February 2017

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

est. 2003

FEBRUARY 2017

NORTH RI D GE

REPORTER

The student est.voice 2003of Northridge High School

Former student and editor attends inauguration WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

On Jan. 20, James Niiler, University of Alabama freshman and former Editor-in-Chief of The Northridge Reporter, watched the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States.

Niiler, a firm conservative, has been a supporter of the president since he became the republican nominee. Once he had received tickets from the UA Chair of College Republicans, Niiler and his friends drove 14 ½ hours to Washington the Wednesday before the event.

“It was a very powerful experience because Trump’s election represents the culmination of basically everything conservative Americans have wanted for decades”, Niiler said. “Since the Reagan years, conservatives have wanted increased border security. We want lower taxes, and we basically want to return to more normal American values.”

From the public’s eye, it may have seemed that the inauguration was just an event with Trump’s supporters on the mall, and angry protesters on the outside, but from Niiler’s viewpoint, it was a slightly different experience.

“People in the city were very happy, and that included some of the women’s March protesters. It was a very positive and uplifting experience”, Niiler said. In fact, Trump supporters clapped for Jimmy Carter and his wife. We clapped for the Bushes, which a lot of Trump supporters don’t like the Bushes, but we clapped for them anyway. We even clapped for Barack and Michelle Obama.

Niller said that while the atmosphere was mostly positive, there were some setbacks.

The one exception from the big ‘party’, which it basically was, is that there were certain people who call themselves ‘anti-fascists’ but who are really nothing more than communist street gangs. They were dressed in black and they were running around, knocking windows out of stores downtown.”

Trump’s inauguration meant many different things to many different people. For most liberals, it was a setback for progressivism and everything they believe in. On the other hand for conservatives, it was a reclaiming of America and a step forward for everything they believe in. For James Niiler there was something that he felt Trump brings to the political world.

“For me most of all, the big fight has been against political correctness which has basically stifled free discourse in this country”, Niiler said. “We can’t talk about [certain] issues openly, and then Trump came along and changed all of that. So whether you love or hate what he said, we can actually now have a conversation about things like immigration and so on.”

After hearing the news...I was like ‘Holy crap! Really, I was a part of that?

That’s so cool!’”

SYLVIA CERVINO, SOPHOMORE

Northridge in Washington Northridge students descend on the nation’s capital to watch history in the making.

“

We can’t talk about certain issues openly, and then Trump came along and changed all of that. So whether you love or hate what he said, we can actually now have a conversation.

JAMES NIILER

AT A GLANCE ‘LA LA LAND’ REVIEW

page 9 NORTHRIDGE TRACK

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VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5

Students march day after swearing-in WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

The day after President Trump’s inauguration, up to one million people marched in Washington D.C. to protest the rhetoric and policies of the president. Of those protesters were NHS’s own MaryElla Woolf, freshman, and Sylvia Cervino, sophomore.

This march was started the night after the election on Facebook by a retired attorney in Hawaii, who according to the Los Angeles Times felt “sad and dumbfounded.”

Thousands of people had agreed to the call for a march just hours after it hit the internet.

“My grandmother told me about it,” Woolf said. “She said the day after the inauguration she was going to [take] some people to the march, and I wanted to go.”

Woolf said that she felt compelled to help represent those whose voices may not be heard.

“I wanted to go to the march because obviously a lot of people were very upset about the election, and I was very especially upset about what it meant for many minorities, especially women, people of color, [and] LGBTQ people. I wanted to go and I wanted to represent some people in Alabama that couldn’t come, who felt like they had been marginalized and also people all over the world who felt like their voices couldn’t be heard anymore.”

Both participants of the march cared deeply about the issues being protested, and they both stressed that the environment of the event was a very positive and welcoming one.

“Everyone there was really nice,” Cervino said. “At one point my mom turned to me and said ‘If we ever got lost, I’m pretty sure you could ask anyone, and they could help you out.’ It was just a good atmosphere and really optimistic. And it was an experience I will never be able to relive again because it’s such a vast amount of people.”

Woolf had a very similar experience of the historical event.

“It was very uplifting. People were happy to be there, and a lot of people had come a really long way to be there, so they were really excited,” Woolf said. “I think we were supposed to start somewhere on the mall and march to the [Washington] monument, but it was funny because people actually turned at the monument and just kept marching, and after that was when it really picked up and it became even more energizing than it had before. There were drums playing, people were chanting, and it was really exciting.”

Cervino said that by the time she and her family exited the march, they had traveled 12 miles on foot. While she had taken a break from hours of marching, the protesters continued on she said.

“Afterwards, I felt really energetic and really happy about it all because it was a good experience and I felt like I was a part of history,” Cervino said. “After hearing the news that it was an international event, I was like ‘Holy crap! Really? was part of that? That’s so cool!”

“

Although I was excited, I was very surprised because I did not think I was very good at art because I am more of a basketball player.

JACKSON WILKIN, JUNIOR

See story on PAGE 5

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THE

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

SROs deserve our respect

EMILY MATHEWS STAFF WRITER

keep the school safe from not only internal threats but external ones to. The SRO program operates on limited funding, often they operate on a combination of funding from school system and the police department.

Some of these police officers are treated negatively because of the badges they wear, they de- serve the upmost respect.

There i s

School Resource Officers (SRO) are underappreciated and undervalued. These fine officers are not respected as much as they should be. I might be biased because I do come from a family of cops, one having been an SRO. Often treated like mall security guards when they are much more than that. These officers are full-fledged police officers with arrest powers like any patrolman on the street. SROs are here in our schools to keep us safe but also to serve as a visual deterrent to anyone who may be contemplating an evil act.

SROs patrol the halls and parking lots to watch out for any signs of trouble. They break up fights, take reports of incidents that occur on school grounds, and investigate crimes that occur on campus.

We should take our time to appreciate the protectors of our hallways. They risk their lives every day for the safety of others. From school fights to accidents, these officers are always by our side. You never hear them ask to be thanked after helping someone. They’re here to

no need to be hateful to them because of their uniform. Remember that they are here for YOUR safety. They are here to keep YOU safe. For some reason people do not understand dangers that might arise when or if the School Resource Officers are not present. Our school officers are kind and very wonderful people who would drop what

they are doing in a second in order to help those in need.

These officers are people, too. They are people with feelings. I know firsthand how close the police department family is. They are a tight-knit family who will be there when a brother or sister is down. While it is common sense to be polite and kind to anyone, these officers deserve nothing but the best. If you do not believe me go up to one of our SROs, and ask them if they care about you. Ask them if they would be there for you when you needed them the most.

So, I would

like to personally thank not only the Tuscaloosa School Resource Officers, but all SROs across the country. Take the time to go up to one of our SROs and thank them for being there and protecting you.

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

est. 2003

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. 295 Managing Editor Will Henson Feature Editor Rebecca Han Sports Editor Sara Lang News Editor Will Henson

Entertainment Editor Mayci Hartley Opinion Editor Will McLelland Copy Editors Will Henson & Will McLelland Art Editor Rebecca Han

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.

Advertising and subscriptions: Contact The Northridge Reporter at (205) 759-3734 ext. 295 or rlane@tusc.k12. al.us to advertise in or subscribe to our paper.

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.

Rhonda Lane, Adviser Rebecca Han, Editor-in-Chief Visit us online at northridgereporter.wordpress.com Follow us on Twitter @NHSReporter Follow us on Instagram @northridgereporter Visit our Facebook page, ‘The Northridge Reporter, 2015-16’ Check out our YouTube channel, ‘The Northridge Reporter’ See our paper ONLINE at issuu.com, ‘The Northridge Reporter’

OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

The extremely radical view of unification [The writer of this piece wishes to remain anonomous] I tend to lean more left than some. I generally support liberal social policies, and I often support fiscal policies in much the same way. However, that doesn’t mean I’m blind to some of the negative things going on inside the Democratic rhetoric. Following the election of Donald Trump, the nation is perhaps not more divided than it has ever been, but divided nonetheless. My dream is to see us move towards a greater unity between parties, and I think that starts with identifying the things that hold us back. Speaking from a liberal perspective, I will mostly comment on the aspects of my party that I find most detrimental to both the cause and the unity of the nation, but I’m sure that most of these criticisms can be applied to Democrats and Republicans alike.

It seems to me that liberals jump at every single chance they get to demonize President Donald Trump, and when those chances run out, they make up their own.

This is something that absolutely needs to stop. I’ll never say that I think the Progressives need to “suck it up” and accept Trump as the ornery but effective savior that so many Republicans depict him as, but I will say that making mountains out of his every indiscretion harms everyone.

It’s gotten to the point -- and I’m sure you’ve heard all this buzz about “fake news” -- that people have learned to

ignore the constant flow of negative information regarding Trump because they know that well over half of it is either exaggerated or total fabrication. It’s like the boy who cried “deplorable!” What worries me is that if something particularly nasty does come out about Trump -- as it can, whether you like him or not -- it will just be shoved into the back of people’s minds in the same place as the libel.

The annoying buzz we hear as media outlets report the president’s doings becomes fainter with every story. No one should be forced to respect the president. We are a nation built on dissent, and the fact that we continue to question the status-quo only strengthens us, but just to a point.

It’s not about respect for the president, it’s about the fact that true dissent should be saved for the truly despicable -- which most of the time, Donald Trump isn’t.

While I’m on the subject, I think Democrats generally need to stop antagonizing their political opponents. Republicans absolutely do this too, and I think they should reexamine this as well, but I’m choosing to call out liberals based on an article that was printed in this paper last month. Let me say it clearly: MAKING YOUR OPPONENT MAD DOES NOT MEAN YOU WIN THE ARGUMENT. I see this all the time from left-wing activists. Sometimes, they get so passionate about their

cause that they fail to see how anyone could possibly think anything different, which leads them to speak in condescending terms. This irritates me to no end because it will only serve to affirm the feelings of the opposition. If both conservatives and liberals continue to do this -- to spout angry nonsense supporting their respective sides, causing everyone else to retreat into their protective shell of views -- then patting themselves on the back for doing the “right thing” and silencing their foes, we will see no progress in this nation.

Instead, I’d like to offer an alternative. Be respectful, especially if you want to further a cause. Listen to your opponents, because if you do, you’ll either learn something or find a real crack in their logic. And most importantly, ask questions. Simply telling a person that they’re wrong will never be enough to convince them, but asking questions that force that person to doubt their own points will have a tremendous impact.

I realize that in writing this, I’m not entirely following my own advice. However, it’s my hope that anyone who reads this can see that I truly do want people to get the most out of their political quarrels, which in my opinion, means a student body that looks across the aisle with an open mind, no matter their previous affiliation.

Pictures courtesy of wikimedia.org, wikia.org, and clipartbest.com

Italian staff writer reflects on her time in the United States On Aug. 21, I did one of the bravest things that I have ever done in my whole life: I took a plane from Milan (Italy), leaving my family and all my friends for the next 10 months. I left Italy with curiosity and happiness for the opportunity to know a new, totally different culture and finally have the opportunity to live my “American Dream.” Since I was a little child, I always wanted to have an experience like that and change my life in a better way.

Do you miss your friends/family here?

you need to check if your usual high school accepts the exchange program (not all schools do), and then you need to find an association. Before enrolling in the exchange program, each student needs to pass many exams (I’ve done six of them) to be sure that you are ready to leave, both psychologically and culturally. If you pass all the exams, you and your parents will need to start to fill out and sign many forms. This step took me nearly two months. After that, you have to decide the country where you want to go and for how long. You can decide between six or 10 months. (I opted for the 10 months). Then you will need to write an essay about yourself so the association can match you with a good family. I received my host family and my school the Aug. 5. I still remember the emotion; it was one of the best and strongest of all my life.

Sometimes I do. I think that’s absolutely normal because it’s hard to build a life for 17 years and leave it for 10 months, and it is hard to not see and hang out with people who you were used to for 17 years. But honestly, I’m very lucky because my host family loves me, and I feel like they are my biologi- ARIANNA CAPRIOGLIO What are some major differences cal parents and my biological sister. For me, the STAFF WRITER first months were the hardest. I don’t see my best friends or between schools in America and Italy? my family, but here, I have a new family who loves me. It’s The scholastic system in Italy and in the USA are comhard to be part of a new group of friends, especially when pletely different. The biggest difference is that in Italy, they’ve known each other forever. Of course, not all people school lasts five years and not four as in the USA, and we are nice; someone made fun of my imperfect English, but don’t have to change class every block. We stay in the same I always say in my mind, “I am sure that if I start speak class with the same mates all the day for all the year, and Italian with you, you will not understand anything. So, I most of the time for all five years. In almost all the high bet my English is better than your Italian.” schools in Italy the students have to also go to school on Saturday. When we finish the middle schools, we have to How does your exchange program work? decide which kind of school we want to attend based on How long are you staying for? our interests and our projects for the future. So the stuBeing an exchange student is not that easy. First of all dents can decide which branch of study to pursue, but we

can’t decide each subject. Schools in Italy do not offer any activities after school; we don’t have fields and scholastic teams

Describe your experience with learning English. Did you know English before you came here, and how well did you know it?

I studied English a few years in high school and during middle school. But when I arrived here, I realized that it was like I never studied English in my life. I could not understand anything because the English pronunciation that people teach at school is so different from the real English that you actually speak. And also sometimes people could not understand me. Now, fortunately, it is getting better.

Was it difficult transitioning from Italy to America?

The first days were like a hell for me. My body was here, but my mind and my internal clock were still in Italy. I went to sleep at 8:00 p.m., but I woke up at 5:00 a.m. Fortunately after a few days, my body come back to reality.

One of other very hard parts was changing class every hour; I got lost so many times, but luckily my host sister helped me so much.

I think that this is one of the most beautiful experience I`ve ever done in all my life, and I feel completely lucky and grateful for having the opportunity to live my dream.

I feel that I can suggest to all students to do an experience like this if they have the opportunity. It really changes your life, making you more responsible and independent.

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NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

Northridge hosts annual middle school quiz bowl REBECCA HAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

N

orthridge High School hosted the annual Middle School District Quiz/Scholar’s Bowl Tournament on Jan. 28, with seven teams participating and two advancing to state.

Northridge’s coach, Jennifer Canterbury, ran the tournament with her husband, while members of the team helped in reading questions and keeping score. After seven rounds, with a lunch break in between, Rock Quarry and Echols were announced as the winners, with one “wild card” team later receiving a letter in the mail notifying of advancement to state. The other competing teams were Brookwood, Pickens County, Collins-Riverside, Hillcrest, and the Math & Science team, comprised of homeschooled students in the Tuscaloosa area.

Rounds are 20 questions long, with a themed fill-in-the-blank worksheet given to each team after 10 questions. Teams who answer the 10 point questions correctly first are then given two bonus questions, each worth 10 points, for a possible combined total of 30 points.

Scholar’s bowl team member Nick Smith, senior, was one of the Saturday student volunteers. “The experience was pretty fun,” Smith said. “I sat there writing numbers the whole time, as I was recording scores.” Though the tournament went smoothly overall, he described score keeping as an occasionally “nerve-wracking” job.

“If you’re going to referee or try to help, definitely know the rules,” Smith said. “With taking score, you never knew if people were going to screw up or if I was going to screw up. The parents were actually surprisingly understanding, but I did mess up the score count a couple of times, and they got it fixed.” A scholar’s bowl veteran, Smith said it was fun to “see how much you know sometimes and help out the middle schoolers.”

Northridge has been hosting the tournament for roughly five years now, as Coach Canterbury recounted.

“It’s always been really nice because we can get current students to help and read, and they can be a model for the younger kids,” she said. “The middle schoolers can see how they can continue to participate even when they get into high school.”

She was excited for the advancing teams, who were very happy and “glad for the opportunity to continue to compete.” Canterbury, a scholar’s bowl pro, has coached Northridge teams to championships before and enjoys the knowledge-based activity tremendously.

“Scholar’s bowl is an academic competition, somewhat like Jeopardy; I know that’s what the kids love to compare it to,” she said. “There are opposing teams which compete against one another in individual and collaborative settings.”

For those interested in joining the team, Canterbury said all are welcome. “Come to a practice with us on Tuesday afternoon in my classroom! You don’t have to know everything about everything, but if there is a particular area you enjoy studying about or have a great interest in, you’d be surprised what kinds of questions you get. We have fields like science or math, but we also have things like pop culture and music that are relevant to teenagers outside of a classroom setting. I know the students who play it enjoy it a lot.”

FUTURE SCHOLARS Students at Rock Quarry Middle School, Annabelle Webber, Sylvia Maples, Elizabeth Webber, Josh Ellis, Coach Tara Brown, Joseph Kim, and Coach Angela Williams

NEW IN TOWN pictured above, the new Tuscaloosa bookstore, Ernest and Hadley located on 7th Street, next to the Federal Courthouse downtown Photo by Will Mclelland

Tuscaloosa’s newest item on the shelf WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

T

uscaloosa is not known for having many bookstores of its own other than the public library and Barnes and Noble, but on Dec 11, a small local bookstore opened in Downtown known as Ernest and Hadley Booksellers.

The bookstore is located in a small, 93 year-old, pale-blue house on 7th Street in the historic district of Downtown Tuscaloosa. Ernest and Hadley, named after the well-known American writer, Ernest Hemingway and his wife, was an idea of the owner, Easty Lambert-Brown for a year and a half.

“I was originally a book designer, but then I went into publishing, and it was becoming very difficult, especially here, to get the works into Barnes and Noble because they usually buy from a mass distributorship,” Said Lambert-Brown. “We had to think creatively of another way to get books out there. So we went through several different avenues, doing book signings here there and everywhere, and it was just too scattered. So that’s when I decided to create a small-independent bookstore.”

The founder of the bookstore was very clear about the development of the store, from when she thought of the name of the store, to when a building finally became available.

“We were trying to look for a building, and we were actually looking Downtown.

Way Downtown,” Lambert-Brown said.

“When we were waiting on that I said, ‘This is not gonna happen’ so I contacted a friend who is a re-owner and I said ‘Be on the look-out for a smaller building’. Two weeks later [we found out] his brother-inlaw owns this building, so it all kind of fell into place.”

When this local bookstore started two months ago, they had 2,500 books in the

building; now they have 3,700 books and their goal is to have 6,000 books in stock.

The owner is eager to give the people of Tuscaloosa something new with their unique collection of books.

“Most of the things on the center table, [labeled] ‘Community Favorites’ are things that people constantly ask for or are drawn to,” Lambert-Brown said. “That’s the table that changes most often. I listen to the people and I listen to the trends and other independent bookstores, and what we have in here is not necessarily what you’re gonna find at Barnes and Noble and that’s intentional. Our niche is different and our niche is more classics oriented.”

Earnest and Hadley Booksellers offer customers books that are not commonly found in large bookstores like Barnes and Noble. “[Our ‘Local Authors’ section] is the first thing you see when you come in the door, and the ‘Book Clubs’ [section]. And the ‘Travel Memoirs’ [section] are things that I wanted to emphasize because between that and the ‘Food Culture’ part in the back is how you learn about other people and how they travel. UK authors are another part of our niche because it is something that Barnes and Noble is not focused on. A lot of University professors are interested in British authors, and I listen a lot to what the University professors are interested in too, and a lot of it is what they base their lectures on.” Lambert-Brown said.

Lambert-Brown is proud to be the owner of the newest bookstore in town. She passionate about giving the community the books that she thinks the people of Tuscaloosa would enjoy, and she even has a message for Northridge High School.

“I want to know what [you’re] reading.

The biggest thing we’re getting from kids [in high school] is science fiction. If there are books [your readers] want, they can respond to the Facebook page, and I would really like to know.”

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

NAUTILUS Emma Katherine Thomas, sophomore, with Superintendent Daria in front of Thomas’s artwork

SUPREME COURT GALLERY Parents and teachers walk through the Old Supreme Court Library to view works

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Students chosen to display art at Old Supreme Court Library PATRICK JOHNSON BUSINESS MANAGER

S

ix Northridge art students were chosen from the annual Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit to display their art piece at the Old Supreme Court Library of the Alabama State Capital in Montgomery. “The Annual Superintendents Art Show exhibits art pieces to the faculty and their family,” said Suzette Puzinauskas, art teacher. “Then 15 pieces that were judged by a professional were sent to the state house in Montgomery for a formal exhibition.”

Many of the winners did not expect for their piece to be chosen to be exhibited in Montgomery. “I did not really think that I would win,” said Maria Potts, junior. “I mean I did think that it was one of the best things I had done in art that semester, but I did not think I would win anything at all.” While many of the pieces chosen to go to Montgomery were only assignments, Potts had a piece that was drawn because of her love of dance. “I drew ballet point shoes that were in the point position,” said Potts. “I had just seen ‘The Nutcracker,’ and I love to dance. This made me think about point shoes and dancers, so I drew it.”

Although many of the chosen students submitted drawings of objects, Jackson Wilkin, junior, and Emma Katherine Thomas, sophomore, decided on prehistoric animals.

“I painted an ammonite, which is an extinct animal that scientist believe was half squid and had a shell like a snail,” said Thomas.

The winners were very excited about their pieces being chosen. Many were new to drawing and had just begun to train their skill under Northridge’s art teachers. “I did not expect to win at all; I was selected,” said Wilkin. “Mr. Nowell wanted me in the art contest. Although I was excited, I was very surprised because I did not think I was very good at art because I am more of a basketball player.

The piece I sent in was a picture of a dinosaur that Mr. Nowell showed me how to draw.”

Most of the students whose pieces were chosen to go to the State House in Montgomery will not be able to visit the exhibition. There are, however, a few who plan to visit.

“The event here had a lot of excitement, so I am going to the exhibit in Montgomery,” said Thomas. “Going to Montgomery to see my art piece will really just be a blessing.”

BALLERINA Junior, Maria Potts’ drawing of ballet point shoes, heavily inspired by the Dance Centre’s annual Christmas show, ‘The Nutcracker’

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FEATURE

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER , 2016

Dangers of the Road Principal Kyle Ferguson and Patrolman R.L. Williams discuss staying safe behind the wheel.

MAYCI HARTLEY BUSINESS MANAGER

ACCIDENT The aftermath of a car wreck.

HAVING FUN Juniors Wilbur Charles and Kellen Tucker high five in the parking lot.

P

“

My father used to say ‘don’t hurry; it’ll be there when you get there...keep your mind on your business and your eye on others.

RINCIPAL Kyle Ferguson believes that no one should ever push an arrival time. “When you have a destination, plan on it and the time, Ferguson said. Plan on stopping and slow traffic. Always drive safe and go the speed limit.”

SteerSmart, a company that teaches teens and new drivers about the risk of the road, held sessions for each grade on Dec. 15 to reiterate how badly something can go wrong. Ferguson thinks back to a peer from his high school that is only remembered for his poor driving habits. “When you drive stupid in high school, that’s all you’re remembered for,” Ferguson said.

Because Ferguson has been an administrator for many years, his Landon Smith talks with view on teen drivers did not change when his daughter got her license.

Officer Darling.

“I have been a principal for 25 years and buried 18 students. All but three were car accidents,” Ferguson said. “I had four kids killed in one year. Two of them were killed together trying to beat a train.” While KYLE FERGUSON, Ferguson worries about young drivers, Mary Grace Boatright, junior, PRINCIPAL says that some adults assume she is a reckless driver because she is a teen.

Ferguson’s belief on teen drivers is what Kellen Tucker, junior, believes all adults assume about teen drivers. “Everyone always thinks that you are automatically going to have an accident or be distracted by your phone, the radio, TAKING NOTES Officer or anything else,” Tucker said.

Darling writes in his notepad Ferguson does not hesitate to take people off of a bus if they are putting people in the parking lot. in danger. “Students need to remember to wear their seat belts and make everyone else wear theirs,” Ferguson said. They also need to “be aware of [their] surroundings that includes speed limit, deer and wildlife, and other drivers,” Ferguson said. Katie Tindol, senior, agrees with Ferguson. She also believes that “you have to be defensive and Photos by Mayci Hartley notice what other people are doing and avoid them,” Tindol said. Ferguson is stern about students goofing off when it comes to vehicles because of the damage he has seen them cause.

“I had to get on to someone in the parking lot because they were standing in the bed of a truck,” Ferguson said. “I had a student die from jumping out of a bed of a truck and two permanently injured. The kid (who died) was very popular and was in the bed of a truck when someone gassed it; he flipped out of the truck and hit his skull and it busted.” Ferguson said that one of the students who lived now has a scar from ear to ear. “The other was in the back of a truck, and the driver was swerving--he flipped out of the truck. The driver didn’t stop to get him because he knew he was hurt,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson said that his father taught him what he knows about driving. “My father used to say ‘don’t hurry; it’ll be there when you get there,’” said Ferguson. His father also told him, “Keep your mind on your business and your eye on others.” Boatright does this by “paying atten tion to other drivers.” Tucker says that driving is like a fist fight. “When you’re Williams said. driving you have to defend yourself like a fight. If someone is going to While no one wants to have an accident, it is night punch you then you defend yourself and try not to get punched. You something that happens regardless. “After a wreck, and 6:00 have to do this while driving also,” Tucker said. If two of Ferguson’s first the driver should make sure they are out of the way a.m., there are students had taken his advice, they might still be alive today. circumso they don’t cause another wreck if possible, also they certain “Two [students] were killed together trying to beat a train. All stances that allow teens should check on their passengers and the other car. They they had to do was wait. So what if they had gotten home to drive during this time should call the police station so it can be reported and five minutes later?” Ferguson said. Tindol believes that period.

These include: drivtaken care of in the proper manor,” Williams said. “people get in accidents because they do not practice ing with a legal guardian, going When people drive, they are required to have certain enough when they are 15.” to or from work, going to or from paperwork in their car. “The Alabama state law requires a school-sponsored event, going to or the operator to have their license, and proof of insurance, from a religious sponsored event, drivand vehicle registration,” Williams said. ing to a fire, medical or law enforcement Williams said that parents should drive with their students. “It is important to drive with young drivers to emergency, or if they are driving to or from recognize their habits and tendencies and see what they hunting/fishing with the proper licensing.”

Ferguson wants students to learn from all pay attention to,” Williams said.

Mayci Hartley, Business Manager experiences that occur in their lives “It may hile students can try to look out for themselves not be what you do but what someone else ATROLMAN R.L. Williams said that and others while driving, the police depart- does that puts you in danger,” Ferguson said the most common law he sees broken “Because of the age, y’all haven’t had experiences ment does this also. by teens is driving under the influence that leave a lasting impression, and I don’t want you Williams said that there are laws to protect student of drugs or alcohol. To prevent these acto.

I would much rather you learn from other people’s drivers. “If you are a teen driver you can only have one tions Williams said that students should “call a friend, experiences,” Williams said that students should drive other non-family member while driving,” Williams said. get an Uber, or call their parents. We have a dispatch with a sense of responsibility and very cautiously.

“Teens are not to drive between the time periods of midthat will come and get you if it is an emergency.

“Even though you may be a great driver, you have If it is not an emergency, they will to recognize other drivers. Somecall you a cab. It is better to be in times it takes one small mistake trouble for one night than for to affect your life or someone the rest of your life,” else’s,” Williams said.

The Price of Carelessness

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THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

LOVE IN THE AIR LOOKING BACK

SARA LANG AND EMILY MATTHEWS

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nice dress, and restaurant in ansoon as we had sat he was called into spent most of the it’s ok because we’ll His exact words were,

orthridge teachers reminisce on their most memorable Valentine V A L E N T I N E ’ S

moments

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usby, Trina ON VALENTINE’S DAY

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HIS ONE WAS INTERESTING.

I got presents the weekend before Valentine’s Day and flowers on Tuesday. Saturday was our “date night,” and he was called into work four times that day. We thought we were in the clear and got all dressed up; I did my makeup and everything and wore a really

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went to a nice other town. As down and ordered the shop, so we evening there. But do something else.

“EVERY DAY IS DAY.”

ohnson, Scott ON HIS PROPOSAL

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proposed at Neyland Stadium during an Alabama versus Tennessee game and Tennessee won.

R igdon, Ashton M

owell, Richard ON HIS PROPOSAL

invited her [wife to be] over and cooked dinner.

We had ice cream, and I had put a jar of M&Ms on the table, where I HID THE RING IN THE BOTTOM. I knew she would dig her hand in all the way to grab a handful, which she did and found the ring.”

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ON HER FIRST VALENTINE’S DAY

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Northridge students and teachers celebrate Valentine’s Day.

ooper, Dustin ON VALENTINE’S DAY

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y first Valentine’s day ever I was in first grade. So, I asked my mom if I could have a boyfriend and she said yes, thinking it would only last like a day or two thing but it lasted until like fourth grade, so the next day I went to school and said my mom said I could have a boyfriend. So, on valentines day HE GAVE ME A SNOW GLOBE, WHICH IS REALLY NICE FOR A FIRST GRADER.

M oore, Chelsey

ON VALENTINE’S DAY

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was getting ready for school, and it was really cold that morning. I went to start my car because it was so cold and MY BOYFRIEND WAS STANDING IN THE SNOW WITH ROSES.

actually have a rule that I don’t order flowers because every time I order flowers--like T WHA it’s a disaster.My wife works at a school, Information complied by Sara OU so I have to like explicitly say it’s for a DO Y Lang, Colleen McNorton, and VALteacher not for a student or they don’t R O Lindsay Roberts NT F DAY? TIME WITH SIGNIFICANT OTHER deliver them. That actually happened WA one time. By the time NE’S I T N E she got them, all the flowers were dead. I do not order flowers because I’ve always had Icon created by Symbolon from Noun Project issues ordering HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS flowers. I’ve never successfully ordered flowers.

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SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY

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GIRLFRIEND Flower icon created by Oksana Latysheva from Noun Project Candy icon created by LSE Designs from Noun Project Woman icon created by Aha-Soft from Noun Project

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ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

Reviewers discuss opposing thoughts on ‘Rogue One’

The positive view

SARA LANG SPORTS EDITOR

“Rogue One” is a captivating, keep-youon-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of movie.

With a riveting plot, amazingly realistic effects, and relatable characters, it’s no wonder that this “Star Wars” standalone had the twelth biggest cinema opening of all time. Spoilers: The story line follows protagonist Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), daughter of an engineer who unwillingly aided the Empire in creating the Death Star. Her father, Galen Erso, installed a small flaw in the planet-killer, and lets Jyn know this so that she and the Rebel Alliance are able to destroy it.

Along the way, Jyn befriends Cassian Anders (Diego Luna): a rebel pilot that, unbeknownst to Jyn, is sent on a mission to kill her father. Their on-screen chemistry adds to the tone of the movie, and they argue but are able to overcome their differences for the greater good. The rebel robot K-2SO acts as a comedic relief throughout the movie, and in my opinion is one of the most lovable characters. He distrusts Jyn at first, but like Cassian, becomes very fond of her. Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) and Baze Malbus ( Jiang Wen) are two valuable members of the Rogue One team. Chirrut, a blind man (and my personal favorite character), is “at one with the force.” His ability to behave like a Jedi aids the group throughout the movie, and Baze is the one that has to protect him. All of the characters are unique and interesting in their own way, and Felicity Jones does an excellent job of portraying the strong female lead.

While the whole movie is thrilling and keeps you guessing, the last few minutes are what made me want to see it again and again. After infiltrating the Empire’s base on Scarif and stealing the Death Star’s plans, Jyn successfully sends them to the Alliance. But she and the rest of her Rogue One allies are not able to escape the war zone. One by one they perish, with K-2SO going first and Jyn and Cassian dying last in a tear-jerking moment. They embrace on a beach while watching the Death Star blow up the entire planet. There might have been hope for them, but if you think about it, their fate was decided ever since the first (or third, depending on how you view it) “Star Wars” movie when the rebels receive the Death Star plans and say that many lives were lost when getting that information. At first, one may be horrified when watching the final few scenes, but it’s time for a change in the movie industry.

Not every story has a happy ending, and one of the best aspects of “Rogue One” is how they show that. I was especially surprised because Disney movies do not usually end on such a low note but am now gratified. The dose of reality was refreshing.

Although it can be argued that “Rogue One” was unnecessary in the series, I think that it adds another layer and explains a story line that could’ve used elaboration.

If this hadn’t taken place, the rebels never would’ve been able to destroy the first Death Star and the Empire would’ve been in full control for forever. This vital addition not only brought in millions of dollars to the makers, but a chance to be immersed into the sci-fi world we’ve all come to know and love for the viewers.

IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY Reviewer, Sara Lang, discusses why ‘Rogue One’ lives up to expectations

The negative view Photo courtesy of StarWars.com

WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

This article contains spoilers of the film in question. If you have not seen the movie, but you want to, then I suggest that you disregard this article for now, and enjoy the rest of this paper.

Last December, the long anticipated, spinoff episode of the “Star Wars” franchise, “Rouge One: A Star Wars Story” was released. The movie review site Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 85 percent rating, and during its showing, the film earned a total of 925.4 million dollars at the box office. I went to see “Rouge One” two days after it came out, and by the end of the day I found myself asking the question “WHY?!”

I have been a “Star Wars” fan for as long as I can remember, and I really tried to enjoy this movie just like everyone else did, but I just couldn’t bring myself to say that it was a decent movie.

The beginning of the film was actually the only part of the movie that gave me hope. After the protagonist Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) witnesses her mother die in front of her and her father be taken away by the Empire, her escape into the cave made the episode start to seem very interesting. But once that happened, everything went downhill.

I felt that there was barely any character development in this film at all. Unless of course you count the literal character development of Tarkin where the filmmakers decided to CGI the face of the original actor, Peter Cushing, on to actor, Guy Henry, which I’m sure took weeks to develop.

This lack of character development howROGUE WANNA MAKE ME FALL ASLEEP Reviewer, Will Mclelland, gives reasons ever is mostly the fault of the writers, not why Rogue One was “boring” Photo courtesy of Esquire the actors themselves, as they have proven

to be very talented and accomplished in other films. Nevertheless, the characters were very poorly done, but in their own ways. Jyn Erso was incredibly dull. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) was a cliché and boring rebel. Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) was an annoying, blinded warrior who believes in the force more than Joel Osteen believes in Jesus. Baze Malbus ( Jiang Wen) was the loyal friend of Chirrut Imwe, who makes fun of him, but also looks up to him as a wise person. There is nothing wrong with him in my opinion, he’s just pointless when it comes to the plot of the movie.

And the list goes on and on… Almost all of the characters had great potential with their casting, but they had something going against them because of how lazily they were written.

Which brings me to my final point: this was not the most “stand alone” film since the originals, as it has been credited to be.

Last year’s “The Force Awakens” got heavy criticism for being a spinoff of the original “A New Hope” and stuffing brains full of nostalgia for the old movies. While that was true, “Rogue One” doesn’t get a pass.

All J.J. Abrams did to make this movie was show us the Death Star and make it destroy stuff, plop in a ton of unnecessary characters, bring back Darth Vader, kill some storm troopers, make a billion explosions, make someone say “may the force be with you,” tell us one new thing we didn’t know before, kill off the characters, literally begin “A New Hope,” show us CGI Leia’s face, and then call it the best thing since cavemen discovered fire. They tricked us into loving another movie by showing us the things we remember, combined with a cup of laziness, and then they made money off of it. Overall, I found the movie to be profoundly mediocre.

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‘La La Land’ more than a generic love story Will Henson Managing Editor

Photo courtesy of Pioneer Press

It is my belief that the best art imitates life in some way, that it reveals something about ourselves. If this is truly the best measure of art, then “La La Land” directed by Damien Chazelle, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Where most movies offer a slight glimpse into our own lives, “La La Land” acts as a mirror.

The plot follows a young actress, played

by Emma Stone, and an aspiring jazz musician, played by Ryan Gosling, through their relationship set in the dazzling sprawl of Los Angeles. From that description alone, one might doubt the reputation that precedes this film and expect a generic love story, but it really is so much more than that. It can’t be denied that “La La Land” features a number of the romance-genre clichés, but instead of detracting from the movie, they add to it. The movie never falls back on these tropes to advance the plot in any contrived sort of way. They’re used to emphasize the unrealistic notions many have going into a relationship as well as contrast these notions with the sometimes-harsh reality. When the two protagonists fight, it’s not a fight hinged on a gross miscommunication that can simply be fixed with a “grand romantic gesture” -- of course one still happens, it just isn’t ever presented as the solution to all of the character’s problems and it serves as a great characterization for Ryan Gosling’s Sebastian -- the fights are based on issues that could easily occur in a relationship e.g. illjudged prioritization, mismatched goals, or family.

Surprisingly enough, it’s an original mu-

sical, which is a starkly different direction from the Broadway-adapted films that have hit the big screen in recent years. This distinction is an important one. In many of the other musical releases, the songs were tailor-made for the stage, so they often don’t translate perfectly to screen. However, in “La La Land,” every song (except some of the jazz pieces) are on screen according to the original design, and this leads to a greater feeling of cohesiveness throughout.

When characters sing, it doesn’t just move the plot forward. When they dance, it’s not just to provide visual stimulation during a break in the music. “La La Land” is not a movie that wanders about aimlessly; it has a purpose, and that purpose can be seen everywhere within it.

It’s hard to talk about an Oscar-nominated film without also mentioning the cinematography. It’s not enough to say that “La La Land” has gorgeous visuals -- which it does -- or even that every image on the screen is precise to excruciating detail, because “La La Land” is one of the rare cases where the cinematography lends to the theme itself. This is a movie about the value of dreams and how the ones who love us will do everything they can to help realize those dreams. Everything from the costume design to the colorful scenery to the very fact that it’s a musical contribute to this theme. All these pieces together elevate the movie to a place beyond reality that reminds viewers of the way they feel when they imagine their future and all the things they want to do with it. It almost creates a sense of nostalgia for events that have not yet come to pass.

“La La Land” if nothing else, is a movie that can make anyone feel.

Reviewer finds newest Netflix original show ‘entertaining’ have some dark undertones. There is a lot of death mentioned and many other “unfortunate events” that can be slightly upetflix is putting out more and setting.

Something else that is strange about this more original shows these days. show is the opening title. It can be off-putThe newest edition to their origting because it asks you not to watch such inal show line-up is “A Series of Unfortua sad show and to find something happier. nate Events” which has eight episodes as of But this is a show about terrible things that Jan. 13. The show is based off the book sehappen to good and kind children, so it ries also known as “A Series of Unfortunate does fit in well with the theme of the show.

Events,” a children’s book series written by There were lots Daniel Handler unof excellent things der the pen name of shown in this series.

Lemony Snicket.

Although the show The show focuses is sad, the setting and on the three Baudecostume choices are laire children and very bright giving off their terrible life an interesting countafter the untimeer effect with the ly death of their plot. The children parents. Violet is are charming and the oldest followed clever and shown in

by Klaus and their such a way to make baby sister, Sunny. you feel sorry for An interesting what was happening part of the show is to them, making for the use of the narraa few heartbreaking tor, Lemony Snickscenes, but throughet. He is in every out the whole show episode from beginthe adults are made ning to end, talking to look like fools about what is hapeven though some UNFORTUNATE Reviewer, Colleen pening to the chilof them have well reMcNorton, thinks gloom makes the show dren and why. This spected professions Photo courtesy of Flickering Myth gives the show an that would not let them act in such a way. interesting angle making it stand out from “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is very others. Sometimes he spoils what’s about interesting but is also a very somber and to happen next, which creates dramatic iroentertaining show for those who like dark ny, but sometimes it can be annoying and things. take away from the drama of the show.

While slightly goofy, the show, does

CITY OF STARS Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone dance in front of the L.A. sky

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‘Patriots Day’ gives interesting points of view EMILY MATTHEWS STAFF WRITTER

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n April 15, 2013 two bombs went off at the Boston Marathon. “Patriot’s Day” is a riveting story of tragedy, loss and comeback. This movie captures the catastrophe and the utter terror caused by the brutal attacks. While it was sad, it was still very enjoyable to watch, bringing tears to my eyes and sorrow in my heart; it was one of the best movies I have seen all year.

While it was a somber movie, it was also a wonderful representation of the heroes that rose from the ashes and a story of a community’s courage and their ability to band together.

This movie follows the lives of not only first responders and investigators, but it follows courageous survivors too. I love how this film lets you step into the lives of so many strong people. You get to follow these people in the day leading up to such a calamity and how all of Boston pulled through together. One of these fervent individuals is a police Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Walberg). His quick

thinking and his persistence makes him one of the most interesting characters to follow. Another enticing character from this movie was Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon). He leads one of the biggest manhunts in law enforcement history and is one of my favorite characters. You also get to meet Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Alex Wolff ) and Tamerlan Tsarnaev (Themo Melikidze), the Boston bombers and follow them through the day leading up to the bombings. The days leading up to the bombings through their perspective is both fascinating and chilling.

Tear jerking and heart wrenching, “Patriot’s Day” is a movie to see. The movie was very captivating and worthwhile. What sets this movie at the top is the use of real news footage, pictures and interviews with many survivors. While it is graphic, you cannot turn away. “Patriot’s Day” causes you to realize how scared and traumatized the citizens of Boston actually were and you feel for them. This fantastic movie makes you realize how lucky you are to have such a strong nation that, in the face of danger and the aftermath of such horror, can and will fight together till the end.

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THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

Runners remember Ariel Backstrom in 5k race at Kentuck Park Sara Lang Sports Editor

WARMING UP From Back: Cameron Crouse, Wil Charles, Jacob Stephens, Jessie Kate Joiner, Xan Wright, Maria Potts, Emmie Barnett, Max French, and Nour Akl

5K Wil Charles spends his Saturday running in honor of Ariel

RUNNING MAN Caleb Toshcoff, junior, runs at the front of the group along the train trestle

The Ariel Sharee Backstrom Memorial Scholarship 5K was held on Jan. 28 in Sokol Park. The run commemorated Ariel Backstrom, who passed away in a car accident last year on the same day.

Multiple students participated in the race, along with Ariel’s other friends and family. Over 200 people showed up to support the scholarship run, where proceeds will benefit a graduating senior in Tuscaloosa County. The band as well as cheerleaders and majorettes were there to cheer on the runners and walkers.

Many of Ariel’s closest friends attended the race and were happy with the results. “The race was an amazing reminder of who Ariel was, and I think she’d be so proud of what her mom did with the scholarship,” said junior Nour Akl. “I don’t think there was any other way that could’ve been better to remember her.”

The band members and majorettes felt like the race went well. “The event itself was very emotional, but I personally didn’t see it as something sad,” said Ariel’s fellow majorette Sabrina Wright.

“I saw it as celebrating the life of a good friend. Ariel was an inspiration and light to many people, and to see everyone that gathered to remember her was really touching. You could see the way the majorettes’ cheering and drumline’s music helped people finish. They’d come around the corner out of breath, but they’d run past us smiling,” Wright said.

The cheerleaders also enjoyed motivating the race participants. “It was good to see everybody,” said cheerleader Emma Abston. “We met her family members, and we saw how happy they were to be there. I was glad to be a part of it,” she said.

Many held Ariel’s memory close as they participated in the race. “The run was special for me because Ariel was one of my closest friends. It was nice to see her other friends and family there and everyone running for a good cause,” said Jacob Stephens. While not a runner, Maria Potts was excited to participate.

“It was nice to be there with her family and see how many people came and were there for her and her mom. I don’t really like running, but we did it for Although some of the participants weren’t the best of friends with Ariel, they showed up to support her family and friends. “Personally, I wasn’t extremely close to Ariel, but a lot of my friends were and it was cool to see people come together,” said junior Wil Charles.

“The race was fun, and I’m glad I did it.”

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

PASSING THE BATON Ojay Gibson, senior, competes in 2016 track meet against the county schools

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Photo by Mayci Hartley

Track athletes recieve scholarships COLLEEN MCNORTON JAMES ANDERTON STAFF WRITERS This year, two of Northridge’s track students, Ojay Gibson and Angel Horton, have gotten scholarships to the University of Alabama at Huntsville and Tennessee State University respectively.

Angel Horton, senior, received a full scholarship to Tennessee State University as a track and field athlete. “I will be competing in the long jump and maybe relay race,” Horton said. “Long jump is a length jump to see how far you can go out into the sand. And the 4x1 is a relay team sprint race [4x100m],” said Horton. “My best scores in the long jump would be 18’5” and in the 4x1 our best time is 46 seconds,” Angel said.

Horton began running the summer before sixth grade then joined the track team at Rock Quarry. She excelled at the middle school level as she was invited to compete with the high school team. “We have a lot of athletes on the team,” said Coach Jeff Sparks. “As those kids come in,

and both of those athletes [Horton and Gibson] showed promise in middle school. So it wasn’t like we stumbled upon them. We had already seen them in the middle school, so it was basically just taking them and harnessing that potential in our programs. And both competed for us as middle schoolers in our high school championships,” said Coach Sparks.

Horton is not the only senior who has performed well at track. Fellow teammate Ojay Gibson, senior, also received a scholarship, but to the University of Alabama in Huntsville. “I got my scholarship for my 100, 200, 400, and long jump,” said Gibson. His scores are good as well. “In the 100 [meters] I got 10.56 seconds,” said Gibson. “In the 200 is a 21.84 seconds, and the four hundred is a 49.89 seconds, and long jump is a 20’11.25,” Gibson said. His family was enthusiastic hearing about his scholarship and commitment to UAH. “They were very proud,” Gibson said. “My mom just told me that basically, if you’re going to go to college, it’s on you. I did that, so I made her very proud.”

Gibson has received a lot of support and advice over the

years. Many people told him to keep going no matter what. “Don’t give up [they said] I mean, you never know what could happen before you cross the finish line, so even if you’re in last, just never give up.” Gibson is no stranger to the spotlight, participating in many state championships and invitationals in his career so far. He listed his biggest accomplishment as being named the “fastest kid in Tuscaloosa” in 8th grade. Gibson’s early career has been very prosperous and is headed in the right direction. While he said that he will miss “the atmosphere” of the Northridge track team, he is looking forward to the next challenge; however both athletes have unfinished business at home.

“They’re not done yet,” said Coach Jeff Sparks. “They still have this indoor and outdoor season to compete, and so far they’ve both done pretty well. Obviously they’ve signed scholarships; somebody has liked their performances enough to award them some scholarships.” Sparks went on to say, “We’re still encouraging them to look at the big things, we want them to leave their mark, and there are still some things left for them to accomplish before they leave,and we’re encouraging them to work in that direction.”

Martin commits to Univeristy of North Alabama PATRICK JOHNSON STAFF WRITER On Feb. 1 Broderick Martin, senior, signed to play football at the University of North Alabama on a sports scholarship. “I am very excited to play on a college team,” Martin said. “Getting to the next level is something I have worked my whole life for. After I got the offer I felt relieved.”

Ever since Martin started playing football he has aspired to play on the college level.“It was always my goal to be on a college team,” Martin said. “To prepare I have worked on explosiveness during bag drills, run hoops, and I have done a lot of squats and power cleans, which has helped me get on a college level.” After receiving many offers Martin decided to go to the University of North Alabama because there he felt at home.

“I chose the University of North Alabama because I could interact with the people there,” Martin said. “It felt like they really wanted me there. The campus was very nice and had a good size.”

Football is one of the various sports Martin participates in.“I also play basketball, and I run track,” Martin said.

“Basketball helps me stay in shape for football. Track helps me with my running.”

Although Martin loves playing football, he prioritizes his academic career first.“Being a student comes first,” Martin said. “I am going to make sure I can handle my stuff in the classroom, then I will do my stuff on the field.”

In all 13 years of playing, Martin’s favorite memory was going to the playoffs. “The playoffs were fun because of all the energy at the game,” Martin said. “The stadium was really full. All the pressure was on, which was exciting.

Although most of Martin’s football memories have been positive, he has had his share of injuries.

“My opponents helmet had gone into my thigh, which caused a huge bruise,” said Martin. “I did not like being hurt. I felt like I could not do what I love.”

Just this year Martin has greatly improved and hopes to continue improving.

“I have improved my focus and my understanding of the game,” Martin said. “I also improved my abilities and plan to continue.”

Martin is confident he will succeed as the defensive end at the University of North Alabama. “I am not nervous,” Martin said. “I feel like if I do what I know, I do not have anything to worry about.”

SIGNING DAY Broderick Martin and family at the signing

Photo by Patrick Johnson

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER FEBRUARY 2017

embers of the school Key Club met with senior Life Scout Tavion Lee on Jan. 14, to repaint the numbers on the school parking lot. The service project was part of Lee’s requirements to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank achievable within the Boy Scouts of America.

“We usually do projects like once a month,” Lee said. “Once I complete this project, I take a test, and then I become an [Eagle] Scout.” The project is not Lee’s first; his previous service efforts include repainting and construction at a local church.

“I talked to the pastor, and he had to get permission from the board. I repainted the church and I redid the picnic tables. I also painted the handrails for the handicapped people, replaced some stairs with wooden stairs, and built a ramp for people in chairs,” he said. After watching confused students struggle to find their parking spots and park in the wrong spaces, Lee approached Principal Kyle Ferguson to get permission for a repainting.

Northridge Key Club learned of the effort from Principal Kyle Ferguson in October, after which president Sujitha Peramsetty, senior, approached Lee about lending a hand.

“A lot of people would park in the wrong spots, and it would cause a lot of confusion,”

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REBECCA HAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Peramsetty said. “This was a problem that our school was facing, and I wanted to do my part to resolve it. As Key Club president, I thought that I could get the club involved as well, and it would be a fun thing to do!”

Using stencils and countless cans of spray paint, Lee and the members got to work early Saturday morning. They tried different methods of making the numbers straight, using first a tape measure, then a long piece of string laid out across entire rows at a time.

Though originally divvied up into four shifts from Saturday to Sunday, the entire parking lot was painted by around noon on Saturday. “I basically ruined my shoes,” senior Mychi Tran said. “We didn’t really divide up the job into parts for everyone, so I sort of just grabbed a can and got to spraying. After a little bit, we established a basic routine where someone would have the numbers laid down, and I would just go down the line and spray all of the spots.”

Though exhausted by the end, both Tran and Peramsetty were excited at the amount of work that had been done. “By the end I didn’t really want to keep on painting, but when we looked back at all of the work we had done, it was so awesome,” Peramsetty said. “It was just the entire parking lot.”

“The best part was when we returned to pour water on some of the things to see if they stayed. Good news! It only got a little bit lighter,” Tran added.

For Lee, the best part of projects like this one and Eagle Scouts in general is the feeling of “being able to help people.” “I like Boy Scouts because of learning new things and helping others, which is the best part,” Lee said.

TEAMWORK From left to right, Tavion Lee, 12, Courtney Mobbs, 12, and Mychi Tran, 12, spray paint a spot.

Boy Scout and Key Club repaint parking numbers

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