The Northridge Reporter May 2017 by Northridge Reporter

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

est. 2003

THE MAY 2017

NORTH RI D GE

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

REPORTER

The student voice of Northridge High School

VOLUME 14 ISSUE 7

Science teachers across the state rejoice after learning Alabama’s Science in Motion program to remain safe. WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR cience teachers were relieved when an department more flexibility. The Northridge Report- be a huge strain, and also to come up with attempt to defund Alabama Science In er also pressed the Governor’s office for an interview, the money to buy the equipment to use the labs Motion was stopped by Alabama leg- but his Press Secretary Daniel Sparkman said, “We would almost be impossible,” chemistry teacher islators. will not let the governor speak with you about this Megan Liljenquist said. “An analytical balance is In late February of this year, then Gov. Rob- particular topic.” $2,000, and [ASIM] gives me four of them. So right ert Bentley, submitted his state budget request ASIM physics specialist for the University of Althere, that’s $8,000 that I would have to come up to the Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation abama, Julie Covin, explained the programs with to replace [what the program does].” Education Committee, proposing to com- effects on the state’s public schools. Something that Liljenquist was pletely defund Alabama Science In Motion, “It’s very cost efficient,” Covin said. clear about was that this was not or ASIM. “I house [all of the equipment] here the first time the ASIM budget ASIM’s purpose is to provide science on campus, so every single teachhad been cut before. lab equipment and lab equipment train- er doesn’t have to by every piece “[ASIM] would provide ing to public high school teachers of equipment. I have it here, summer training where they across the state of Alabama via uni- and I send it out to them. Think would actually pay the teachversities across the state. The $1.5 of it like a library book mobile, ers for giving up their summer million dollar program supports [teachers check out a piece of time to get trained for [teachspecialists all over Alabama to equipment] for a week and then it ing science],” Liljenquist said. house, provide, and repair ex- comes back. Then I handle repairs “They would also pay travel expensive lab equipment. and maintenance, and then the next penses for teachers who traveled One of the major problems week it goes to a different teacher.” over 60 miles. So when I first startscience teachers had with Gov. Covin is just one of 33 ASIM specialed, I could go and get this training so Bentley’s decision to defund ists in the state, and she was very clear about I could check out these really valuable labs, ASIM is that the Alabama their direct impact on Alabama public high Educators unload a and be able to have a sub paid for - and State Department of EduScience in Motion not have to have either the school pay, or schools. cation recently changed the “These 33 people served truck. pay out of pocket. So that has been taken science teachThat’s the reason 1,052 teachers last year and away, and luckily I get my training during ing standards over 136,000 students,” Covin said. the summer for the most part, but instead of getASIM works so this year, so that “The worst case scenario [if ASIM is ting paid for the time I give up during the summer, science teach- well...the profes- defunded] is there are a lot of schools I don’t get anything.” ers must teach and a lot of school children who will The Alabama Superintendent of Education, Miscience via labs sional learning with not do science labs anymore. We know chael Sentance was one of Governor Bentley’s major and experiments. teachers IS TIED that for some schools, we are the only defendants to the cut for ASIM and argued that it Along with that, they have for science labora- did not raise ACT scores and needed to be cut comDIRECTLY to support many school labs tory.” pletely and replaced. His idea of a replacement was would cost teach- what you’re doing After constant calls from teachers one that teachers were not fond of. ers hundreds of and constituents, ASIM was put back “[Sentance] had in mind some long term profesdollars for them in classrooms with into the state budget by the Senate Fi- sional development centers, where teachers would to access if the nance and Taxation Education Com- go, sit, and listen to people give talks on how to be kids. program were cut. mittee, allowing for the Senate to vote more proficient,” Evans said. “That’s just preposterGov. BentVICTORIA EVANS, on the bill in early April. Among the ous. The last thing we need is more meetings and ley never spoke PHYSICS TEACHER educators who took action were some more telling someone to listen and take notes. That’s to the public as of Northridge’s very own science the reason ASIM works so well, because the profesto why he decided to defund teachers. sional learning with teachers is tied directly to what ASIM, but The Northridge Re“I called a lot of people that I knew who were you’re doing in classrooms with kids. That’s why you porter reached out to the gov- friends with legislators and who were politically ac- had this outcry from [teachers and constituents], ernor’s office and was told that tive themselves,” Ria Evans, physics teacher said. “I and it was very encouraging that sometimes political ASIM funding was moved to a also wrote some letters, emails, called, and left many processes can work.” program called Other Current voicemails - especially to the people that were in With teachers, students, and parents still continExpenses under the advice of charge of this like Representative Arthur Orr and uously reaching out to their elected officials, ASIM the Alabama State Department Representative Bill Poole. A lot of us put a lot of was introduced back into the education budget for of Education to allow them to effort into trying to save this because science teach- the 2018 fiscal year by the Alabama Senate on April have more “flexibility” when it ers are pretty passionate about [ASIM], really and 4. On May 3, The Alabama House of Representacomes to their spending. How- truly.” tives passed the education bill brought to them by ever, there was no explanation The general consensus of science teachers was that the senate, and it is expected to be signed by Gov. as to why ASIM specifically they needed ASIM because it was absolutely neces- Kay Ivey. The bill will go into effect on Oct. 1 of was cut or how cutting the sary when it came to doing their job. this year. program would give the “To come up with these labs on my own would

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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

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SPORTS SUMMARY

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STRING QUARTETS

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I’m here for you all’s sake. My job is to make sure that you can have a good education, that you have a safe school environment to learn at. OFFICER ROBERT DARLING

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AT A GLANCE

See story on PAGES 6-7

OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

OUR THOUGHTS On relations between students and the administration

t is very easy to view the administration at Northridge High School as a bureaucracy without a face. Decisions are made that affect the entire student body, as well as the student body of the two other city schools in Tuscaloosa, but more often than not, the students themselves have no idea who made the call. The image of the board members all sitting in a dark room pulling the strings at each of the city schools is a sinister one, but as far as the students are concerned, it is accurate. Of course, there are some faces the students recognize, and while they may not know what these key administrators stand for, they do know that they have some pull in the direction of their school. The problem here occurs when students assume that these people have more power than they really do. Sure, it sounds like a compliment for the student body to believe someone like our principal, Kyle Ferguson, is just as much the head honcho outside the walls of Northridge as he is inside, but this mentality makes it very easy for students to blame him (and other administrators) for decisions he did not make. In fact, it’s even possible (and likely) that students attribute bad decisions to the principal even when it’s a decision he actively fought against. A common joke at Northridge is that Mr. Ferguson only cares about sports. While there might be some truth to the fact that the principal wants Northridge athletes to excel, it’s a bit farcical to think that the chief administrator at the school, the man whose job is to ensure the success of all students to the best of his ability, would not care just as much about non-athletes. The truth is, Mr. Ferguson is fighting for all his students, it’s just hard to tell which decisions are his and which were passed by the Tus-

caloosa City Schools Board. And more often than not, it’s only the bad decisions that get noticed and subsequently attributed to our principal. There are two solutions here, but neither will be quick or easy. The first solution is a greater transparency within the district-wide administration. Maybe not everything should be accessible to students and parents (that would open a whole new can of worms since everyone has an opinion), but it might be beneficial for students to see how the people that are supposed to be representing them handle the issues that affect them. I am confident that if students saw the direction our principal is trying to pull Northridge, they would be proud and supportive a vast majority of the time. The other solution is for students to ask themselves why they blame any given decision on a particular person or group in the school system. This can be difficult, but it’s important that everyone weigh what they know about a change in the school against what they think they know. This might not reveal who the real culprit is, but it might keep students from wrongly accusing the Northridge higher-ups simply because they’re the closest real face to the bureaucracy.

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staff members...

AGREE.....12 DISAGREE.....0

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How administrative decisions feel to students

Balance necessary in political judgments

SARA LANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR This past election year has definitely been one for the books. With Hillary and Trump, people were either for one or the other. If you were pro-Hillary, you hated all Trump supporters and vice versa. I’ve noticed how much of a divide that has created. In my opinion, this isn’t healthy for us or the country. Sure, it’s refreshing to disagree about ideas once and awhile, and I enjoy a good debate as much as the next person. But feeling like I can’t express my ideas freely because of how others would judge me is not fun. In fact, it’s kind of scary. People treat each other so terribly when they disagree about politics, like at the rallies and bashing from the media. It needs to stop. We live in a free country, where our first amendment gives us the right to free speech. While I am still free to express my ideas whenever and wherever I want, it sometimes doesn’t feel that way. I’m tired of hearing a sigh or someone getting all worked up whenever I say that I would have voted for Trump. Trump gets so much disrespect from the media. Yes, he’s said some pretty terrible things and made some not so smart decisions, but so have many other presidents. I think we should all try and be a little less judgmental and a little more thoughtful before we yell at others because of their beliefs. I’m not saying we should all agree, but it would greatly benefit our community if we all worked a little harder to be understanding of one another.

est. 2003

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

Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 • (205) 759-3590 ext. 3432 Managing Editors Mayci Hartley Will McLelland Feature Editor *Rebecca Han Sports Editor Mayci Hartley News Editor *Emily Matthews

Entertainment Editor Sara Lang 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.

Photographer *Emily Matthews Business Manager Colleen McNorton *Denotes state award winners

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, 2016-17’ Check out our YouTube channel, ‘The Northridge Reporter’ See our paper ONLINE at issuu.com, ‘The Northridge Reporter’

OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES French staff writer reflects on her time in America

CAPUCINE THIOU STAFF WRITER

n July 4, I had the most amazing news of my life.

A family decided to host me for 10 months. I said goodbye to my friends and family, and on Aug. 4, I took a plane from Paris to New York City. I visited for a week with other exchange students in New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. On Aug. 9 I took another plane to Birmingham to finally meet my American family. I was really sad to leave my little sister and my parents, but I was very excited to discover a totally new culture and meet new people. I wanted to discover the truth about the “American dream” ever since I went to New York City in

2011. I knew it would be hard but now nine months later, I know it was totally worth it! I started studying English in elementary school, but in France we are not very talented in foreign languages. When I arrived here, I understood that I needed to work hard to understand and to be understood by other people. I had a very strong French accent, and my grammar was bad; however, with the help of my host family, my friends, and my teacher, it is improving. The language was a difficult barrier to cross, but after few weeks, even if my English was not very good, I was able to enjoy everything. Compared to most cities in America, Tuscaloosa is a small town, but for me it was and still is huge. In France, I go to school by foot, or I can take public transport to go somewhere. For example, I live in the South East of France. After a two hour train ride, I am in Paris. Here you can’t do anything without a car, and in some towns you do not have a lot of public transport. I would love to drive at 16, but I need to be 18 to drive in France. The food is very different, too. In France, we eat a lot of bread and cheese. We also cook a lot at home. We do not really have a lot of fast food compared to the United States. We just have McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza and Starbucks, but we have a lot of restaurants and bakeries. The school is one of the biggest differences for me. In

FRIENDSHIP Capucine Thiou enjoys time with her friends Katie Grace Dockery and Zumanah Kamal.

The Northridge Reporter wants to thank Capucine Thiou as well as Arianna Caprioglio for being a part of our journalism family, and we wish them the best of luck back in France and Italy. We will miss you!

France, I go to school for academics. If I want to have extra activities, I need to do it after and outside of school. I start school at 7:55 a.m. and I normally finish at 5:30 p.m. every day - except on some days, I finish school at 12 p.m. I really appreciate the school here because you have all of these clubs and activities. You have a social life around your school. You do not just go to school to learn mathematics, or history, or English. You also have the possibility to learn how to cook or how to express yourself with arts. Even if sometimes, like everybody, I do not want to go to school, I really appreciate all my subjects and the school in general here. My first days here were really hard, and I was exhausted and a little bit homesick. However, I was lucky to have my American brother’s help, which made the transition to my American school and social life much easier. It is one of the most beautiful and wonderful experiences I have ever had in my life. I know I am lucky to have the chance and the opportunity to come in Tuscaloosa and discover how Southern American people live. I will encourage any students who want to live this experience, even for few weeks in a foreign country, to do it. This opportunity can change your life. You learn a lot about the world, and you are more respectful, independent, and responsible.

CELEBRATION Capucine Thiou attends Northridge prom with friends: Hannah Urban, Arianna Caprioglio, Monique Peters, Jaeden Joyner.

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

BRINGING HOME THE GOLD

Annual Special Olympics held on school football field PATRICK JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

OPENING CEREMONY A group of Special Olympians smile as they prepare to participate in the annual competition. know they are winners in everything they do, too,” said Elam. “It helps them realize they can do whatever they put their mind to and accomplish whatever they want to.” Many students decided to volunteer after they heard Mike Lutzenkirchen’s speech on the importance of helping others. “Mr. Lutzenkirchen inspired me to help out with the Special Olympics,” said Tucker. “One of his main points in his speech was

GOODBYE HIGH SCHOOL,

HELLO COLLEGE Seniors anxious but excited to enter life after high school ARIANNA CAPRIOGLIO STAFF WRITER

Summer is coming, and this also means that school is almost over. Even though most students are happy about that, some of the seniors are experiencing mixed emotions. Graduation marks the end of an adventure that lasted four years and the beginning of something new, which can be scary but exciting. Julia Versace, senior, has mixed feelings about the next chapter of her life. “I am going to the University of Alabama, and honestly I am both excited and scared to leave high school,” Versace said. “I will miss not having to pay for school probably and of course also all of my friends,” Versace said. “Going to UA also means a very busy campus, so I expect to meet many different people, some from different cities, some others from a different state, and hopefully some people from a different country.” For some, being far from the friends that they were used to seeing every day is not easy. “Some of my friends are going to UA as well, but some others are moving out of state like Louisiana, Wisconsin, and North Carolina, so hopefully it’s going to work,” Versace said. Some other students, like Runa King, are going farther. She is going to Lexington, Virginia to study at Washington and Lee University. “I am very excited because I am going to live in a completely different state, but of course I am also a little bit scared because I will be completely by my

self,” King said. “I am going to miss all the people mostly. Whenever I forgot a paper at home, I can just call my mom and ask her to bring it to the front office. Every time she asks me what am I going to do without her my answer is always ‘I have no idea’. Honestly, I don’t know what to expect from college; I am just going there with an open mind hoping for the best.” Another student who is going to stay in “T-town” is Ashlyn Toxey, who is going to the University of Alabama. “I am very excited to start a new adventure, and I am expecting to meet new people and have a lot of new friends, but at the same time I am a little bit scared,” Toxey said. “It will be hard to no see my friends every day, and I will miss walking in the hallway and seeing friendly faces. I will miss some sweet teachers, but I am still excited to finally graduate.” “I am looking forward to have a good education for my future, but have fun at the same time, and of course, I can’t wait to find my future husband,” Toxey said. For many, it will be the first time separated from family and familiar community. While change can be scary, it also means adventure, and certainly, seniors, are starting the most important adventure of their life.

giving back to the special needs kids in the community. This was a great opportunity to do that.” Sara White, sophomore, was interviewed by a radio station because of her volunteer efforts. “I got interviewed by 95.3 the Bear,” said White. “It made me really happy, and I could not take the smile off my face for the rest of the day. I loved being able to help special needs kids in the outdoors environ-

ment.” Tatum Reier, freshman, has already planned to sign up to volunteer at the Special Olympics next year. “This year I got to cheer on the kids as they ran,” said Reier. “It was a great opportunity to help serve our community, and I cannot wait to volunteer again next year.”

Walkathon raises money for scholarships that try but may have C’s. It is for students whose family income is not over $60,000.” Stallworth is founder and CEO of the pen Hearts Outreach Ministries Open Hearts Outreach Ministries IncorIncorporation held a walk-a- poration. “I was the youth director at church, and I thon May 6 at Annette M. Shelby Park to raise money for scholarships and work with kids at school,” said Stallworth. “As an ordained elder, God has put on my bring the community together. “The purpose of the organization is to heart to help with the youth.” Volunteers will help the participants work with the youth, the youth’s families, and the community,” said Wennetta understand that they are cared for by the community. Stallworth, security “I think when the monitor. “The walk’s kids see other kids purpose is to have a that our concerned large scale meet and about them, they will greet so people can see want to give back to what the organization the community,” said is about.” Stallworth. “When The Open Hearts they see others care Outreach Ministries they will better underIncorporation helps stand their peers care.” children with their Northridge has every need to ensure many coming to voltheir success. unteer from clubs such “We have a program WENNETTA STALLWORTH as the Northridge for students to help Ambassadors and Key them become more academically challenged,” said Stallworth. Club. “I am very happy our ambassadors are “We have also a tutoring program and able to help Ms. Stallworth with this worcharacter building classes.” The Open Hearts Outreach Ministries thy cause,” said Mary Ruffin Moore, bioloIncorporation also helps kids with their gy teacher and Ambassadors’ administrator. “The walk-a-thon has a great purpose, and reading levels. “We have a program with kids 4-18 to I am happy two of our ambassadors will be help them get on a higher reading level,” able to volunteer.” This summer, the Open Hearts Outreach said Stallworth. “We the see kids from kinMinistries Incorporation will be having a dergarten through eighth grade.” Another purpose of the walkathon is to back to school event. “We are going to have a talent fashion raise money for post-secondary education show,” Stallworth said. “It will be for stuscholarships for students. “We hope to raise at least $1000 to give dents from elementary school to college. It two $500 to students,” Stallworth said. “We will be different people with different taldecided on students who have the goal and ents and gifts.” drive to go to college. It is for students PATRICK JOHNSON STAFF WRITER

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I think when the kids see other kids that are concerned about them, they will want to give back to the community.

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he annual Special Olympics was held at the football field on April 28. The Special Olympics is an athletic event that is designed for students with different kinds of disabilities. Emma Bissell, freshman, appreciated being able to spend time with the students who participated. “Special Olympics was an opportunity for me to work with special needs children who do not get the opportunity to play sports like others,” Bissell said. “It was really cool to get to see them race each other.” Many students had the opportunity to volunteer and be a part of the day. “I blew up balloons, and I painted faces,” said Kellen Tucker, junior. “It was super cute and exciting when I gave the participants their ribbons because their faces lit up, and they were so happy to get an award.” Other students came before the events to help set up and prepare. “I helped set up for the day by helping the radio station move equipment,” said Walker Ferry, sophomore. “I was happy to help with such a great cause. Although, I do not feel like I had as a large of an impact because I did not get a chance to help with the actual competition.” Brad Elam, special needs teacher, was a vital roll in making sure the event could actually happen. “The night before we had to go and set up everything for the events,” said Elam. “Then, the day of the event, I made sure everybody knew where to go, and I made sure the events ran smoothly.” The Special Olympics gives kids with special needs the sense that they can accomplish their goals. “It makes the students

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

FIFTH PERIOD FACING RELOCATION

Administration considers significant schedule change WILL MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

eetings with Principal Kyle Ferguson and the city school board have been held regarding a possible move from fifth period to first block for the next school year. The proposal comes after the implementation of mandatory remediation classes for students who did not pass the ACT Aspire test earlier this semester. Ferguson said that the move could alleviate some of the challenges that come with a short class that takes place at the end of the day. “Fifth period is problematic for everything,” Ferguson said. “It’s a horrible time of the day to do any kind of intervention or remediation because it’s the last part of the day, and especially when you have a class that doesn’t always have any credits assigned to it. We got some [classes] that people migrate in and out of. Plus, kids that come from back from TCTA generally get [back to school] 20 minutes late. It’s a very fragmented class because it’s only 45 minutes long.” Due to the inconvenience of students who performed in other non-academic activities being pulled out for remediation classes, Ferguson knew that a change had

to be made. “The other thing that [fifth period] kind of messes up is our goal to have all of our athletic periods at the end of the day,” Ferguson said. “It’s really good to be able to do band, and varsity athletics: baseball, football, volleyball, and all of our sports because w h e n students are able to start at before the end of the day, they get home a lot quicker. It helps transportation issues, and it keeps kids from being here so late in the evening.” Though the change of schedule may seem odd to some students, Ferguson hinted that moving the skinny period to “zero block” may benefit some upperclassmen.

“[One] idea that I had was that [if you are a senior in good standing], and you don’t need intervention or remediation or anything like that, it might be good that you get to come in first block instead of zero period,” Fe r g u s on said. O n e large p a r t of the move t o change the city school schedule was due to attendance rates during fifth period. “It’s a lot better to do stuff like intervention and remediation at the first part of the day as opposed to the last part of the day because it’s hard to make it a really priority for students at the end of the day,” Ferguson said. “We’ve had attendance issues especially with seniors and

a big part of that is because there’s a lot of them that don’t have anything left to take, and we’re having to make everyone take an online class - which we really don’t want to do that.” Ferguson suggested that along with the change of schedule, a change in policy will motivate students to attend their classes. “One thing we’re planning on doing is tying attendance to participation in sports, prom, and graduation ceremony,” Ferguson said. “[We are] having a threshold where if you have other this many unexcused absences, you don’t get to go to prom. You don’t walk. We mail your diploma.” The senior class in particular has been worrisome when it comes to attendance rates, which is why Ferguson has suggested possible punishments. “We have horrible attendance in our senior class. Until you tie attendance to things that students enjoy and look forward to participating in, you’re probably not going to have a big impact on it” A vote has yet to take place on finalizing this new policy, but Ferguson is continuing to have meetings with the school board regarding the change. Ferguson is very confident that the change will be made and that it will have a positive effect on not only Northridge, but the whole district as well.

Mind Changers sets students on the right path COLLEEN MCNORTON STAFF WRITER here is a new class at Northridge that is a bit different from the others. Mind Changers is a class available through the Tuscaloosa City School system to help kids throughout their life. “Mind Changers is an organization that was developed and is being implemented by Mr. Rodney Pelp, the CEO and founder of Mind changers,” said Lanita Bostic, Mind Changers instructor. “What we do is we go into the schools, and we want to change

the mindsets of students so that they continue on the right path. It’s not disciplinary. It’s not for students who are in ISI or are in trouble. It’s for everybody simply because we want to keep students succeeding in school and in life.” Mind Changers is already aiding kids at Northridge. “The best part about it is that you get to talk about anything and everything,” said freshman Romeo Jackson. With this help, students in Mind Changers are understanding more about themselves. “You get to retake your steps and walk backwards in time and think about

things,” said freshman Jackson Todd. Mind Changers came to Northridge upon request. “Schools request us,” said Bostic. “We have Mind Changers at Central, Bryant, now Northridge, Rock Quarry, The Alberta School of Fine Arts, Oakdale Primary, and Holt.” Bostic hopes the class will give students a new perspective. “I’m hop-

ing that it will do just what the title says,” said Bostic “Because I’m here to change their mindset. My job in Mind Changers is to help you decide that I’m going to walk out of here in good standing, stay out of ISI, I’m going to be positive, I’m going to change the way I make decisions. That’s what I’m here for.” Mind Changers is not an after school activity; it’s during class. But this isn’t just a way for students to skip class. “[Students] can sign up or be referred by a teacher or principal,” said Bostic. There are sessions every

class period of every school day except for on Wednesdays, where the classes only go till noon. The class is very relaxed. People sit on desks and talk about the things that are happening in their lives. Bostic leads the conversation with the students telling how this relates to them or their lives. “You get to talk about everything that’s going on,” said sophomore Amilyah Scott. This class has gotten a lot of positive feedback. “They need to put it as an actual class,” said Jackson.

FEATURE

MAKING

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

EDUCATION POSSIBLE

Some of the most crucial figures at Northridge High School are the most unnoticed - the custodial staff, security personnel, etc. In this story, the Northridge Reporter speaks to some of these individuals and learns their experiences.

REBECCA HAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

lean halls, restrooms, and classrooms. Gleaming yellow buses transporting students from home to school. Security patrols on the lookout for any possible dangers. They’re the unsung heroes of schools: custodians, police officers, bus drivers, etc. Without these individuals, Northridge’s ability to provide education for a 1,000 strong student population wouldn’t be possible. However, though crucial, they are often the most underappreciated. Below are conversations with some of those staff members.

AINTAINING pristine furnishings and speck-free hallways for Northridge natives and visitors alike is no small task. For the custodial staff, Lisa Files and Karler Hughes among them, it’s an everyday thing. Strewn about pencils of every shape and size, worn down nubs of once untouched erasers, vibrant paper packaging once containing candy bars and chips; behind every castaway remnant of bustling student life is a ready custodian. This coming July marks Files third year at Northridge, where she has forged several friendships with both students and teachers. “I got one or two that call me ‘momma,’” she said.“If they need something, they come and ask me, or if they have a problem, or if they just want a hug.” In dealing with the more disagreeable of students, Files has learned an important lesson: that patience is invaluable. “Leave the mean ones alone,” she said. “They don’t wanna listen to you. Just keep going on until you can get them to listen, and eventually they will. I had two of them like that.” Beyond the confines of the classroom, she applies this virtue to nearly every walk of life. “If someone’s trying to give you guidance on where you want to go...in the long run you’ll thank them,” Files said. “I enjoy a lot of the kids here, and the kindness that you get from the teachers.” Hughes is a longtime Northridge fixture; in her 13 year tenure, she has been witness to the comings and goings of generations of students and teachers. A successful work day for her is one of industry and productivity, where she can look back at dusk and feel pride. “A normal work day really is when our work is completed on time,” she said. “Like when we have no ‘oops’ going on...it delays us from getting finished. For the most part, all days are good days. We make the best out of what happens.” Respect, towards one’s surroundings and associates alike, was a quality urged by both Files and Hughes, who have seen more than their fair share of carelessly castaway litter and insolent attitude over the years. Files’ suggestion? “Don’t get nasty,” she said. “Their mouths get very nasty. When someone tells you to do something, do it. We treat everybody the same and equal. You have to respect us like you respect the teachers.” Hughes hoped that students would pay more attention to their treatment of school restrooms, being crucial spaces for not only the student body, but the faculty and staff as well. She said,“I wish the students would be more aware and attentive of how they treat the restrooms; it’s vitally important for all of us. They need to be more aware in taking care of their classroom walls and desks.” However, the years have led Hughes to a crucial realization - that despite the bad apples, the majority truly take to heart the cleanliness and overall appearance of their school. “I learned that if you keep things clean, people would appreciate it more,” she said. “I’ve learned that it’s not everyone that destroys what hard work I do at Northridge. People care about their school and the cleanliness. There are a few, but maybe they just don’t know how to appreciate cleanliness.” Hughes reaps the rewards of her and her coworkers’ efforts in even the most minute of comments - the casual “it smells good in here” or “it’s clean in here.” “It makes me feel good that people walk in Northridge and they say ‘wow,’” she said. “This is one of the cleanest schools in the area. We take pride in what we do.” Her penchant for cooking has also earned her quite a reputation - at formal events such as prom, Hughes’s homemade goods adorn the tables, enticing students worn out from dancing. On even an average Tuesday, she can be seen strolling through the hallways with an assortment of cookies perched on her hip. “All the cooking I do at Northridge is done from my heart,” Hughes said. “I’m doing what I love. I’m letting them [teachers, students] know that I love and appreciate them.” From cooking to grilling to frying, she does it all - there’s no “nationality of food” that she “can’t tackle.” It’s a talent that Hughes has always shared with the world, be it her church fellows, community members, or work colleagues, one that she perceives as a part

BON APPETIT Northridge custodian Karler Hughes has earned a reputation for her culinary talents, which she often shares with students and other community members. Pictured above are the sweets Hughes made for prom. Photo courtesy of Mark Cook.

of grander, service oriented creed. “I feel that I’m a missionary,” she said. “I know God put me here for a purpose, and mine is to share with people and let them know that they are loved and cared for. I make meals for needy people in my neighborhood or someone who is down sick. I donate to worthy causes, be it monetarily or through my talent of cooking.” Being such an active member of the community, she sees friendly Northridge faces everywhere - the grocery store, church, etc. Beyond her culinary talents, Hughes offers her own words of wisdom to students she encounters roaming the halls daily. “I always have had a good rapport with young people,” she said. “I always remind them that I was once young. What you think is a good decision might not be a good decision.” A recent incident involving a hungry pupil was still fresh in her mind. “I love to cook, so a lot of them like to see what I have on the cart to eat,” she said. “I left some honey buns on my cart, and one of my sweetie pies decided he was gonna help himself to them. When I went back, they were gone. When I found out who got them, I couldn’t help but laugh.” The best thing to see at the end of a long day’s work? “To stand back and look at how hard I have worked for eight hours,” Hughes said. “When I get ready to walk out of the door at night, and when I walk in in the morning, our school is presentable no matter what. We go above and beyond the duties of making sure our school is presentable.”

ATROLLING the hallways, chattering walkie-talkies in hand, they are the Jaguars very own resident buddy cops - Principal Kyle Ferguson & Co. Among them is Officer Brian Darling, a crucial and ever present component of an everyday Northridge landscape. His job, he said, is a simple one: serve and protect. In this case, it allows the school’s primary function, education, to proceed without a hitch, day in and day out. In increasingly turbulent times, marked by the installation of glass doors adjacent to the front office, Darling’s job is more vital than ever, as alarming stories across the nation of horrifying security breaches punctuate each news cycle. “I’m here,” he said. “for you all’s sake. My job is to make sure that you can have a good education, that you have a safe school environment to learn at.”

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

FEATURE

Darling has been working in law enforcement for 17 years now and at Northridge “about eight or nine.” “I worked at Bryant a little bit, back before they had the alternative schools,” he said. “Y’all might not remember, but the other teachers may know about it.” Prior to the beginnings of his career as a police officer, around 27 years ago, Darling was a member of the military; it’s to these early experiences that Darling attributes his devotion to the law. Analyzed on a day to day basis, his job isn’t overwhelmingly complex. “What I do is for school safety,” he said. “It’s for the students and looking at the parking lots. I make sure that nobody is entering the school without permission. I look at the surrounding areas and in the neighborhoods as well. I want to see if something is going on in the neighborhoods that could affect the school.” Northridge, surrounded on three sides by sprawling neighborhoods, is especially susceptible to such threats, may they arise. Though faced with immense responsibility, Darling isn’t daunted by whatever surprises may come his way. “Behavior’s been pretty good,” he chuckled. “There hasn’t been any major problems. Hope it stays that way. There’s only a couple more weeks of school left.” With even the most insubordinate of students, he leans towards the ‘good cop’ approach, opting for reflection and discussion after any damages. “I get along with all students,” Darling said. “Even the ones that get into trouble sometimes. I’ll still be friends with them after we explain to them what they did wrong. I get along well with all students, or I believe I do.” At the end of the day, he reiterated, the core of his job remains those three words: serve and protect, from the students of Northridge to the citizens of Tuscaloosa. “Serve and protect is what we are here to do,” Darling said. “Serve and protect the students of the schools and the citizens of Tuscaloosa.” HELPING HAND Librarian Neilann Thomas speaks to junior Morgan Montgomery. Photo by Emily Matthews/Colleen McNorton

HROMEBOOKS and other new technologies have rapidly replaced the textbooks of old. Jake Hudson, assistant network administrator, is one of those who helps make sure the network runs smoothly. Above, junior Jaeden Joyner completes a history project on her Chromebook.

SSENTIALLY, it’s a conjunction between school and the home, education and ignorance, a necessary but often overlooked pre-instructional aspect that makes education a possibility and a reality. Without its services, rain or shine, millions are left without the most basic means of physically getting to school. It’s school transportation-the bright yellow school bus. Bus 16-07 driver Charles Steiner operates just one of Tuscaloosa City Schools’ gleaming yellow fleets. He’s worked with Tuscaloosa City Schools for eight years. Five years of making his rounds as a bus driver has left Steiner knowing and performing every daily checkup down pat. The list is no small one, either; fuel tank-check, tires/rims/lugs-check, fluid levels-check, emergency exits, check, dash gauges-check… “You have to check the bus before you drive it,” he said. “To make sure it is in good working condition. Then, you have to check the bus at the end of the day to make sure there aren’t any students left.” For him, not only does the workday begin early and end late but carries with it the responsibility of supervising upwards of 20, 30 (often more than mild) kids. It’s a profession of adaptation as well as habit, as each day brings with it new unknowns of road conditions, roadblocks, accidents, etc. For Steiner, the difficulties of staying on his toes in the operation of an eight foot long, 20,000 pound vehicle are alleviated by simple student compliance. “Bus drivers appreciate it when students behave and follow safety regulations because it’s hard to drive the bus and correct students at the same time,” Steiner said. Like Files, Hughes, and Darling, Steiner’s years as a driver have led to meaningful interactions with students; in his case, it’s the individuals that he picks up every day. “When you drive students for a number of years, you’re able to learn things about them,” he said. “Elementary students especially love riding the bus. It’s fun to interact with them as they enjoy that experience.” The most irksome of those aforementioned unpredictable factors? Weather. “I don’t enjoy driving the bus when it’s extremely hot,” he said. “And there’s no AC.”

TUDENTS of today have the tremendous advantage of maturing in the information age; just in the Tuscaloosa city schools, sleek new Chromebooks have replaced the worn down textbooks of old. Assignments are

A DAY ON THE JOB From top to bottom: Karler Hughes sweeps the floors of the upstairs hallway. Officer Darling patrols the courtyard. Pictures by Emily Matthews.

HEN I get ready to walk out of the door at night, and when I walk in in the morning, our school is presentable NO MATTER WHAT. KARLER HUGHES

turned in through mediums like Google Classroom and Edmodo instead of traditional pen and paper. Bridging the disconnect between rapid new technology and all too frequent instructor confusion are network administrators like Jake Hudson, who is entering into his second year with Tuscaloosa City Schools. “My job is to make sure that the internet’s working,” he said. “That all content is filtered and protected, and all devices are able to access the internet at all times.” Though Hudson discovered his knack for computers at a very early age, venturing down a technology oriented career path was not always his first choice. Initial forays into the field, however, quickly made up his mind. “I was always good with computers when I was a kid,” he said. “Originally, computers weren’t the first thing I wanted to do, but when I went into the field, I fell in love with it.” One of the most rewarding facets of his career is the constant surprise. Hudson said it’s a field where putting your finger on a typical day on the job is virtually impossible. In stark contrast to the typical 9 to 5 rodeo, the only definites of a network administrator’s day are that it will be different than the last. “I love it because everything is completely different,” Hudson said. “I go out to different schools and make sure that things

are functioning at all times. It’s always a different issue, and it’d be really hard to describe in simple terms. Yesterday I was doing something completely different...you’re constantly working and learning on how to make things better.”

EW school and old school coexist in the Northridge library, where shelves of paperbacks and hardcovers flourish alongside rows of computers and interactive learning screens. Neilann Thomas, in her eighth year as a librarian, started off as a history teacher ready for a change in scenery. “I just wanted to get out of the classroom,” she said. “I was a history teacher, ready for a change in my career.” In her role as a librarian Thomas found an exciting change of pace, where “no two days are the same, ever.” Apart from the typical duties of checking in and recommending books, she also oversees students taking classes through ACCESS and Early College. “The things that I don’t like are probably the students who tell me they don’t like to read,” Thomas said. “That makes me sad.”

ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

THE RIDE ISN’T OVER

Reviewer impressed by latest ‘Furious’ installment EMILY MATTHEWS STAFF WRITER

he “Fast and the Furious” is back and better than ever in the eighth installment of the franchise, formerly called “Fate of the Furious.” Dom and his team return to the movie screen with yet another fantastic high-energy film that is as stunning as ever. While most movies lose their luster over a long series, “Fate of the Furious” embodies the shine we have all come to love. The movie franchise kicked off when the first movie released in 2001 and has shown no sign of slowing down since. A fan from the beginning, I could not wait for the new addition to release. From a prison riot, heist and a car chase to street racing I was thoroughly pleased when I went to see my favorite team hit the road once more. The star-studded cast blends beautifully with their high energy performances and their action packed vibrancy. Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his team leave all those addicted to the film series aching for more. When Dom and Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) go to Havana to get married, the menacing Cipher (Charlize Ther-

on), a cyberterrorist, confronts him to betray his team and work for her. To stop the man responsible for the team coming together in the first place, they must leave the normalcy of their new lives to take him and the villainess Cipher from their nefarious plans. One of my favorite characters in not only this movie but all of the movies in this franchise is Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), whose humor makes this movie more memorable. Along for the ride is the new addition to the team, Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), introduced in “Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift” who replaces the deceased Han (Sung Kang). Another newly introduced character is Megan Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) whose cutting edge technology in the last movie helped the team acquire a program she designed and was an interesting character in the last movie. However, in “The Fate of the Furious” she does not mesh well with the team and is seen as sort of an outsider to the tight knit group. As always Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is one of the best characters in the movie. I loved this movie and would go see it again. “Fate of the Furious” is a wonderful addition to a much loved series, and I cannot wait for the next movie.

Photo from BookMyShow

‘13 Reasons Why’ offers powerful message for teens CAPUCINE THIOU STAFF WRITER Released March 31, “13 Reasons Why” is the newest TV show on Netflix. Adapted by Brian Yorkey from the bestseller “13 Reasons Why,”and written by Jay Asher in 2007, it is the most popular original show in Netflix history. The TV show and the book tell the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a 17 year-old-girl who killed herself. Before her death, she made a set of tapes with 13 reasons for her suicide. She arranged to send the box to the 13 people that she blamed for her death. Each person is required to listen to all of the tapes and to pass them to the next person on the list. The book and the TV shows begin with Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette), the main protagonist. He is a shy and nice junior who had a crush on Hannah. After Clay receives the tapes, his world falls apart. Unlike the book, which is concentrated on Clay’s point of view, the TV show develops the others characters’ points of view. The show is full of mystery and unexpected development. Selena Gomez was first cast as Hannah Baker, but GoPhoto from themighty.com

mez decided to be one of the executive producers. They finally chose Katherine Langford, and it was a good choice; she is amazing in her role. She interprets the pain and the distress of Hannah Baker with such realistic devotion. The way she works with Dylan Minnette (Clay Jensen), is wonderful. He does an amazing job as the typical teenager who struggles with his feelings and keeps everything to himself. The cast of “13 Reasons Why” is full of unknown actors and actresses, who are destined for a brilliant future. The show and the book talks about important issues such as the cyber bullying and rape. The production did not minimize those problems, and with the cinematography, it is difficult to watch some of the scenes. The show is not just for a teenagers but for everyone. It carries a powerful message to rape victims and shows that it is not their fault and that they do not have to be ashamed. It also can have an impact on boys’ attitude towards girls. It can be beneficial for parents who have difficulties understanding cyber bullying. “13 Reasons Why” is more than just a teenage show; it passes a message and helps a lot of people to feel better and understand important issues.

ENTERTAINMENT

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

Photo by Beth Allaway

‘BOP TO THE TOP’ (Left) Senior Emily McGuire and freshman Sam Allen perform the catchy song. (Right) Senior Justin Mucha and Sophomore Xan Wright sing a duet.

Photo by Beth Allaway

‘GETCHA HEAD IN THE GAME’ (Left) Damon Smith, T.J. Harris, Luke Seale and Justin Mucha perform. (Right) Ryan Evans (Sam Allen) dives into the crowd.

Theater soars, flies with ‘High School Musical’ SARA LANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR This could be the start of something new… With dazzling costumes and sets, outstanding choreography, and spot on renditions of the original musical, the theater program amazed the community with the production of “High School Musical.” One of the best parts was the cast. The ensemble was loud and clear, and their dancing was perfectly in unison. The main characters, however, stole the show. Sam Allen played a flawless Ryan Evans, with his flair and impressive dancing abilities (I was surprised by the one handed cartwheel). He kept me laughing throughout with his quick witted remarks, especially the one about Sharpay being dropped on her head at birth. Emily McGuire was the perfect Sharpay, meshing well with Allen’s character. Their fun banter made me want to return again and again (I went all three times). The best was “What I’ve Been Looking For,”not only because of how closely it followed the movie but because of Allen’s

and McGuire’s talented voices and engaging choreography. The theater program did an amazing job of condensing the musical, and “Bop to the Top” fit in perfectly during the other two scenes. McGuire and Allen were the highlight when they were performing but were still able to blend in during the action when necessary. Lillian Woolf played an exceptional Ms. Darbus and conveyed her humorous lines with animation throughout the show. Her voice and stage presence made the teacher seem intimidating yet charming at the same time. Luke Seale portrayed Chad wonderfully, and Sarah Pierce was the perfect Taylor. Their rivalry and reconciliation in the end had the audience immersed the entire time. Riley Thomas was an amazing Kelsi. Her transformation from a shy girl to a fiery spirited woman was relatable and made the audience feel proud. And of course, there are Gabriella and Troy--Justin Mucha not only nailed the choreography but showed a whole new side to Troy during his songs. His relationship with Gabriella was sweet and touching, and I was impressed by all of their duets. Alexandra Wright portrayed Gabriella even

better than Vanessa Hudgens did in the movie. Her attitude and liveliness really captured what the musical was all about, and all of her songs sounded Broadway ready. The cast in “High School Musical” blew everyone away with their dedication and skill level, and it has increased interest in the theater program. Of course, there wouldn’t be a show without the behind the scenes workers. The lights and sound effects were always on time and at just the right setting. The sets were painted so convincingly that they could have been from an actual school. I thought it could’ve been for a real school, and all the transitions and music were spot on. Overall, the whole play was a huge success, and this was proven by the attendance. Friday and Saturday night were packed, and the in school performance sold 489 tickets out of 499. The popularity of the musical as well as the excitement of the cast members really has everyone seeing how much the theater program contributes to the school, and I for one will be returning to watch more of their productions.

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

A FINAL FAREWELL MAYCI HARTLEY SPORTS EDITOR

Photo by Mayci Hartley

HOME RUN! Senior Evan London is congratulated as he crosses home plate.

Baseball

hile the baseball season ended short this year on April 15, the team played well throughout the season with an 11-13 record, beating teams that they struggled against in the past. “Our greatest accomplishment this year was beating Vestavia,” senior pitcher Jackson Ryan said. While many on the team talk about their win over Vestavia, junior third baseman Dalton Clary was excited about Coleman. “We took Coleman, who is number four in the region, an extra inning in the play-offs,” Clary said. Overall the team’s favorite memory from the season was how close they became. “The team this year was really close,” Ryan said. “We had a really good bond. I’ve never had a team like I had with them.” The final ending for the season might not have been exactly what they had wanted, but they now have tighter bonds and a stronger team. “We had a great time,” Clary said. Around 12 of the players went out to play a Miracle League game. “We get a group of guys to come out in full uniform and play against kids or adults with disabilities,” junior catcher Caleb Toshcoft said. “We do it once the season is over. I know a lot of us go on our own time.” While the team enjoys playing ball again together, they also get the joy of knowing someone’s day has been made out of it also. “Being able to give back while playing a game that has given me so much is a really special opportunity,” Toshcoff said. “Being able to see their smiles does it for me.”

Boys tennis

SARA LANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

he boys tennis team had a successful season and finished seventh in the state. Senior Jack Gentry said that the team worked well together and were able to compete at a high level. “We improved a lot from last year,” said Gentry. He said that the team’s greatest accomplishments this season were beating Hillcrest and making it to state. “It was a lot of fun,” Gentry said. “One of my favorite memories was winning doubles at sectionals.” Many of the team members played successfully at the state tournament. Gentry and seventh grader Braden Hannig won a doubles match at number one doubles. Sophomore Thompson Vise made it to semifinals at number five singles. Vise and Ross Zeanah made it to the semifinals at number three doubles as well. Overall, everyone contributed to the team and to the improvements made during the season. Coach John Cain was impressed with the performance of the team as well as how they interacted off of the court. “I was very pleased with the effort and results they were able to get this year,” Cain said. “For the girls to finish third in the state-that’s outstanding. Boys were able to finish seventh in what was considered to be a rebuilding year.” With the successes they saw this season, the team is hopeful that next year will prove to be even better.

JAMES ANDERTON STAFF WRITER

HAND IT OFF Sophomore John Niiler passes the baton to junior Alex Wilson Photo by Mallie Humber

Boys track

Boys soccer

his soccer season has been a rewarding one with the varsity boys boasting an 18-7-2 record. The playoffs started on April 27 with a 5-2 win against Benjamin Russell. “[The season has been] very successful,” said senior William Arnold. “We were ranked number one in the state at one point and are going into the playoffs very strong. We beat some pretty good teams and are ready to play even better ones.” The team competed in a tournament recently and came out victorious. “We went to a tournament with a bunch of 6A teams, and we were one of the best of them,” said Arnold. Although there have been some injuries this season, the boys are still able to work together effectively both on and off the field. “My favorite memory was the beach trip,” said Arnold, referring to a team visit to Gulf Shores in March. The girls varsity team went on the trip as well, where the whole soccer program was able to enjoy time on the beach and the soccer field. The season ended with a 4-0 loss against Pelham. The boys made it to the second round of the playoffs and were able to beat one of the best teams in the state--Benjamin Russell. Although they might not have won number one in state, they came a long way and hope to make it even further next year. EMILY MATTHEWS NEWS EDITOR

HOLE IN ONE Members of the golf team pose alongside coach David Akins.

HITTING IT Braden Hannig teams up with Jack Gentry for a winning match.

he boys track team’s outdoor season is coming to a close this spring, and looking back, the athletes say they were happy with what they accomplished, which included several athletes competing at the state championships. Prior to competing at state, the team faced other local high schools at the West Alabama Championship, the team had the highest score and several athletes finished in first place or were finalists. Shortly after, they swept through Alabama 6A Sectional 2 and finished in first place, which gave them the momentum to compete at the Alabama 6A State Championships. The 2017 season started on March 3 at the Southern Mississippi High School Invitational, where the team finished 10th out of 22, without much to show for it. Sophomore John Niiler said that the season was a course of steady improvement and promised a bright future ahead. Just a day later, the boys challenged local high schools at the Paul W. Bryant Invitational, where they had a handful of event winners and came out on top with just eight more points over Bryant. Cameron Burns reflected on the win as his favorite memory. “Beating Bryant was definitely the most fun,” Burns said. After a sixth place finish in the Vestavia Hills King of the Mountain Invitational, the track team set the bar even higher and had an extremely narrow second place finish, losing by only 1 1/2 points to Bryant at the Falcon Invitational, all while building up the strength and leadership that propelled them to an amazing and very memorable season.

SARA LANG ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Photo by Sam Brewbaker

Photo by Mayci Hartley

Golf

Photo by Mayci Hartley

PASS IT William Arnold, senior, passes the ball to a teammate.

he golf team had an exceptional year overall, and they are wrapping up the year with a great end to the season. “It was pretty good,” said sophomore Caroline MacVicar. “We’re making it to sub state.” The boys varsity also had a fantastic season. “Our varsity did pretty good,” said sophomore Wesley Copeland. “They went to tournament.” This season, the team has become closer, making practice and games more fun. The strong bonds between players created an unbeatable team and a wonderful atmosphere to play in. “My favorite part of the season was just playing with my friends and the team,” sophomore Katie Fuller said. For many players, the greatest part of the game is team accomplishment. “My favorite part would probably be watching all the guys smile after they win,” said senior Collin Mitchell. After the team’s success at tournaments and sub state, they finished strong at state. This year was the first time the boys team made it to state in a few years. “The best part of the year was going to state and finishing third,” said Copeland. The girls team also went to state. “The year went really well this year. We finished second at state,” said Kate MacVicar. While the boys finished third, Luke Shaw, senior, tied for first in the state.

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

TO SPRING SPORTS LINDSEY ROBERTS STAFF WRITER

Photo by Mayci Hartley

SWING IT Sophomore Samantha Savage swings at ball for a hit.

Softball

he 2017 softball season has been one of team growth and development. “The season was great, but we started off pretty rough,” said freshman Larson Jackson. “As the season progressed and our team grew closer, we had gotten so much better.” The losses in the beginning of the season motivated the team in its later comebacks for more signifcant wins. “The ups of the season were beating teams that we rarely ever beats or have not ever beaten before,” Jackson said. One of these historic wins was against Hale County, three time 4A state champion. “Beating Hale County at Hale County on their senior night was probably our biggest accomplishment,” said Jackson. Kara Goff was the team’s only senior this year and has left a lasting impression on the team’s work ethic. Junior left fielder Mary Margeret Wilson said that Goff ’s dedication is what she will remember the most. “Her putting in extra time and working harder shows her dedication and love for the sport,” Wilson said. In an annual tradition designed to raise team spirit, players bring props to area matches. This year’s celebration was taken to a higher extreme than those of years past. Sophomore Samantha Savage said,“It was pretty cool when Kara hit a home run, and we all ran out with the unicorn floaty and different props like superhero masks and feather boas.” While the girls had fun at Area, they did not advance further. “We lost in a heartbreaking game to Hillcrest High School, but we are looking

Girls tennis

MAYCI HARTLEY SPORTS EDITOR

he girls tennis team finished third in the state on April 25. Junior India Woods said the “season went really well this year.” The team can certainly boast a successful season with only two losses. “We had a lot more wins than last year on our record, and we beat teams easier this season,” Woods said. She is most proud of their 9-0 victory against Hillcrest. This year the team had two eighth graders, one of which, eighth grader Bella Swindoll, won at state in singles. The team finished third at the end of the season. Woods believes their wins showed tremendous team improvement. “This year we finished out third in state and last year we were fourth,” Woods said. “And I think next year we will do even better.” Anne Mason Smith, senior, was proud of her younger teammates and the team as a whole. Her favorite memory from this season was from a cold match. “We were at a country club, and they had a grill,” Smith said. “We made a fire in the grill while they were playing because it was really cold. And we went and bought smores stuff and made smores--at a tennis match.” Photo byMayci Hartley

PUT IT AWAY Junior Grace Evans hits overhead away from opponent. JAMES ANDERTON STAFF WRITER

Girls track

or the Northridge girls track team, the 2017 outdoor season was another excellent run, with numerous athletes advancing to competition at the state level. Sophomore Emma Thomas, a competitor in javelin and pole vault, said the success was due to many. “The season went pretty well, and we had a lot of athletes going to state,” Thomas said. Before advancing, the girls team had two competitions to qualify for the state championship. At the West Alabama Championship, they faced a slew of competing schools, Bryant among them, to finish in second place with 139.5 points. The next qualifier was the Alabama 6A Sectional 2, where they finished in a close third place with numerous athletes landing wins in their categories. The 2017 season began with two invitationals. The first was the Southern Miss High School Invitational on March 3, where the team had multiple event winners and finalists and placed in third. The second was the Paul W. Bryant Invitational, where the team faced a traditional rival in Bryant High School and placed in third as well. At the season’s conclusion, the team looked back on a fruitful season and hope for more success in the future. RUNNING TO STATE Junior Kendall McKone races towards the finish line. Photo by Mallie Humber

Girls soccer

COLLEEN MCNORTON STAFF WRITER

his season for girls soccer has been a difficult one with multiple players being injured. “We’ve got a lot of people who are hurt,” said senior varsity player Drew Browning. “Eleven varsity players. Three permanent [injuries]. Multiple knees, multiple ankles. One broken wrist.” Despite the multitude of setbacks, the team won the first round of playoffs 10-0, beating Benjamin Russell High School. “We played [Benjamin Russell] two years ago to go to state, which means we played them in the third round,” Browning said. “Now, though, we’re playing them in the first round. They’ve got vengeance. They’re going to be mean, and we’ve got a lot people who are really hurt.” Entering playoffs, the team felt apprehensive, keeping in mind that the “make or break” matches could mean a trip either to state or back home. Sadly the team was unable to continue to the rest of playoffs after losing to Homewood. “Our biggest accomplishment was probably how we played against Homewood,” said senior Kristen Loper. “We should have won, but they scored in the last two minutes so it was 1-1.” The team finished up with 18 wins, seven losses, and two ties. “The season went a lot better than I think some anticipated,” said Loper SENIOR NIGHT Seniors gather for pic“What we expected to be a growing year turned out to be a really successful year with lots of wins.” tures on senior night. Photo by Mallie Humber COLLEEN MCNORTON STAFF WRITER

Photo by Roger Champion

DIALED IN Junior Max French preps for a tough race.

Mountain biking

ith spring sports coming to an end, the mountain biking team has done quite well. “I think we’ve all performed pretty consistently,” said junior Wil Charles “We’re hanging in there as far as scores go, so we’ve progressed a lot since last year, and we should be able to keep progressing next year.” The team has steadily improved since last year. “We’ve moved up a lot,” said senior Katie Tindol “since we’re now racing as Northridge. Northridge is doing really well compared to last year when we were just the Tuscaloosa Mountain Flyers.” This year has been very positive for the team as a whole. “[We had] lots of top ten finishes,” said Charles. “The team’s performing pretty steadily. So we’re hanging in there.” The team’s leading race so far was at home in Tuscaloosa. “As a team our best race was the first one which was at [Munny] Sokol [Park],” said junior Max French, “It was our home course so it was bound to be our best.” The team finished fifth out of 26. A big accomplishment for French happened at the second race of the season. “My best result thus far has been at Auburn where I finished second,” said French. After Auburn, French finished seventh in Huntsville, followed by sixth in Pelham, and finished off the season with a fifth place at the state championship in McCalla. Charles did well also, finishing in 17th place at the state championships with an 11th place finish out 67 for the whole year. All in all, the team finished ninth out of 26.

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER MAY 2017

Rather than offering statistics, however, he illustrated the dangers of the crime through a more personal lens: through the eyes of a young girl referred to as “Hope.” “Her story has to be “Rescuing Hope” concerts were held at two so protected,” he reiterated, “that I can’t even tell JULIA KREISER, JUNIOR locations - Hillcrest High School and Tuscaloyou her real name.” Now 19 years old, Hope’s osa County High School - on April 25 and 26. story began at the early age of 14, in the quiTo raise money, armbands were sold at schools et suburbs of Atlanta where she lived with her across Tuscaloosa County in blue and red, corresponding with each mother. After accepting a ride from the furniture movers who were concert location. Featured at the concerts were musical artists intransporting their possessions to their new house, she was sexually cluding Grammy-nominated Mac Powell and KB. assaulted by one who had returned under the pretense of retrieving some forgotten tools. “She was 14 years old, [and] she didn’t Like many students, junior Julia Kreiser was shocked after attendknow how to respond to it.” Dunaway said. “Sometimes she would ing the assembly but reminded of the necessity of action. “Yeah, I blame herself - did I look at him a certain way, did I do anything to was really surprised,” she said. “I mean you hear about a lot of termake him think that I wanted this to happen?” Dunaway said that rible things that happen, but you never realize that something like her mood turned increasingly despondent after the initial incident that could be going on so close to you. And it made me really sad, as as she felt constant paranoia in even the most familiar of places. if I just want to forget about it, but I want to be able to help victims. As time passed, she began to grow close to a friendly stranger on You just can’t forget.”

And it made me really sad...but I want to be able to help victims. YOU JUST CAN’T FORGET.

After those grueling years in captivity, Hope found a chance to escape after being left alone by her kidnapper, who had just stormed off to demand payment from an unruly customer who had left her badly beaten. She came across an awareness concert - similar to “Rescuing Hope” - for human trafficking and approached a police officer. Today, she counts herself as one of the one percent of taken girls who are ever recovered.

“Over the course of the next two years, Hope spent her life being drugged and being prostituted out,” Dunaway said. “That was her life for two years. Being held in an apartment with several other girls her age. Why didn’t she just run? Well, they get the girls physically hooked on the drugs. They also threaten their family.”

“

Promoting benefit concert “Rescuing Hope,” held to raise awareness of nationwide sex trafficking, Representative Jim Dunaway spoke to a gym full of Northridge students about a teenage girl’s escape from the horrors of what he termed “modern day slavery.” In the Tuscaloosa area especially, the dangers of the nation’s fastest growing crime grow more and more pronounced; Interstate 20/59, the city’s central transport to urban centers like Birmingham and Atlanta, has been dubbed a “superhighway” of human trafficking, according to WellHouse Birmingham. In fact, Dunaway said that Tuscaloosa has gradually become a port along a Southeastern “sex trafficking circuit” looping through metropolises like Atlanta and Memphis.

the train; soon, she was sharing personal information with him in a “grooming” process, unbeknownst to her. The two became close thus, when he extended a party invitation to her on a day when her mother would be working late, Hope jumped at the opportunity. There, Hope blacked out and woke up in captivity.

Photo by Emily Matthews

To raise awareness of a growing nationwide epidemic, human trafficking benefit concerts are held at Tuscaloosa County and Hillcrest High School.

HOPE

RESCUING

T’S ONE of the deadliest and the fastest growing crimes in the nation. From its victims, it steals innumerable years, leaving only turmoil and torment in its wake. And Tuscaloosa finds itself right in the middle of it; the subject in question? Sex trafficking.

REBECCA HAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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