The Northridge Reporter December 2016

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

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THE DECEMBER 2016

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NORTH RI D GE

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

REPORTER

The student est.voice 2003of Northridge High School

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 4

tudents in the Tuscaloosa shows the amount of families it helps.

Civinettes is volunteering “You could tell how many people it helped their time and wrapping by how busy it was. The line was always out skills in order to help those the door,” Bradford said. While the line is out in need. the door this year, it has not always been that way, growing Santa’s Elves, a non-profit orexponentially over the years. ganization begun in 2009, pro“When [my parents] first began, it was just fifty kids, vides toys for chilren in need but now it’s over 750,” Goldstein said. The organization is from kindergarten to the 5th grade. It helps able to provide toys based on the help that the Goldstein’s local families by providing toys for parents to receive. choose from for their children.

“Without the area businesses and my parents’ friends Depending on donations, they determine there would never be enough money to buy all those gifts,” the amount of children that can be serviced Goldstein said. “During the holidays people want to do and split the presents between city and county for others, and because Christmas is about giving not reschools. Next, counselors pick which children ceiving.” to be selected, and their parents are contacted.

Many girls from Civinettes have taken advantage of the Each year, hundreds of children receive gifts opportunity to volunteer with Santa’s Elves. from the organization. The Tuscaloosa Civinettes Bradford has helped her freshman and sophomore years. has used Santa’s Elves as its main community Bradford said the years that she volunteered she wrapped outreach since the organization began. toys and helped set up.

The Civinettes helps by giving gifts and wrapping Civinettes that volunteer will either organize the shop paper, as well as helping parents the night they come. on a day before the parents come in or they will help parSanta’s Elves are set up like a store so that the parents have ents find gifts for their children or wrap toys. more of a real shopping experience when choosing gifts for Goldstein stated that “she goes with her parents to buy their chiltoys, set up dren. the shop, Parents and is a that come personal can choose shopper.”

MAYCI HARTLEY three gifts for their child and receive a stocking full of Hudson volunteered this year for the second time beBUSINESS MANAGER goodies. cause during her time as a freshman, the envi“It’s always sweet to see anyone come in and ronment was fun and she got to volunteer with get excited about a present that they know their her friends. child will love,” Brooke Hudson, sophomore, The ability to see a child smile is reward for said. any volunteer.

The Goldstein family started the organization “My best memory [from Santa’s Elves] is to help the needy during the holiday season. when I was helping a little boy pick out his “I think my dad started the organization bepresents, and his face had the biggest smile,” cause he thought that a lot of people are unforGoldstein said. “It just made me so grateful to tunate and wanted to reach out and help them see him so happy.” so that they can have a great Christmas,” said Bradford has had similar rewarding experijunior Madison Goldstein, daughter of the orences volunteering. “My favorite memory is of ganization’s founder. an old man who constantly thanked me, told “He also thought that parents should be able me that I was doing a great job wrapping, and to choose the gifts that they give their children told me about his grandkids,” Bradford said. and not just be given the gifts. He thought it “I think during the holidays people want to would mean more to the parents and the kids.” do things for others. Christmas is about giving The Civinettes donate toys and wrapping panot receiving. Without local businesses and my per to Santa’s Elves. “This year there was a car parents friends there would never be enough CHRISTMAS SPIRIT From left to right, juniors McLean Moore full of toys donated,” Emma Bradford, senior, money to buy all of those gifts,” Goldstein said.

(Tuscaloosa Academy) Mary Katherine Winfield, Emory Grace Edsaid.

If students would like to donate next year The line of waiting parents at Santa’s Elves wards , Grace Evans, and Madison Goldstein display their presents. they can contact Madison Goldstein or teacher, Erin Darnell.

NORTHRIDGE’S

LITTLE

HELPERS

Students help out local gift-giving organization

NUTCRACKER

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“ STRING QUARTET

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It was awesome getting to help other people with their houses, and it was super fun.

MYCHI TRAN, SENIOR

See story on PAGE 4

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AT A GLANCE

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

Make a Saturn V rocket launch again This year has not been the greatest for our country or time in the 2030’s. This is extremely important, but the for the rest of the world. Because of a contentious political way we will need to start this process is by at least making season, Americans are divided over almost every issue. A temporary a trip to the moon. However, it would be best to controversial president has been elected after a grueling set up a permanent base on the moon to simulate activities campaign season. Tragedies like the deaths of unarmed that need to be done for long term settlements on Mars. black men, the nearly daily mass shootings A new program to the moon would almost and an endless string of public figures’ deaths certainly benefit everyone. First, it would put have swept our nation. Abroad, a civil war in billions of dollars into the economy through Syria has created a living hell for thousands new innovations, and create hundreds of of people, and several countries fear internathousands of jobs as it did during the Apollo tional terrorism. However, there is one thing program. At the program’s peak, NASA had that has gone completely under the radar. It’s employed over 400,000 people. Second, the an idea that may very well physically and psytechnology that derived from NASA since the chologically benefit our country and possibly lunar program was a profound leap in inovathe whole world. What if we went back to the tion. These are things like the microchip, artimoon? ficial limbs, smoke detectors, water filtration American astronauts are still sent into space and safer planes, cars, and roads. Most notaWILL MCLELLAND on a regular basis, but they are launched from bly is Magentic Resonance Imaging, better OPINION EDITOR Kazakhstan by Russia. It’s been this way since known MRI, which is a spin-off of the tech2011. However, NASA has signed a deal with Space-X nology used by NASA to enhance pictures from the lunar and Boeing (two private commercial spaceflight compa- surface. This technology has saved the lives of millions of nies) and they have a goal to send astronauts to the ISS people around the world.

Perhaps more importantly than this, another trip to the from the U.S. by 2018. Still, low earth orbit is as far as a moon may have a psychological effect on us. Take a mohumans will go for a while.

As of now, NASA’s schedule to go to the moon is prac- ment and think about all the negativity and turmoil of this tically nonexistent because of two major factors.The first past year. Believe it or not, we were in a similar situation in being their budget. NASA’s budget is about 19 billion dol- 1968. America was just as divided. Young people protested lars, which is only one half of one percent of the entire fed- the controversial Vietnam War. The nation suffered the aseral budget. Back when NASA was sending people to the sassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy. moon, they had roughly four percent of the federal budget. We were going through a contentious election year. “MidSecond, everyone wants to go to straight to Mars some- dle America” felt like things were changing faster than

they could handle, and everyone feared the possibility of nuclear war. But on Christmas Eve, the crew of Apollo 8 reached lunar orbit. There they showed live pictures of the whole earth, and the whole public was watching. It was the first time that humans saw earth as a lonely object in space.

Those astronauts were the heroes that the world needed.

Shortly after that mission was the first celebration of Earth Day and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. This mission inadvertently sparked the flame for global unity. So to everyone who wants to heal the world, perhaps the first thing we need to do is to leave it.

LAUNCH Saturn V rocket lifting off

Photo from NASA

from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the Apollo 11 astronauts to the moon

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

LGBTQ rights not to be taken lightly In America, the LGBTQ community has some of the most advanced rights laws in the world. The United States is one of 21 countries to legalize same-sex marrige. The long and challenging path to becoming recognized and given equal rights worldwide is still faced with prejudice and violence in even the most pro-LGBTQ countries.

The NCAVP estimates that 20-25 percent of LGBTQs experience hate crimes in their lives. LGBTQs also experience more hate crimes than any other minority group in America. On June 12, 2016, Omar Mateen entered a gay nightclub in Orlando where he shot and killed 49 people, injuring 53 others, and commited the largest mass shooting in the history of the United States. He was targeting defenseless and innocent LGBTQs for being who they are. Here’s the thing: a sexuality or gender isn’t a decision or lifestyle; it’s a normal way of living, and just because someone doesn’t have a mindset that matches yours doesn’t mean you can go out and hurt them. It doesn’t change the way they think of themselves, and it leaves more depression and sadness that puts weight on their shoulders than imaginable. If you personally do not like LGBTQs because of the way they live, keep it to yourself. It’s better to be selfless than ignorant.

As for me personally, I am gay. I’ll take the criticism. But

I have to put a message out there to try to show what it’s doesn’t mean you need to abide by those rules. Don’t let religion affect how people see a certain group like to be different than most people, as well or how to live a life in such a broad way. Don’t as putting others who don’t understand in my let words get in the way of who you are. shoes.

It is necessary to put this issue under the miWhen it comes to family members and percroscope. For too long the LGBTQ commusonal friends, it’s never easy to have to let them nity has faced violence and hatred to extreme know; opinions aren’t shared equally with evlevels. When countries pass laws to legalize erybody and backlash can be expected in many same-sex marriage, it doesn’t mean the violence situations. No family raises a child into a sexstops. In fact, protests can spark soon after a uality or gender choice, but they do raise some new law is passed. After France made same-sex into hating other kinds of people. However, marriage legal, 800,000 protesters were countbeing different in comparison to those who ed opposite to 400,000 of those celebrating it. raised you doesn’t sit well, and if any scenario It shows that homophobia is a worldwide issue. in your life goes overboard and turns violent, JAMES ANDERTON As of right now in 12 countries LGBTQs can STAFF WRITER the first action necessary has to be to alert the be executed. And during Hitler’s rise to powauthorities or friends who can. Just because you er, he put homosexuals in his group of ‘sub-humans’ and are born the way you are doesn’t mean you are a mistake killed as many as he could get hold of. But to move past for it. All walks of life are loved by someone else, but when the oppression, change is the only answer. In any country, hatred boils over into a safety concern, don’t sit and let it anywhere on earth, change can happen. It’s a guaranteed break you into pieces. You deserve better care. bloody path, but when a group of people feel like they are Here’s where religion becomes an issue. Certain reli- being mistreated, they rise up. A movement starts. A revgions put LGBTQs into the dark. It’s not just one either, olution begins, and no matter how much the cause can be as it can be common in many. But just because a written put down by government, change is inevitable. Don’t let script from thousands of years ago tells you how to live, it anything get in your way.

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THE NORTH RI D G E REPORTER The student voice of Northridge High School

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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 Fatema Dhondia 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) 759-3590 ext. 3432 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’

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

OPINION

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NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

Key Club helps build community with Habitat for Humanity

CLEAN SWEEP Northridge Key Club Members (from left to right), Caroline Krieger, Sue Peramsetty, Helen Chwe, Will Henson, Mychi Tran and Mikayla Jones pose after cleaning up around the house

REBECCA HAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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embers of the Northridge Key Club volunteered with the non-profit 501(c) organization Habitat for Humanity Dec. 3. The well-known group is a global housing organization with a vision of “creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” according to their website.

In addition to building houses, Habitat also aids in home renovation in communities (especially those affected by natural disaster), home and neighborhood repairs

and advocacy for decent and affordable housing universally.

While a fixture in Tuscaloosa since 1987, organization activity skyrocketed in the aftermath of the April 2011 tornado. Prior to the disaster, Habitat averaged about two houses built per year.

Since 2011, they have constructed about 60 houses in the span of just five years.

Club president Sujitha Peramsetty, senior, first reached out to Habitat in December of 2015.

“I was looking around for volunteer opportunities in Tuscaloosa, and I had known of a girl who had volunteered for Habitat, so

IN FRAME Seniors Sue Peramsetty and Caroline Krieger build windows for this Habitat event

I reached out to them,” she said.

“They were very excited about our involvement, but there were obstacles to face first.”

Before volunteering could begin, there were a number of things to straighten out, including waivers, dates, age restrictions, and chaperoning. Habitat’s ReStore center was one option for aspiring volunteers, but Peramsetty said that most students were in favor of the hands-on construction option instead. Fortunately, the setup process for this year’s volunteering session required fewer hoops to jump through.

“I emailed the volunteer coordinator, and she sent me a bunch of dates, and then I gave her a date that was the best day for us, and she emailed me the liability forms. I passed those out to the [Key Club] members, and I turned them back in,” Peramsetty said.

Student volunteers aided in several activities, including painting windows, walls, caulking, and cleaning, similar to last year’s activities when volunteers helped repair the roof of the house and painted its exterior.

“It was really fun,” Peramsetty

said. “We got to talk to the owner of the house, and she was super nice. She helped us out around the house and just came and went. All the other volunteers were really nice as well, and they talked to us about their experience with Habitat. It’s a very fun and arduous thing to do.

It’s strenuous because you’re working hard, but it’s still very fun.”

Senior Mychi Tran described the experience as an unforgetable one, saying, “I loved it so much! It was awesome getting to help other people with their houses, and it was super fun. I will definitely be going back.”

Students share reasons for donating blood to American Red Cross PATRICK JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

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hirty seven Northridge students donated blood Dec. 1 to American Red Cross to help those in need.

“I donated blood to help save lives,” said Madison Sears, junior. “I also wanted Oreos, which they give you when you are done.”

Additionally, Brianna Hyche, junior, gave blood to give back to Alabama Children’s Hospital, which helped her while she was recovering from an injury in February.

“I donated blood because I donated back in April, and Alabama Red Cross sent me mail telling me where my blood went,” said Hyche. “They told me my blood was sent to the Alabama Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, which was the hospital I was in for a few weeks in February. So, that

was really in my heart, and I also felt like I who needed it. helped people there. Red Cross is always “I gave blood because I am blood type O calling me asking to donate, so I felt this negative, which can go to everyone,” said was a good time to do it.”

Kimbrough. “I also wanted to help the Despite being nervous, Wil Charles, sick all around Alabama.” junior, donated blood because he wantSince students had to be at least 16 ed to help those in need. and weigh at least 110 pounds, Kate “Initially, I was a little nervous Merrit, freshman, was not able to because I had never given blood participate in the donating of Out of before,” said Charles. “Once the blood. needle was in I was fine. Even 1147 Students “I wish I could give blood more surprising, it was relabecause I believe it is the right tively easy and convenient. I 37 Donated thing to help those sick in my decided to give blood because community,” said Merrit. “I Blood my friend told me to donate am also not scared of needles, blood. I also wanted to make the which will make the process faster. world a better place and help those in I also know it is my duty as a Roman need.”

Catholic to help those in need. Sadly, it is Allysa Kimbrough, senior, donated blood not possible for me to donate because I am because her blood type could go to anyone not old enough, nor do I weigh enough.”

Donna Hudson was just one of the phlebotomists that made giving blood possible at Northridge.

“I chose to be a phlebotomist because I enjoy the gratification that the recipients get from the blood, which makes it possible for them to live another birthday,” said Hudson. “I also enjoy meetings new people and traveling, which I get to do with this career.”

Korrie Brown, sophomore, had given blood for the first time because she saw an opportunity to help someone in need.

“I gave blood for the first time today because I was given the option to,” said Brown. “I am extremely lucky to be healthy and have a chance to donate blood. So, if you have the ability to help someone, why wouldn’t you take the opportunity?” she said.

GO JAGUARS!

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

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Northridge debate captains win Spain Park Tournament CEDRIC BROWN SPORTS EDITOR

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ed by captain Emma Bradford and co-captain Will Henson, seniors, the Northridge debate team, backed by the Alabama Debate Society, has a lot of hope for the upcoming season. Over Thanksgiving break, the team met with schools around the state in a novice tournament held at Spain Park High School.

“It was a great experience,” said Bradford. “The debate format we compete in is called public forum.

[Public forum debates] consist of a two-person team against a two-person team and are supposed to be set up in such a way that any person could walk off the street and understand what’s happening.” Teamwork is an essential part of winning the debate, so Will Henson and Emma Bradford partnered up for the novice tournament because they knew their individual styles would

complement each other. The two rounds, the duo had won four dence and it paid off,” Bradford worked coherently with one an- out of their five debates and were said.

The team went on to win evother as they went through the headed to the finals, where they competition. “Will was a great were prepared to meet the tough- ery round in the finals with votes from all three judges. Bradford partner to work with,” said Brad- est teams yet. and Henson won the ford. “We fed off of each Spain Park Public Forum other, which really helped Novice Tournament for us win the debate.”

Northridge High School.

Novice tournaments The other Northridge are reserved for first-year pair, consisting of junior contenders, which meant Rebecca Han and senior that Bradford and Henson Terry Millsaps, did incrediwere often up against unbly well in the tournament, derclassmen. “We competonly to end their run in the ed against many freshmen semifinals on a technicality. who felt that it was unfair This, however, did not to compete against us since reflect on their full perforwe were upperclassmen,” mance as they won against said Bradford. “But we’ve many experienced teams only been competing for throughout the Birminghalf a year, so we went into ham region. “Rebecca and it with the same amount of I did an amazing job. We experience as our competboth worked well togethitors.”

CHAMPS Northridge competitors, (from left) Miller cooperatively and I beIn this competition, the saps, Han, Bradford, and Henson hold up their ribbons During the finals both Henson lieve we can win it in the future,” topic was “The Internet of Things and how it relates to personal pri- and Bradford were set on winning said Millsaps. Due to a mistake the competition for the school. in the round pairings, the two vacy,” explained Bradford.

At the end of the preliminary “We went in with a lot of confi- Northridge teams were matched

against each other. Millsaps and Han were forced to concede the round to Bradford and Henson because Bradford and Henson had higher speaker points.

Competitions like this require persistence, which means they can be exhausting. “We practiced a lot the day before. I only got six hours of sleep that night, and I went to bed late and had to be up around 7:00 the next morning,” said Millsaps.

As the season ends however, the debate team will lose its senior members, who make up a lot of the team. “I encourage everyone to come and try out for the team,” said Bradford. “If you’d like to become part of the team, come to one of our meetings, and we’d be happy to help!”

With this win underneath their belt, the debate team looks forward to additional tournaments.

They hope to close this season with at least one victory in the varsity league.

Black Warrior String Quartet shares talent with Tuscaloosa fer music from my violin into joy for the people who are listening to us,” she said.

“I have played in many quartets before, yet he Black Warrior String none of them compare to this one.”

Quartet, consisting of senior All the members of the quartet are exLillian Woolf, senior Jack perienced in their respective instruments.

Powell, freshman MaryEl- Powell and Guo both indicated that they la Woolf, and junior Sarah Guo, has been have been playing violin for a long time. demonstrating their talents at various ven- “I’ve been playing the violin for six and a ues around town. The quartet was formed half years -- geez, time flies,” said Powby Lillian Woolf in September as a way to ell,” and I love playing it. Actually, in the “get professional experience and earn mon- 5th grade, I was considering doing band, ey,” according to Woolf. but then a string quar“We play for events of tet came in and did a all different kinds. Most set for us, and from that of them so far have been moment I was hooked.” for the holidays, but we Guo has played an inhave had some people strument for the lontalk with us about wedgest of all the members, ding gigs,” she said. though. “I have been “For example,” said playing the violin since Powell, “we got asked to I was five years old, and play at Dicken’s DownI’ve been with the Comtown last week and to munity Music School play at a Chamber of of the University of AlCommerce event last abama ever since,” she month.” said. While some memLillian Woolf plays bers might have started cello for the group, earlier, Lillian Woolf felt while Maryella Woolf, MOODY Powell, Guo and the Woolf that there was equality Powell, and Guo all play siblings stand in Moody Music Hall at UA in the quartet. “When violin. Lillian Woolf said she chose these the group was being formed, I wanted to members for the quartet due to their past ask people who would be fun to work with collaborations and ability to work together and who were good matches in skill level.” well. “We are all principles in the TuscaloWoolf said that she had been in one string osa Youth Orchestra and have played to- quartet before forming the Black Warrior gether for years,” Woolf said.

Quartet. “I was in another quartet previous The group clearly has great chemistry to this,” she said, “but it didn’t work out so together, evidenced by the shared positive I wanted to try something new. I had good outlook between all members. “I think we experiences with the other quartet, we just get along perfectly and play extremely well didn’t end up getting back together after as an ensemble,” Woolf said. “I couldn’t we had our break. It all worked out great, have asked for a better group!” Powell though, because [the Black Warrior String agreed with this sentiment, stating that Quartet] is working out really well.” Powell he feels confident on-stage with the Black stated that he has also been in string quarWarrior String Quartet. “If it was just me, tets before, although this is the first time I would be beyond nervous, but I feel much he’s been in a “group that’s meant to last.” more comfortable playing with them, Powell summed up his time with the mainly due to the fact that we function Black Warrior String Quartet in a posiwell as a group and sound great together,” tive way. “The experience has been nothing Powell said. Maryella Woolf described the short of amazing,” he said. “I am so thankquartet as “a good opportunity to grow as a ful that God has given me the violin. He’s string player.” Guo, on the other hand, had blessed me so much through it, and I cana surreal view of the group’s ability. “When not wait to see what He does in the future!” performing, I feel as if I’m able to transWILL HENSON STAFF WRITER

Photo by Colleen McNorton

WALK THE WALK Pictured above is this year’s Tinsel Trail, just outside of the Rivermarket

DECK THE RIVERWALK Tinsel Trail returns to Tuscaloosa

Colleen McNorton Staff Writer

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he Tinsel Trail is a tradition held annually by Tuscaloosa’s One Place, a non-profit organization that is designed to help the Tuscaloosa community. The event, located by the Riverwalk and the amphitheater, consists of over a hundred lit Christmas trees donated and decorated by different groups and organizations all over Tuscaloosa.

While the trail is free to walk, sponsoring a tree is not. There are two types of trees to choose from, a regular Tinsel Trail tree and an anchor tree. The Tinsel Trail tree is 7 to 8 feet and cost $250, while an anchor tree is 10 to 12 feet and cost $500. All money goes to benefit Tuscaloosa’s One Place Many organizations donated or decorated trees for this cause. One such tree was donated and decorated

by The Tuscaloosa Belles, a service organization. Senior and Tuscaloosa Belle, Mallie McCleland helped her organization by decorating their tree for the event.

“Our tree had to do with the people who are in Tuscaloosa,” said McCleland.

“We found all these cool pictures of people who are in Tuscaloosa and who helped found Tuscaloosa and who are still helping to build Tuscaloosa. So we had their pictures in little

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thirty minutes. It differs from like what you do,” said McCleland. “Sometimes it’ll take you longer depending on how elaborate your tree is, and sometimes it takes you a short period of time if you are doing a very simple tree. Ours is kind of in the middle, so it took us like thirty or forty-five minutes, which isn’t bad.”

The Tuscaloosa public library’s tree won best anchor tree. The Mitchell Co., decorated by The Canine Compassion Fund won the Cindy Lou Who, or the children’s favorite award.

And Peco foods won the ‘Talk of senior the Trail’ award, as their tree was a giant chicken.

This year’s Tinsel Trail will shine the joy of Christmas bringing the community together as it helps others. The trail will be open each day, until early January, from dusk to midnight.

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Our tree had to do with the people of Tuscaloosa Mallie McCleland, picture frames and hung them up on the tree and it turned out really cute,” added McCleland.

Many of the trees are extravagant, so some take more time than others to put together more complex designs. “It took us maybe

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ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

Top 5 Northridge students dance favorite in TCD’s annual ‘Nutcracker’ Christmas movies

know her so well.”

New roles and choreography were also added.

“This year there were more people than other ive Northridge years, so we had new cosstudents pertumes, and the role of the formed in “The dragon was added to the Nutcracker” at Chinese dance,” Walker the Bama Theater on Dec. said 9, 10 and 11.

McCullough has danced Jennifer Walker, sophothe nutcracker with TCD more, danced the roles of five times. soldier doll, a snowflake, a “I have pretty much Russian, and a flower. danced all the roles,” Mc“I auditioned in August Cullough said. “I started and this is my third year out as an angel, and built dancing the nutcracker,” my way up to dancing a Walker said. “We startsolo in ‘The Nutcracker,’” ed learning the dances in photo by Crosby Thomley she said.

September and had group LET IT SNOW Snowfakes fom TCD’s nutcacker, left to rigt front row: Molly Barr, Tuscaloosa communipractices and rehearsed Elizabeth Vann, Meredith Cook, Fiona Dorr, Ali Marshall, Jennifer Walker back row: ty dancers does the show Grace Ann Fikes, Ariel Jones, Mims Mckee, Georgiann McCullough, Kathryn Sain, until our first show.” annually, and many of Avery Anderson & Lucy Rogers.

This year the show has the dancers come back to more participants and inhe said yes,” McCullough said. dance in the show. cludes a Joffrey ballet dancer, Jonathon Walker danced the role of the Russian “I like the tradition that it brings to TusDole, who danced the role of the nutcrack- together with Kathryn Sain,sophmore, caloosa,” Walker said. “I also like getting to er. Georgiann McCullough, junior, who who also danced the roles of a snowflake meet new people because dancers come all danced the roles of a snowflake, a Spanish, and a flower. the way from Chicago or Birmingham to and a flower soloist knew Jonathon Dole.

“It’s so fun to dance with her because we be a part of this show, and it’s so much fun “I knew Jonathon from a summer camp are such good friends,” Walker said. “It’s and texted him if he was willing to come kind of easy to dance with her because I to dance in it,” she said. down here and dance the nutcracker, and FATEMA DHONDIA E N T E R TA I N M E N T EDITOR

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1. Friday After Next 2. Home Alone 3. Elf 4. The Grinch 5. Polar Express 166 students polled, Information polled by Fatema Dhondia and Emily Matthews Design by Fatema Dhondia

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Top 5 least favorite Christmas movies

1. Santa Paws 2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 3. Krampus 4. A Christmas Story 5. Home Alone Sequels 60 students polled, Information compiled by Fatema Dhondia and Emily Matthews Design by Emily Matthews

Reviewer finds ‘The Stranger’ thought-provoking SAM MARQUES STAFF WRITER “The Stranger” by Albert Camus is a short novel that can easily be read in an afternoon; however, digesting the content will certainly take much longer as this compact novel raises serious questions about morality, society, justice, religion, and individuality.

The story opens with the narrator, Meursault, reading a telegram informing him of his mother’s death. Meursault is not overly

shocked as his mother is old and has been living in a home for the elderly. Outwardly, he doesn’t become overcome with grief.

Somehow the forces of nature and man conspire to work on Meursault in a manner that causes a sudden outburst of violence that shatters his world, and Meursault soon finds himself trapped in a web of chance events magnified by his own failure to behave as expected by society.

This book is not about what’s happening on the outside; it focuses on what happens on the inside of a human’s mind in a sur-

prisingly subtle way. While in the beginning the story may seem boring and uninspired, the words suddenly begin to grasp your attention and bore their way into your thoughts, raising tons of questions on the way. What exactly allows our lives to be meaningful; do they even have a meaning?

Shouldn’t it rather be argued that since we are all equally going to face death sooner or later, all our lives are equally meaningless?

Camus’ existentialist masterpiece perfectly highlights the absurdities of our lives and skewers them with satire that touches on a great number of thought provoking ideas.

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER 2016

‘TIS THE SEASON

Basketball teams start season with a slam

Photo by NHS Yearbook

JUMP START #3 Jackson Wilkin, junior, tips off the game against Tuscaloosa County High.

LINDSEY ROBERTS STAFF WRITER The freshmen boys’ team has had an outstanding season so far.

The Jags have surpassed their previous basketball season with an overall record of 6-2. The boys went against tough rival, Homewood Patriots, a team whose varsity won the state championship last year.

“Homewood is a really big school, and they are known for being really good in basketball,” said freshman Gage Elrod.

Throughout the game, the boys battled with the Patriots, taking the game into overtime. The Jags ended up overcoming the Patriots and left with a victory. This win dignified the freshmen boys as they knocked off one of the toughest opponents on their schedule.

The varsity boys have started off the season with a 6-5 record. They competed against the Homewood Patriots, looking to upset the defending champions, but ended up with a loss of 62-48.

“We had a battle of three out of four quarters,” said senior Christopher Canterbury. “Our team didn’t do our best in one of the quarters; that’s how Homewood got ahead, and that’s how we lost,” he said.

However, the team upset McAdory with a score of 66-49 on what was dubbed “Silent Night,” where Northridge students dressed up in their tackiest Christmas wear and stayed silent until the boys scored the 10th point.

The win keeps the boys motivated to keep up the hot streak and end the season with a state championship. The boys play Hillcrest on Dec. 16.

The varsity girls’ have had a subpar season with a record of 2-8. They also traveled to Homewood and played against the Lady Patriots. The team battled hard but ended up taking a loss with a score of 69-13.

“Our team has been making improvements and getting a lot better through the basketball season,” said freshman Kylie Goff.

They then played McAdory and lost 4915, again playing their hardest and growing as a team. Their last two December games were against Hillcrest and ACA. The girls’ next game in will be at Brookwood on the Jan 13.

Northridge has had successful teams in the past, and the 2016-2017 season has the potential to be exciting and create improvements for all of the Jags.

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Frazier signs to Montevallo MAGGIE SHEN STAFF WRITER Jacob Frazier, Northridge’s first and only male cheerleader, has received a cheerleading scholarship from the University of Montevallo. He gets $2,500 a year to pay off tuition and fees, which includes uniform and travel. Frazier first visited the University of Montevallo during the summer.

“I got my scholarship a couple of months ago when I first visited the campus at the admissions office, and I talked to the cheer coach. I was excited, and if I could get money doing stuff that I enjoy and pay off my school fees then that’s great. I fit in as one of the liberal arts people because I’m very right-brained; I enjoy the art.”

Frazier is automatically on the cheer team at Montevallo. “I think I’m ready because I started doing competitive cheer at eight which really helps with the more advanced cheerleaders, and I think Monteval-

lo is not as much of a competitive school, so I shouldn’t have too much trouble,” said Frazier. “I start cheerleading probably right before school starts back [next year]. I’ll probably have to go to workouts and stuff.

Right now I’m going to meetings and just social events, so I can meet the other people they’ve given scholarships to.”

However, leaving high school and starting college can be stressful. “I’m probably most nervous about just everything being different and being in an environment without my parents completely and meeting new people, which shouldn’t be a problem, but it might take a little bit [to adjust].”

Frazier will be doing tumbling, stunts, and back spotting. He has been cheerleading for about two years this coming spring.

Frazier has made a lot of memories in those two years. “My favorite cheerleading memory is probably all the inside jokes and laughs I have with my squad over the yea rs.”

Wrestling team grapples with Bryant and ACA

Photo by Patrick Johnson

TACKLE AND GRAPPLE Wrestling team handles Bryant in first game of season.

PATRICK JOHNSON STAFF WRITER In an exciting in-school match, the wrestling team fell short of a win, losing to Bryant but finished the day with a win against American Christian Academy. “I feel like we did pretty good at the match against Bryant,” said Coach Bradford Elam. “We could have done better, but it was the first match for many on the team.”

Although the team as a whole lost to Bryant, Jack Gentry, senior, beat his bigger opponent 6-0. “I went out there confident,”

said Gentry. “I also had a good mentality even though my opponent was bigger than me. I still came out on top and won all my matches. It was also cool to have a whole student section at the match.”

Gabe Latham, senior, did not win his match against Bryant, nor did he win against American Christian Academy; however, he is optimistic about the rest of the season. “I lost, but I am happy I lost,” said Latham. “Every time I lose it means that I can make an improvement somewhere. I think I lost because I did not give 100 percent effort. I gave 99 percent effort

instead. That 1 percent can make a huge difference in your performance. Next time I will give 100 percent and win.”

Like Latham, Landon McCullough, junior, lost 0-6 in his match against Bryant; however, McCullough beat his opponent from American Christian Academy. “I lost my match against Bryant even though I gave all my effort,” said McCullough. “I still did not do good enough. I did beat my opponent from American Christian Academy. Dec. 8 we have another wrestling match, and I am very confident that I will do better this time. I will work harder and be more focused while wrestling.”

Josiah Dutton, sophomore, won both of his matches 6-0 despite not feeling his physical best. “I thought that I did pretty good,” said Dutton. “I was dehydrated and very hungry, but I did my best and won.”

Students were excited to get the opportunity to see their peers compete in the inschool match. “It was extremely exciting to watch the in-school wrestling match,” said Roberts. “It was also exciting watching Josiah Dutton put his opponent in a headlock.

For a second, I even thought his opponent had died.”

Coach Elam said the team’s confidence will help them grow. “The team is more confident after wrestling their first match,” said Elam. “We will continue to practice every day and work hard to get better.”

BEAT THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER DECEMBER, 2016

FORGING FRIENDSHIPS Members of the Spanish Club, led by Spanish teacher Dr. Kimberly Pate, pose for a picture with their new friends.

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n Dec. 7, the Spanish Club threw a Christmas party for English Language Learner students at TCTA and brought them gift cards for Target and Walmart. All members of the club were invited to join in and bring food or gifts for the party. “We wanted to throw them a little Christmas party and give them gift cards to places like Target,” said Spanish club president, Georgiann McCullough. “Some of them aren’t able to have a good Christmas, so we try and help. It’s also a good opportunity for us to practice our Spanish and for them to practice their English. We kind of adopted it as our philanthropy project,” she said.

The idea for the project was initiated by club adviser Kimberly Pate but was fostered by the members. “She wants us to be involved,” said Spanish club vice president Shamia Hardy-Furr.

The 17 ELL students are taught by Kava Smith at TCTA during first block. Most of the students are from Guatemala, with two from Mexico. The majority attend Bryant High School. “I knew about the class, and I knew Ms. Smith was teaching it,” said Pate. “So I told them [Spanish club] about the children and how they have a lot of needs, and they decided they would put together a holiday party and give each child a gift card. That way they could purchase food and a toy,” she said. “My first period is pen pals with that class, and some of the letters are pretty funny. They decided to join Spanish club just so they could visit their pen pals!”

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SARA LANG SPORTS EDITOR

The students at TCTA wanted to return the gesture to Northridge students. “The ELL kids are so generous and try to help their families whenever they can. They wanted to get gifts for our kids [Spanish club],” said Pate. The ELL teens ended up unexpectedly presenting gifts and Christmas Cards to some of the club members. “We were surprised,” said McCullough. “They wrote Christmas cards to practice their English, and we’re going to write thank you cards for the gifts.” Junior Sabrina Wright was not expecting the card and present she received from one student. “He wrote-“My name is Andres Miguel, my English isn’t perfect but I hope you have a Merry Christmast,” she quoted. “I thought it was absolutely adorable, and so sweet because honestly, I didn’t expect to receive anything, especially not a present and a card,” Wright said. She was given towel clips, and another student received a mini water gun. Although the party may have started off a little awkward, the kids quickly overcame it and ended up having a wonderful time. “They laughed at me because my name is Alta [tall in Spanish] and I’m short,” said Alta Willaert, junior. Students brought their gift cards to the club officers or Señora Pate, along with food and refreshments, even if they weren’t able to attend the party. In the past, the Spanish club has done other philanthropy projects, but this party is a first. This year, they were originally going to do an “angel tree” but decided to throw a party instead of choosing a specific student. “I’m really excited to go to TCT and meet the kids there because they’re learning English, and we’re learning Spanish, so we can each practice what we have learned,” said Willaert before the party.

Spanish Club holds party for English learning students

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DECEMBER, 2016 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 4