, whose results were the most unsatisfactory in my opinion. Boardwalk Empire, which just ended its second season with an amazingly written twist ending, received no love this year even though it won Best Drama Series and Best Actor prizes at last year‘s ceremony. The new Showtime drama Homeland won Best Drama Series and Best Actress in a Drama Series for Claire Danes, while Kelsey Grammer won Best Actor in a Drama Series for Boss, and Matt LeBlanc won Best Actor in a Comedy Series for playing himself in Episodes. The night lightened up a little for me when the supporting categories in television came around. Jessica Lange won for her outstanding performance in American Horror Story, and Peter Dinklage won an incredibly worthy Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the epic HBO series Game of Thrones. Back to the travesties of the night: Woody Allen won the Globe for Best Screenplay for his romantic comedy Midnight in Paris. I would like to note that this is the first time in five years that an
original screenplay has won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. The last five winners have not only been adapted screenplays, but have also gone on to win the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Now to the film awards: Octavia Spencer won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her amazing performance in The Help, and she honored Martin Luther King in her acceptance speech. Jaws dropped when Meryl Streep won for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady, an award I had assumed would have gone to Viola Davis in The Help. Michelle Williams walked away with Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy for her work in My Week with Marilyn, a win that left me wondering ―Is that really a comedy?‖ To finish off the night, the film The Artist, which was not only filmed in black and white but is also the first silent film to come out of Hollywood in over seventy years, took prizes for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy for Jean Dujardin and Best Motion Picture Musical/Comedy. Finally, The Descendants took home awards for Best Motion Picture Drama and Best Actor in a Drama for George Clooney‘s performance as a father left to look after two daughters after his wife falls into a coma. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with the Golden Globes this year. My favorite parts of the show included Meryl Streep cursing when she realized she left her glasses at her table and Laura Dern winning Best Actress in a Musical/Comedy Series for her role in Enlightened, one of the best new shows of the year. However, the only time I actually cheered was when Martin Scorsese won a well-deserved Best Director award for Hugo, my favorite film of the year, and the one I hope takes the top prizes this year at the Oscars. Be sure to catch the Academy Awards ceremony on February 26, 2012, hosted by Billy Crystal on ABC.
Page 16, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Students reveal favorite form of communication Marc Tucci Archivist
A recent poll revealed the preferred methods of communication for a sample of students at AHS. As shown in the chart below, text messaging represents more than half of the students‘ favorite way to connect. ―You can do it anywhere,‖ said Senior Tre Rogers. ―I can text without bothering anyone else in the room, but when I talk on the phone, I have to leave the room so I won‘t disrupt others.‖ ―Texting is a lot cheaper,‖ said Junior Olivia Smith. ―They‘re cheaper to have on your cell phone plan than minutes are for phone calls.‖ According to the poll, the average AHS student sends 1,404 text messages each month. That‘s roughly 47 text messages per day. The smaller percentage of students who preferred talking to texting had reasons for their preference, too. Senior Amy Adrian said, ―I prefer phone calls because I can hear the emotion in the person‘s voice; while in texting, you can easily be misunderstood. For example, if a friend wrote ‗I‘m upset‘ in a text, you might not take them very
seriously, when in reality, the person is very upset and needs your support.‖ Junior Steven Smith said, ―When I call someone instead of texting, I can get information a lot faster. It takes about ten minutes of texting back and forth to get the same information you can get in a one- or two-minute phone call.‖ Some students reported that whether they call or text someone depends on the situation. Senior Carolyn Starks said, ―It‘s better to text when you need to tell something to a group of people, like the time and place for a party. But when I want to just talk to one friend, I call because it is more personable.‖ Sophomore Rachael Hardgrave said, ―I think talking to someone on the phone or texting is necessary, but ultimately, I prefer meeting with someone to talk. It‘s the only setting in which you‘re able to read their body language, which helps you to understand what the person is trying to say and how the person is feeling.‖
Page 17, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Rec basketball season heatin’ up By Seth Taylor Sports Editor
Midway through the Auburn recreation league basketball season, things are getting serious. The boys‘ league, which is 10th through 12th grade, is starting to heat up. Senior Parker Corbin, a member of the undefeated Cavs, said, ―I feel like our team can be very successful due to our relentlessness to be great and our unselfishness on the court.‖ Another member of the Cavs has been using social networking to make his weekly picks on the games. Each week, Senior Clay Machen tweets his predictions for all the games. When asked about his weekly predictions, he said, ―Every week I put a ton of thought into all the picks I make. I analyze each game in four categories: how good the team is on offense, defense, toughness, and of course by watching previous games.‖ Clay isn‘t the only one who has been tweeting about the games. Corbin said he‘s seen his fair share of social media taunting. He thinks it‘s just a great way to spice up the excitement
that the players have for Thursday nights. The boys‘ league isn‘t the only high school rec league going on. The girls‘ league is starting to get heated up, too. Junior Meagan Jacobs, whose team is currently undefeated, said, ―Our team just has a lot of fun together, but we are also having a great season. We are 3-0 and are doing really well.‖ It seems like these athletes want some support from fellow students and friends. Junior Jacob Drescher, a member of the undefeated Blazers, said, ―When our friends and other students come to watch, it makes us excited to play. The atmosphere becomes electric when the fans get involved, and that makes the whole experience better.‖ The boys‘ league plays every Thursday night at 8 and 9 PM, while the girls‘ league is on Monday nights at the same times. Games are held at Frank Brown Recreation Center on Opelika Road across from the post office.
AU basketball: great season? By Tyler Thompson Staff Writer
AU basketball has a winning season so far on the year with a record of 12-9. Their games have been fairly close, and the only loss (to Kentucky) happened near the end of the game. In the recent Tennessee game, however, AU lost by a significant score. ―We didn't do either (rebound or shoot the ball well),‖ said Auburn Head Coach Tony Barbee in an interview with ESPN. The Tennessee Head Coach was surprised by the win: "We defended well enough to win the game, but when you get outrebounded by 23 re-
bounds and you only shoot 30 percent from the floor on the road, you are not going to win many games...on the road or at home,‖ he said. Overall, Auburn has had a very successful year so far. AU is not known for its basketball; however, it‘s becoming better known now since the near upset against Kentucky, who is highly ranked in the NCAA rankings. ―AU basketball is still young, but Barbee has about two years to get his act together or he‘s done,‖ said Junior JD Nutt.
Page 18, AHS Free Press, February 2012
AU football: Meet the new coordinators By JD Nutt Staff Writer
The 2011 football season was all about rebuilding Auburn‘s team; this off-season, Coach Chizik had to rebuild his coaching staff. Auburn‘s Ted Roof took a job to be the defense coordinator at Penn State, and Auburn‘s offense coordinator Guz Malzhan took the head coaching job at Arkansas State. Auburn‘s defense was far from where it should have been, and the numbers don‘t lie, ranking 78th nationally out of 120 schools in total defense in 2011. But new coordinator Brain VanGorder hopes to bring physical defense to the plains in 2012. Under former offense coordinator Guz Malzhan, the Auburn offense was one of the nation‘s best offenses for three years. The new play caller will be Scot Loeffler, who has 14 years of coaching experience on the college and NFL level. Loeffler was offense coordinator and quarterback coach at Temple University for just one year before coming to Auburn. Head Coach Gene Chizik told AuburnTigers.com about his new hire: ―Scot is a rising star who has worked with some very good quarterbacks and has achieved a tremendous amount of success,‖ Chizik said. ―He is a tireless worker, is an outstanding recruiter, and knows the rigors of competing in this conference. We're very excited to have Scot join our staff and we welcome him to the Auburn family.‖ In his one year at Temple, he helped the team to a 9-4 record and a rank of 39th nationally in total offense and seventh is rushing offense, averaging 250 yards per game. Loeffler was also the quarterback coach at the University of Florida in 2009 and 2010, Detroit Lions quarterback coach in 2008, and quarterback coach at his alma mater Michigan for five years. Familiar to the Southeastern Conference, VanGorder was the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2011 and linebacker coach at Georgia from 2001-04, where he was named the 2003 Broyles Award winner as the nation‘s top assistant coach before coming to Auburn. During his tenure in Athens, Georgia, he won an SEC title, two SEC east division championships, three
bowl games, and ended up with three straight top -ten finishes in the final national polls. VanGorder helped the Atlanta Falcons to a 10-6 regular season record in 2011, and VanGorder‘s defense finished the regular season second in the NFL in red zone defense, sixth in rushing defense (97.0 ypg), and 12th in total defense (333.6 ypg). Chizik told AuburnSports.com about VanGorder: ―I'm very excited to have a coach like Brian VanGorder join our staff at Auburn. From the beginning of this process, I had one person in mind, and that was Brian. He has achieved success at every level, both professionally and collegiately, which is a testament to his ability as a coach. He has been one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL, has won a Broyles Award at the college level, and he understands what it takes to succeed in the Southeastern Conference. We‘re pleased to welcome Brian and his family to Auburn.‖ Loeffler and VanGorder will have both of their hands full with a lot of young talent this offseason. Loeffler will have the off-season to decide the starting quarterback. His options will be Junior Clint Mosley, Sophomore Khiel Frazier, and Freshman Zeke Pike. VanGorder will have plenty of time to get his defense familiar with his base defense, a 4-3 defense. Auburn will also have eight returning starters on offense and ten returning starters on defense.
Page 19, AHS Free Press, February 2012
Alabama’s championship provides tornado relief for victims By Daniel Cannon Assembly Manager
Devastation. Destruction. Disarray. That‘s what the tornadoes of last April left in Tuscaloosa. It was a natural disaster that caused a chain of deaths and dismantled homes all across Alabama and the southeast, but Tuscaloosa was hit particularly hard. More than 36 deaths and a thousand injuries left the southern college town in ruins after being struck by the second deadliest set of tornadoes in U.S. history. The cries of many Alabama natives were heard around the country as people chipped in to provide relief, including the President of the United States. Alas, there was light at the end of the tunnel for the brave citizens of the grief-stricken city of Tuscaloosa. After months of relief provided by many factions, including both the University of Alabama and Auburn University, the fans of the Alabama football program saw hope. On January 9, the beloved football team from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa won its second BCS national championship in three years. The passionate fans of Alabama caught a small sliver of grace as their town that had been nearly demolished on
April 27, yet that got to see champions at work. It was an emotional win and a dominant game for the Crimson Tide of Alabama, which worked hard to provide relief for the victimized city of Tuscaloosa. The Alabama Athletic Department donated $1 million to relief funds for the city, and then-Alabama player Courtney Upshaw raised $20,000 in relief funds on his own. The Crimson Tide‘s coach, Nick Saban, whose team went on to dominate LSU in the highly anticipated national championship, is especially proud of the Disney Spirit award that the team won in honor of their relief efforts. He said, ―This team reflected the spirit of the people of Alabama in the way they overcame adversity that was created by the terrible tragedy in the spring with the tornado.‖ Whether you are a devout Alabama fan or strictly an Auburn fan, we can all learn from the triumph that we witnessed in Tuscaloosa. The devastated victims of a violent natural disaster saw hope and latched onto it. We all witnessed a special event by seeing a championship victory sparking love and revival in a broken community.
10 random facts By Tyler Rowell Editor-In-Training
1. The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache. 2. Dueling is legal in Paraguay as long as both parties are registered blood donors. 3. Children grow faster in the springtime. 4. A hippo can open its mouth wide enough to fit a four-foot-tall child inside! 5. A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. 6. Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. 7. The phrase ―rule of thumb‖ is derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb. 8. The average woman consumes six pounds of lipstick in her lifetime. 9. In Kentucky, it‘s illegal to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket
Page 20, AHS Free Press, February 2012