December 2018

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

est. 2003

THE DECEMBER 2018

NORTH RI D GE

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

REPORTER

The student est. voice 2003of Northridge High School

VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3

TAKING INITIATIVE

Students vote in 2018 midterm elections LUKE MARTIN OPINION EDITOR Many students who have recently turned 18 have had their first chance to get involved in their state and national politics by voting in the recent midterm elections.

Over 47 percent of the nation’s eligible voters decided to cast ballot this year, and 13 percent of all voters were ages 18-29.

Government and economics teacher Nancy Reed spoke on the importance of youth involvement in government, and the measures she takes to prepare her students for this civic responsibility.

“The issues that our politicians are legislating on now will have an impact on students when they are officially on their own,” said Reed. She believes that these students, who are now voting, should take a stand to dictate their own futures, as what happens now in government will affect life in America for years to come. However, the significance to each student is not the same.

“I think some like to just say they voted, but I do have quite a handful that were rather passionate about the issues that were on the ballot this year,” Reed said.

Several students had their own replies.

“I guess it was a civic responsibility,” said William Hamiter, a senior who voted this year. Senior Caroline Crawford also agreed.

“Voting is a responsibility,” she said. “The outcomes of elections depend on your vote.”

The midterms took place Nov. 6, and all members of the House of Representatives were up for reelection, as well as governors of several states--Alabama was one such state. There was also a variety of ballot measures--each catering to some of the states’ current concerns--that addressed major political and social issues that needed to be voted on. All of this was what students were speaking up on through their votes. Both Hamiter and Crawford said that they would vote in

HAMITER SIGNING

SEE PAGE 7

She also spoke on the ways in which politicians try to appeal to the youth.

“Social media is the way to go and politicians can save a lot of money using this avenue,” Reed said. “Obama was the first to use social media, and it was very successful.”

She even gave her own warning about using social media as a means of educating.

“My only worry about information they receive from social media would be whether the information is from credible sources or not,” Reed said. “Sometimes all of us-not just young voters-- get hooked on a headline and run with it when the information is not always factual.”

Clickbait is a very common method used to entice potential audiences, and it can easily lead to misinformation. Hamiter Olive branch art by Luke Martin Photo courtesy of Amelia Upton and Crawford both explained that they got their information from sources other than just social media.

FIRST TIMER Amelia Upton casts her ballot for the 2018 midterm elections. “Turning 18 “I did use the internet, but I got most of was a big thing, and [I] got to be really involved in government,” Upton said. my information from friends and family,” Hamiter said.

Government teachers like Reed have had a responsibility over the years to keep their students informed and prepared for their future civic duties.

Northridge students, both current and graduated, have had their own individual experiences with voting, and many have communicated this to Reed.

“I was flooded with students from the past and present sending me pics or texts about voting,” Reed said. “Makes me feel like I had a little impact on their lives.”

Reed’s last piece of advice to all voters is American Flag from Wikipedia.org one that many strugfuture elections--both national and local. know anything about it before.” gle with, even in their They want to be a part of their government Reed explained that she took her own later years. and to have a say in their future through measures outside of the regular class con“I do want kids to be educated on all isvoting. Hamiter talked about any possible tent to help prepare her students for the sues before they go to the polls and vote pre-voting anxiety. midterms. how they want to vote without pressure,” “No, I didn’t feel nervous at all,” he said.

“We look at the sample ballot, look at Reed said.

“Having a government class did make me campaign ads and simply educate them on feel more confident though. I didn’t really

the process in general,” said Reed.

THE NUTCRACKER

COUNTRY-FRY COUNTY HIGH

SEE PAGE 3

ROBOTICS WIN ROBOTICS THE TEAM

SEE PAGE 8

SEE PAGE 6

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THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

OPINION

The problem with Black Friday: giving vs. taking self, all at the price of an early morning and a little chaos. Plus, there’s something oddly exciting about being in a Sephora before 6 a.m. Yet, should these thrills and deals really be the focus of my own or anyone else’s Thanksgiving week? Or further, should the first day of Christmas preparation be spent spending?

The month of November is full of community opportunities to volunteer your time and money to help neighbors and the less fortunate. And many Americans participate, some even doing so religiously.

Whether it’s helping out the food bank, or throwing a couple dollars in the donation jar at the Publix checkout, people enjoy

[

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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!

“We should be carrying that love over

CAROLINE FERRY ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Black Friday. Starting hours after Thanksgiving dinner, thousands of bloated shoppers swarm malls and department the satisfaction of helping others. Still, stores to snag the deals that are excessively the moment the mall opens on that third advertised starting weeks before the event.

November Friday, all of this generosity is The “spirit of giving” is quickly trampled on by the consumers running to buy everything from candles to televisions at a low, low price. What many recognize as a holiday is actually a commercialized, hypocritical ploy, which encourages petty competition and leads Americans astray from the true meaning of the holidays.

However, the thing is, I get it. I’ve woken up at 3 a.m. on a chilly Friday morning and driven an hour just to browse outlets and malls for the seemingly ‘unbeatable’ prices at Kate Spade and Nike, and this was on a vacation at the beach. It seems like the perfect opportunity to grab all your Christmas gifts for family and friends, NO ONE ESCAPES THE ALLURE OF SUPER SALES “The (Fighting) Spirit of the Holidays” and maybe even treat your- Artwork created by Luke Martin

manipulated into hiding by clever marketers. We should be carrying that love over into the next year, month, or even week, but instead Black Friday chokes any possibility for consistent, unprecedented generosity within most communities.

Similarly, in time intended for thankful togetherness and appreciation of your neighbors, Black Friday is seen turning people cynical and hostile year after year.

Every year another viral video of a violent fight in the toy aisle at Walmart finds its way onto your Facebook timeline. While the craziness of these people may be hilarious entertainment, it’s also proof of the sad reality that today’s society puts their own material wants before the well-being of those around them. The insane and limited sales set by Black Friday only fuels this attitude even amid magical Christmas lights and happy turkeys.

So I guess my point is that maybe Black Friday shouldn’t be cancelled but changed.

Rather than tearing people from families the night of Thanksgiving, it should be an actual Black FRIDAY. Going to the mall shouldn’t alter the weeks of giving and love encouraged by the holidays. People shouldn’t turn against one another over the threat of missing out on a big sale, and consumers should recognize that the value of spending time volunteering or with friends and family may just be more than that of saving $50 at Bath & Body Works.

641 Helen Keller Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 est.

THE

NORTH RI D G E

REPORTER

The student voice of Northridge High School

est. 2003

Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 • (205) 759-3734 ext.

Managing Editor Addison Taylor Feature Editors Will McLelland and Emily Matthews Sports Editor Addison Taylor Cover Editor Scarlett Maples

News Editors Kyla Dunning and Isaac Smith Entertainment Editor Caroline Ferry Opinion Editor Luke Martin Beat Editor Patrick Johnson

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 City Board of Education.

”

into the next year, month, or even week...

Art Editor Luke Martin Head Photographer 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.

Visit us online at northridgereporter.wordpress.com Follow us on Twitter @NHSReporter Follow us on Instagram @northridgereporter Visit our Facebook page, “Northridge Rep” See our paper ONLINE at issuu.com, ‘The Northridge Reporter’

ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

3

Charlie Brown musical has audiences laughing ISAAC SMITH MANAGING EDITOR

The Northridge theater put on three performances of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” I went to the in-school performance and enjoyed watching the play immensely. The student director for the play was Sarah Pierce.

“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is collection of scenes that can seem unrelated to each other at times, but combine in the end. Many of these scenes are classics that will be familiar to anyone who has read the Peanuts comic strip. Lucy (Katie Grace Dockery) tries to talk to Schroeder (Sam Allen) about marrying him but ends up storming off, and Charlie Brown ( Jake Whipple) seeks “Psychiatric Help” from Lucy. My only disappointment was that there was no scene where Lucy pulled a football out of Charlie Brown’s way as he tried to kick it.

The central idea of the play is about remaining happy in the face of misfortune and how a single event can seem to make up for a whole day of bad things. The play begins with the cast singing “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” while a few characters take advantage of breaks in the music to tell Charlie Brown about his worst qualities, which makes a good introduction for

the theme of the play.

Many of the characters, but especially Charlie Brown, struggle throughout the play to remain happy as they experience misfortune and failure. Whipple did a good job of appearing uncertain and dejected as Charlie Brown.

However, this somber theme takes a background throughout the musical, which is mostly characterized by short, funny scenes, such as when Sally Brown (Addysyn Kidd) petitions her teacher for a higher grade on her coat-hanger sculpture, or the characters celebrate Beethoven Day. Snoopy (Allison Jackson) provides comedy throughout the play with his persistent requests for supper time, but he too has a moment of uncertainty as he questions whether his role in life is truly satisfying. Linus (Xander Nowell) deals with his longing for his blanket and the often overbearing presence of his sister, Lucy.

Dockery did an excellent job of portraying Lucy’s forceful, yet carefree nature, which is only dampened when her brother Linus rates her “crabbiness” as 95 out of 100.

During the play, Charlie Brown demonstrates his ability to remain positive and that he really is a “good man.” He rallies his team before the baseball game despite their poor chances of winning and sends valentines to all of his friends, even though he receives none himself. In the end, Charlie

Brown picks up a pencil that the red-headed girl dropped and finds that it has teeth marks in it, indicating that she chews on her pencil and is just a person after all. This inspires him to conclude that he is happy after all, despite his many

problems. All in all, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was an excellently performed play that provokes both thought and laughter and may even make you appreciate the good things in your own life.

Photo by Beth Allaway DOG DAYS Snoopy (Allison Jackson) lies hopelessly atop the iconic red dog house.

New Nutcracker movie provides an odd, yet beautiful take on the classic tale

flowers as well as the sparkling calm of the snowflakes, viewers will feel immersed in the spirit of the season. For the most part, producers did an excellent job of balancing the tradition of the ballet and the modern take offered by the movie, even including a portion with a ballerina to pay tribute to the movie’s inspiration.

However, there were a couple of lapses in the plot and maintenance of holiday magic throughout the film. As the climax approached, the main antagonists, who are the Mouse King and Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), become creepy and haunting beyond the necessary amounts for forming their characters. The “realm of amusement” was nothing short of a haunted carnival proPhoto by Laurie Sparham/MCT Campus tected by creepy clowns and rodents, taking WONDERLAND Clara catches her first glimpse of the wonder-filled, four realms. away from the air of Christmas cheer. Although, later on the attitude toward them ing, perfectly capturing the intricate sets shifts, presenting a misunderstood motherCAROLINE FERRY seen in the original Nutcracker ballet. ly figure and her adorable mice. But this fix ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR With the bright colors of candy and is only replaced by a corrupt Sugar Plum

Disney’s newest holiday movie, “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” is a beautiful addition to the entertainment company’s reputation of excellence. The film adds an odd twist to the classic Christmas tale while capturing the magic of the holiday season.

The plot is centered around Clara’s (Mackenzie Foy) trip to the magical four realms of flowers, candy, snowflakes, and amusement. She meets a variety of unique characters along the way, forming unexpected friendships with creatures and people alike. However, the four kingdoms are at war, resulting in corruption and plot twists that shock viewers. Clara is the land’s only hope and must save the kingdom all before the Christmas Eve party she left in the real world is over.

All the while she is navigating an internal identity struggle, as well as the grief following the recent death of her mother.

Clara eventually finds peace in both her similarities and differences from her mother, giving her the strength to overcome her loss and save her new friends. She learns her own value and strength through hardship and struggle.

The scenery of the four realms as well as Clara’s home town of London is astound-

fairy (Keira Knightley). While certainly smart and unexpected, this addition turned the movie darker than anticipated by morphing a character many children view as angelic into an evil, maniacal monster.

Still, the movie remains an excellent and worthy interpretation of “The Nutcracker” ballet. The simplistic beauty offered by the combination of iconic music, fresh scenery, and elegant costumes makes up for any objection to the plot. The writers also seemed to stray away from the idea of Clara being saved by the big, strong nutcracker soldier, to instead, the tale of an independent, intelligent girl finding the strength to save not only herself, but her family and friends.

Still, they managed to do so without taking away from the romance of the classic story.

This nuanced attitude shows young girls that they are capable rather than helpless, a hopeful message the world needs right now.

4851 Rice Mine Rd NE Suite 540, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

4

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

FEATURE

MAKING A D

NEW TRANSITION HALL OFFERS C

WILL MCLELLAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

“G

ood morning boys!” teacher, Patrice Hardy, says to her students as they sit down in front of the projector. “Remember last week we visited McDonalds, so this week we’re visiting SubWay.” As is the mission of all of the transition teachers, Hardy’s goal is to give her students as many opportunities as she can for them to feel and act independently. This semester, Hardy’s lessons have revolved around real-world situations such as ordering food.

What was once the school’s science wing is now where students with disabilities have their needs met while learning life skills. The hallway where four classrooms, a sensory room, and a mock apartment reside, is known as the transition hall and houses roughly 30 students. Along with the specialists who stop by campus every week, are the teachers: Tanner Smothers, Heather White, Heather Kennedy, and Patrice Hardy.

For Hardy’s menu reading lesson, she has students come up one at a time and circle which SubWay sandwich they want with a digital marker; they repeat the process with drinks and side items. Hardy conducts her lesson with a slight level of showmanship, making playful comments to each student as they do the assessment: “You look like you may be a meatball man!” Hardy always keeps her mind focused on her students, and almost nothing catches her off

tween roast beef - oh you want the SubWay Club?? Oh, thank you then! Okay, yes!” Hardy said in a combination of surprise and delight.

Since the campus was built in 2003, Northridge used one classroom to accommodate transition students’ needs, which was located on the second floor of the building. Principal Kyle Ferguson found this particularly problematic, wondering if this would impede evacuation in the event of an emergency.

In the fall semester of 2017, Northridge underwent construction to upgrade their science classrooms in accordance with the district’s new policy, where each of the city high schools would have an additional unit built on their campus. During that time, a decision was made to transfer three new classes from Oak Hill School, which

past students, Hardy stays in touch with them to this day, often getting a phone call from a parent, updating her on their child, or when a birthday comes around, she calls, remaining a positive influence in their lives.

“The biggest thing has always been in my 14 years [of teaching special education] is independence - you have to be able to do things independently, on your own, to the best of your ability,” Hardy said. “For me, you’re working at the highest level you’re able to do to reach the stars - to me, the sky’s no limit. Even with my boys here, I still want them to know that A. Mrs. Hardy loves them, and B. you can reach for the stars, and because somebody tells you ‘no’ there’s always a ‘yes,’ - ‘can’t’ is not in your vocabulary, I refuse [to acknowledge] that word.”

Every day, when the students arrive on campus by 8:30 a.m., they eat breakfast and relax. Teachers and their assistants take care of each child’s needs, sometimes calling a parent to inform them about their child’s specific conditional status that morning. After announcements, each of the classes travel to the gym for adaptive Physical Education with coach Pete LaCentra.

LaCentra, who was anPATRICE HARDY, TEACHER other employee transferred from Oak Hill to Northridge this year.

“Things have evolved to the point where we adapt to everything here,” LaCentra said as he described his career specializes in educating and taking care of for the last nine and half years. students with disabilities, to Northridge in While he was working at Oak the “old science hall.” The decision to make Hill, he was both a faculty memthe move according to one of the transition ber for that facility and the adapteachers was to finally have those students tive P.E. consultant for the whole “fully included with their typical peers.” city schools system, meaning that Along with the students, three of Oak once a week he spent the first half Hill’s former faculty were brought to cam- of the day driving to other schools pus. One of these new employees is Hardy. and making sure that special needs On a day-to-day basis, Hardy works with students were being fully included with seven high school boys whom she calls her their non-disabled peers. LaCentra’s big“babies.” gest change to date has been his transfer to When a student is able to inde- Northridge. One of his proudest achievependently do something that they ments is the growth of the special olympic have been working on, it has a program in Tuscaloosa. real impact on Hardy. With “We have been building up our special olympic program with the system basically since I started [teaching special education],” LaCentra said.

“For

“Once I see the school, I mean it’s just like the heavens opened.

guard, except when her students do something to make her happy, like when one student who was a little hesitant at first, walked up to do the SubWay assignment, and she explained the procedure he had just completed. “Now you can choose be-

”

each accomplishment, she tells them what a good job they’ve done and does what she can to make sure that they understand how much she cares for them. Even with

example, we packed out the bowling alley so big last year, we’re going to

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

5

DIFFERENCE FEATURE

COMPASSION AND INDEPENDENCE a two day event this year.”

At the time, LaCentra was preparing his students for a volleyball game where all of the high schools, middle schools, and some county schools would compete in what he called “unified teams,” meaning special education students played alongside regular education students. Volleyball was the first of multiple sport units for the transition students this year. Along with this semester’s sports, the transition students will participate in basketball, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, bowling, and track and field with competitions in between.

As a way to connect students in the transition wing with the rest of the student body, Ferguson appointed students whom Hardy calls her “football jag pals,” Malachi Dubose, Roderick Jones, and Chrishaud Archibald, to leave their classes during second period every day and take Hardy’s students on a ten-minute walk around campus. When the football players meet the kids at Hardy’s door, they greet everyone, wait to make sure the students are ready, and then they start their walk.

As they go on their comprehensive campus route, the boys walk and talk, and maybe have moments like these, where they catch the school nurse just as she’s leaving her office and have a chat: “What are you doin’ out of class?” the nurse jokes to the boys. She asks each of them how they’re doing, usually ending her interactions in an excited way with “Give me a hug!” and as the group starts to walk away she says to Malachi, “Y’all are so amazing for doing this.”

What all three of the boys have in common is that they feel like they are helping out - that they are there for each of the students. They know that their bond with Hardy’s boys is meaningful, and that’s why they come back. By having that time to walk, they are giving the students time to just relax and be themselves. Sometimes as Malachi recalled, some of the students will walk much slower than they need to just to spend more time with their “football jag pals.”

When the students return from P.E.,

Tanner Smothers is a brand new special education teacher, junior varsity baseball coach, and a wide-receiver football coach who just graduated from college. Smothers is originally from a “little bitty” town in Walker county called Eldridge, which has a population of 123. In high school, Smothers found his passion when he volunteered as an aide for his campus special education department and made the decision to go in to the special education field. “I didn’t have to change majors or anything,” he said.

What Smothers and his colleague Heather White do is move students in whatever direction is necessary for them to find a job that makes them happy. In class, they look at different occupations and review the kinds of skills that jobs require. Smothers carries himself in a calm professional manner, and there is a clear sense of satisfaction he gets when talks about the different aspirations of his students - one wants to be a ca-

the rest of their day begins. The students receive lessons like Hardy’s, geared toward independent living, and activities that focus on helping each child decide what they might want to do for a living.

normal classroom, but in place of desks are couches, a coffee table, a dinner table, and a queen size bed, and where a projection board would normally be, are

shier, and another wants to be a cook.

Almost every day of the week, Smothers and White get on a bus and travel to a random business in the area - it’s their way of transitioning students from the classroom into a work environment. When they go from business to business, students get to have a first hand account of what to expect in the workplace; when they go to Barnes and Noble Bookstore, employees allow the students to watch them catalog and sell books.

To meet students’ other needs, two other additional rooms occupy the transition wing. The first is referred to by the teachers as “the learning lab” - a room the size of a

ovens, stoves, cincs, a washing machine and a dryer. For the students, this is a mock apartment. In this room, life skills required for independent living are taught. Hardy’s students usually go into the learning lab at least once a week, and routinely practice life skills such as how to set a table. Laminated posters labeling each dish and where they go, made by Hardy, are used to memorize the elements of the dinner table setting.

The other room is what Hardy calls “the awesome sensory room,” where students can escape the stresses of the classroom and lounge in tranquility. Items have been placed to minimize distress and maximize bliss. When the lights are on, the room is noticeably different from others, but when the lights are turned off the appearance changes drastically. Thin beams with LED lights hang from the back wall, along with a bubble fountain, which also has color-changing lights. On the floor are several multicolored “gel squares” that, when stepped on, send small bubbles of gel in every direction. Next to those are two large cushions, that students can fall on as they watch a projection of fish moving across the wall.

Having the resources that are available on campus like the lab and sensory room allows teachers like Hardy to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities. Being able to give their students the opportunities to be independent like managing their own apartment, going out into the community’s workplaces, and even holding their own election for Alabama’s governor, is what Hardy says makes the transition unit special, which makes Hardy excited to have her job.

“I get giddy every time I drive on campus in the morning, and I see the Northridge sign - actually, I’m already smiling before I get to the sign,” Hardy said. “Once I see the school, I mean it’s just like the heavens opened.”

Photos by Will McLelland Photoshop by Emily Matthews

6 NEWS

New teacher joins NHS SCARLETT MAPLES COVER EDITOR New history teacher, Heather Bishop, joined the Northridge faculty after graduating from the University of Montevallo.

Bishop teaches one senior class of government and economics and two sophomore classes of U.S. history. “[My favorite thing was] getting back into the classroom because from the period of January until September when I got the job here, I was substitute teaching,” Bishop said. “It’s not as much fun. You can connect with the kids, but you don’t see them every day, and I really missed the connections you make with students as a teacher and the relationships that develop there.”

Upon arriving to Northridge, Bishop felt welcomed and comfortable.

“Northridge has the resources, the ability, and the departments I feel like to help new teachers,” Bishop said.

This made her transition into her first teaching job easier and not as overwhelming as it could have been.

Bishop studied history education at Montevallo. While attending Montevallo, she interned at Montevallo High School. “[It] had 88 seniors total, so I had every one of the seniors while doing my internship,” she said. “This is a very, very different school.”

Northridge is considerably larger than Montevallo High School, so adapting to Northridge was different than before.

At Montevallo, Bishop flourished. She fell in love with history and teaching while she was there.

“I’m not knocking Alabama, but they [Montevallo] have the best education program of anywhere I’ve seen,” she said. It’s different than anywhere else you could ever go.”

Freshman Brennan Keller said he enjoyed being in Bishop’s zero period class.

“She’s nice, and she doesn’t get angry at anyone,” he said.

Keller also said that she was helpful with all the ACT prep technology issues.

“She’s really great,” he said. “I hope to have her for a history class next year.”

Senior Aryial Boykins has Bishop for first period government and economics.

“I feel like everybody loves her,” Boykins said. “She gives us time to express how we feel, and she gives us activities so we’re not just sitting there doing book work. I’m actually happy when I go to first period.”

Bishop likes her classes and enjoys teaching all of her students.

“I’ve got a very good group of kids,” she said. “My seniors are absolutely awesome and I’m really going to miss them when they leave. My tenth graders... it’s been a rocky road, but they really are good kids.”

“

She’s really great.

I hope to have her for a history class next year.

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

Marching band proves superior KYLA DUNNING NEWS EDITOR

The marching band received superior rankings at their first competition in four years on Nov. 3 held at Gordo High School. The judges scored each section of the band: drum major, percussion, majorettes, color guard, and the band’s overall tone and performance.

“The competition was super fun,” majorette captain, Merigan Joyner, clarinet, said.

“I spent a lot of time with my friends, more like my family, and marched with as much energy as I could muster.”

Laura Yarborough, said that competition can bring some anxiety.

“Knowing that some of the judges would be from County High, in a way, we had to perform for the judges twice--once at the County High game and once at the competition,” she said. “Knowing that someone

is watching and looking for mistakes you could make is very nerve wracking.”

The pool of judges were from County High and Shelton State. The show, a challenging new style, included a lot of hard work to win these superior titles.

“The last time we went to competition was four years ago,” said Scarlett Maples, drum major. “My sister was in band then, so I wore her band shirt from that year for good luck and it seems it worked, seeing as we got all 1s and are now ranked a superior band.”

Through all of the nerves and jitters, they were supported by band director John Cain.

“For the first time to go to competition in several years, it was very good to not only go and compete but to come out with high marks,” Cain said.

“

BRENNAN KELLER

Photo by Sam Maples

SUPERIOR BAND Section leaders and captains pose with their awards. “It was very good to not only go and compete but to come out with high marks,” said director John Cain

Robotics team wins big

EMILY MATTHEWS FEATURE EDITOR

Photos by Janea Barton

THE BEST (ABOVE LEFT) Students compete in the Shelton’s Best Robotics competition.

(ABOVE RIGHT) Colin Murphy and Gabriel Feng proudly show of their robot, including a third place trophy for their work. The team also received Rookie of the Year.

The new robotics team, sponsored by Janea Barton, competed at Shelton State on Oct. 27 and won big. Due to their success in their first year competing, the robotics team also received the Rookie Award.

“It was our first year competing, and out of all the schools competing for the first year, we did the best,” Barton said.

While the team is small, they worked vigorously to prepare for the competition.

“We were ranked number five in the original round, second in the top eight, and at the very end we were ranked third by three points,” Barton said.

The six current robotics members, who meet Mondays and Wednesdays, created a robot to compete in the competition.

“The competition was unique, ” Barton said. “The playing field had four beams, and the robot had to stay on the beam and extend their arms into circular gyres. The gyres were filled with plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and ping-pong balls.”

The team gained points for the number of items they delivered to the field scientist who waited with a net.

Barton said that robotics team member Gabriel (Gabe) Feng, freshman, worked extremely hard to do well in the competition.

“Gabe really stepped up to the plate because we were a new team, and I was gone some,” she said. “He really stepped up and put in a lot of extra time outside our meetings to get stuff ready.”

Feng said he had a good feeling about their work and effort.

“I felt pretty confident,” he said. “We had been working on the robot for a while, and it was pretty solid.”

Though such a strong finish was a bit surprising for their first year, Barton believed in the team’s ability.

“I was surprised, but at the same time, they are such smart and capable kids that I’m not surprised that they did so well,” said Barton.

The team will compete in the competition next year as well, but Barton is aiming higher.

“I think we’re going to do really well next year, and if we work harder, I think we have a solid chance at going to regionals,” she said.

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

7

Northridge senior selected for all-star football game ISAAC SMITH MANAGING EDITOR

Senior Gabriel Pugh has been selected for the 32nd annual Alabama versus Mississippi High School Football All-Star Game on Dec. 17 in the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery. Pugh, number 56 on the allstar team, will be a long snapper.

“You pretty much just snap the ball to the holder for extra points,” Pugh said. “It’s supposed to more specific and well placed than a center. The center on offense can snap it pretty much anywhere he wants to. When you’re a long snapper, you have to aim for a specific spot on the body. For punts, I usually go 15 yards and for field goals I usually go seven and a half.”

Pugh may also play as an offensive tackle.

“You basically just block people and get

them out of the way so the running back can make cuts and go score,” Pugh said.

Pugh was selected for the game in part due to his skill and tenacity during the Northridge versus Mountain Brook game.

“The coach from Mountain Brook, our first game, is really in charge of it [the allstar game], and he saw how I was a really good player and how hard I fought even though we were down, and he told my coach that I was going to get selected,” Pugh said. “Coach Vickery just called me one night and said, ‘You’ve been selected for the Alabama Mississippi All-Star Game.

Do you want to play?’ and I thought, ‘Sure.

Why not? I’ll play.’”

The all-star teams will practice together for five days in Montgomery before they play the game, working together for twohour practices once or twice each day. They

Hamiter signs with Bama PATRICK JOHNSON BEAT EDITOR

William Hamiter, senior, signed to play baseball for his dream school, the University of Alabama, on Nov. 14.

“Growing up here in Tuscaloosa, I have always been a huge Alabama fan,” said Hamiter. “I knew it was the place for me to go. When I got the opportunity to play there I knew it was what I wanted to do.”

While the Northridge baseball team helped develop his skills, his father was the most influential in his baseball career. “My dad was has been the most influential in my baseball career,” said Hamiter. “He got me to start playing baseball at a young age.

He taught me how to play growing up.”

The coaching staff and new facilities helped make Hamiter’s decision to play at the University of Alabama.

“I really like the new facilities and the coaching staff,” said Hamiter. “The new facilities compare to the best in the country.

The coaching staff is also awesome.”

The baseball team’s coaches played a key role in developing his skills to be prepared for a collegiate team.

“All the coaches did a great job with helping me develop as a player by running us as players through specific drills during practice,” said Hamiter. “This helped each of us work on our own baseball skills.”

Hamiter, along with the rest of the university’s recruitment class, is prepared to

will also participate in other activities, such as touring a Hyundai plant and watching the Camellia Bowl, a college football game that is held in the same stadium, “I’ll leave the Wednesday before the week of the game, and I’ll practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and weekend, and then Monday’s the game,” Pugh said.

This is Pugh’s first football game outside of school, but it is not his first experience with being selected as an elite player. He has attended a national long snapping camp.

“We all go to a camp - this year it was in California, last year it was in Tampa - and basically you compete for two or three days and see who are the best 12 in the nation,” said Pugh, who was selected as one of the top 12. Because of this experience, Pugh already knows a few of the players who will change the University of Alabama’s baseball team.

“The recruitment class is full of lots of

be his teammates in the all-star game.

“When I went to Top 12 [I met] the kicker that’s playing in the Alabama Mississippi All Star Game,” Pugh said. “We lived together; he’s committed to Alabama right now. The tight end from Hillcrest I sort of know. He got selected too.”

Pugh intends to play football in college, but he hasn’t decided on a school yet.

“I’m still looking around,” Pugh said. “I visited Mississippi State this weekend, and that’s kind of where I’m leaning toward.

I’m getting other looks from Auburn and Florida. They say they’re going to make their decision after the season ends. From what I’ve been told, that’s what they’re all going to say: after their season’s over, they’ll start deciding who they’re going to pick.” talent,” said Hamiter. “We are ready to change the culture of Alabama baseball.

Photo by Patrick Johnson

ALL-STAR RECRUITMENT Senior William Hamiter poses with his parents while signing to play baseball for the University of Alabama on Nov. 14.

Volleyball team reflects on win and successful season

PATRICK JOHNSON BEAT EDITOR

The volleyball team had a successful season after winning the Class 6A Area 7 tournament championship.

“It was the first time the Northridge volleyball team had ever won area,” said Meredith Patridge, junior. “I am extremely grateful to have been able to be apart of the team that has set records for our high school.”

Although the volleyball team won Area,

it did not happen without a fight.

“Going into Area we had lost twice to Hillcrest in the regular season,” said Ana Caroline Sullivan, junior. “It took five sets in the championship game to finally win Area. We really came together as a team and one unit in order to beat Hillcrest and take home first place.”

During the season the players became close to each other, which allowed the teams playing skills to improve.

“Even though we had our ups and downs, the friendships we had with each

other continued to grow throughout the season,” Sullivan said. “I believe this truly enabled our season to be as successful as it was. Being close gave us an upper hand at Area.”

The volleyball team advanced to the Class 6A, South Super Regional in Montgomery.

“Although we did not advance past Super Regionals, we got fairly close,” said Patridge. “We had won our first game and almost our second, which was all we needed to advance. We were only two points away

from winning the second game. While losing was upsetting, it was a huge learning experience. I am glad we got to go.”

The experience gave them even more motivation toward next year’s volleyball season.

“While we did not win, Super Regionals helped set the standards for next year,” said Sullivan. “Since we made it this year, it will only motivate us to make it again next year.”

First year volleyball coach, Erin Heck, is honored to have coached such an amazing group of people.

“The Northridge varsity volleyball team has a lot of talent,” said Heck. “Each athlete has a passion for the sport. As a result, their intensity and drive helped to make the program more successful.”

Individually, players honed their skills as well.

“While we were able to improve our communication skills with each other, making us a better team, I was able to improve my individual skills,” said Patridge.

“Playing as middle hitter against some of the best teams at Super Regionals allowed my own skills to further develop. Many of the other girls on the team saw similar improvements in their skills, which is beyond amazing.”

Younger generations will allow for the volleyball program to continue to improve for many future seasons.

“Next year I believe we will be even better than we were this year,” said Sullivan.

“With the talent from all of the grades below me, we will only grow as a team and become more successful. Hopefully the new players will allow us to even make it to state for years to come.”

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2018

The culture of football is dotted with fierce rivalries that are rich with tradition. Even more so is the aggressive, competitive scene of high school football rivalries. One of the most notable being the ongoing feud between Tuscaloosa County High and Northridge which has spanned for years. But is there any limit to the violence or outright criminal activity that conspires when two rival teams are pitted against each other?

On Nov 2., the rivalry was taken too far, when an unnamed county high student allegedly bit a Northridge student before the flag parade that Friday morning, and the window of a Northridge student’s car was busted with a milk jug.

“Sometimes I think people take it too far,” said Parker McDaniel, a sophomore at Tuscaloosa County High School. “It’s really not as serious as everyone makes it out to be.”

Audrey Ray, a sophomore County High, explained the feud in her perspective.

“The feud goes deep for sure, Ray said. “It’s kind of like Ala-

ADDISON TAYLOR BUSINESS MANAGER

bama and Auburn. If you like Alabama, you hate Auburn and vice versa. If you attend TC, you hate Northridge.”

Many students perceive the feud to be taken farther than is justifiable.

“I feel like it’s great to have a local rivalry, but there are definitely some people who take things way too far,” said County High junior Emma Katharine Dykes.

Northridge principal Kyle Ferguson goes to significant measures to ensure that the morale of the school does not suffer any damages at the hands of our rivals. The security during the nights leading up to the game is on high alert. However, no matter how fervent the security is, the County High students find a way to hang deplorable signs on Northridge’s campus year after year. The student body has differing opinions on whether or not the signs are in good taste.

“It’s obnoxious, and they are not clever,” said sophomore Jackson Duke.

However, senior Allison Stegall does not share the same distaste “I like them. I think that they’re really funny,” Stgall said.

While there always seems

Photo by Rhonda Lane

to be an influx in altercations around this time, it is no surprise to many veterans students, who have witnessed these fights and disputes for years.

To the dismay of passionate students, Northridge lost to their rival with a final score of 41 to 17.

“It was kind of disappointing for our last senior game ever,” said senior Emily Smith.

While the loss hit students

COUNTRY FRY COUNTY HIGH (LEFT) Seniors show their school spirit during the Northridge versus County High pep rally by dressing up for“Country Fry County High” day.

(RIGHT) Juniors Cole Ferguson, Sid Elkins, and Hudson Smith sport camo to poke fun at their rival. hard, it did not diminish school pride altogether.

“The loss was pretty upsetting, but I’ll always support the team,” said Duke.

Photo by Caroline Ferry

RIVALRY: TC AND NHS

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REPORTER

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DECEMBER 2018 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 3