The Northridge Reporter April 2019 by Northridge Reporter

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

est. 2003

THE APRIL 2019

NORTH RI D GE

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REPORTER

The student est.voice 2003of Northridge High School

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

Motivational speaker informs students about dangers of vaping

SPEAKING HIS MIND Robb Holladay presents the untold truths of the vaping industry; how companies market to younger customers to get them addicted to their products, and how vaping can lead to cancer. (Photo by Will McLelland) WILL MCLELLAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

At the beginning of his presentation, Holladay pulled a large latter out of a small bag and proceeded to place pieces of paper on the latter representing the different stages of life. “We’re all born, and we’re all gonna die, but in between we have a lot of fun to have, [and] we got a lot of decisions to make,” Holladay said. “In order to make the right decisions, you gotta have good knowledge.” High school motivational speaker Robb Holladay paid a visit to Northridge on April 2 to inform students about the consequences of vaping and the intentions of companies who sell vaping products. Between zero and second block, students from every grade watched Holladay present his case for why people should be concerned with the relatively new substitute for smoking known as vaping. “The CDC has declared vaping an epidemic,” Holladay said. “And they don’t do that for everything, but for this phenomenon, they have declared it an epidemic, so I saw the need to start talking to these kids about this.” Holladay said his strategy to getting stu-

STUDENTS VS. TEACHERS BASKETBALL GAME

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dents to pay attention to his presentations is that he tries to act like them, and dress like them. Once he is able to connect with the students, he gives them the facts. To open his talk, Holladay recalled a story from his youth when he jumped off of his apartment building to impress a girl, only to end up breaking his ankle and to find out she was not interested in him. Holladay said that from that moment on, he would never let himself be embarrassed like that again. “I started watching people,” Holladay said. “I started looking at their eyes when they’re talking, looking at their body language when they’re talking so that I would know if they’re telling me the truth, or telling me a lie.” Holladay used that sentiment as a theme for the rest of his talk. Sometimes during his presentation, he would perform magic tricks to illustrate his talking points. After listing off the different ways people obtain knowledge throughout their lives like personal experiences, outside influences, and formal education, Holladay asked the students to reflect on their lives. “I want you to think back to your last bad decision,” Holladay said. “We all make bad decisions. What would have happened if you would have taken a moment to think about the decision, think about the conse-

quences, maybe you would have made a different decision.” Holladay transitioned into a story about the passing of his father-in-law, Carroll Gibson, who smoked cigarettes since he was 14 years-old. Holladay said Gibson expressed regret for his smoking on his deathbed, and he used that story as a way to announce the thesis of his lecture. “The way I talk is I’m just straight,” Holladay said. “Here’s some realtalk: if you smoke, if you vape, if you smoke marijuana, if you do any of those things, here’s the truth, you have a 60 percent chance of dying at least 15 to 20 years early. That’s a fact.” One of the main points Holladay tried to drive to the audience was that vaping companies do not think about their customers. “[Vaping companies] do not care about you at all,” Holladay said. “They don’t care if you get sick. They don’t care if you get cancer. They don’t care if you get popcorn lung. They don’t care about anything. The only thing they don’t want is they don’t want you to die, because if you die, you can’t buy their products.” In his roughly hour long lecture, Holladay discussed the differences between young and old advertising and how they affect consumers, what companies like Juul do to make their products more addictive,

and the chemicals inside Juul pods that have cancerous side-effects. Holladay as been touring the country since 2002, talking to students initially about cyber bullying, but for the last four years his focus has been about vaping. Holladay said that he has seen an encouraging response from students over the years who have seen his talks. “With the cyber bullying [talks] I didn’t get as good of a response, it was just kind of ‘yeah we know it’s bad’ or whatever,” Holladay said. “With [vaping], a lot of [students] don’t really know it’s that bad. When I share with them facts, they respond to it and they say ‘well, maybe this guy knows what he’s talking about.’” Katelyn Tubbs, freshmen, saw Holladay’s talk in the auditorium and found it unorthodox, but appreciated what he had to say. “It was nice actually,” Tubbs said. “Well he started off like, ‘y’all are probably wondering why this little white -=man is in your hood,’ so it doesn’t really want to make you focus on him. Now you’re just kind of wondering ‘what is he talking about? He’s just talking about nonsense. But if you put that aside, he was actually talking about some really good things and I appreciate that he brought his real life into his speech.”

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

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OUR THOUGHTS

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On the potential legalization of marijuana Everyone at least once in their life has heard the typical spiel about marijuana and how dangerous it is. We, as students, have been told all of our lives that any association with marijuana suggests criminal behavior, leading surely to a life of crime and addiction. However, times are changing. National polling shows support for recreational marijuana use is around 60 percent. And according to the results of a National Survey on Drug Use, the number of young people who believe regular use of marijuana is risky is steadily decreasing. In the U.S, eight states plus the District of Columbia now allow recreational use of the drug. Over half of the U.S. permits the use of medical marijuana, this being 33 states plus the District of Columbia. In the ancient world, hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant, which is the plant marijuana is produced from, was a common agricultural crop. Even into the 1800s, cannabis extract was a popular medicinal drug. But in the 1900s, despite the drug’s known benefits, the government’s opinion of marijuana shifted. Law makers turned against the use of the plant as a medicinal drug, and it soon became criminalized. Since then, a number of studies have been done, proving the many benefits of medical marijuana use in contemporary society, along with disproving some preconceived myths about the use of marijuana as its use as a recreational and medicinal drug. Medical marijuana can soothe nausea and increase appetite, quiet pain, relieve anxiety and even reduce epileptic seizures. And according to a 2016 study on mice, research suggests that THC, the chemical compound in marijuana that makes people “high,” may be able to improve memory.

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THC may also decrease pain, inflammation, and muscle control problems. It may be useful in treating mental illness and addictions. Many researchers, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC and other cannabinoids for medical treatment. A compelling study from Harvard’s Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program looked at a group of adults who used marijuana to treat anxiety, chronic pain, PTSD, and sleep problems. After three months of use, the study determined that the adults did not exhibit signs of declining cognitive function, which is a popular counter argument for the regular use of marijuana as a medicinal drug. The study did find, however, that their executive function skills, like paying attention and managing time, actually improved. So, this proves that even though marijuana is a mind-altering drug, it does not appear to have a lasting adverse effect on cognitive function in adults. So why then, despite these benefits, is marijuana still regulated under the Controlled Substances Act as a schedule one drug? This means that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse with no legitimate medical or therapeutic applications. This falls under the same category as heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Marijuana should not be listed under this classification, as studies have proven the drug’s link to medical benefits. Compared to other schedule one drugs, marijuana is undeniably safer, as heroin caused over 15,000 deaths in 2017 in the United States, while there are no reports of teens or adults dying from marijuana overdose alone. Marijuana is even less harmful than alcohol. According to the Drug Enforce-

ment Administration, more than 88,000 Americans die from alcohol-induced causes annually, and as mentioned previously, there have been no documented deaths from marijuana use alone. In addition, an analysis published in the journal Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience suggests a direct link between alcohol and violent behavior, while there is no known link regarding violence prompted by marijuana use. Our prisons are filled with non-violent offenders, arrested solely for the possession of marijuana. Why, as a society, are we still perpetuating fear concerning a drug with proven medicinal benefits? And why

“Powerpoint by Stuffy Old Dudes”

Artwork Created by Luke Martin

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Want to submit YOUR letter to the editor? Stop by room 109, or contact one of our editors or Mrs. Lane!

NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL • 2901 NORTHRIDGE ROAD • TUSCALOOSA, AL 35406 • (205)759-3734 Managing Editor Addison Taylor Business Manager Sylvia Maples Editor-in-Chief Will McLelland Feature Editors Emily Matthews Will McLelland Sports Editor

are our lawmakers still creating legislation that further suppresses its legalization? Although the use of recreational and medicinal marijuana use is sanctioned in some US states, we, collectively as a country have a long way left to go. Marijuana, along with common sense age regulations, should be legal nationwide.

News Editor Grace Jeong Opinion Editor Luke Martin Beat Tory Polion Art Editor Luke Martin

Opinion disclaimer: The opinions in The Northridge Reporter are those of the students and not of the faculty or administration of Northridge High School or the Tuscaloosa Board of Education. Advertising and subscription: Contact The Northridge Reporter at (205) 759-3590 ext. 3432 or rlane@tusc.k12. al.us to advertise or subscribe to our paper.

Entertainment Editor Addison Taylor Social Media Editor Luke Martin

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Rhonda Lane, Advisor Will McLelland, Editor-In-Chief

Head Photographer Emily Matthews Cover Emily Matthews Letters to the editor: It is the policy of The Northridge Reporter to publish all non-obscene, non-libelous, signed letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion expressed in them. Submit letters to Rhonda Lane in room 109 or email to rlane@tusc.k12.al.us. The Northridge Reporter reserves the right to edit letters and verify allegations. The newspaper is distributed monthly.

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

Students’ value cannot be represented by a test score

KENNADY KIDD SPORTS EDITOR This is the test of your life. It will determine where you go to school and the amount of scholarship money you will receive. Where you go to school can enhance your job prospects. Also, whether or not you receive scholarships will determine the amount of student loans you will be strapped with for the next decade. This test is known as the ACT (American College

Testing), and it is required for students in Alabama to take either the ACT or the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). There are four test sections on the ACT, with an optional writing section. The total score is a composite of the sections, scored on a scale of 1-36. The national average is 21. Alabama is below average at 19.2. Unfortunately, the ACT is an inaccurate representation of a person’s intelligence, so it shouldn’t be such an essential part of applying for colleges and universities. The ACT is intended to measure a student’s readiness for college, but it is just a way to differentiate students with similar grade point averages. The score supposedly determines how much a student has learned throughout high school and how academically prepared they are for college. Even if the test is a successful measure of intelligence, there is no way it shows universities how likely a student is to try and succeed

in college. Just because a person is “smarter” doesn’t mean they are necessarily going to “try harder.” Furthermore, students have different ways of thinking. A standardized test doesn’t accommodate all of these students. The ACT focuses on logical-mathematical thinking, and verbal-linguistic thinking. Because students have different intelligence abilities, to categorize them solely from a single test is unfair. While the ACT doesn’t accommodate all students, many students can request accommodations if they have disabilities such as: learning disabilities, ADHD, anxiety disorders, visual or hearing impairments, autism, speech and language disorders, medical conditions, or traumatic brain injuries. However, many students are either misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. In fact, there have been multiple cases of students getting fake diagnoses in order to get extra time on the test.

When students are studying for the ACT, they aren’t studying the material of the test, they are studying how to take the test. High scores on the ACT can be achieved through a good education, but it can also be attained through extensive prep work. Students are being trained to be impressive test takers, rather than being taught valuable material. Instead, colleges should put more emphasis on grades and character, because grades are a more accurate representation of a student’s educational career, and volunteer work and involvement shows strong values. Grades demonstrate time management, work completion, intensive studying, and genuine interest. These are skills that can be applied to real life. Universities need to consider students that are applying with more depth and recognize that there is more to a student than a test score.

culty in deciphering what’s acceptable and what’s not? Ignorance towards the topic of consent starts early. Teenagers in high school are constantly exposed to violent or inconsiderate language regarding sex. There is probably no one in this building who has not heard one of their peers tell a “rape joke”. Rape isn’t something to joke about in the first place, but it’s become such a normalized occurrence that not everyone seems to understand that it’s wrong. This flippant attitude may seem “harmless” at first because they’re not actually sexually assaulting someone; they’re just joking about it. But it’s not harmless. When these kinds of mindsets are left to fester, they just get worse. Whether they grow to excuse sexual assault when it happens, or they grow to commit the crime themselves, it is dangerous to not intervene when these kinds of attitudes are developed. Any kind of impaired judgment invalidates consent. The use of alcohol weakens your sense and begs the question of one be-

ing able to consent when not in their right mind. The consumption of alcohol, mental delays( mentally disabilities, and learning disabilities), and physical disabilities (to where they are left defenseless) all hinder one’s ability to give consent and mean it. Not everyone has the capacity to be able to agree or disagree. Coercing someone into having sex when they initially declined is also an act of sexual misconduct. Even being too young or uneducated on sex are factors that can invalidate the consent given. One can’t give complete consent to an act that they don’t know the full consequences of. So, why aren’t we nipping the problem at the bud? Easy: adults are not putting forth enough effort to educate the youth on consent. High school sex ed is a joke, parents/guardians aren’t always reliable, and information online can be just wrong. Teenagers aren’t being taught what counts as valid consent and what doesn’t, and then they grow up with whatever misconceptions they have, only to fail at teaching the

following generation the same things they should have been taught in the first place. The cycle continues. Someone can say yes, but sometimes yes is not enough. Respect and goodwill along with viewing relationships as shared should be more important. There are very few set, black and white guidelines, but basic morality should be enough to tell you what is acceptable and what is not. We need to actually take initiative to learn about safe and healthy sex, and the consent that is necessary for both. It’s not difficult to be considerate toward your partner, but so many people simply haven’t been taught to do that. So, lead by example. Whoever you are, and whatever kind of relationship you may be in. Now, or in the future, make an effort to be sure that neither you nor your partner are made uncomfortable by each other. Tell your friends to do the same. Speak out when you see injustice. Teach the next generation. Do not sit back and watch others suffer, simply because their voice was not heard, or were never asked for in the first place.

Do the right thing: listen before you act

EMILY MATTHEWS FEATURE EDITOR Consent regarding sex is a rough topic that we as a nation fight, argue and debate about. Many people know at least one person (men and women alike) who has been sexually assaulted or raped, whether they realize it or not. We can all agree that violating someone’s consent is immoral and verifying each parties full consent necessary. Why is it then, our nation has diffi-

Student artists capture the future

LUKE MARTIN OPINION EDITOR Every person on this planet is an individual, with individual lives and individual thoughts. This great variety of people are able to produce the novel thoughts and expressions that fuel art. But as generations pass, ideas evolve - styles and priorities evolve. So, with this ever changing field, who is better to take the world by storm than the youth who are experiencing the most constant changes as they go about their lives? Who is better to blaze the trail than the student artists who know the current world, and are experiencing it fully as they develop their own selves and thoughts? The answer is simple: there is no one better suited for revolution than those who will inherit the Earth. The visual arts are so often overlooked by

more popular or “useful” professions. Those who want to become career artists are mocked for their ambition, and told that they will inevitably fail. What most people do not realize, however, is that career artists are the ones who make the world around you beautiful. They are the architects that design the most magnificent cathedrals we gaze upon in awe. They are the jewelers that craft the exquisite jewelry your mother wore at her wedding. They are the graphic designers that conjure up the vibrant displays you see in Times Square. They are the comic book artists that illustrated that series you loved as a child. They are the fashion experts who wove art and fabrics together to produce your wardrobe. They are the painters who immortalized history in colors and brushstrokes as it happened. They are the muralists who ignite the flames of social movements through their sparks of free thought. They are the woodworkers who carefully carve elegant designs into long-lasting furniture. They were the high school kids finding their way through the world. The individual student artist may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but the truth is that the “whole” is made up of these individuals. There can be no world if there are no minds to fuel it. Every artist on this Earth is a necessary component, and humanity will feel their loss if they cease to create.

Why sit in a waiting room when you’re not feeling well? With our new online check-in, you don’t have to. We text your estimated wait time. When you reach the front of the line, you receive a text to let you know you’re next. Now you can wait where you want. SOUTH 5005 Oscar Baxter Dr. Tuscaloosa 205.343.2225

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NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

BASKETBALL'S BEST

Northridge triumphs in Special Olympics TORY POLION BEAT PAGE EDITOR

The Northridge Special Education Department won first place in the basketball portion of the Special Olympic games on March 29 in the Northridge gym. The event included other schools: Central High School, Paul W. Bryant High School, Northridge Middle School and Eastwood Middle School. Coach Pete LaCentra, adaptive P.E. consultant, is mostly responsible for organizing this event along with the help of Dr. Bruce Prescott, director of Special Education for the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Some NHS students were given the opportunity to participate. Teachers, students, and staff said they enjoyed the annual event. “They look forward to it,” LaCentra said. “They keep track of it; they’ll remind me if we’re going to be late for practice. I believe it’s priceless the things that they take away from it.” Central and Bryant were the first two teams to play each other once the games started, with Bryant winning a close one 13-12, allowing them to move on to the championship round. Northridge Middle fought against Eastwood Middle and Northridge successfully

won against Eastwood 36-32. ing the students during the event and will The championship round saw help clean up the gym after the game ends. Northridge High and Bryant face off on Barnett said they enjoy volunteering. the floor. While, it came down to the last “They get the helping out of it…they few minutes left in the game, Northridge don’t do it for a prize,” said Barnett. “They came in first place, winning 63-57. Bryant go and help them at about 3:00, not everyand Central placed second and third re- day but some days, and they go help them spectively. get to the bus and clean up.” NHS students Luke Richardson, Jalen Ford, a senior, said that Luke RichAshuntae Quarles, Edward “EJ” Odum ardson, a Special Ed. student, influenced and Deon Tinson led their team and their his involvement in the games on Friday. school to a victory, and once “Luke. I’ve it was over, they celebrated “They keep track of it; they’ll re- known him their win with a picture. mind me if we’re going to be late for the longest, While the teachers and elemenfor practice. I believe it’s priceless since staff organize the dates, tary school,” times, and competition the things that they take away Ford said. events, it is the students from it.” Along with -PETE LACENTRA helping and that also help and befriend different people within the spending time department. Jag Pals is a with the declub specifically designed to help, care and partment, there is also a large impact that support teenagers their age that can not do is left upon the players, Jag Pals and typical most of the things that an average teenag- students once the games are over. er can do. Students who join this club will “It will help you get to know them better be also be able to put this on their resume and see stuff from their point of view,” said once they graduate from high school. The senior Justin Kennedy. club will be assigned by Jamie Barnett, Students, then, prepared themselves head of the Jag Pals club, to participate in for the Special Olympics Field and Track different activities with the Special Ed. de- Tournament that took place on April 17 at partment. They are responsible for support- Northridge Stadium. Verner Elementary

School, Rock Quarry Elementary School, Central High School, Paul W. Bryant High School, Northridge Middle School and many more schools were invited and played in the games. The stadium was packed with tents, parents, students and other faculty that cheered the players on continuously. Each game, players would line up at the starting mark and their school would be supporting each individual with large signs and loud cheers when the players started running. Northridge High School won first place in multiple events including the 25 meter walk, the 50 meter walk and the Assistant Walk. Big Al, the University of Alabama’s mascot, made a big appearance that excited and energized the players and their schools. Football players, Thaddeus Roberts, Edward Page IV, KyJuan Lewis and other players assisted the Jag Pals in setting up and cleaning up after the tournament. “It inspired me to be more open and to help kids that can’t help themselves,” said Jason Reynolds, a sophomore Jag Pal. Students can contact Jamie Barnett, head of the Jag Pals club and Special Education teacher, for more information on how to join Jag Pals.

‘Seuss’ing it up for Seussical SYLVIA MAPLES & GRACE JEONG STAFF WRITERS

Northridge High School’s musical theater department performed “Seussical Jr.” in the Northridge auditorium on April 5-6. There was an in-school performance in addition to the two performances at night. “Seussical Jr.” is a play that consists of several of Dr. Seuss’ children’s books including “Horton Hears a Who,” “The Lorax,” “Yertle the Turtle,” “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” and many more short stories. Starting from the beginning of the semester, students from the musical theater department class have worked on the play by auditioning for parts, memorizing lines,

and practicing choreography for the play with the help of directors Donna Wright and Beth McGuire. “It took a solid month to prepare for the production crew which is shorter than the previous years,” Wright said. “There are no stage managers currently, but Josh Deck is in charge of the backstage.” Sophomore Xander Nowell (Vlad Vladikoff, Yertle the Turtle, and the Grinch) said the play “follows Horton from ‘Horton Hears a Who,’ and what’s going on in the Jungle of Nool.” There will still be a continuing flow of the Whos and their perspective of the story from their tiny speck on the “truffula seed.” “‘Seussical Jr.’ will be really funny and exciting. It’s so cool be able to perform a play on many of Dr. Seuss’s books. The mix of

LOVE FROM THE EGG Horton (Sam Allen) and Gertude (Katie Grace Dockery) unite at the end of the play. (Photo by Jennifer Stroud)

ACTORS IN THE MAKING Knolyn Smith (freshman), and Allison Jackson (sophomore), play the drums to set the tone for the Sour Kangaroo to sing her song. The "Sour Kangaroo" and the rest of the creatures in the Jungle of Nool call Horton out for the madman he is since he claims to have heard voices coming from a speck of dust.(Photo by Jennifer Stroud).

fantasy and humor will surely intrigue the audience. I think everyone will enjoy getting to watch it if they can,” Nowell said. This spring’s play was scheduled to take a month or two’s time preparation to be able to perform flawlessly in front of the school and public. Many students helped make the play possible during third and fourth blocks and stayed after school in the coming week of the performance to apply the finishing touches before the premiere. The lead role of Horton from “Horton Hears a Who” is played by sophomore Sam Allen. Last semester Allen played Schroeder, a talented and subdued young comedian, in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” For this semester’s “Seussical Jr.,” Allen’s said his main focus was “jumping into character” for the “soft, sweet, amazing, and funny” character, Horton. He has prepared for two months and helps with the set and backdrop since most items and

props used in the play are handmade. “One of the things I like most about Horton is that he wants to help people and always stands up for others more than himself,” Allen said.

"It’s so cool be able to perform a play on many of Dr. Seuss’s books. The mix of fantasy and humor will surely intrigue the audience. I think everyone will enjoy getting to watch it if they can.” - Xander Nowell

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

OUTSIDE OF NORTHRIDGE

Tuscaloosa celebrates 200 year anniversary ADDISON TAYLOR MANAGING EDITOR

uscaloosa is turning 200 years-old this year, and the milestone is being commemorated by many bicentennial celebrations. One such student-centered event is a history exposition which showcases the talents of students in the Tuscaloosa City School district engaged in the study of the town’s heritage. The Tuscaloosa Bicentennial Commission partnered with the Tuscaloosa City Schools, inviting students from the school district to take part in the historical commemoration. Each school will provide a variety of unique learning experiences for its students, related to the recognition of particular eras of the city’s history. Northridge was assigned to research Tuscaloosa’s history during the years 1880 to 1920 and will engage in a cooperative, curricularly diverse study of the time period. Both teachers and students will then come together to create a booth to honor the appointed era. History teacher, Abby Kirkland and library media specialist, Marcie Irvin are heading the Northridge bicentennial booth, and are involved with organizing

the school’s part in the event. “This project will have a little bit of everyone involved and Mrs. Irvin and I are ecstatic!” said Kirkland. With their guidance, the students will thoroughly study and create an exhibit for their specific time period on topics such as food, fashion, decor, arts, and technology. The project truly is a collaborative endeavor, with a bit of everyone having their hands involved in the exhibit’s construction. Unetta Samuel’s AP statistics class will work on census maps, and Mrs. Townsend’s science classes will research coal and the river, while Janea Barton’s science classes will study the dam. History classes will collect visual aids and pictures, and English classes will write speeches for the student docents. In addition, Beth McGuire plans to assemble a small group of students that will play music from the designated time period. During the exhibition, the projects will then be qualified for judging in eight categories. When completed, they will aid in archiving and sharing the information compiled through the students research in Tuscaloosa’s extensive history. The exposition will be held April 24-27, and will feature exhibits from nearly every school in the district.

T-TOWN PRIDE Tuscaloosa celebrates its 200 year anniversary by displaying flags across downtown. Teachers and students in the school district will honor the milestone with exhibitions that recognize the town's extensive history. (Photo by Will McLelland)

2019 Druid City arts festival draws crowd ADDISON TAYLOR MANGAGING EDITOR

n April 5-6, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports held the 10th Annual Druid City Arts Festival at Government Plaza. Just last year, the festival sported 85 artists and welcomed over 15,000 attendees,

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an enormous growth since the festival first debuted in 2010. Kicking off Friday night, the festival began with a concert by local music group, GrAystone, along with a performance by Matt Jones Band. The festival also displayed and celebrated art from local artists with work spanning a variety of mediums, including glass art, sculpture, and soap

making. As always, the event was free to all who attended. Along with showcasing art, there were many interactive activities for both children and adults. Some of these include a tie-dye station and a puppy petting zoo hosted by the Humane Society and the Metro Animal Shelter.

“This will be our biggest and best,” said Don Staley, president and CEO of Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports. “We will have more art, more music, more food vendors, and more kid friendly activities than ever.”

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER APRIL 2019

FEATURE

LOCKDOWN AT NORTHRIDGE

Following two students’ recollection of a lockdown in January, and how they feel about current measures being taken to prevent school shootings

WINTER LOCKDOWN First responders surround Northridge High School during after a call was made reporting suspicious behavior, prompting lockdowns for all of the schools in the area. Police cars and a helicopter flying overhead protected the schools for over an hour as law enforcement and school administration searched the woods, making sure the area was safe. (Photo from Tuscaloosa News)

WILL MCLELLAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The boys did what they were supposed to do; they corralled everyone into the bandroom and locked all of the doors except for one door they said the teacher didn’t have the keys for, which they barricaded with a table. They described their bandroom as being built to withstand a tornado because it’s made almost entirely out of concrete. They put everyone inside a storage closet, turned out the lights, and waited. That was a Tuesday morning in January for seniors Henry Noffsinger and Wes Moman. Their regular routine of helping middle schoolers learn music was disrupted by an announcement telling them to go to their safety spots because they were on a hard lockdown. As far as anyone knew at the middle school, this was real. The threat was treated like it was immediate, but Noffsinger and Moman were not too bothered. They texted their siblings to make sure that they were okay, because they remembered that if one school in the area goes on lockdown, so do the others out of precaution and that maybe something was going on at the high school. When they knew that the threat wasn’t at the high school, it calmed them down because while they were on a serious lockdown, they didn’t hear gunshots. To pass the time they played on their phones or just talked. They said multiple attempts were made to get the middle schoolers to be quiet, but few followed instructions. Rumors were going around amongst the middle schoolers that the threat was “a crazy guy hunting gnomes.” Eventually when it became clear that the lockdown was a false alarm, the band teacher, John Cain got the all clear so he and the boys could leave. Noffsinger and Moman don’t express shock or worry when they talk about this. They said they never felt an adrenaline rush or fear. If gunshots were fired, they said it would have definitely changed their attitudes, but as far as the idea that it could happen any day, they are desensitized. They still take drills seriously, but events like the one in January wouldn’t be “a shocking turn of events for the day” to them - it’s just a part of school life. “It’s obviously a bad thing that that’s

something we have to worry about,” Noffsinger feels like giving staff weapNoffsinger said. “But I think the more de- ons should be a last resort, but he also sensitized to it you are, the more rational shares with Moman an attitude of ‘if it you might act in that situation. If you’re works, it works.’ thinking straight, I’d say you have a better “It’s a very double edged sword,” chance of surviving than if you’re freaking Noffsinger said. “On one hand, they could out.” potentially stop a school shooter with After that lockdown, Noffsinger and that, but also, you’re intentionally putting Moman found some issues with how the a weapon in a school where you’re tryevent was handled. The first suggestion ing to not have them. If someone were to they half-jokingly made was that teachers get a hold of [a gun] that isn’t a teacher, should have all of the keys they need to se- then all of the other security measures of cure their space, and the second was one like checking back packs and stuff kind of they were genuinely concerned about. go to waste because there are guns in the “Maybe distribute information to those school.” in charge?” Noffsinger said. “The students The principal of Northridge High School, don’t necessarily need to know, but the Kyle Ferguson, and the Superintendent of teachers probably should know what’s go- Tuscaloosa City Schools, Dr. Mike Daria, ing on as soon as possible.” along with having a plan in place in collabThey were disturbed by how little any- oration with Tuscaloosa first responders, one knew about the situation. When a say that their best way to prevent a school rumor about a man with a gun hunting shooting is better commmunication with gnomes gains traction, they want teachers faculty and students. They say students to be able to halt it. At the very least, they should report any suspicious behavior to an would have appreciated knowing about adult, or file a report on the school system’s what was going on outside of the school. website. The administration calls it their “There was a police barricade out - we “see something, say something” campaign. found out there was a barricade when we The only problem is that this were heading back,” Moman information is new to said. There was also Noffsinger and a helicopter flyMoman. ing over the schools, and neit h e r of the boys w e r e aware until they were asked Noffsingabout it during er said he never our interview. A preALWAYS ASSISTING Seniors Wes Moman, and Henry Noffsinger recal their experiences when Northridge Middle School went on a hard lockdown in January, and how they had to pack middle schoolers into the band room until they got the all clear. (Photo by Will McLelland) vention tactic that gained popularity after the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, was to give teachers firearms to carry on campus. Noffsinger and Moman are hesitant to endorse it, but they aren’t closed minded about it. “I wouldn’t say yes, but if it does happen, you need to make sure they take proper classes and training,” Moman said.

hears anything about it other than maybe on “Halt” forms, and the “occasional mention of the phrase ‘see something, say something,’ but he doesn’t think he ever heard it on campus, just somewhere online. Last year, Dr. Daria went to all of the city secondary schools on a “see something, say something” assembly tour, which they didn't remember, but a friend of theirs

nearby did remember and said that was when students started seeing posters on doors that tell people to keep them closed at all times. Other than that, they say they don’t hear much about campus safety communication. Noffsinger said that even with the option of going to an adult and reporting someone, that could be complicated. “I feel like some people might be apprehensive if they reported someone who said, ‘I’m gonna shoot up the school,’” Noffsinger said. “Then [if] they go report that to the principal, they might be scared that person ratted them out and might be coming for them.” To improve reporting suspicious behavior, Noffsinger and Moman want an online forum where reports could be completely anonymous, but they worry people could abuse that as well. However, what neither of them knew was that there is a forum for this kind of anonymous reporting. Since October, the Tuscaloosa City Schools have been sending “Speak Up” emails to students once a month providing them with the information they need to report suspicious behavior. They can call or text (662) 368-2530 or email speakup@ tuscaloosacityschools.com to report something, but to do so anonymously, they have to use their non-student email address. Even with those emails, Noffsinger and Moman had no idea that option was available, and regardless, they had recommendations for how to strengthen the school system’s communication strategy. They suggested that administrators should start making oddly timed announcements on the intercom about campus safety so students would pay more attention. On a larger scale, outside of a school campus, they suggested that stronger background checks should be conducted when people buy a gun. Another suggestion Moman had was an expansion of open carry laws. He feels that if everyone has a firearm on them, nobody is going to use theirs to kill people. “Personally, I’ve grown up in a family that owns firearms,” Moman said. “My grandfather takes me to shoot pistols, and I’ve shot my family’s guns for a long time, and personally, I would feel more comfortable if I had a firearm.” (Gun from Tribune News Service)

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER APRIL 2019

FEATURE

THE PREVENTION FACTORS

Exploring what the Tuscaloosa City Schools are doing to combat and prevent violent threats from becoming a reality ADDISON TAYLOR AND WILL MCLELLAND MANAGING EDITOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHEIF

“SEE SOMETHING,

For the school administration, the battle of combating and preventing violence on campus is an everyday struggle. One which involves frequent prevention meetings, and of course, having rein and knowledge over the goings on at ground zero - the school itself. One day in late January, Superintendent of the Tuscaloosa City Schools Dr. Mike Daria was informed in a meeting that a runner on Northridge road saw a man with a gun near the high school. It was then that Daria said everyone followed the “plan in place.” That plan, which Daria couldn't talk about in too much detail for safety reasons, is one that involves direct communication between the schools, the Tuscaloosa Police Department, and other first responders. “It’s when all of those agencies work together on a plan when planning can become effective,” Daria said. “It’s when they work in a disjointed manner that you lose continuity and strength in planning.” The threat turned out to be a misunderstanding. The runner who called the police thinking she saw a potential attacker, in reality saw an innocent man in a black overcoat. The combination of school resource officers, coordination with first responders, and luck that the situation wasn’t violent, made for a helpful practice. “You have to make sure that everybody’s trained, and knows routines and expectations so that when something does happen it’s kind of automatic,” Northridge Principal, Kyle Ferguson said. The chaos that ensues as a result of violence on school grounds is not new to Ferguson, who has had two discharges of a firearm on his campuses. Ferguson and his assistant principal, Keith Jackson, have done trainings and research to modify how they handle threats. He talked about a recent training he went to that he found very disturbing because it was the first time he had seen actual footage of school shootings. The training was done by a man named Phil Chalmers, who interviews serial murderers and school shooters to see what brings them to commit serious crimes. Ferguson read off his phone the top ten causes of teen murder, in order, according to Chalmers: mental illness/brain injury, lack of spiritual guidance and proper discipline, criminal lifestyle/poverty, peer pressure, easy access to/fascination with weapons, cults/gangs/hate groups, drug/ alcohol abuse, suicidal thoughts/anger issues/depression, obsession with violent entertainment, and unstable family/bullying. Ferguson paused at the second to last cause to talk about how disturbing he found popular video games to be like Grand Theft Auto. He said that it desensitizes kids to violence, and that a generation brought up with murderous entertainment might be a reason why school shootings are so common. “There’s the old saying, ‘garbage in, garbage out,’” Ferguson said. “What you listen to, what goes into your head, goes into your heart and comes out of your mouth.” When we asked what was being done to prevent school shootings from happening, Ferguson and Daria stress this word, “communication.” Ferguson thinks that the best

SAY SOMETHING," thing to do other than having resource officers on campus, is to make sure everyone is comfortable in their learning environment. He said he tries to encourage students to feel more comfortable talking to teachers. An example he gave to show how the faculty try to from a comfortable relationship with students was when Ferguson

observed a math class a few years ago. A student was nervous about asking a question, but Ferguson encouraged her to ask it and because she voiced her confusion, the teacher realized he solved a problem on the board incorrectly. “That’s how you handle school safety,” Ferguson said. “You’ve got to make sure

GUN VIOLENCE

A teacher's perspective WILL MCLELLAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF On a Tuesday morning in late February, Shane Ashcraft was being interviewed by a student for a project. The student asked Ashcraft about why he wanted to become a teacher, what kinds of jobs he’s had, his experiences in sports, what his most difficult responsibilities are as a teacher, and about a violent experience in his past. The event he discussed with the student, and in greater detail with us was the time he was caught in the crossfire of a violent situation. Ashcraft was about ten years old when he was playing in his neighbor’s yard next to an apartment complex where a man got into an altercation with his girlfriend. “This guy gets into an argument with his girlfriend, chases her out of the house and starts firing shots at her,” Ashcraft said. “And she’s running towards us to get away from him, so the bullets were coming at us. There was a big oak tree in my grandmother’s yard that ended up stopping the bullets. So basically me and the other kid dove on the ground, people opened the door, and we pretty much crawled into the house.” Ashcraft says that growing up in an environment where gun violence is a common occurance hasn’t desensitized him, but it’s made him “aware” and given him experience. He tells his classes that if the school gets a threat, “This isn’t my first rodeo. I got you. It’ll be fine, we’ll figure it out.” What does bother Ashcraft though is the growing interest in giving firearms to teachers to defend their classes. “The scary thing is, people keeping talking about giving teachers guns and stuff like that,” Ashcraft said. “I am a gun owner. I have been a gun owner since I was like sixteen years-old, and there is not a single person on this staff or on any other staff, whose primary job is the care of children, that I would trust with a gun or any weapon. Period. In fact I have long said that the day a school system I am teaching in allows school officials to carry weapons is the day that I will set my keys on the table and walk out.” The idea of allowing teachers to carry firearms on campus gained traction after the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Last year, then Alabama state representative Will Ainsworth sponsored a bill to allow teachers who underwent a 40 hour minimum of training with a firearm to be able to carry it on campus, and in June of 2018, Governor Kay Ivey signed an executive memo allowing school administrators to carry guns and use them in the event of a school shooting. This policy is one that both Northridge Principal, Kyle Ferguson, and the Superintendent of the Tuscaloosa City Schools, Dr. Mike Daria, do not support. Ashcraft says the relationships between students and teachers would dramatically change. He talked about the different ways students would internalize instructions from their teachers if they had a gun or not; how they would normally obey a teacher out of respect and not out of fear. He thinks that when a teacher has a gun, they then have the same responsibilities as a police officer, and that they have to operate in a way they shouldn’t. “The scariest thing is when you wake up in the morning and you put a gun on your hip, and you have to think to yourself, ‘today I am ready to kill someone,’ flat out. And that is not something I want teachers to have on their mind.” Ashcraft said. “Thank goodness we have people who are willing to do that job, but that is not what any of us [teachers] signed up for.” To combat school shootings, Ashcraft’s first recommendation is that the school to use the metal detectors that have rarely been used, which to emphasize that point, he also listed as his third recommendation. He also thinks that students need to be properly educated about shootings so that everyone is “on the same page.” As far as enacting legislation like a mass gun recall, Ashcraft believes the country is “too far gone” because of the number of weapons available and Americans’ attitude towards them. He thinks that being tougher gun owners with weapons that aren’t registered or illegally obtained, and having psychological evaluations for people when they buy a firearm might help, but that it would be years before anyone would see results. “There’s too many people with too many guns for [any solutions] to be close to immediate.” Ashcraft said.

that people are comfortable coming to you. You’ve got to make sure that it’s okay to be vulnerable- that kids and teachers know that you’re not going to ridicule them.” When it comes to large scale solutions for how schools across the country should prevent school shootings, Daria and Ferguson aren’t too specific. Both Daria and Ferguson do not support the growingly popular idea to combat school shootings by arming staff, because of the dangerous unintended consequences it could create. Ferguson is a self-described second amendment proponent, a passionate outdoorsmen, and for a time he was a firearm safety instructor for the State Department of Conservation. As far as the need for gun control, Ferguson said that there are already “laws on the books” and that they just need to be better enforced. Daria is also vague when he talks about big picture solutions to school shootings. He said there isn’t just one thing that needs to be fixed, but that people need to review everything from the gun laws to how we treat mental health. Although with Tuscaloosa being his specialty, he believes strongly in what the school system is doing. Daria talked about what he sees as a tool to help prevent school violence. “Our ‘see something, say something’ campaign,” Daria said. “As students, we want you to be part of the solution by reporting things that are of concern. Part of that is making sure that there is a phone number to report through text, there’s a website to report, so that if there is something of concern that it’s reported because the more we know, the more we can prevent.” Last year, Daria traveled to all of the secondary schools in Tuscaloosa to spread the message about the system’s “see something, say something,” campaign. Since then, every Tuscaloosa City Schools student has received emails labeled “monthly SpeakUp reminder” containing information necessary to report suspicious behavior, like their email address, speakup@tuscaloosacityschools.com, and their phone number that can students can text, (662) 368-2530. Daria said that when school shootings happen in other places, the school system does take a second look at how well they execute their training and what procedures need to be added. After the shooting in Parkland, Florida last year Daria said that some change was made - school resource officers were permanently put in all Tuscaloosa City elementary schools. On a day-to-day basis, Ferguson and the rest of administration take all of these prevention tactics into account and assumes the position of their enforcer. “You do get desensitized, you do begin to think, ‘oh it’ll never happen to me,’ but my job as a principal is never to think that, and to never think that way,” said Ferguson. “I’ll get on the radio about ten times a day and say, ‘alright guys go to a perimeter check,’ and we’ll walk down the halls and check doors. There’s simple things that you can do that might save 20 lives, just because you shut a door instead of leaving it open. You just have to be vigilant.”

ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER APRIL 2019

Captain Marvel movie review: higher, further, faster SYLVIA MAPLES WEB EDITOR

heartwarming; though I will have to say my absolute favorite aspect Marvel has heard our of this movie had to be prayers in creating a film Stan Lee’s cameo. Marvel with a woman as the main chose to rewrite Captain character to show womMarvel’s expression as en are fearless and can be she passes by Stan Lee to their own hero. where she breaks characThe film opens with the ter to stop and smile at main character, Captain him. This is the last movie Marvel (Brie Larson) on the comic artist Stan Lee the planet Kree where she was able to help produce is caught in a war between before he passed away in two types of alien races: Nov. 2018, making this the Krees and the Skrulls. movie dear to all Marvel On a mission to stop comic fans. Instead of the the Skrulls expanding normal opening into the to planet C-53 (Earth), Marvel fanfare with the she runs into agents of standard variety of superS.H.I.E.L.D and is met hero characters, clips of by a young Nick Fury Stan Lee are shown in(Samuel L. Jackson) and side the Marvel logo from Agent Coulson (Clark all of his cameos in every Gregg). From her recurMarvel movie. ring flashbacks to earth I would give this movie when she was a U.S. Air a 9/10 because the sound Force pilot named Carol effects, characters, plot, Danvers, Captain Marvel STICK IT TO THE MAN In spite of some controversy, actress, Brie Larson, still delivered an impressive role as Captain Marvel. and fight scenes were (Photo from Tribune News Service) begins to wonder if she exceedingly spectacular really did have a life on and inspiring, showing that women can be I am anticipating seeing “Avengers Endand quite astonishing to Earth. heroes too. This is a very funny and action game,” but Captain Marvel was interesting watch. This is a movie I would definitely The end credit scenes to Captain Marvel filled movie, as most Marvel movies are, and inspiring. recommend to all ages to go see, and if you relate to the ongoing movies set after 1995, since many viewers know Marvel is supeOne of the highlights of the movie is don’t think you will one hundred percent such as the “Avengers” and possibly “Thor,” rior at making superhero films. (Sorry, DC. Captain Marvel’s suit up scene, building like the movie, you can still go see it for the as well as the bonus scene that ties directly fans, but we all know it’s true). I wasn’t to- up to a fight against her opposers. Captain end credit scenes. into “Avengers Endgame.” tally blown away by this movie considering Marvel’s color choices for her suit were Overall, this movie was very encouraging

Down: 1. french quarter 2. corsage 4. ticket 8. night 10. sign 13. prom 14. tux

Across: 3. promposal 5. friends 6. dance 7. queen 9. dress 11. king 12. boutonnière 13. pictures

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER APRIL 2019

Bastille’s upcoming album sounds promising LUKE MARTIN OPINION EDITOR Bastille, a famous British indie pop/rock band, will be releasing their new album “Doom Days” in April. Most well-known for their hit track “Pompeii” from their debut album “Bad Blood”, Bastille is easily one of Britain’s favorite bands. However, their influence has reached all across the globe, making “Doom Days” a greatly anticipated work. So far, Bastille has released two singles: “Quarter Past Midnight” and “Happier” for the upcoming album. While “Quarter Past Midnight” was released first as the announcement for “Doom Days,” “Happier” has gotten the highest rating of the two, peaking on Feb 16 as number two on Billboard’s charts. Honestly, I’m so ready for “Doom Days”. I haven’t actually listened to Bastille in a long time, but when I heard they were coming out with a new album, I decided to check out the singles they had released. I was not disappointed. I personally am not a huge fan of the majority of pop music, but there’s something about these songs that just feels so much more real than what I’ve heard in the past. So far, “Doom Days” is looking like an album that can be appreciated by all sorts of people. “Happier” begins with clean, crisp vo-

cals and a background piano that immediately demands attention. It’s the kind of song that you don’t have to wait on to get good. Quickly, the rhythm sets in and I’m suddenly nodding my head along with the beat. There’s an obvious lead-up to something, and when the pre-chorus hits I just know that my mind is about to be blown. As soon as the synthesizer kicks in and the beats and bass get heavy, I’m absolutely hooked. I wish I could dance because it’s the kind of song that makes something in your bones just come to life. As the second verse begins, the piano from the beginning is left behind in favor of more electronic instrumentals and layered vocals. The song continues in this manner until the bridge, where I’m pretty sure my soul just froze. There’s so much emotion packed into this song, with lyrics about leaving behind the one you love because you know they’ll be happier somewhere else. “Happier” is a song that makes you want to dance, sing, cry, and laugh all at once. The overall composition is astounding, and it definitely deserves the high ratings it’s received. “Quarter Past Midnight” starts similarly to its companion, but it soon turns around to something much less deep and resounding and more free and bursting. The steady vocals turn breathy and hopeful in the pre-chorus, and when the chorus itself hits the whole song feels less like a “I want my life to change” song to a “I’m making my life change” song. It brings up images of racing in a car down a freeway in the dead of night with your friends, music blaring

DOOM DAYS: The album art for Bastille’s new LP gives listeners a preview of the sound to come. (Photo from Tribune News Service) and windows down just because you can. It feels like letting go and looking forward. If “Happier” made me want to dance, “Quarter Past Midnight” made me want to get up and do something. I less so wanted to get lost in the feel of the music, and more so wanted to use that spontaneous energy for something bigger and better. This is a song that gets your blood pumping in anticipation. If “Happier” and “Quarter Past Mid-

night” are anything to go by, this record will be versatile and heavy-hitting, with songs that simultaneously motivate you and tug at your heart. I will definitely be listening to it in full when it comes out, and I urge you all to do the same.

Blaze pizza: a flavorful explosion TORY POLION BEAT EDITOR

When I walked into Blaze Pizza, a new, fiery restaurant, located in Midtown Village, I was introduced to a place that was full of energy and enthusiasm. It gave me a sense of familiar restaurants that were placed into one with a few upgrades. It seemed as if the environment reminded me of a Chipotle and a Subway that was twisted together to form this new place. It was not hard to see the likeness of the restaurants from the ordering stations, the line and the way that the tables and patio outside were set up. Walking in, my eyes were drawn to the large flaming ovens that were packed with pizzas that were slowing cooking and siz-

zling, waiting to be pulled. It seemed like a long line but, I was at the front in a matter of minutes. The menu consists of a variety of different choices of sauces, meats, vegetables and cheeses. I could choose from different types of pizzas such as White Top, BBQ Chicken, Veg Out, Red Vine, Simple Pie, or I could make it my own. You can also order online, where you can tell the restaurant about any allergens that you may have, and they can customize a pizza that fits your needs. The prices depend on selections that are made. After I ordered and was waiting for my food to be ready, I observed the building very closely. I saw that there are around six to seven smaller tables that can sit around two or four people. I also realized that there

ARTISAN PIZZA The new chain restaurant introduces innovation while still adhering to traditional pizza making techniques. (Photo from Tribune News Service)

Christopher Taylor, D.M.D Brant Gentry, D.M.D Phone: (205) 750-8008 Fax: (205) 750-8152

300 Towncenter Blvd., Suite A Tuscaloosa, Al 35406 Toll Free: 1-866-384-4254 www.smiledesigncenter.net

are three to four bigger tables that can seat family sized guest parties. The outdoor dining is exquisite at night with evening lights that can accommodate family dinner nights. It allows you to watch as the lights of streets slowly start to come on with many other places such as University Mall or Legacy Park. One of the best parts about this restaurant is the fact that I could watch the servers make my pizza in front of me. The choice of making it my own is my favorite. I suggest red sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and bacon. I also ordered a customized salad. The last thing that I loved about this restaurant is the polite service. When they

created my pizza, they asked me questions that show that they want to please the customer, unlike other pizza places that may or may not give you too much cheese or little pepperoni. This is a good place to find food on late nights from studying at the library, working or hanging out with friends. On Mondays through Thursday, they are open from 10:45 a.m to 10:00 p.m. On Friday through Saturday though, they open at their same time but they close at 11:00 p.m. It also offers fast service and a to-go option. Try Blaze Pizza and have an experience that it is unique to you.

10 SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

Baseball boys are pitchin’ in KENNADY KIDD SPORTS EDITOR

The baseball team defeated Demopolis High School at an away game on April 6, with a score of 4-3, but unfortunately suffered a loss to Oak Mountain High School at an away game, on Mar. 21. The game was neck-to-neck, with a losing score of 1-4. Although Oak Mountain won, Hunter Gregory, the baseball coach, expressed his satisfaction of the players. “We didn’t win, but we pitched really well,” said Gregory. “You can give your best effort, but that is really all that you can do.” The baseball team made the playoffs, so that has created more stress on the players. The first round of playoffs will be in Chelsea on April 19 and 20, competing against

Chelsea High School. It will be a best of three series. “They know that these are the most important games.” said Gregory. “There is probably a little more pressure, but you need to remind them not to focus on that. Their number one focus should be to control what they can control.” Sam Browning, a senior, conveyed the life lessons and inspiration he has obtained from his team and coaches. “At some point, you’re going to hang your cleats up, and never be able to play this game again,” said Browning. “So, go out there and play like it is your last game ever. I remember the first day of freshman workout, and now my time is almost done with Northridge baseball.”

THE LINE UP Baseball seniors pose for a picture with their parents at their Senior night at Northridge High School. The team recently made it to the playoffs, and will play against Chelsea High School in the first game.

Wish you could hit like a girl

1470 Northbank Pkway,

MOMENTUM AND SUCCESS After winning against Paul W. Bryant, the Northridge softball team wrapped up the year with a games agaisnt Hillcrest and Bryant. (photo by For the April 3 game against Demopolis, GRACE JEONG the varsity team ended with a close 10 to NEWS EDITOR Northridge softball jags won a victory 9 loss and a 21 to 6 loss for junior varsiagainst Paul W. Bryant 14-1 on March ty. Another win for the team was at Holy 25, making it their first win this season. Spirit with 7 to 4. Again at Gordo, the varNorthridge varsity and junior varsity teams sity team brought home a victory 9 to 7 for lost against American Christian Academy a winning streak of two. The next jv and (ACA) and County High March 26 and varsity game was on April 16 at Hillcrest at 28. The Gordo match ended with a 3 to 1 7:05 p.m. for varsity and 5:00 p.m. for juloss for Northridge. The April 1 game end- nior varsity. The varsity team brought home ed with a 16 to 1 loss for varsity and 20 to another victory against Paul W. Bryant on 0 loss for junior varsity against Brookwood. April 15.

Track and Field take it up a notch KENNADY KIDD SPORTS EDITOR The track and field team has been setting new school records this season. Grover Winston, senior, broke the record for the 400 meter, with a time of 48.93 seconds, and junior, Zion Binion, broke the shot put record with 56 feet and 6 inches. “I accomplished something, and it has been my motivation since I was a freshman,” said Binion. “I work really hard. When I feel discouraged, I talk to myself, ‘You need to pick it up.’ I throw one time, see what’s wrong, and I fix it.” In addition to the school records that have already been surpassed, many others are within reach. Keilan Blossom, junior, and Tristian Abrams, senior, are seconds away from breaking the 800 meter record of 159.29 seconds. Other notable performances included junior, Destiny Saldaña, throwing 118 feet 10 inches in the javelin. The head coach, Jeff Sparks, explained the expectations that were set up by the previous year.

“I work really hard. When I feel discouraged, I talk to myself, ‘ You need to pick it up.’ I throw one time, see what’s wrong, and I fix it.”

- ZION BINION

CELEBRATING THE VICTORY

The boy’s track team hold their trophy in the air, celebrating their hard work and success. The achievements of last year's team has put more pressure on the athletes as they prepare to compete in the state championship early next month. “Last year’s team achieved a little early,” said Sparks. “We weren’t expected to do as well as we did. Now we have that same expectation. There is more stress and pressure, however, we competed well for the

indoor season.” For the indoor season, the boy’s team finished second in state, and they have gotten first or second at every meet so far. The team is focused on training and are look-

Photo from Melanie Danner

ing forward to be competing at the State Championship in Gulf Shores. The State Outdoor Championship will be held on May 2, 3, and 4.

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5

Teachers sideline students in charity basketball game

BASKETBALL FOR A CAUSE Teachers and students line up for a free throw in student teacher basketball game. The $450 made in profits from the tickets will go straight to Childrens of Alabama - a hospital in Birmingham which looks after children in need of specialized medical attention. (Photo by Sylvia Maples) GRACE JEONG NEWS EDITOR On April 3, there was a teachers versus. students basketball game to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Alabama. “I am very excited, we have earned lots of money this year for the hospital,” said Arushi Kotru, the president of Key Club. “We have gone over our original goal, in

raising $450 with all of the funds going straight to the hospital.” As the game started, the students moved swiftly, being the first to score. The teachers started to catch up leaving a tie in the middle of the game. The air intensified as teachers moved back and forth on the court with the score increasing. The students, however, were catching up as well. As the end came near, a relay race between

Soccer success SYLVIA MAPLES BUSINESS MANAGER

The Northridge boys varsity soccer team has added to their four-game winning streak with another win of 11-0 against Brookwood on March 26. The boys have dominated their opponents under the leadership of Shane Ashcraft, winning 4 to 0 on both of their previous two games against County High and Hillcrest. Northridge played and won 2-1 against Holy Spirit on April 1. The boys are ranked second in the state, and finished the regular season with a 21-2 record. The Northridge girls varsity soccer team is off to a great season this year with their win 1-0 against Bryant on the March 21

the student team and the teachers went back and forth for the lead. The heated game came to a close as the scoreboards rang out that the game had ended with the teachers on top. The teachers were the last to score, leaving the final score 56-50. Teachers involved included Jake Carnley, Chelsey Moore, Joseph Moore, Alicia Ware, Erin Darnell, Jordan Thompson, Shane Ashcraft and Lauren Smith. Teach-

ers were covered in sweat and smiles after the win. “I’m really glad we won,” said English teacher, Chelsey Moore. “I was nervous, because the students were tall. It was really fun to take part in the fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital.” “I need oxygen,” said Joseph Moore after the dust settled.

during a tournament weekend at the beach. The girls did come up short to St. Paul’s Episcopal 2-1 on the 23. NHS won 5-0 against Hillcrest, under the leadership of WORK HARD, PLAY HARD The girls varsity soccer team runs together after playing a Nellie Christian and Brian Loper. The girls home game. Coach Nellie Christian has been working with the athletes all semester, and the team have been practicing after school three has been ranked ninth in the state. (Photo from Jerelind Charles) times a week, and their efforts have paid off. The girl’s varsity team beat Brookwood 12-0 on March 26. The girls hosted and won 3-0 to Holy Spirit on April 1 at Northridge, as well as hosting Prattville where the they came up short 3-0. The girls are ranked ninth in the state, and finished the regular season with a 12-3 record. With our new online check-in, you don’t The girls and boys teams will be hosting the first round of the AHSAA State Play- have to. We text your estimated wait time. offs at home April 26 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. respectively. When you reach the

Why sit in a waiting room when you’re not feeling well? front of the line, you receive a text to let you know you’re next.

Now you can wait where you want.

(Photo from Jerelind Charles)

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THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER APRIL 2019

FINDING FRIENDS “The hardest thing in my life has been going through school with only like three friends at a time. I was always considered the ‘extra’ one in every friend group I had. It wasn’t until last year that I finally started to open myself up to people, and I’ve become a lot happier. I know it doesn’t sound like a very big problem, especially not something that you could call ‘the hardest thing to happen to me,’ but it’s affected me so much.” (Photo by Addison Taylor)

INSPIRATION “Some people that I find really inspirational and helpful in my life are the arts teachers here. They help me learn more about and explore creativity and my passions.” (Photo by Luke Martin)

FEAR “[My biggest fear is] myself, because I am my biggest upbringing and my biggest downfall. Only I can control [myself ] and I know that I am very impulsive. I know that I could hurt myself severely just by not thinking, just doing things. I think everybody’s biggest fear should be themselves. ” (Photo by Will McLelland)

Glimpsing into the lives of students

HUMANS OF NORTHRIDGE

BEAT www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

Exploring Northridge and the Tuscaloosa City Schools' polices and attitudes towards preventing school shootings and how past experiences have informed both student and faculty 's opinions on their safety

NORTH RI D G E

REPORTER THE SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

est. 2003

APRIL 2019 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5