CCHS BASKETBALL’S BAND OF BROTHERS TABLE OF CONTENTS
ODYSSEY
Volume 11 Issue 3 Feb. 2014 $3.00
Bringing
Les Misérables
to life
Featured stories: Robotics rebounds Inside Fooks Foods February 2014
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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February 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VIEWPOINTS slurs 9 TheRevived N-word faces a revival in to-
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day’s culture despite its detrimental history. BY ALANNA PIERCE
NEWS reboot 16TheRobot Clarke Central High School robotics team returned to competition after a two-year hiatus. BY PORTER MCLEOD
for coding 19TheCash Eve Carson Foundation awards students monetary prizes for learning how to code. BY MARIA VELASQUEZ
FEATURES
24 Meeting Mohamad
Cover Story The Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School drama departments collaborated to perform the musical “Les Misérables,” the first musical the schools have collaborated on in nine years.
Senior Mohamad Burjak has many defining traits, most of which stem from his cultural background. BY LELA JENKINS
REVIEWS
29 Eye opening
The album Our Insides was released on Jan. 31 by local pop band Four Eyes.
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BY ETHAN CRANE
Left: FRESH AND READY: A wide variety of produce sits on display at Fooks Foods, a locally-owned specialty grocery store located at 2026 S. Milledge Ave. “The fresh vegetables are the cornerstone of the store,” owner Karen Fooks said. “Prior to opening there were a few Asian stores, but most didn’t carry fresh produce, which is a large part of Asian cuisine.”
Exclusive visit 34Author Laurie Halse Anderson spoke at CCHS as part of her tour for her new book. BY TIERRA HAYES
SPORTS Techo’s passion 40Head junior varsity boys basketball coach Travis Techo shares his motivations and aspirations for the future. BY KEVIN MOBLEY Cover photo and design by Porter McLeod
Right: FINISHING STRONG: The seven varsity basketball seniors (from left) Jaquan Dowdy, Dequan Ellison, Austin Johnson, Cameron Johnson, Leroy Legette, Jamonte Smith and Donavin Thompson have long-standing bonds. “We’ve been together from the bottom, and now we’re on top,” Austin said. “This is just one thing we’ve always dreamed of.”
February 2014
Photos by Porter McLeod
VARIETY
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STAFF
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STAFF
Sometimes the play isn’t the thing. Class readings of dramatic works are as old as school houses, but one thing doesn’t change -- painful readings.
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hate reading plays. I despise it, always have. It’s something about the Maybe in five years, when I’m searching for my true self, backpacking across constant dialogue that just makes my skin crawl. Europe or India like a young Larry Darryl -- note, not an allusion to a play, I don’t understand the contrived emotion of them. Romeo and Juliet I’ll stumble across a yellowed and worn copy of a play, maybe one of Arthur could have easily lived happily together if Romeo had just waited an hour or Miller’s or August Wilson’s. Maybe then I’ll find an appreciation for dramatic two before taking his own life. Juliet would have woken up. Romeo would writing. Maybe I’ll have an epiphany, but that day is not today. be alive. Maybe his face would be It’s not just the plays themselves. It’s streaked with tears, but then they reading them aloud in class that is mindMaybe if the play was being read by could live happily ever after. numbingly painful. Not that living happily ever after There’s always that one kid who professional actors who had the talent is realistic either. forgets when they are supposed to read: Often plays are fantasies of reality. to insert tear-jerking emotion into each “Wait, is that my line?” These works have the opportunity to and every word, then reading plays aloud It is almost always when the action is delve from what is possible into the just beginning to pick up -- Juliet has just would be bearable. impossible. died, Hamlet has stabbed the curtains The lack of realism can be seen in and killed Polonius, John Proctor tells us “Hamlet”, too. all he has is his name and then ... that awkward pause. Nearly every single character dies. We all look around, including the teacher. Although I do have a special spot in my heart for Shakespeare, and by that I And there’s that quick moment of confusion, “maybe it’s my line,” but then mean no spot at all, my hatred of plays isn’t confined to his writing. we assure ourselves that it isn’t. Eyes dart around the room, each of us avoiding that piercing and accusatory gaze of the classmate who just finished reading their line. I admit it -- I’ve been that kid before. I’m sitting in Advanced Placement Literature and we’re reading “Hamlet”. We’re coming upon the famous “to be or not to be” soliloquy and I’m reading ahead, trying to get at least some sense of what I’m about to say. A classmate nudges me and I begin “to be or not to be...” in the most monotonous voice that has ever dispelled from my mouth. For nearly five-painfully-long minutes I read the monologue and as soon as I finish there is a nearly audible sigh of relief from every person in the room. Maybe if the play was being read by professional actors who had the talent to insert tear-jerking emotion into each and every word, then reading plays aloud would be bearable. Sadly, however, neither I nor any of my classmates are trained thespians and the lines tend to drift into space even when salesmen die or kings with swollen feet blind themselves.
Left: UNSCRIPTED SILENCE: Despite her love of English, senior Jenny Alpaugh believes that class readings of plays sap the drama and passion from the literature. Cartoon by Isabella Zaccaria-Jeffers
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VIEWPOINTS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bulldog is committed to the “C” The previous cover story featured Clarke Central High School athletic field maintenance worker David “Bulldog” Padgett, who maintains the athletic fields of CCHS while keeping up positive relationships with the athletes. Bulldog is widely appreciated by members of every sport at CCHS.
First impressions
Bulldog’s dedication
This was the first time I read the ODYSSEY since I only recently moved from the United Kingdom. I found that the magazine was well written and thoughtfully laid out, much like a professional magazine. I found that most of titles were captivating, however some were quite average/dull, but the content within the articles was well structured. The magazine helped to convey all of the major issues and events that happened in an astounding way.
I really liked reading about Bulldog and about all of the improvements that he does for our school. I think he does a lot for our fields. -- Deijon Yearby junior
Florence’s inspiration My favorite article in this month’s issue of the ODYSSEY was definitely “Florence’s Fight”. It’s an
-- Aswin Mannakulathil, junior
Social insight I enjoyed Sara Goodie’s story about her early years, and the overwhelming small mindedness of small-town life. I loved the feeling that she was able to get across to me. I felt like the article explained a lot about the society we live in today. I think that though she initially struggled, I liked how she has been happy at CCHS. -- Rigel Turner, freshman
Alternate view Reading “Scheduling conflicts” by Jenny Alpaugh was good because it actually explained why the schedule was created and implemented at our school. They’ve never really told us anything before this so this was helpful to read. She did a good job by talking to Superintendent Phillip Lanoue. -- Ashley Gloster, junior
Brotherly love “Life as brothers” by Jaymel Israel was a very sweet and inspiring story. I really enjoyed reading about his family and I thought he did a good job of talking about he and his brother’s relationship. -- Grace Mauldin, freshman
Contact
ODYSSEY Newsmagazine
“I
really enjoyed reading about David “Bulldog” Padgett, I think he is a great person, and I liked how he is committed to the “C” and he takes care of the fields.
”
-- Jaylan Bonner, freshman
inspiring story that gave me hope. I don’t have cancer or know anyone with cancer, but I still believe that I can overcome anything. The story revived my spirit. Florence is so strong. She still managed to be a happy and bright person even though she was battling an aggressive, deadly disease. The article itself was written well. I stayed interested the entire time. The diction was nice and so was the emotional aspect. I don’t know Florence, but from reading this story I found out that she is a strong, beautiful cancer survivor.
Roaster revelations I read “Relocating the roaster” by Ethan Crane. I think that the article was very important because Jittery Joe’s is a local business that many people in the Athens community care about. -- Isobel Crain, freshman
Corrections/Omissions December 2013
On the cover, “committed” is misspelled On pg 2, “Scheduling conflicts” starts on page 20. On pg 6, Jocelynn Burton is not a junior. On pg 6, Jocelynn Burton’s name is misspelled. On pg 10, Deshawn White’s name is misspelled. On pg 10, Nick Dawe is a Sports writer. On pg 19, the photo was taken by Maria Velasquez. On pg 51, the top left photo was taken by Luke Slaboda On pg 52, Cameron Johnson’s first name is not provided. On pg 52, Leroy Legette’s first name is not provided. On pg 53, the photo was taken by Chad Rhym.
-- Patra Kennedy, senior
Congressional oversight After I read “Government shutdown” by Aaron Holmes, I felt that it was a shame to see congress not doing their job in helping to recover the economy. Instead, they are toying with Americans and their financial lives. -- David Gomez, senior
Letters: Email us at editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net, or drop off in the main office, in care of the ODYSSEY. We ask that all letters be under 250 words and signed and we reserve the right to omit or edit any letters received. Insulting, unsigned or libelous statements will not be considered for publication. All letters may be edited for clarity and space. Advertising: For ad rates e-mail us at business@odysseynewsmagazine.net. Online: Comment online at our website, www.odysseynewsmagazine.net.
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VIEWPOINTS
Our Take The ODYSSEY is published monthly. Published opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone other than the staff. The ODYSSEY is a student produced newsmagazine, published with the intent to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community, as well as to educate student journalists. Each issue is an open public forum for student expression under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Student journalists are provided with opportunities to investigate, inform, interpret and to evaluate: all traditionally accepted functions of the press in America. The ODYSSEY staff is committed to reflect the mission statement set forth by Clarke Central High School. The goals of the staff are to provide fair, accurate news and commentaries, as well as to serve the interests of the school and Athens’ community. Advertising must conform to the guidelines set forth for editorials. Publication of advertisements does not indicate an endorsement by CCHS or by the ODYSSEY. Students pictured in advertisements are not given monetary compensation. All advertising rates are available upon request from any ODYSSEY staff member. The ODYSSEY is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Georgia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Corrections of errors and omissions will appear in the next issue. Editor-in-Chief: Jenny Alpaugh Print Managing Editor: Geneva Hinkle Photography Editor: Porter McLeod Viewpoints Editor: Robert Walker News Editor: Aaron Holmes Features Editor: Louise Platter Variety Editor: Ethan Crane Sports Editor: Brittney Butler
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s much as people think they define their high school experience through friendships, field trips and classes with influential teachers, more often than not what defines high school careers are cross-town school rivalries. In Athens, the two traditional public high schools, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals High School, have a long-standing rivalry that transcends sports, academics, scholarships and even fundraisers. At the Board of Education’s monthly meetings, people take note of how many students from CCHS receive honors and awards compared to how many CSHS students receive them. People pay attention to how many stories are in The Athens Banner-Herald about each school and their respective students. We can’t help but define our own high school experience through our rivalry with another school. There are moments, however, when we are unbound from the chains that wed us to our home school. Such a moment occurred in 2005, and it happened again this February. The drama departments of CCHS and CSHS crossed the boundaries to put on the play “Les Misérables” nine years after they came together for the production of “Chicago”. Shows of such a large scale require the acting prowess from both schools in order to be successful. The sheer number of actors necessary, as well as the amount of set and costume design and construction, necessitate the collaboration of both schools. Students have shed the sense of competition that has been ingrained in their minds since they first stepped foot into the doors of our respective schools. Instead, these students worked together not to prove that one school is better than the other, but rather to show what these schools can create. It is not only this creation that is beautiful, but the collaboration that stands behind it. Practice alternated locations daily, so students travelled to the other side of town every other day. As the date of the show approached, a moving truck was necessary to transport all of the set pieces back and forth to each auditorium. These two “rival” schools combined forces to create a powerful and moving rendition of “Les Misérables”. At the end of the performance, it did not matter which school the actors were from as they joined hands to create a new chain, an even stronger chain, to bind these two schools together rather than tear them apart.
Copy Editor: Chad Rhym Business and Public Relations Manager: Hanna Harper Austin DeFoor
Photo by Porter McLeod
Staff Writers: Radford Brosius, Esther Conaway, Nick Dawe, Tierra Hayes, Audrey Hinkle, Amy Hoyt, John Hubbard, Jaymel Israel, Lela Jenkins, Mary Merritt, Alanna Pierce, Hannah Rollins, Jared Sarabia, Henry Scott, Luke Slaboda, Kendarious Sturdivant, Henry Thomas, Maria Velasquez, Emily Watson Adviser: David A. Ragsdale ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE Clarke Central High School 350 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia 30605 Phone: (706) 357-5200, Ext. 17370 Fax: (706) 357-5269 www.odysseynewsmagazine.net
Above: CLARKE COLLABORATION: Cedar Shoals High School junior Alyssa Huberty and Clarke Central High School sophomore Anthony Zuniga perform at CCHS on Feb. 15 in Mell Auditorium.
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VIEWPOINTS
Thumbs
The ODYSSEY staff’s opinions on this month’s issues. Guest Writer
Anderson “booked” Nationally award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson selected CCHS to discuss her experiences as an author and her latest book, “The Impossible Knife of Memory”. Coaching excellence CCHS assistant men’s varsity basketball coach Travis Techo stepped up and developed close relationships with members of the team, adding to their success. Colliding cultures Senior Mohamad Burjak incorporates his distinct Lebanese culture into everyday life at CCHS while still finding unity with his peers through extracurriculars.
Schedule confusion CCHS has decided not to pilot the redesigned schedule and will instead wait until the 2014-15 school year to change the schedule yet again. SeaWorld’s sins The documentary Blackfish shows the harsh reality that aquatic mammals face at SeaWorld parks, causing people to call for investigation into the park’s policies. Loss of talent Of the wildly successful 2013-14 varsity boys basketball team, seven players are seniors, which will leave big holes for next year’s squad.
Below: FAMILY TIME: Freshman Sophie Fernandes, bottom right, is pictured with her father John and brother Ravi. Due to her father’s love of music, Sophie grew up with a deep appreciation for rock.
Photo courtesy of Sophie Fernandes
Diversified cuisine Fooks Foods provides diversity to the Athens community by offering new, authentic alternatives.
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ost babies go to sleep to lullabies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Rock-A- Bye Baby.” I, on the other hand, drifted into dream land to the sounds of John Cage and Stockhausen. These artists, along with hundreds of others including Stevie Wonder, Os Mutantes and The Beatles, made up the soundscape of my childhood. This early eclectic exposure helped me to have a sensitive ear and to be open-minded to all types of music. My dad is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the clarinet, violin and bass guitar and can easily learn how to play any instrument he gets his hands on. He is also dedicated to the Athens music industry. If he’s not working at Wuxtry Records, he is playing with one of his six bands: Circulatory System, Old Smokey, The New Sounds of Numbers, Moths, Dream Boat or Freehand. Other times he works with his record label, Cloud Recordings, or makes an appearance at a local show. He’s an upbeat guy with a stoked smile on his face. But having an opinionated, music aficionado dad can have its downside. I remember being chastised by him for liking the music my friends listened to. Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber were banned in my household. The artistic environment that surrounds my brothers and I influenced us to test our own abilities. My younger brother is an aspiring artist whose drawings are known throughout Athens and my older brother is a talented actor. I am still exploring and trying to discover my own creative outlet. I want to learn to play the bass, but I have to conquer my fear of not living up to my dad’s musical prowess. My relationship with my dad is different than most. Our bonding time consists of going to shows together, searching for enigmatic LPs at record stores or just sitting at home listening to our latest find. It would be tragic if I was not interested in music because this is where my dad and I relate. My dad will continue to help me grow as a person throughout my life, and it will always involve the spinning of a record. BY SOPHIE FERNANDES
Overworked staff The Biggest Loser weight loss initiative for teachers helps to keep them fit, but a need for a program shows that teachers are overworked and do not have time for personal fitness.
-- Compiled by Viewpoints staff
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VIEWPOINTS
N is for noose
The N-word was once the ultimate racial slur. Now it is used casually. Is this a mockery of racial advances or an innocent change of meaning?
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lavery is a scar in American history, but the chains are slowly being revived. African-Americans may no longer be subject to “separate but equal” laws, but the mentality of African-Americans being inferior is rising through the BY ALANNA PIERCE power of one word. The N-word. Viewpoints Writer It is popular, even applauded, to use it now. Greetings of “my N-----” abound throughout songs, neighborhoods and schools. The word has been deemed non-offensive when used by African-Americans. Many kids do not even hesitate to blurt it out. In order to understand how horrible this word is, one must know the history. The N-word was derived from the Latin word “niger,” meaning black, according to aaregistry.org. In terms of European origins “niger” became “negro,” which could act as a noun or a color. Then came the change to the word that exists now and all the various spellings. This was a product of the French “negre” and English speech. Words change over time. The N-word became a noose, and is hard to untie. The present word was created as a way to call blacks nothing. It is calling them worthless, less than dirt. Embracing the term does not change the definition. African-Americans are proudly declaring that they are subhuman. Some may argue that it is just a fun term that has no real meaning, but lives were lost so that this word could be eradicated from existence. People of every race risked it all so that the generations following them, could stand in pride of being something, no matter their race or the race of their ancestors. In an interview with the rapper Jay-Z, Oprah
Winfrey gave her opinion on the N-word. “When I hear the N-word, I still think about every black man who was lynched - and the N-word was the last thing he heard,” Winfrey said.
The present word was created as a way to call blacks nothing. It is calling them worthless, embracing the term does not change the definition. Put that into context for a moment. Innocent men, women, and children dying in the arms of hatred. Using the word is not putting the power in the hands of African-Americans, it is disgracing every single person who ever had to live or die with that word dragging them down. Imagine Martin Luther King Jr. collapsing as blood poured from his bullet wound while the gunman screamed out the N-word. As fourteen-year-old Emmett Till, beaten to death for flirting with a white woman, cried for mercy as he listened to his attackers call him that. The Klansman who shot Viola Gregg Liuzzo, a white housewife who went to Alabama to help with the Selma-toMontgomery March, shouted out “N----- lover!” as he pulled the trigger. Using the N-word for casual conversation or entertainment purposes only furthers an ignorance of the sacrifices that were made. It in no way empowers African-Americans and it is certainly not a source for humor. The word sends us back to where we started. Let the noose be untied and the rope be burned.
Below: STILL SHACKLED: Although great strides have been made in the area of racial equality, African-Americans are still held back by harmful terms, like the Nword, that are used as terms of endearment in African-American communities. Illustration by Gabe Harper
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“In Black History Month, I learned that we should treat other people in our society better than we should treat ourselves.” -- Jacob Childs, freshman
“I already knew some (information about Black History Month). The assemblies in middle school were boring, but I like learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.” -- Michael Stokes, sophomore “I’ve only been to one (Black History Month assembly). It was good, I’m really glad that there is a month to celebrate Black History.” -- Brittany Newson, senior
“I do think that Black History Month education is beneficial, especially in a school setting like this. I think it sets off a spark to feel some pride.”
Tales from the Maz Junior Nick Dawe reflects on his first year owning his car and the bond he has forged with it.
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y car and I have become very connected in the year I have owned it. The Maz, short for Mazda, has endured the creation of a new bacteria in the back seat, vandalization and being slammed hard into a tree. The reputation of teenage drivers is never a positive one. People expect all young drivers to get into car wrecks, to have old cars full of trash and to BY NICK DAWE Viewpoints Writer drive too fast. These stereotypes make most people unwilling to trust teenage drivers. Unfortunately, all of these stereotypes apply to me. Last year, I paid $4,000 for my 2000 Mazda Protegé. As a 16-year-old, I was extremely excited about it. I kept it well maintained for a while, but eventually I stopped concerning myself with keeping it clean. Throwing garbage in my car was a lot easier than finding a trash can. After my car became another common rubbish bin, some issues developed. One of the tires started to make a clunking sound and soon all four of my tires lacked tread. Because of the smell of trash, I had to take a chance, and I used Axe spray to cover the stench. Foolishly, I sprayed it into the heater and now whenever I run the heat, it brings with it the nostalgia of seventh grade. You know, the nostril-burning scent of middle school. Everyone knows early 2000s car hubcaps do not look good and to make matters worse, mine did not match. After one was knocked off and run over, I took them all off. My car looks a lot more stylish because of it. The Maz is a huge part of my life. I realized this when I was not able to drive it for two weeks. A combination of rain, leaves and bad judgment caused me to run into a tree. I did not realize how much I relied on it for daily activities until I lost it. I had to start biking again, and not having a place to put my stuff made me forget it frequently. Getting the Maz back was a relief. I got a few more stickers and a little mud in the tires to make it look just a bit more cool. I want my car to represent me as much as possible. My car and I have been through a lot together, and I want that to show.
Below: REIN-CAR-NATION: After only a year with his 2000 Mazda Protegé, junior Nick Dawe feels that his car is an important part of his identity and has developed a lasting bond with it. Photo by Porter McLeod
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
What have you learned during Black History Month?
-- Thomasina Miranda, science department teacher “During Black History Month I learned a lot about black history leaders like Rosa Parks. I like that she stood up for women’s rights as well as black rights.” -- Ambreka Presley, sophomore
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VIEWPOINTS
Cartoon by Ella Sams
Above: TURNING A BLIND EYE: Within the United States justice system, those with money, like Ethan Couch of Tarrant County, Texas, are often looked upon more favorably than the common citizen. Couch’s sentence of probation and rehabilitation for killing four people while intoxicated raises the question of whether or not an average person would be let off so easily.
Money buys freedom Lady Justice may be blind, but she certainly recognizes wealth.
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ec. 10, 2013, a day two at Clarke Central Especially the type of probation Couch received. High School, should have been a day like According to the 2010 census, 34.9 percent of Athens-Clarke County resiany other. Except it was not. On this day, dents are below the poverty level. Nationally, anyone who makes under $16,836 16-year-old Ethan Couch of Texas was sentenced to a year is considered to be living beneath the poverty level. People below that a $450,000 rehabilitation center in California for 34.9 percent cannot afford to pay for a $450,000 rehabilitation center to turn killing four people. This unusually light punishtheir lives around like Ethan Couch could. ment was a direct result of Couch’s extreme Society says that it has overcome social inequality. wealth. Society says that we are all equal in the eyes of justice. BY HANNAH ROLLINS On June 15, 2013, In Tarrant County, Texas, Society is lying to itself, and it’s time we open our eyes and realize that the Viewpoints Writer Couch drove a Ford F-350 with seven people in his land of the free and equal is not so equal after all. car, two of whom were in the bed of his truck. Couch was highly intoxicated Couch never learned the lesson he should have learned. Rather, Couch afand had hints of the drug Valium in his bloodstream. firmed what he already knew. Couch learned that people like him get the upper During that time, 24-year-old Brianna Mitchhand in everything, and all of the people who ell’s car broke down on Burleson-Retta Road. ... it’s time we open our eyes are not filthy rich and commit horrible crimes Fifty-two-year-old Hollie Boyles, her 21-year-old get thrown into jail. and realize that the land of the This case was simply about money and daughter Shelby Boyles as well as 41-year-old youth pastor Brian Jennings went outside to It revolves around the belief that if you free and equal is not so equal privilege. assist Mitchell. have more, you get less punishment. Unfortunately, the two stories collided. Couch after all. The issue is not the fact that Couch received slammed into the four people on the side of the probation, the real problem is that people of road, killing them all. As for his passengers, two of them suffered immensely. other socioeconomic backgrounds would not receive the same punishment. One received internal injuries as well as serious external ones and the other Within our justice system, the acknowledgment of money should be abanwas paralyzed from head to toe. doned as soon as a crime is committed. A universal punishment should be given Couch should have received 20 years in jail, but he is extremely wealthy. So to all Americans, regardless of their wealth. While that may sound simplistic what was his punishment for the massacre he was solely responsible for? in concept, it will take a lot of work. The first thing that has to be done before Probation for 10 years. everyone is equal in the law is to raise awareness of this issue. The concept of someone, especially a teen, receiving probation seems like The line is drawn here, on Couch’s unfair sentencing. a great idea. Not only does this person learn their lesson, but they could try to redeem themselves and become a law-abiding citizen. But not every person gets the chance to go to probation instead of straight to the jailhouse. February 2014
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VIEWPOINTS
An air of superiority
Although demoralizing others is often the easy way out, tolerance and a professional attitude always leave the right impression.
N BY NICHOLAS BYRNE Broadcast Staff
ormally I consider myself to be a fair and amicable person. On principle, when I notice someone who has made a mistake, I either intentionally overlook it or offer sympathy. I do this because I recognize how disheartening it is to be criticized for an innocent mistake. Human nature often pushes people to be critical of others in an effort to drive self-esteem even higher than it already is. Despite being morally wrong, it is often accepted in society to be conde-
scending or conceited. I have taken advantage of other people’s mistakes in the past, and I’m not proud of it. An instance that sticks out in my mind was during the 2013 Mock Trial Northeastern Regional competition. The round was against a team that was less skilled than ours, and we knew it. Rightly or wrongly, we entered the round with a presumption of superiority, yet we had to present ourselves in a professional manner and treat the round as if it was against a more difficult opponent. The opposing team’s lawyer began her questioning of her first witness. She was using notes, which is usually condemned by the judges, and her questions were not at all thorough. I immediately began thinking of ways I could exploit her weaknesses. One of her questions called for a clear and obvious violation of the competition rules. I rose and objected. Before the judge could respond, the opposing lawyer picked up her witness’s statement and waved it at me. She began to shout at me in the most
inappropriate manner and irreverent tone. “Look right here, right here! It’s in the statement, do you wanna read it?” This sort of conduct was like nothing I had ever seen at a Mock Trial competition. The judges appeared to be just as shocked as I was. She then proceeded to roll her eyes, smile, and look to the presiding judge for the approval she thought she deserved. Her actions were incorrect in more ways than I could count, and I knew I had her trapped. I asked the judge if I may respond. The opposing lawyer had been publicly rude to me, and with my already glowing ego I responded to the judge with no mercy. I pointed out precisely how erroneous every part of her response was. I used the appropriate Mock Trial vocabulary and tone, but I made several unnecessary comments meant just to show off. The judge ruled in my favor, and I gave the opposing lawyer a condescending glance and smile before she continued with her direct examination. I was overcome with adrenaline and felt an undeniable air of superiority. I had the opportunity to show off and I couldn’t hold back the rude response, rather than be respectful and professional. Often I try to tell myself that I would never do something like this, but I catch myself doing so more often than I’d like to admit. Mock Trial, as well as life itself, is all about how you present yourself. How you present yourself is how you are evaluated and how the winner is determined. Like Mock Trial, interacting in the real world requires social cues. There are professional and appropriate ways to approach different situations. Unfortunately, demoralizing others is often easier and more alluring than tolerance. While the eminence and temporary satisfaction derived from dispiriting others is forgotten, the impression left on others is what you are ultimately remembered for.
Featured: MOCKING TRIAL: Sometimes one of life’s hardest lessons is that just because you can does not mean you should. Junior Nicholas Byrne learned this lesson at the expense of an opponent. Cartoon by John Hubbard
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Photo illustration by Robert Walker
Above: SOCIETY’S CREATION: The focus of contemporary rap has changed considerably from the work of its forebearers. With a present focus on materialism, image and getting money quick, this genre may be simply a reflection of the values of current society.
What’s wrong with rap? Contemporary rappers such as Tyga, Lil Durk and 2 Chainz are often blamed for “ruining” rap music when, in fact, their craft is simply a reflection of modern society.
“L
il Wayne is destroying rap.” “Nicki Minaj isn’t hip-hop.” “Hip-hop is dead. What happened to rap?” This is what is said every day about contemporary rappers and hip-hop. Many people believe that popular rappers like Future, Waka Flocka Flame and Tyga are destroying rap or they are somehow not hip-hop artists. BY MONTU MILLER Rap is simply a reflection of society, like all Guest Writer art forms. It was not rap that went wrong, it was society that turned in the direction of immorality, selfishness and materialism. People choose to blame rap for the attitude and actions of children today, while in fact it is the state of society that is to blame. It was not rap that made the traditional family unit crumble and fall apart. The deterioration of the family was simply a step to where we are in society today. Without solid families, the next domino to fall was the individual, which was followed by the fall of the community and then ultimately, the larger society fell to its knees. There was a time in very recent history when family mattered and was actually used to become better human beings, better community members and better citizens. This was a time when parents were the teachers and they taught their children life lessons they could use when they entered the world on their own, not teaching these lessons to their own children but to their relatives’ children and the children of the community. Adults were once living examples for children to emulate, which gave them real goals and aspirations.
During the glory days of family, rap also enjoyed a golden era. Rap reflected the love the community received from solid family units. It was far from perfect during these times, there were still drugs, pimping, gangs and a variety of problems that plagued the community, but it survived because of families, not in spite of them. Back in those days even the so-called “gangster” rappers had a message, unlike the rappers of today. There have always been rappers that perpetuate a hedonistic life of drugs, money, cars, expensive clothes and women as sexual objects, but there were always more positive figures than negative ones, such as Public Enemy, KRS1 and A Tribe Called Quest. It was a reflection of the family and community. It was mostly positive, but the negative also could not be ignored. It was good versus evil, but back then good was winning. The answer is simple when it comes to what happened to rap, society happened. Today, young rappers write about what they know and have seen. Many of these artists come from not only broken families but many do not even know what a family is. All they know is the drugs that flooded the streets of their communities. The drugs are used as an escape to forget about their current state or they chase the money generated by selling drugs. In the eyes of these children, money buys materials, which seemingly makes them better people with a higher status. No one ever taught them material objects do not really make them happy, it’s nothing more than materialism. So when people ask what happened to rap, it is the same thing that happened to the family unit, the individual, the community and society. It went from a state of relative stability to a state of self destruction. Rap will only start to improve when our society recovers.
February 2014
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News briefs
Above: MAKING IT A DAY ON: Social studies department chair and International Baccalaureate coordinator Ashley Goodrich works alongside junior Niké Shimobi-Obijuru and Clarke Middle School student Jordan Butler to construct garden plots for the IB service learning community garden. Volunteers gathered at Clarke Central High School on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day. “Everyone seems to be having fun; that’s very important,” Goodrich said.
Blowing off STEAM
At the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, applications to work in the Clarke Central High School STEAM Cafe were sent out to students. Interviews were never conducted, however, with schoolwide renovations approaching. Any plans to restart the cafe have been put on hold. STEAM was a student-run coffee shop in the Media Center that operated in the mornings before school. In 2012, funding for in-school Career, Technology and Agricultural Education classes was cut, and STEAM closed as a result. “Usually when equipment and materials are put under certain budgetary guidelines, then there are constraints on who and what can operate it,” Associate Principal Mary Thielman said. As of 2014, the CCHS administration announced that the plan to restart STEAM has been put on hold. According to Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker, this announcement corresponds primarily to the plans to begin an 18-month renovation for the school, as well as difficulty finding a suitable instructor. “We thought of using either of the media specialists, but all of that fell through,” Hooker said. “We’ll have to wait until the building is fully renovated to make a decision.”
GLADly volunteering Volunteers from Clarke Central High School and the Athens area helped build the new International Baccalaureate service learning community garden on Jan. 21. While organizers expected around 50 volunteers, the actual turnout was over 70. “I have been very impressed with the number of students who have come out here to make a positive impact on their school and their community by building a garden,” social studies department chair and IB coordinator Ashley Goodrich said. “Everyone seems to be having fun; that’s very important.” The event, which took place on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was planned with Hands On Northeast Georgia. According to Goodrich, this partnership brought in a great deal of volunteers, including those involved with Interact Club and the CCHS wrestling team. “It’s a day given to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and what he stood for,” Goodrich said. “So it’s important for us to be here doing what he would want us to do, which is making the school a more beautiful place.” Sophomore and Interact Club president-elect Flynne Collins helped organize the event, a duty passed down from former members of the club. “We’re just really hoping to make the school a better place and hopefully live up to the work that (previous Interact Club presidents) Baylor Ward and Gabriel Scott have done,” Collins said. The volunteers worked primarily on the IB service learning community garden, part of the GLAD time’s holistic effort to end hunger in the Clarke County area. “We’re providing people with nutritious, affordable, alternative food for their diet,” Goodrich said. “And we’ve got students involved, making a difference in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” -- Maria Velasquez, News Writer
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Photo by Porter McLeod
NEWS Regroup and rebound
This year, CCHS’s mock trial team earned second place at regional competition, and proceeded to district competition on Feb. 22. “We have such a great group of students, as it seems like we have every year. These guys have just stepped up marvelously,” District Attorney and mock trial attorney-coach Ken Mauldin said. The team’s competition squad narrowly lost to Westminster Christian Academy at district, placing second. This loss ends the CCHS mock trial team’s season. “Despite losing, I think we did really well. We grew a lot between region and district and I was really excited to see how we would do,” junior Perrin Aycock said. “We only lost by eight points in the final round and I’m looking forward to next year.”
Kinks in the schedule
The Clarke Central High School administration announced a newly reformulated schedule originating from the Clarke County School District Board of Education. The schedule will go into effect at the start of the 201415 school year. It was also announced that the schedule will not be “piloted” at CCHS after spring break, as previously suggested. “Nothing is set in stone (for after) spring break,” Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said. “We do not have to pilot that schedule.” According to Hooker, some initially expressed concerns regarding the schedule’s possible implementation in mid-March. “One major concern (was), after spring break, if we pilot it’s going to have a major effect on testing, which is something to take into consideration,” Hooker said. Under the new schedule, students will attend all seven periods on Mondays and Fridays and will cycle through five-period days on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Assistant Principal Reginald Thomas believes that the transition should be postponed to the start of the 2014-15 school year. “We’ve got this new schedule and obviously it’s got some kinks and we need to come up with something different, but doing it in the middle of the semester is going to be awfully tough,” Thomas said. “I think it would be very confusing.” February 2014
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NEWS
I heard that
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The ‘dead white guy’ books just don’t connect with about 85 percent of our students today.
LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON, award winning author, speaking at Clarke Central High School about engaging young adults in literature.
Above: HARD LABOR: Senior Matthew Ward volunteered at Clarke Central High School on Jan. 21. The work effort contributed to the CCHS community service garden, a focus of the school’s International Baccalaureate program.
Reader’s roast The CCHS Book Club hosted a fundraiser to sponsor the club’s Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team. Through a partnership with Jittery Joe’s, packets and cans of a special “Glad’s Reader’s Roast” are available for purchase, and funds will support the Book Club. “Jittery Joe’s offers fundraising opportunities to any organization,” media specialist Lindy Weaver said. “They’re awesome with the community, and they don’t make any money off of it. They sell you the coffee at their cost.” According to Weaver, the money from the fundraiser is used to buy books, t-shirts and to cover any expenses that the competition involves such as travel and registration fees. The 10-member team competed at the Athens-Clarke County Library on Feb. 1 during the regional competition. The team placed second but lost at the district level on Feb. 22 in Statesboro, Ga. at Georgia Southern University. The competing students were quizzed on components of 20 books, all of which are Georgia Peach Award nominees. The members of the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl are juniors Jamie Coreas, Claire Dunn-Grandpre, Gemma English, Mariah Isbell, Adeline Padilla, Ami Wagne and Corterra Wright, sophomores Shimobi Obijuru and Sara Tonks and freshman Lydia Jackson. The team is coached by media center specialist Kacy Tedder. Members enjoy being a part of the team and getting to compete. “I really like being able to meet new people, make new friends and participate in events,” Padilla said.
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DR. ROBBIE P. HOOKER, Principal, on the reasons returning to block schedule is not a viable option in the Clarke County School District.
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Marijuana is taken pretty lightly. And there definitely are medical benefits, that has been proven. But it’s the same as tobacco or alcohol, those things are legal, but they can also be very harmful to you.
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MEGAN COLE, school nurse, speaking on perceptions and realities of drug use within the Clarke Central High School student body.
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Whatever we can do to minimize just the randomness with which kids leave class, that’s what we want to be about. It is merely a control mechanism.
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MARY THIELMAN, Associate Principal, on the rational behind second semester revisions to hall pass policies. Below: FOCUSING ON THE CODE: Junior Guillermo Zapata writes code during an Advanced Placement Computer Science class. Cash for Codes, a program that encourages encryption literacy in high school students, is drawing in new members through a partnership with the Eve Carson Foundation. “I think it’s a great program and a very effective teaching tool,” Zapata said.
-- Tierra Hayes, News Writer February 2014
Photo by Maria Velasquez
Photo by Chad Rhym
I just want to get some of the misconceptions out. Some people were asking, ‘Are we going back on block?’ No. It’s expensive. Too many hours on the board. They can’t afford that.
-- Compiled by News Staff odysseynewsmagazine.net | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE | 15
NEWS
Rethinking
Photos by Porter McLeod
After a two-year moratorium, the Clarke Central High School Robotics Club placed first at the regional qualifier and competed on Feb. 8 for a chance to participate at the FIRST Robotics National Championship.
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n 2009, the Clarke Central High School Robotics “First we watch the instructional video that describes everything that we are Club placed 14th in the nation. Under former supposed to accomplish with our robot. From there we begin designing the science department teacher Dale Autry, the team robot and talking about some ideas we may have,” Guo said. performed well at the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and TechnolAccording to Guo, the designing phase is the most difficult for the club ogy robotics competition. FIRST is the international robotics union in which all because it is hard to come to a conclusion on what idea is best. This year, the robotics teams compete. team decided to use a design by junior Tomislav Zabcic-Matic. After a two-year absence from competitions, the Robotics Club, led by “I had some good ideas for a design and I just went after it because I was science department teacher William Swain and senior Dian Guo, competed at confident that I would be able to produce a good result,” Zabcic-Matic said. Athens Academy on Jan. 18 in the regional qualifiers. The team placed first in In order to begin building the robot, the team must first buy a robot kit and the competition and received the Inspire renew a usage license from Parametric Award, an award given to the team that “Everyone sees us as an old team because we Technology Corporation, a software best represents a ‘role-model’ FIRST company that makes the appropriate have been around for a long time, but we all Tech Challenge Team, according to products for FIRST robotic competitions. usfirst.org. “We got a $1,000 grant from PTC,” consider ourselves rookies. It was thrilling to “It was thrilling and interesting to win win first place.” Swain said. “Of course we have to put first place,” sophomore Evan Newman their sticker on our robot, but that is said. “Everyone in the robotics world worth 1,000 bucks.” -- EVAN NEWMAN, sees us as an old team because in hindFor many of the students involved in sophomore robotics, the hands on experience is edusight we have been around for a long time, but within the team we all consider cational, but the bonds created between ourselves rookies.” team members are also significant. Swain was unfamiliar with robotics and relied on the students to lead him “All of our team members are extra supportive because we really take this through the process of advising a robotics club. thing seriously,” Guo said. “We have people who will run, full sprint, from the “When Mr. Swain started advising last year, nobody really knew what they work area to the competition area just to get a part. It’s really amazing.” were doing because many of the members were new to robotics. I had to teach According to Guo, the Robotics Club allows students to learn team-building, them everything about robotics, such as how to build parts to use, and the improve from mistakes and ultimately become better team members in and out wiring and programming,” Guo said. “This year, everyone has a pretty good unof competition. derstanding of what they are doing, so now I am doing more overseeing during “The robotics team really teaches us about collaboration because every part the process and giving my advice.” of the process -- the designing, building, driving -- is made of more than one The Robotics Club, which consists of 10 students, meets every Monday and person. So we have to really be a part of a team to actually compete well,” Guo Wednesday after school to design, build and program their robot. said. “It is really a lot like sports, you know, only it’s with robots.
BY PORTER MCLEOD Photography Editor
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February 2014
NEWS
2014 FIRST Robotics Competition Located at Athens Academy, the regional qualifier round of the FIRST robotics competition provided an arena in which schools’ robots could compete. Additionally, team members had the opportunity to win valuable scholarships.
The Rules: • A match is two minutes and 30 seconds long. • The Autonomous Period is the first 10 seconds of the match where each team must complete a task that they have programmed their robot to complete. • The Driving Period is the remaining two minutes and 20 seconds where teams attempt to pick up as many blocks as they can, place them in a bin and move their robot onto a platform.
The Scholarships: • Many colleges and universities offer college scholarships to high school students on FIRST teams. • For 2014, FIRST has confirmed 150 scholarship providers that make almost 900 individual scholarship opportunities available. • The total value of all of the scholarships reaches more than $19,000,000. • Typically merit-based, and cover a range of scholastic abilities. • Are not just for Engineering majors - roughly 35 percent of FIRST Scholarships can be used for any course of study. • Scholarships vary from one-time awards of $500 to full four-year tuition. Infographic by Porter McLeod
Featured images: LIKE CLOCKWORK: Members of the Clarke Central High School robotics team members work to prepare their robot for the FIRST Robotics competition. The team decided upon a design, conceived by junior Tomislav Zabcic-Matic, and then worked together to perfect it.
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NEWS
“All of our team members are extra supportive because we really take this thing seriously.”
Photos by Porter McLeod
-- DIAN GUO, senior
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February 2014
Coding for Carson
NEWS
An initiative started by the Eve Carson Foundation encourages students to learn computer coding with the incentive of monetary rewards.
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“It’s a bit confusing at times, but they help you out and you learn new things,” unded by the Eve Carson Foundation, Cash for sophomore Anthony Zuniga said. “I’m learning how to make an adventure game Codes encourages Clarke Central High School with JavaScript.” students to learn computer programming. According to Ward, codeacademy.com was chosen as the host website due to The program awards monetary prizes for passing one of six approved courses on Andrew’s familiarity with the protocol. Students have found the interface accescodeacademy.com. sible. The foundation, created in 2008, was started in memory of 2004 CCHS “I heard about it in the announcements last month,” junior Faith Farber said. “I graduate Eve Carson. According to the University of North Carolina’s university think for some people it would make more sense to do (the program), but all you relations page, the foundation seeks to improve student welfare in the areas have to do is just follow the directions. It was really simple.” of leadership, academics and social justice just as Eve did throughout her high In January, juniors Masano Conine-Nakano, Faith Farber, Stephen Gaines and school and college career. “We have been searching for something new to start with the Eve Carson Foun- Devin Middleton, sophomore Evan Newman and freshman William White were awarded prizes after completing dation here in Athens, and with Andrew (Eve’s brother) having “Their primary purpose was to provide, spe- the courses. The program remains open for registration until March experience with coding, it seemed cifically, the students of CCHS an opportu16 or until all 40 prizes have been like a good fit,” Teresa Carson, awarded. Eve’s mother, said. nity to learn new concepts.” “With our current reliance The new coding program was on technology, this program has started by Eve’s brother and 2005 -- DR. JON WARD, offered a great opportunity for CCHS graduate Andrew Carson, AP Computer Science teacher students to learn how technology and provides an incentivized works,” Conine-Nakano said. student learning opportunity. “Andrew is familiar with coding and it is one of the highly desirable skills for post-education work,” Advanced Placement Computer Science teacher Dr. Jon Ward said. “That coding was the initial roll-out focus.” Monetary awards will be given to the first 40 students able to complete the Below: CODING CHALLENGE: Advanced Placement Computer Science teacher Dr. Jon Ward helps a student complete the coding classes offered by codeacadcourses. According to Ward, the amount of money ranges between $100 to $200 emy.com. The Eve Carson Foundation is offering cash rewards for being one of per student. the first 40 students to complete these courses. “Their primary purpose was to provide, specifically, the students of CCHS an Photo by Maria Velasquez opportunity to learn new concepts,” Ward said. “They’re starting with coding this year. Depending on how this goes, it might be something new next year.” Cash for Codes was originally designed as a contest that would encourage students to register and complete codeacademy.com’s classes quickly. To enter the contest, a student must register on the website and then send the information to Andrew via email. “The contest was started with the idea that high school students need money,” Teresa said. “Some may have part-time jobs, but others don’t, so this offers them the chance to earn some money and learn something new.” Codeacademy.com is the host site for classes on learning to code JavaScript, Ruby, Python, PHP, HTML/CSS and APIs. The classes are meant to be engaging for the students and follow a set sequence. BY MARIA VELASQUEZ News Writer
February 2014
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NEWS
The show must go on
The Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School drama programs worked together to put on the musical “Les Misérables.”
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February 2014
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or the first time in nine years, the Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School drama programs collaborated. They performed “Les Misérables,” a famous musical that chronicles love, family and loss during the French June Rebellion of 1832. “The play in itself is huge. It’s a beautiful piece. I adore the music. ‘Les Misérables’ is considered the most popular musical in the world,” CCHS fine arts department teacher and ‘Les Misérables’ co-director Harriet Anderson said. The story follows Jean Valjean, played by CCHS senior Tyler Redmond, an ex-convict who is jailed for stealing bread. After a broken parole, he struggles with poverty to make a new life for himself, and is subsequently hunted for years by a prison guard turned police inspector named Javert, played by CCHS sophomore Cameron Loyal. The cast is extensive and the production is entirely operatic: all of the lines are sung. Each actor appreciates the characters that they played in the musical in order to make the story come together, though for different reasons. “What I like about my character is that he’s comic relief. The play is called ‘the miserables’ so you need to have that one person who makes the people laugh in the middle of crying,” CCHS sophomore Anthony Zuniga said. BY RADFORD BROSIUS News Writer
NEWS
“You hear a lot about Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals being rivals, but then they got here and we’re all best friends now. I like working with them.” -- CAMERON LOYAL, CCHS sophomore Others appreciate their roles for the depth of the characters and the personal challenges playing the role presents. “I really love Éponine. I think it’s so great to have that character who is more real. I think she is a character that a lot of people connect with. Everything she does is driven by love which is different from some other characters in the play,” CSHS senior Lizzy Reese said. The idea of collaboration has been tossed back and forth between CSHS fine arts department teacher and co-director Rosemary Milsap and Anderson for years. According to Milsap, time and resources often got in the way. “When we do ‘Les Mis’ it’ll be nine years since we did Chicago together. It was an immensely positive experience, we enjoyed it despite the pressures. We’ve been talking more prolifically over the years and decided that the timing was right,” Milsap said.
Both the directors and the students involved in the play agree that a collaboration was necessary for such a large production. “It’s a lot more serious than other plays we’ve done. There’s really no time for slacking. Transportation is a big issue, getting from here to there and there to here. It usually means later starts,” Redmond said. In addition to the time constraints, many feel that the large number of actors often prevented smooth rehearsals “With as big of a cast as this, when one person doesn’t show up it goes to show that one ensemble member makes a big difference,” CCHS junior Marina Byrne said. “The characters have to be incredibly strong just because there’s no actual spoken dialogue, so character development is a huge part of what we’re working on right now.” Many cast members were excited about working with students from their “rival” school.
Photos by Porter McLeod
Opposite page: 24601: Clarke Central High School senior Tyler Redmond, right, plays the role of Jean Valjean during the performance of “Les Misérables” at CCHS on Feb. 15. “It’s a lot more serious than other plays we’ve done,” Redmond said. Also pictured is CCHS sophomore Cameron Loyal, who played the role of Javert. Below: A GROUP EFFORT: Cedar Shoals High School junior Alyssa Huberty, far left, plays the role of Madame Thénardier while performing the musical number “Master of the House.” “This is just really enjoyable and I love it,” Huberty said.
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Photos by Porter McLeod
NEWS
Above: ON HIS GRIND: Clarke Central High School sophomore Anthony Zuniga performs the role of Thénardier during the performance of “Les Misérables” at CCHS on Feb. 15. Opposite, top: TENDER MOMENTS: CCHS junior Sam Thompson and Cedar Shoals High School senior Lizzy Reese, playing the roles of Marius and Éponine, interact during a performance of “Les Miserables”. Opposite, bottom: ALL TOGETHER: CCHS and CSHS students sing together as an ensemble.
“You hear a lot of stuff about Central and Cedar being rivals, but then they got here and we’re all best friends now. I like working with them,” Loyal said. “Les Misérables” has not only been appreciated by the actors at each school, but also by administrators. Working among different students in an unfamiliar has shown to work well and shows that the schools can be seen as more than just rivals. “I think we’re going to have great support from the community. The mayor was there and several dignitaries. I think it’s a balance of both student bodies being represented,” CCHS Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said. The process of collaboration connected the schools in a way that has not happened for many years. “( We wanted to) really present that as something that goes against the perpetual image of cross-town rivalry, to just give the complete opposite of that image, cross-town partnership, instead and really present it as something positive for the community as a whole,” Milsap said. The cast of the play bonded and worked together as one group rather than two separate drama troupes from two separate schools. “This is just really enjoyable and I love all of the people that I’ve met. I get along with them great,” CSHS junior Alyssa Huberty said. “All of us work together really well and it gives us opportunities to do bigger shows.”
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Infographic by Rad Brosius
February 2014
NEWS
February 2014
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FEATURES
Headed west, looking east Through visiting the Middle Eastern country of Lebanon, senior Mohamad Burjak discovered a cultural background that affects both himself and the Clarke Central High School community. 24 | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE | odysseynewsmagazine.net
February 2014
FEATURES BY LELA JENKINS Features Writer
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hen senior Mohamad Burjak recalls his most recent visit to his relatives in Lebanon, one story in particular remains
prominent in his mind. “A couple of years back during one of my summer vacations in Lebanon, me, an uncle of mine and four other cousins, all named Mohamad, went to this beach,” Mohamad said. “It was called White Sand Beach, and I didn’t know much about it at the time.” As he tells the story, Mohamad smiles at the grotesque humor the memory carries. “My cousins went immediately to swim in the water, and I was about to do the same,” Mohamad said. “As I was running to it, I smelled this really bad smell.” Mohamad recalls asking his uncle what was wrong with the ocean. He learned that the beach was adjacent to a water treatment plant, which deposited a constant stream of waste into the water. As a result, attending the beach was free, making it a prime destination. “Essentially, what that beach was, was a giant toilet,” Mohamad said. As Mohamad’s relatives all began to swim, he felt conflicted. He remembers being held back by his disgust and, as a result, isolated from his family. Eventually, Mohamad sat alone on the hot beach. “I told myself I was not going in this water. But I was all alone on that beach just looking out there, everyone in the water having fun,” Mohamad said. “It might’ve been really dirty water, but they were having fun.”
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ohamad was born in Ponchatoula, La., and grew up as the only son of a large immigrant family. When he was in the seventh grade, Mohamad’s family relocated to Athens, Ga., where he enrolled at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School. Despite being raised in America, Mohamad says he grew up with a strong connection to his Lebanese heritage. “My parents are Lebanese immigrants. I go there every summer,” Mohamad said. As a devout Sunni Muslim, a number of things set Mohamad apart from his peers. Five times a day, an alarm goes off on his iPod touch calling him to prayer. “I pray about five times a day - really strict on that. It’s really annoying because a couple of my prayers (are) during school, and this place is so dirty and you can’t be dirty when you pray because it’s like, ‘Hey God, I’m talking to you now,’” Mohamad said. In addition, Mohamad notes that his meals differ significantly from traditional “American” food served in the Clarke Central High School cafeteria. Wara’ Enab, a dish of grape leaves stuffed with rice, meat and spices is a typical lunch for Mohamad. “Pretty much everyday I bring something from home to eat, and I always ask people, ‘Hey, try this,’” Mohamad said. “Some will try; some will just say, ‘No, that’s completely disgusting.’ But I still do it anyways.” Senior Jesus Ramirez has known Mohamad since seventh grade and recognizes the eccentric qualities of Mohamad’s personality.
“(Mohamad’s) my best friend,” Ramirez said. “There’s a lot of things unique about Mohamad. He’s very hard-working, very motivated. He likes economics a lot as well. There’s his religion; you just have that sense of Mohamad.” When Mohamad is not at school he spends much of his time at home studying or with family. “He is in his room most of the time because he has a whole bunch of work to do,” Mohamad’s sister and junior Maya Burjak said. “When he does converse with us he’s always in a caring mood. He always helps us with our homework.”
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is cultural roots and upbringing, as well as religion, influence Mohamad’s view of the world. He says that growing up as a Sunni Muslim in America shaped his character. “Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country. Although it’s pretty liberal compared to the other (Middle Eastern countries), it’s still a pretty conservative place,” Mohamad said. “I am a devout Sunni Muslim, and I myself am a pretty conservative person. That’s me, and that’s the kind of family I live in.” Despite Mohamad’s cultural background, Maya believes that their family is normal in many ways. “Sometimes it will be loud, but it’s like a normal family,” Maya said. “When I go to Lebanon it’s a lot more chaotic and screaming and yelling, cousins just going crazy. But at the end of the day they’re our family, so we love them.” Mohamad’s family has played a supportive and caring role in his life. His most inspirational role model is his cousin, Mohamad Alnatour. “(Alnatour) is in Lebanon in this prestigious law school right now, but he’s always been there for me whenever I had problems or whenever I needed a guy to talk to, he was right there,” Mohamad said. Both Mohamad and Maya recognize the influence their culture can have on others around them. With this understanding of their culture by CCHS students, Maya says their culture can have an effect on the diversity at CCHS, just as the school has affected them. “(Our culture) can open people’s minds up and make them not just listen to what the news has to say,” Maya said. “It can change people’s perspective.” Mohamad’s beliefs and that of his family are derived from the conservative Muslim aspect of their culture. Illustration by Lela Jenkins. Photo Illustration by Louise Platter and Aaron Holmes.
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Previous Page: CHECKMATE: Senior and chess team captain Mohamad Burjak enjoys playing chess with his peers. “I’ve been playing (chess) since I was a little kid. It was really fun to do and as I got older I just stepped to it,” Burjak said. Right: MAPPING IT OUT: Burjak grew up visiting family in the small middle eastern country of Lebanon during the summers. “(In Lebanon) there are dozens upon dozens of types of Muslims.”
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FEATURES “Arab culture and religion is very intertwined. Many things are influenced by the Qur’an and what the Qur’an states to do,” Mohamad said. “That’s how the Arabs have evolved now, to what we are now.”
kind of makes me feel alone,” Mohamad said. “When I’m in Lebanon everyone else is a Muslim; I can talk to them freely about anything I want to, really. That makes me feel nice, like I’m at home.” Mohamad’s beliefs have allowed him to take pride in his Lebanese backslam is one of the most common religions of Lebanon, a country of largely ground, while appreciating the differences he sees in those around him, as he conservative attitudes. These political and religious aspects of Lebanese progresses through a life of cultural diversity. culture are a defining point in “(Mohamad’s) faith seems to Mohamad’s own belief system. be kind of a moral compass for “(Our culture) can open people’s minds up The religious practices of him. He will literally say, ‘I can’t Islam take an extensive amount and make them not just listen to what the news do that. That’s against my reliof dedication and faith, at times has to say. It can change people’s perspective.” gion.’ And he’s proud of that. affecting Mohamad during It’s just something that he truly school, particularly during the uses,” social studies departreligious holiday Ramadan. -- MAYA BURJAK, ment teacher Stephen Hinson “(During) Ramadan you said. “That’s impressive about junior anybody who can do that.” have to fast for a month. You can’t eat, drink, take medicine, Through experiences with can’t really smoke, that kind of other CCHS students, Mohamad thing. It’s a time of not insulting has created a general outlook people and being a nice person,” Mohamad said. “Sometimes that will also imon life that is accepting of common differences among peers and their beliefs. pede my ability to do school work. I’m really thinking about food, not whatever “Just because you like someone doesn’t mean you can’t disagree with them,” the teacher’s saying.” Mohamad said. In the U.S., less than one percent of the population is Muslim. Following an uncommon religion in Athens can sometimes be a challenge for Mohamad. His hen processing the dissonance he observes between his surroundings beliefs are often different than those around him, as he sometimes notices in in American and in Lebanon, Mohamad is again reminded of his expericlass discussions or when talking with friends. ence at White Sand Beach. “As a Sunni Muslim, I try my best to follow what I’m supposed to do, but As he watched his relatives swimming in the water, as if they were unaware of unfortunately sometimes being in Athens around people who don’t really care its putrid odor, Mohamad made what he describes as an important decision.
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Below: FLOURISHING FRIENDSHIP: Although Mohamad occasionally feels isolated from fellow Clarke Central High School students, he manages to find unity with his peers despite their cultural and religious differences. On the Martin Luther King Jr. Work Day at CCHS, Mohamad helped out with gardening in his service learning program. “(Mohamad) likes gardening a lot. He’s in a mentor program where they do the garden outside and he’s really into it,” Maya said.
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FEATURES “I got up, stopped acting like a baby, and jumped in the water. My mouth was wide open, though, so that disgusting water got in my mouth and was a horrible, horrible taste,” Mohamad said. “But I had a lot of fun. Besides the disgusting being-in-a-giant-toilet thing, it was amazing, and I didn’t get sick.” Visiting Lebanon and connecting with it culturally is what has inspired Mohamad to pursue a career that can help change countries like Lebanon in an economic struggle. “(During my visit) I was reading this book called ‘The End of Poverty’ by Jeffrey Sachs, an economist and really influential guy,” Mohamad said. “Reading that book really inspired me to want to economic policy in Middle Eastern countries and other places that are just experiencing these terrible, terrible poverty situations.” In his most recent trip to Lebanon, Mohamad was able to seriously view the deteriorating conditions of his family’s country. “This time around I was really starting to see the influence of (the Syrian conflict) coming upon the neighboring country of Lebanon,” Mohamad said. “I’d always see these people with literally nothing on them just on the streets, with no food, and they just looked terrible.” Since witnessing Lebanon and the conditions some countries have grown accustomed to, Mohamad has determined his career path in economics and has found a general plan for his future. ohamad’s Lebanese culture has had a large impact on his future aspirations and career ideas. “I really love economics. That is my passion and what I want to study in college,” Mohamad said. Mohamad’s passion for economics has played into the career path that he intends to pursue after he graduates. “(I want to pursue) some kind of career where I’m able to start influencing economic policy in governments,” Mohamad said. “I want to work with governments or help them become more sustainable.” In teaching Mohamad and seeing his behavior in the classroom, Hinson believes Mohamad’s future is full of promise. “(Mohamad) is really passionate about economics. I would want to have Mohamad working for me if I had a business because he works very hard,” Hinson said. “Mohamad is probably going to be a very successful person because of his work ethic, the way he’s driven to succeed. I think he’ll go places.” Mohamad’s plans for college extend outside of the Athens area as he hopes to go to a city even more accepting of his unique culture. It’s because of these cultural differences that Mohamad is not acquainted with the college scene in Athens, and hopes to move from the liberal town full of nightlife after graduating high school. “One of the reasons why I really want to move out of this city when I go to college is because although it would be a college town I don’t think it would be as much like here in Athens,” Mohamad said. “Athens is a college town. A lot of people go drinking, you’ll see beer bottles all over the place and I really don’t drink. I really don’t want to be around any alcohol, yet it’s literally everywhere.” Despite being different from most Athenians, Mohamad copes with and accept these differences. “I disagree with people,” Mohamad said. “It’s not like I can’t talk to them, though. I’m still their friend.”
Photos by Porter McLeod
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Right: A SENSE OF HUMOR: Mohamad’s optimism and humor helps him overcome the unique challenges that he faces. “There are jokes and to be honest with you I enjoy these jokes; I do the same thing,” Mohamad said.
February 2014
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Cultural Buzz Flappy Bird Flappy Bird, released by Dong Nguyen in Sep. 2013, has been nesting comfortably at the top spot in the Apple App Store. Though it is most commonly described as frustrating, it is also equally addicting. Flappy Bird requires minimal thinking but exceptional tapping skills. To keep the bird afloat as it travels through pipes, the user must consistently tap the screen. The simple instructions make it all the more disheartening, as avoiding the pipes is much harder than it sounds. Touching a pipe or failing to keep the bird off of the ground ends the game, and immediately restarting for another shot at flying is likely. The game itself is not sophisticated in any sense, but it provides a quick fix for those easily amused. On Feb. 10, Nguyen removed Flappy Bird from both Google Play and the App Store following an announcement via Twitter. Nearly immediately, multitudes of copycats flooded the app stores hoping to recreate the Flappy Bird experience. Flappy Bird is sure to leave a legacy of frustration and exhaustion, which was only augmented by its unexpected demise at the peak of its popularity.
-- Hanna Harper, Business Manager
Acid Rap, Chance the Rapper
Franken fail I, Frankenstein fails to deliver an interesting interpretation of the horror classic.
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t is always risky to take a classic story, such as Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” and create a contemporary portrayal that is worth watching. In some cases these recreations are well-received with a clever outcome and a captivating plot, but director Stuart Beattie’s I, Frankenstein did not achieve this. After the release date was pushed back three times, the movie finally came to theatres on Jan. 24. The film follows 200-year-old superhuman Adam (Aaron Eckhart), the creation of Dr. Frankenstein (Aden Young), as he helps a race of humanoid “gargoyles” destroy demons. Besides the fact that Adam is the stitched-together creation of a mad scientist, nothing else about the movie follows the original plot of Nothing about the movie Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” and the modern iteration follows the original plot of the storyline is anyof Shelley’s Frankenstein, thing but compelling. and the modern edition of Despite the film’s release date being the storyline is anything repeatedly set back, the but compelling. production is sloppy and, although intense, the special effects are not impressive. Many scenes contain fire and fighting, but there is almost no suspense and the grueling length of the 3D action scenes completely ruins any of the excitement or ferocity that there may have been for the first couple of minutes. If the plot is to be buried in fire and fatalities, Beattie may as well have made the gargoyles look a little bit more intimidating to add some excitement and fear -- I, Frankenstein is advertised as horror after all. But no matter how bad everything else about I, Frankenstein is, the worst part is that its badness is not even amusing. It’s not a movie to go see with friends to have a lighthearted laugh over the poor production. The movie is simply awful and is not worth the time or ticket price.
-- Grace Polaneczky, Guest Writer Photos by Ethan Crane and Louise Platter
Chancelor Bennett, better known as Chance the Rapper, has made his mark on the hip-hop community. Bennett released his first mix tape, 10 Day, in April, 2012. Following its release, rapper Childish Gambino asked Bennett to tour with him, granting him further recognition in the music community. After the tour Bennett released his mix tape Acid Rap on April 30, 2013. Listed at number 26 on Rolling Stone’s top 50 albums of the year and nominated for Black Entertainment Television’s best mix tape of 2013, Acid Rap’s impact is notable. Bennett’s melodies and lyrics are clever and pleasing and clearly merit the recognition he has received. -- Gabriel Evans, Guest Writer
Inside Llewyn Davis
Film directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, released on Dec. 6, 2013, follows a week in the life of Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), a struggling folk singer in New York City. The week consists of Llewyn looking for gigs, trying to get signed to a record label and losing his friend’s cat. He sleeps on a different person’s couch each night and hitchhikes wherever he needs to go. Llewyn Davis seems to not care about anything until he is on stage, where his voice is filled with soul and feeling. Isaac gives a raw and convincing performance, and at times it seems that he actually is on stage. The Coen Brothers have done an excellent job of showing the trials of an up-and-coming musician. -- Esther Conaway, News Writer
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Cultural Buzz QuizUp
Her
QuizUp, created by the Icelandic game studio Plain Vanilla, is the “largest trivia game in the world” according to their website. The app is available for free to iOS users and has captivated players with its fast-paced gameplay. A QuizUp account can be connected to Facebook, making it simple for players to challenge friends. Users can choose from 280 different topics and are paired with a live player of a similar skill level. Players battle to choose the correct answer as quickly as possible. The user with the most points after seven questions wins. Ultimately, QuizUp is an accessible game relevant to almost any user.
Released on Dec. 18, 2013, director Spike Jonze’s Her tells the story of a unique relationship that transcends the three-dimensional boundaries of space and time. Her follows the story of Theodore Twombly ( Joaquin Phoenix), an emotional man who finds himself more than a little lost after his recent separation from ex-wife Catherine (Rooney Mara). Flashbacks of Twombly’s seemingly perfect relationship with Catherine happen throughout the film to show how much of himself he lost through their painful separation. The futuristic film then introduces the idea of an artificially intelligent operating system, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, that is much more than a software program. Through Johansson’s raspy voice, the OS almost seems to be a living conscience with thoughts, feelings and a sense of humor. Her takes the audience along the course of a relationship that is much more than bland first dates and mixed signals. Both Twombly and the OS are equally exposed in their relationship; their deepest thoughts and urges are evoked in a nameless space that seems untouched by the physical world. Her mimics the feeling of eavesdropping on something personal and forces viewers to question the ethics of trapping something that is essentially a human mind inside of a tiny computer.
-- Louise Platter, Features Editor
worldstarhiphop.com
Worldstarhiphop.com is a site dedicated to hip-hop and popular culture. Upon entering the site, a selection of videos ranging from Wiz Khalifa’s new single to the animal clip of the week are presented. Each day a number of videos are submitted, and between 20-40 of them are published. WSHH is perhaps best known for its fight videos, but that is not the only explicit content to be found. The site does more than entertain. Not only does it keep one up-to-date on culture, but there are often several informative news videos. While WSHH contains inappropriate content, it is representative of the changing face of the hip-hop scene, and can be an entertaining way to learn relatable current events.
Four Eyes on the prize Athens band Four Eyes released their first fulllength album, Our Insides, on Jan. 31.
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ocal pop group Four Eyes, composed of Erin Lovett, Lucas Jensen and Ryan Moore, released their debut full-band album, Our Insides, on Jan. 31. Chock full of quick, light and romantic tracks, the album sounds like a feel-good classic. The album was released via Four Eyes’ Bandcamp page at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31 preceding a performance by the band at Flicker Bar in Athens later that night. It The lack of major is available for purchase as a editing allows Our digital download along with 10 other of the band’s releases. Insides to feel incredFormed in 2010, Four Eyes ibly real and lets the has released numerous EPs through their Bandcamp during band’s true talent the past four years. Our Insides shine through. is a continuation of the band’s style of flittering vocals over gentle guitar and/or ukulele strums. Despite the uniform basis, Lovett’s vocal talents provide enough variation to give each of the album’s 13 tracks a distinct character. The happy-go-lucky aura of Four Eyes’ songs becomes deeper with Lovett’s poetic lyrics that range from happily romantic (‘I don’t know the color of the sky / but it’s grey on days you’re away’ from “Grey”) to nostalgic-verging-on-bitter (‘Saw him out with a girl I was told not to worry about / seemed to me like they were happy’ from “I Bend”). Lovett is a skilled songwriter who creates personal, relatable love stories by means of clever rhymes. Four Eyes’ songs are notably brief - only one of the 13 songs is longer than three and half minutes; five are less than two minutes. Nothing drags out the music or vocals and the lack of major editing allows the album to feel incredibly real and lets the band’s true talent shine through the bare structure of each song. Our Insides is a perfect pick-me-up. Lovett’s cheery ukulele melodies and vocal tones sound friendly but lively and are sure to resonate with listeners as uniquely Four Eyes.
-- Lela Jenkins, Features Writer
-- Ethan Crane, Variety Editor Photos by Ethan Crane
Photo illustration by Maria Velasquez
-- Mary Merritt, Features Writer February 2014
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Asia in Athens Entrepreneur Karen Fooks shares her multicultural background with Athens through her specialty store.
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ooks Foods owner Karen Fooks grew up in a multicultural environment. Her diverse family background gave her an insight into foreign cuisine. “My mom was Japanese-Filipino and my dad was a Russian Jew. My cultural background is just all about food,” Fooks said. Fooks was born in Hawaii, went to elementary school in Japan and attended high school in Germany. She entered the food service industry at a young age. “When I was 12 years old, I used to help my grandmother sell vegetables in Hawaii at the cock fights. So I was in business at that age selling shaved ice and all of these vegetables that she grew and making sushi that we sold for a dollar a roll,” Fooks said. “(The food business) is just something that’s always been there.” Fooks pursued a career in the food industry. She owns and operates her own specialty Asian grocery store in Athens. When Fooks opened the store, Fooks Foods, in 2003, there were not many places in Athens that offered authentic Asian foods. “There have been one or two competing stores over the years and they have come and gone, but I can barely keep up with what I do everyday so I’m not really concerned about competition. People are still going to show up (to my store),” Fooks said. Previously located at 1005 “For the international stuBaxter St., Fooks Foods moved in 2011 to a larger dents that come to (Fooks shopping plaza at 2026 S. Foods) for the first time, Milledge Ave. “(The move) has it’s like a taste of home for definitely been a positive change,” Fooks said. “(Now) them.” I have a larger space, can carry more products, have -- KAREN FOOKS, more refrigerator and freezer space and more parking.” owner However, the change in location presented a challenge for some patrons, like University of Georgia alumna Ari Koschorke, who had to travel further to get to the store. “(The move) was just kind of a pain for me personally when I lived here because I was living in a (sorority) house,” Koschorke said. “But obviously I still drove down (to the store).” Fooks Foods serves as a taste of diversity and as a place community members of all types can shop in a welcoming environment. “Fooks Foods has got like this nice air to it,” customer A.J. Mewton said. “I like the hole in the wall aspect of it; it’s nice.” Something that distinguishes Fooks’ store from other Asian groceries in Athens is its fresh produce. “The fresh vegetables are the cornerstone of the store. Prior to opening there were a few Asian stores, but most didn’t carry fresh produce, which is a large part of Asian cuisine,” Fooks said. Fooks Foods offers products ranging from Korean novelty candies to organic Indian chili paste. A popular item at the store is the fresh tofu, which Fooks sells BY AUDREY HINKLE Variety Writer
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VARIETY for 89 cents a block. Clarke Central High School students, such as sophomore Flynne Collins, frequent the store. “I love looking around at all of the colorful products,” Collins said. “Fooks Foods has a wall entirely devoted to traditional ramen, which is my favorite.” Fooks Foods also offers more exotic products for its adventurous clientele. “I shop (at Fooks Foods) off and on,” customer Elijah NeeSmith said. “When I come to Fooks it’s usually for products like seaweed, fish and “Fooks Foods has got this octopus.” Fooks believes the nice air to it. I like the hole wide assortment and diversity of the products in the wall aspect of it.” attracts many different customers. -- A.J. MEWTON, “For the international customer students that come to (Fooks Foods) for the first time, it’s like a taste of home for them,” Fooks said. “But my store also has products for those who simply want to explore and add cultural diversity to their diet.” As Fooks Foods continues to succeed and attract a larger customer base, Fooks says the business will remain a part of the Athens community. “I’m where I belong, in the business that I love, and I’m dealing with people that like my food,” Fooks said. “I’m doing what I like to do.”
Both pages, from top to bottom: ARRAY OF OPTIONS: Fooks Foods offers a wide assortment of juices, teas, frozen fish and meats, and fresh produce not offered in conventional grocery stores. Opposite, top left: Owner Karen Fooks assists a customer with their purchase.
February 2014
Photos by Porter McLeod
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Orca injustice
The 2013 documentary Blackfish focuses on the cruel mistreatment of killer whales at SeaWorld.
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n the wild, there have been no accounts of Variety Writer orcas, commonly known as killer whales, ever killing humans. In captivity, however, whales have killed four people and injured dozens more. Blackfish, released on July 19, 2013, is a documentary directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, a documentary filmmaker who has been making television documentaries for 15 years. The film focuses on the poor treatment and dangers of keeping orcas in captivity at marine-park giant, SeaWorld. The film focuses on Tilikum, a 12,000-pound killer whale responsible for the deaths of three people, including famed trainer Dawn Brancheau, during the course of two decades. The film contains various interviews from former SeaWorld trainers as well as marine biologists and orca experts. They accuse SeaWorld of misleading trainers and covering up the deaths and the poor treatment of the whales. The film emphasizes the fact that SeaWorld continually attempts to hide the killer whale attacks that have happened there. The beginning of Blackfish is gut-wrenching. Viewers are shown footage of the capture of Tilikum BY EMILY WATSON
along with other whale calves. The scene is sympasenior trainer. Brancheau had been working with thetically narrated by John Crowe, a former whale the whale when he grabbed her arm, pulled her hunter and diver who explains the rounding of the into the water, swung her around dislocating her elorcas and how they are taken from their pods. bow, breaking her jaw and eventually scalping her. “We were only after the little ones,” Crowe said. SeaWorld originally blamed the attack on Tilikum was taken to Sealand of the Pacific in Brancheau saying she had handled fish and then British Columbia, Canada, where whales were kept touched her hair, confusing the whale. roped off from the ocean. At night, he and various The footage is painful to watch. It shows bleedother whales were placed Rather than blame the killer whales for their in separate holding tanks. aggressiveness, the film presents orcas as The tanks complex, social creatures, whose demands were roughly 30 feet deep cannot be met in captivity. and 20 feet in diameter, almost as long as the whales themselves. ing whales raked by other orcas, trainers dragged Cowperthwaite argues these small tanks contribinto pools and one grisly scene in which a trainer is uted to the whales’ aggression. crushed when one whale lands on him. Rather than After an eerie report given by two witnesses of blame the killer whales for their aggressiveness, the trainer and competitive swimmer Keltie Byrne’s film presents orcas as complex, social creatures, death, the film follows Tilikum as he is purchased whose demands cannot be met in captivity. and taken to SeaWorld Orlando two months later. Even though the documentary’s information is While there, Tilikum is responsible for the death sickening, Blackfish is worth seeing, though it may of Daniel Dukes, a visitor, and Dawn Brancheau, a be a shocking, tear-filled experience.
Below: HELD CAPTIVE: Blackfish argues killer whales are too developmentally advanced to be kept in captivity. Their needs for open space and socialization cannot be found in marine parks like SeaWorld, and many attribute these unnatural conditions to the aggressive behavior exhibited by captive orcas such as Tilikum, who is responsible for three deaths since his capture off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Cartoon by Ella Sams
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A subtle power On her self-titled album, BEYONCÉ, the R&B queen unleashes the Magna Carta of pop feminism.
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he message of Beyoncé’s latest album is clear: society is wrong, and as the self-titled album’s opening track states, “Pretty Hurts”. On Dec. 13, 2013, BEYONCÉ was released sans promotion, advertisement or any sort of hype. Still, the visual pop/R&B album immediately topped iTunes charts with 14 complete tracks and 17 videos. Within three hours of its release, the album sold 80,000 copies, making it No. 1 on the Billboard 200 within the next week. According to the album, gender equality is a myth in society and feminism is a means to correct this. The songs on BEYONCÉ all seek to find the social empowerment of women just as Beyoncé has done for herself. Lyrics like ‘underneath the pretty face is something complicated’ from “No Angel” and ‘feminist: a person who believes in the economic, social and political equality of the sexes’ quoted from the TED talk “We should all be feminists” by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie sampled on the track “***Flawless” all speak of the truths of modern society and the faults in it often overlooked. Featuring guest appearances from artists such as Jay Z, Drake and Frank Ocean, Beyoncé’s polished fifth album makes a statement in pop culture and inspired the voices of countless women in society. BEYONCÉ, however, is not solely focused on feminism; it also speaks about being carefree on a night out and the importance of having fun. Through songs and videos with strong bass lines and dancelike undertones, Beyoncé emphasizes the necessity of loving oneself. Smooth beats and emotional vibrato let us know it is okay to let go. Listening to Beyoncé’s lyrics “I’m just human / Don’t judge me” fade out at the end of “Jealous” reminds us that no one is perfect. They remind us that we make mistakes, we act before we think, we dangerously love everything except for ourselves and this is all just a part of being human. A society that sets rules and expectations in the strive for perfection is inherently wrong; it is in the imperfections of ourselves that we find humanity. This contemporary mindset is flawed, not flawless, and in great need of change. With a reputation higher than anyone’s to uphold, Beyoncé has made the ultimate comeback. While achieving the purpose of music as an art form, Beyoncé sends a much needed message to the world. BY LELA JENKINS Features Writer
Image via RCA records Photo illustration by Aaron Holmes
February 2014
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Above: A FRIENDLY FACE: Highly acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson visited the Clarke Central High School Media Center on Jan. 18 to talk about her new book, “The Impossible Knife of Memory”.“It lets (students) know that authors are real people,” media specialist Kacy Tedder said. “They’re not like a movie star. (Students) get so nervous around them, but when you get to talk to them they’re just normal people.” Photo by Makayla Richards
Laurie Halse Anderson speaks Award winning author Laurie Halse Anderson visited Clarke Central High School on Jan. 18 on tour for “The Impossible Knife of Memory”.
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he Clarke Central High School media center, in collaboration with Avid Bookshop, a community bookstore, hosted author Laurie Halse Anderson on Jan. 18. “To have an author of this magnitude come here to Athens and for us to host (the event) is huge,” Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker said. “(This only happens) every blue moon.” The tour for Halse Anderson’s newest book, “The Impossible Knife of Memory”, was exclusive, with only fifteen other bookstores in the nation granted a visit in states ranging from New York to California. The tour only stopped at one other bookstore in Georgia, at the Georgia Center for the Book in Decatur. “For a book of this size and with the number of reviews it’s getting, (the tour) is pretty limited,” Avid Bookshop owner Janet Geddis said. “We (were) very lucky to have her come here.” Halse Anderson’s visit was first planned when Geddis met her several years ago at the WORD Brooklyn Bookstore in New York. Halse Anderson was enthusiastic about Geddis’ plans to open her own store. “She said, ‘When you open your bookstore I would love to come and visit,’” Geddis said. “This is the first major book of hers that has come out since my store opened so I wrote a rather impassioned plea for her to come visit Avid.” After receiving confirmation that Halse Anderson would visit, Geddis decided to collaborate with CCHS due to the lack of space in Avid Bookshop. The store had a preexisting relationship with CCHS media specialists Kacy Tedder and Lindy Weaver, and Geddis felt that Halse Anderson’s new book would be well-received by students. The event was held in the CCHS media center. Halse Anderson first spoke to the crowd about her hard life growing up. She also charismatically highlighted her writing process and her opinions on current issues. The author says that many of her books have stemmed from personal experience. “She was really pleasant and her PowerPoint was really insightful to her life BY TIERRA HAYES News Writer
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and mind,” senior Kira Pollack said. “The best part might have been her wit, but I was grateful that she spoke about rough drafts. She told us that she absolutely hates her rough drafts, but she keeps going and in further writings resolves the issues so that they turn into something people want to read.” After talking about herself she took questions from the students and adults that attended the event. Before she left, Halse Anderson signed books. “It was great meeting her,” junior Adilene Padilla said. “I was first in line to get my book signed and I was so excited I forgot to ask her to sign my two copies of ‘Speak’.” Halse Anderson has written 10 young adult novels during the course of her career. Her most acclaimed book, “Speak”, has been read in classrooms around the world. Many of her books focus on problems that teenagers face in their everyday lives. “She has a way of writing to teens about topics that are sometimes controversial or sensitive,” Tedder said. “She does it in a way that makes it okay, not so taboo to talk about.” Halse Anderson’s new book, “The Impossible Knife of Memory”, focuses on a teenage girl, Hayley, and her dad, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. After moving around frequently, Hayley is finally given the chance to have a normal life. “I think that it opens up a larger conversation about a lot of the heavy issues that teenagers and people of all ages have to deal with and what are some good ways we can open those conversations up and get people the help that they need and get them the mental and emotional support that they need,” Geddis said. Pollack enjoyed being able to have author events at the school and looks forward to having more of them in the future. “Author events are a fantastic way to keep the community connected to new literature, and having things here also engages the locals with the schools, which is very important,” Pollack said. February 2014
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Learning from Laurie After hearing young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson speak, junior Louise Platter reflects on Anderson’s influence.
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hen I was younger, all I ever wanted to do was read. I was the quintessential bookish elementary school student who devoured everything that was thrown at her. I think I liked reading so much because I could immerse myself in something so unlike my carefully partitioned world. BY LOUISE PLATTER It was fantastic and I couldn’t get Features Editor enough. It wasn’t until I was in fifth grade when I realized books could contain stories that the progressive and anti-censorship adults in my life might pause at exposing me to. I remember picking up a copy of “Speak” by the young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson and declaring I was going to read it next. My teacher frowned slightly and sent a note home with me. Although I wasn’t aware of it at the time, I now know that the contents of the letter were simple: “Are you alright with your daughter reading a book that directly deals with the rape of a teenage girl?” To my parents’ credit, they allowed me to read the novel despite the content. Once I got going, I was unstoppable. The book took my breath away. It was unlike anything I had ever read before. It didn’t shy away from its taboo subject matter and it revolutionized the way I thought about my world. Reading “Speak” was the gateway to my interest in fighting against rape culture and victim blaming, it filled me with even more love for reading and left me with an almost religious devotion to Halse Anderson. I tore through more of her books (“Fever”, “Wintergirls”, “Catalyst”) and had similar experiences with them. That was six years ago, and since then “Speak” and its remarkable influence has not left me, nor has my respect and admiration for its author. Suffice it to say, when I found out that she would be speaking at Clarke Central High School I was thrilled. This woman shaped my formative understanding of the world. As I sat in the media center, I was spellbound as I listened to her speak eloquently about her
refusal to be afraid of book banners who reviled her for writing about topics “unsuitable for children.” Without her willingness to tackle forbidden topics I might have never broken out of my sheltered and naïve bubble. Hearing her speak made me feel as though I was bursting that bubble all over again and filled me with reverence for the profound effect that her writing
When I found out that Halse Anderson would be speaking at Clarke Central High School, I was thrilled. This woman shaped my formative understanding of the world. had on me. If I hadn’t had the transformative experience of reading “Speak” I might not think twice about the beliefs that I now hold at the core of who I am. That’s what authors like Halse Anderson do, for me and for young readers like me. They provide a safe way to learn about issues that I will hopefully never encounter. It’s terrifying that things like rape are out there, but Halse Anderson gave me a way to connect to the world around me and taught me to see reading as not just an escape but as a gateway to greater understanding.
Cartoon by Audrey Hinkle
Right: BREAKING THE BAN: Young adult author Laurie Halse Anderson’s controversial book topics have been the subject of criticism due to their risque subject matter. Despite the push back from those opposed to Halse Anderson’s unorthodox themes, she continues to write young adult literature that exposes teenagers to the real world.
February 2014
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SPORTS Returning to Cedar
The box score Photos by Chad Rhym
Above: FRESH TEAM: Amelia Delamater practices her swing with her teammates at a varsity girls tennis practice. This season, the team includes four freshman who all play for the Clarke Central High School team while taking private lessons.
Quality over quantity
The girls soccer teams had fewer girls tryout this spring than in previous years, but according to firstyear head coach Chris Hulse, the girls are in a good position to make improvements. “Tryouts went very well,” Hulse said. “I think they were much better organized than they were during the two years I served as the JV coach. I think they will serve as a starting point to a great deal of improvement.” Despite having 29 girls try out this year, Hulse is not concerned with the roster and believes each of the girls will get a chance to play substantial amounts of time. “There are swing players who play both JV and varsity games,” senior varsity player Kimberly Shumaker said. “It gives the JV girls more chances to get better.” Not only does Hulse believe the girls have enough players to succeed, he also says the small rosters will benefit the team. “The most successful teams in our region, and in fact the state, have smaller rosters than we had last season,” Hulse said. “When we play Flowery Branch for example, who has finished ranked in the top 10 the past two years consecutively, their JV always fields five or six varsity players.”
Tennis turnaround After years of competing in individual matches, freshmen Caroline Caldwell, Isobel Crain, Amelia DeLamater and Maddy Jenkins have earned places on the Clarke Central High School girls varsity tennis team. According to varsity girls tennis head coach Stephen Hinson, the experience the freshmen bring will reinvigorate the girls tennis program. “In the past couple of years we have not really been competitive, especially last year. Our girls tried their best, but they were really inexperienced,” Hinson said. “I think immediately they are going to make us competitive at the region level.” The girls previously knew each other as classmates, but in terms of tennis, they were rivals until now. “We’re usually on separate teams because we all play at different places, but we’re all together here,” Crain said. In addition to playing together on the CCHS team, Caldwell, Crain, DeLamater and Jenkins will continue their private lessons. “I go to school tennis, and then country club tennis,” Jenkins said. “It’s like a new experience -- I’ve never even played on a team where there was doubles.” Although, training and competing at two different places will be demanding, the girls look forward to playing for CCHS. “I’ve always wanted to play high school tennis, and I think it’s cool to be a part of a team,” Caldwell said. “Everyone wants to be there. I think we’ll all become really good friends.” Hinson believes the new talent will usher in a new era for the girls tennis program. “I think the next four years it’s just going to be a completely different outlook on things,” Hinson said. “It will make the other kids take it more seriously and continue to work hard and, I can continue developing our less experienced talent also, it’s just going to get better and better.”
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-- Henry Scott, Sports Writer
Former Cedar Shoals High School teacher and coach Scott Wilkins is returning to CSHS in July of next year as the head football coach. He previously held the position from 1990-2008, and led CSHS to a region championship in 2002, and a sub-region championship in 2006. CSHS Athletic Director Roger Edmonds hopes Wilkins’ past success will carry into next year. “He’s a players coach in terms of seeing things that other coaches might not see,” Edmonds said. Although he taught at Athens Academy for six years, Wilkins remained a part of CSHS. “( Wilkins) never left this community, and stayed very connected to our school,” Edmonds said.
Down the track
Clarke Central High School gained two new track coaches for the 2014 season. Shot put and discus coach Chris Johnson came to CCHS as an addition to the track team’s coaching staff. Johnson had not coached prior to his hiring, but had experience in competing in both shot put and discus events. After 20 years of coaching in Walton County, Stephanie HinesSmith was hired as the new assistant coach for girls track. “Right now she’s just motivating all of the ladies to do well, remember form and always run through the line,” senior sprinter and long jumper Amber Richardson said. Hines-Smith will oversee all womens events, but specializes in coaching sprinters and relays. “(CCHS is) much better, much stronger across the board in all events in comparison to other schools I’ve coached at,” Hines-Smith said. All of the athletes who went to state last year are back again this season. Thomas has high expectations for both the girls and boys teams as well as for the new coaches. “I think we have two exceptional coaches and I know they’ll do great in coaching our athletes this year,” Thomas said.
February 2014
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Audibles
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This has been the best student support that we’ve had in years. Even at the games that no one else goes to, we have a big student section.
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DR. JON WARD, Athletic Director, on the larger student body support at CCHS sporting events this year.
I think the ref is terrible both ways.
Above: TAKE IT TO THE RACK: Senior forward Cameron Johnson drives baseline to score a layup. CCHS played their last game of the season at home against Tucker High School on Feb. 22. CCHS was eliminated from the 2014 AAAAA Boys Basketball State Tournament with a loss of 72-53.
End of an era Both Clarke Central High School varsity basketball teams’ seasons came to an end in the first round of the Georgia High School Association state tournament on Feb. 22. The games took place at Clarke Central High School where the girls (19-5) lost to Stephenson High School 62-45, and the boys (26-2) lost 72-53 to Tucker High School. “It’s kind of hard when you’ve got two days in between before you play, but I felt like our girls were playing pretty well,” head girls varsity basketball coach Carla Johnson said. The girls basketball team finished their 2013-14 campaign 19-5 overall, 15-4 in Region 8-AAAAA play and 2014 Region 8-AAAAA Champions. “I was proud of the effort that these young ladies have given us,” Johnson said. “It’s a tough loss at home. I really thought we could’ve played a lot better tonight.” The varsity boys basketball team also ended their season after suffering a loss to THS of 72-53. “We didn’t make shots,” head boys varsity basketball coach Andre McIntyre said. “I give credit to Tucker because every time we made them run, they came down and made shots.” The boys finished their season with a 26-2 overall record, a perfect 16-0 region record and the 2014 Region 8-AAAAA championship. “I told the kids that from day one until the last buzzer, they gave us everything this year that they had,” McIntyre said. “They fought throughout the year, they continued to battle and they found a way to win.”
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WAYNE HOOSE, Habersham Central parent, on what he considers to be poor calls made by the referee during the CCHS vs HCHS boys varsity soccer game resulting in a win for the Gladiators with a score of 1-0.
I came in seeing what we had and I was kind of shocked and kind of doubted the team at first, but later on in the season I got proven wrong.
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C.J. LAGUINES, senior, on the wrestling team’s win of both dual and traditional titles in the same year.
We had a smaller team than in previous years, but worked hard enough to make up for it. BARBARA KIPREOS, junior, on the swim team’s smaller turnout’s affect on their season.
Photos by Chad Rhym
-- Kevin Mobley, Sports Writer
-- Compiled by Sports Staff February 2014
Above: DOUBLE TIME: Due to having a roster of only 29 players, the girls soccer team has been forced to use a new system where selected players play both junior varsity and varsity. These players are known as swing players. odysseynewsmagazine.net | ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE | 37
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Called to Coach Head junior varsity basketball coach Travis Techo has had a passion for basketball for as long as he can remember.
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ravis Techo has had basketball in his blood Travis began attending North Gwinnett High School in 2005. His career all along. began by earning a spot on the freshman basketball team. In his sophomore “I knew I loved basketball from the beginyear, Travis played on the junior varsity team, but was able to earn a slot on the ning,” Travis said. “I would come home from football practice with my girdle, varsity squad as well. knee pads and thigh pads on and shoot baskets in the driveway at night after “(Travis) was an up-and-coming basketball player at North Gwinnett,” NGHS football practice. I knew basketball was my passion.” head varsity boys basketball coach Len Garner said. “He was playing point Travis was born and raised in Suwanee, Ga. and enjoyed a lifestyle that balguard as a backup, and that’s when we really took off as far as a player-coach anced a tight-knit family, school and sports. relationship.” “I was always supported,” Travis said. “You need that as a student-athlete to In his junior year, Travis became the starting varsity point guard for NGHS, a really strive.” spot he would maintain for the next two seasons. Travis feels that his parents, Mark and Lisa, were instrumental in his upbring“I had to win with heart, guts and playing my hardest every night,” Travis ing. said. “I played against a lot of guys that are playing in the NBA now or playing “My parents were able to overseas. I went back and saw a list provide a lot, so I was very the other day, and I was just amazed “He was so tough; he always shows heart.” fortunate in that,” Travis said. “I how I was able to survive.” got everything I ever needed, and Despite receiving scholarship -- MARK TECHO, most of what I wanted. I was very offers from small universities around Travis Techo’s father blessed to have two hard-working the country, Travis decided to enroll parents.” at the University of Georgia in the fall On the court, Travis played for of 2009. his father, who coached him until the age of 12. During his first two years at UGA, Travis was unsure about the career path he “I didn’t give him any breaks,” Mark said. “I expected a lot out of him. He wanted to take. was so tough. He always shows heart. That’s what I appreciated about him.” “I thought I wanted to be a business major at the University of Georgia, Mark also wanted to instill a valuable lesson in his son. go into marketing,” Travis said. “I kind of wanted to be around sports or the “If you’re happy with your performance, you’re a champion,” Mark said. “You outdoors, but I had no idea.” know that you gave everything you’ve got, no matter what the outcome, and In the summer of 2011, after finishing his sophomore year, Travis realized his that’s what I tried to teach him at a very young age.” calling, rekindling the fire of an old passion - basketball. Travis knew that in order to succeed in basketball, he would have to perseThis time, as a coach. vere and remain determined. He then sent emails to schools across Athens in hopes of landing a coaching “You’ve got to be tough to make the team and the numbers aren’t really in job. Clarke Central High School was the only school to respond. your favor,” Travis said. “That really drove me to be competitive and work my “At the time, I was a new coach, so I was looking to bring in another coach tail off to try and get where I wanted to be.” who we knew that we had a position for,” head varsity boys basketball coach
BY KEVIN MOBLEY Sports Writer
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February 2014
“It’s not wins or losses, it’s to get the most out of these kids.” -- TRAVIS TECHO, JV basketball coach Photos by Porter McLeod
Andre McIntyre said. “I had just lost my freshman coach. I was looking at some guys and I got his email. I was like, ‘OK, let’s give him a look.’” McIntyre offered the 20-year-old college student his first coaching position on the spot. “Just talking to him, looking at his passion and his understanding of the game of basketball, I would say I felt comfortable,” McIntyre said. “There was just something. We clicked.” After accepting his new position, Travis re-routed his career plan, switching his major from business to social studies education. “I loved history growing up, I still love it,” Travis said. “That’s what I want to teach. I had some great social studies teachers that really impacted my life and being able to have that opportunity as a teacher would be such a great platform.” As the freshmen coach and a varsity assistant in his first season at CCHS, Travis faced many challenges. “All of the good freshmen played junior varsity, so I was left with one guy that had made the eighth grade team,” Travis said. “The talent level was obviously not there, but the kids worked hard and really exceeded expectations in that way.” The following year, Travis felt more secure in his role within the program. “The comfort level of being in my second year was far greater than the first year,” Travis said. “Now in Year Two and Year Three, I feel like I can tell McIntyre anything that I see on the floor, and he’ll take it.” Based on his emerging confidence, Travis was able to become more creative in his coaching methods. “We were able to attack things differently at practice,” Travis said. “That made it more fun and more challenging to the players and to me to come up with new things.” Sophomore Ellis Flurry, one of the members of the 2012 freshman team that Travis coached, feels that Travis hammers home the attributes in his players that made him a successful high school player. “He’s really intense because he played guard. He treats us all like guards,” Flurry said. “He wants us to be fast and he wants us to be ready for anything, ready to play any position and to shoot.” In the summer of 2013, Travis was promoted to junior varsity head coach. He was able to advance alongside the players on his 2012 freshman squad. “I was excited to get another year with my same guys from last year, keep building on that team chemistry, keep pushing them and being able to work them harder and expect more out of them at the JV level,” Travis said. Travis’ goal is to advance to a varsity head coaching position, but for now, he hopes to provide a support system for his players at CCHS. “It’s not wins or losses,” Travis said. “It’s to get the most out of these kids, be a positive influence to them on the court, off the court, in the community and then you get to throw in basketball with it. It’s a win-win situation for me.” McIntyre feels that Travis’s avid self-evaluation will enable him to climb the coaching ladder. “He’s willing to become a better coach,” McIntyre said. “He realized that there’s a lot for him to learn about the game of basketball and coaching, and he’s going to be an outstanding coach. Maybe I’ll be his assistant one day.” Techo wants to use coaching, at any level or school, as a means of having an impact on the lives of his players. “I believe my calling is to have this platform -- coaching basketball -- and spend all this time being a positive influence where there needs to be a positive influence,” Travis said.
Opposite: PASSION DRIVEN: Head junior varsity coach Travis Techo shows his passion for basketball in his coaching career daily. Above: YOUNG GUN: Techo paces the sideline during a game against Gainesville High School on Jan. 10.
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Putting in time
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ach year in high school, from November to January, I have spent my days on the red and gold mats that make up the floor in our wrestling BY AUSTIN DEFOOR Public Relations Manager practice room. I’ve seen major changes to the wrestling program during the last four years. Some of these changes include getting a practice room of our own, seeing new assistant coaches join the team and watching the 14 starters shift each season. I’ve even seen myself change. Something I had never before witnessed, though, was what our team -- in what our coaching staff deemed a rebuilding year -- was able to accomplish this season. Before students return for spring semester classes each year, Clarke Central High School hosts the Area 8-AAAAA team duals tournament. The tournament serves as a qualifier for the state team duals, with the top two finishers in each sub-region for all of the respective classifications earning berths to the state tournament in Macon, Ga. This is the meet that teams prepared for from the beginning of the season. After several weeks of preparation, we walked out of our home gym on Jan. 4 with an area championship title and a trip to Macon. We weren’t done yet.
Our next sights were set on winning the Traditional Area tournament, where the top four wrestlers in each weight class automatically qualify to go to sectionals, the first round of the state individual tournament. Despite the tournament’s undertones of individual competition, CCHS was in a race with Flowery Branch High School and Loganville High School to secure the second area title of the season. For the first time in CCHS history and in head coach Tim Stoudenmire’s 19-year coaching career, the team was able to secure both the team and Traditional Area championship titles in the same season. The coaching staff has constantly attributed our team accomplishments this year to the senior leadership dynamic evident in the practice room, an element absent in recent years. It makes me proud to be one of those seniors, and even more proud to be a member of the team that “did it,” that had the character to carry each wrestler to new heights. My experience as a wrestler at CCHS has been unexplainable It was a wild journey that I will never forget, wrestling is something that will always be a part of me. Above: DOUBLE TROUBLE: This year, the wrestling team received titles of both dual and traditional champions for the first time in Tim Stoudenmire’s 19-year coaching regime.
Long overdue After lacking a student section for the past few years, CCHS students have come out in astounding numbers to support their basketball teams.
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’ve always been a football over basketball kind of girl. I enjoy the adrenaline you get from witnessing a 60-yard-touchdown run. I just never got that feeling while watching basketball. However, that changed my freshman year at Clarke Central High School when I went to my first high school basketball game. CCHS has always played fast-paced and exciting basketball, but I couldn’t understand why the student section was practically nonexistent. In years
BY AMY HOYT Sports Writer
past, the only time there was a good turnout from the students to support the Gladiators was when they faced crosstown rival Cedar Shoals High School. Fast forward two years and the student section has become something students actually want to be a part of. Although the number of students at the girls game is significantly less than at the boys, there’s still been an increase in the number of students coming to watch both teams play. Everyone makes sure they’re seated and ready to cheer for CCHS before the starting lineup for the boys.
Carrying their energy from the student section at the football games right into basketball season, a few members of the baseball team: seniors Tyler Boon and Patrick Matthews and sophomores Connor Boon, Trevor Jackson and Trip Thompson, along with other excited fans, have been a prevalent part of the newly emerged student section. The five have attended games in retro CCHS jerseys, painted their faces and made signs for the games. They’ve become a staple of the student section. “It was something fun to do. We also wanted to support the team, it always helps when you have support from your classmates,” Jackson said. At any high school, having a good student section can create a tough atmosphere for opposing teams, a good student section can change the outcome of a game. I can only hope that this type of support carries on for years to come.
Left: SUPPORT SYSTEM: Members of the CCHS baseball team come out to support their fellow classmates at sporting events such as basketball games. Cartoon by Ella Sams
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Photo by Austin DeFoor, Photo illustration by Robert Walker
After four years of competing, senior Austin Defoor reflects on his time on the Gladiator wrestling team.
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Wrestling history Varsity Wrestling team wins at Traditional Championships. Jack Germain
Game day ritual: “Listen to music and focus on my goal for the race for at least five minutes.” Favorite game memory: “This year at the invitational meet when we made the state cut for our 200 free relay. No one thought we could do it, including us.” What coaches say: “He is a very motivated and hard-working athlete both in practice and at meets. He has very good swimming technique and is very coachable. He contributes a lot to the team and is very supportive of everyone on the team.” -- Emily Dowd, head coach
ODYSSEY Star Players are selected based on their academic standing and commitment to
teammates, their sports program and Clarke Central High School. Star Players are selected each month by the Sports staff based on interviews with players and coaches.
Sofia Lopez
Grade: 9 Sport: Freshman basketball Years experience: 8 GPA: 4.0
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n Feb. 1, the varsity wrestling team recorded a championship performance at the Region 8-AAAAA Traditional Championships. Eleven wrestlers placed in the top three in their respective weight classes. Among those, freshman Justin Barnett and junior Josh Williams were champions. The title comes one month after securing the 8-AAAAA Duals Championship, the first time in program history that both have been achieved in the same season. “Once we got into an actual region competition with all the other schools and then performing as well as we did, I felt like we could be a real threat to win the traditionals and qualify a lot of guys for (sectionals),” Stoudenmire said. “I felt really good coming out of (duals) weekend.” The team’s performance this season has come as an astonishment to Stoudenmire and his staff. “We graduated so many guys last year that had a lot of experience and success,” Stoudenmire said. “I fully expected this year to be what most coaches call a rebuilding season.” Stoudenmire feels that there is a new dynamic to the 201314 team compared to last year’s squad. “Last year, we had more athletic ability and more wrestling talent and had absolutely no leadership,” Stoudenmire said. “This year, we have less talent, but we have so much leadership.” The team will compete at the 8-AAAAA East Sectional competition at Cambridge High School in Milton, Ga. Twelve of the 14 members of the varsity wrestling team will compete. “I don’t know if we’ll have the same results because the sectional is twice as hard as the region, but at the same time, the way we’ve been wrestling, I don’t put anything beyond this team,” Stoudenmire said. BY KEVIN MOBLEY Sports Writer
Grade: 11 Sport: Varsity swimming Years experience: 11 GPA: 3.8
Game day ritual: “Think about what I am going to do first and then listen to music and calm down.” Favorite game memory: “We were losing by five points and then I made a three and then we ended up winning the game by about eight points.” What coaches say: “Sofia is a hard worker and responds very positively to her coaches. Once she gets more experience, she will capitalize on her potential and contribute greatly to the Lady Gladiator program.” -- Lawanna Knight, head coach
Photo by Chad Rhym
Above: TANGLED: Sophomore Patrick Isip and freshman Bangahly Touray continue to train although the wrestling regular season is over, for post season competitions.
Photos by Porter McLeod
February 2014
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1. IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY “I have two brothers and they are both head coaches and I’ve coached a lot in my career. I coached track, but after I was married and had children, I felt like I needed to make a decision to specialize in one sport. I chose wrestling because it was a sport that I excelled in the most as an athlete.”
2. ROUTINES “I just always brought in the notion that what I lacked in ability I could make up for with hard work, and that’s carried on into my 40s I still train. I actively participate in triathlons and wrestle with the boys in our wrestling room.”
3. FOOTBALL WAS NOT FOR ME “My University of Georgia football career was very limited. I went to UGA at a very bad time as far as being a kicker, when Jon Casey was there. Jon ended up being one of the most successful kickers in the NFL and I was no way his caliber, so I was a third-string guy at best. After my sophomore year, I made a decision to focus on getting a degree, getting an education and becoming a coach. I had very limited playing time, but it was a positive experience and I enjoyed doing it.”
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STOUD
4. STRONG BONDS “I think more than any year, the relationship we have inside our wrestling room with the coaches is stronger than ever. It’s a neat bond. We don’t have a really big roster and we don’t have a lot of depth or a lot of experience coming back, but we have a group of a lot of boys that are dedicated to what we are asking them to do.”
5. OVERCOMING THE UNEXPECTED “In 2012, I was hit by a car. I was on a bike training, and a girl struck me from behind and I sustained a number of life-threatening injuries. It was a long, eight to 10-month recovery, a number of surgeries and a lot of issues to deal with that I am really blessed and fortunate to have overcome. Most people who get hit by cars don’t survive, so I’m really fortunate that I did. It was a life changing event. One second you’re going down the road at 20 miles-per-hour and the next second you’re upside down. It was difficult, but at the same time you see things differently and appreciate things a lot more. You will rarely take anything for granted and especially the ability to be physically active. I don’t take for granted being able to come to work everyday and have a good job.”
BY TIMOTHY STOUDENMIRE, head wrestling coach AS TOLD TO KENDARIUS STURDIVANT PHOTO AND PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PORTER MCLEOD
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Finishing last. Although many student athletes dominate on the field, their dedication can cause them to fall behind in their academics.
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Cartoon by Mary Merritt
ake up. Go to morning drills. Sleep through first period. Try to catch up. Fail. Give up. Go to practice after school. This is the life lived by student athletes on all levels. Athlete literacy was researched by University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill reading specialist Mary Willingham from 2004-2008. Willingham found that out of 183 football and basketball players at UNC, 60 percent read between fourth and eighth-grade reading levels. She then received death threats and rude messages for showing concern and revealing the truth. UNC is a highly competitive school with only a 27.6 percent acceptance rate of applying students. It would be difficult for athletes who struggle with reading and writing to keep up with other students attending UNC. Student athletes should be held to a higher standard of performing as well in the classroom as they do during their practices and competitions. If there are students going into college not being able to read and write, the problem started before they got there and could not handle their work. How come student athletes seem to be able to understand the plays in their playbooks, but fail to grasp the plays they read in their English classes? As of October of this year, the grade point average required for incoming freshmen wanting to obtain athletic eligibility to play a collegiate sport with a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I scholarship was raised. This new, higher GPA of a 2.3 applies to the class of 2015. While this is a raise from what the previous requirement was at a 2.0, this bar is still set too low. A 2.3 GPA is equivalent to a 78 or a C average. If a 2.3 GPA is all that is required to get into college, student athletes will likely stop when they get to that point and not push themselves further because of the lack of further motivation. If athletes are doing poorly in their classes, the problem could be due to the inability for them to understand what is being taught because of lack of the ability to read or write at
appropriate levels. At Clarke Central High School, an athlete needs to be passing five out of seven classes in order to even practice with their team by the time eligibility checks arrive in December. “I think if you talk to most coaches around the school it’s generally around two to three, in very rare cases, four kids for their season that fall into the trap of ineligibility,” Play It Smart Coach Erik Kriebel said. If student athletes struggle to keep up with their workload in high school, imagine their dilemma in college. If the issue of athlete illiteracy is not fixed before high school, athletes will go through the recruitment cycle and be accepted to schools at which they are under prepared and unqualified to take classes. According to Kriebel the CCHS football team had an average GPA of 3.1 this previous year, but he hopes to raise this average this year by providing three hours of tutoring a week and doing regular grade reports every two weeks. “We want to improve our students reading scores. Reading and reading comprehension is really the key that unlocks so much of your work,” Kriebel said. “I think all of our teachers and coaches value this and it’s just a matter of us constantly staying on top of our young people about their academics.” Programs like these are the start of preparing student athletes for the next step in their careers. It’s time to start raising the bar before it’s too late for these athletes to catch up.
Above: SPORTS SCANDAL: Some college athletes are unable to keep up with their course work due to not having high enough reading levels or test scores, but continue to be recruited to upper level colleges. “It’s a big deal when you have places of learning like (the Universty of) North Carolina with pretty good academic tradition and all of a sudden, you are giving people (passing) grades,” Play it Smart Coach Erik Kriebel said.
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Above: SLAM DUNK: Senior point gaurd Donavin Thompson dishes an alley-oop to fellow senior guard Jaquan Dowdy. “This year’s team is definitely a team that really wants to win. I see it in everybody’s eyes. Every time we hit the court I just see that we want to win,” Thompson said.
The varsity basketball seniors have played together nearly all their lives. With bonds so strong, it seems like the ...
Seniors have a sixth sense
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ith a 16-0 region record, the Clarke Central High School varsity boys basketball team was one win away from clinching the No. 1 seed in the 8-AAAAA Region Tournament. Their opponent on Jan. 31: Loganville High School, the same team that prematurely ended CCHS’ 2012-13 season with a 54-51 defeat in the first round of the region tournament. “I think everybody remembers that game,” forward and co-captain Cameron Johnson said. “We didn’t want that same feeling.” This night, the feeling was different. Every time the Gladiators began their attack, the ball was in point guard Donavin Thompson’s hands. From there, the ball flowed. Donavin found Cameron, who quickly passed it back to Donavin, who then spread it to guard Austin Johnson, who then passed it to forward Dequan BY HENRY SCOTT Sports Writer
Ellison for an easy lay-up. A minute in, 7-5 Gladiators. In a scrappy, hard-fought game, the Gladiators at times connected up to 13 passes in a row before eventually finding an open player for a lay-up. The highlight came when, on a fast break, Donavin found Austin inside with a nolook pass from near half court. With one minute remaining in the third quarter, 52-45 Gladiators. The game finished 65-59 in favor of CCHS. The Gladiators had clinched the number one seed. “It’s always nice to get back at someone who beat you. It’s like -- JAMONTE SMITH, getting a chip off your shoulder,” Dequan said. “Especially with senior guard what this game meant. Back in the locker room, it was like we had won the championship.” Throughout the game, the team’s chemistry is what set them apart. The bonds on the team go much farther back than the start of the current season. The basketball team’s success this year did not even start in high school -- or middle school, for that matter. Seniors Austin, Cameron, Donavin and Jamonte Smith have been playing sports together since they were in kindergarten. “I’ve been playing with these teammates since I was three,” Cameron said.
“We almost read each other on the court -- we know each other, every move.”
Featured: WE’RE ALL IN: Bottom, from left: Dequan Ellison, Donavin Thompson and Leroy Legette. Middle, from left: Austin Johnson and Cameron Johnson. Top: Jaquan Dowdy. Not pictured: Jamonte Smith. The seniors on the boys varsity basketball team share a bond that began much before high school.
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SPORTS “So I’ve known them (as long as) I could remember.”
“This last year has been great on the team,
These basketball standouts began building their camaraderie on the especially with playing with the people that football field. “We started playing football with CYA (Clarke Youth Association),” we have. It’s made us even closer. Every time Donavin said. “We started out playing football first, then basketball.” we touch the court, we get closer and closer.” It was not until fourth grade that Austin, Cameron, Donavin and Jamonte joined Team Athens, an independent basketball team that plays in the Georgia Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the same league where -- DEQUAN ELLISON, NBA standouts Dwight Howard and Josh Smith got their start. senior guard Jamonte, who is a guard, believes his teammates’ long history together is what makes them unique. sity team that season, said. “We got dogged around by everybody. We had a losing “The main reason why our team chemistry is so much better than other record and for the first few games we didn’t even have a win.” teams is because we started at an early age,” Jamonte said. “That’s a long time That year, half of the players on the varsity team roster were underclassmen, to be growing up and playing ball with a person. We almost read each other on and all seven of the Team Athens boys made the team. While they did not have the court -- we know each other, every move.” a winning record, this was the first time that this group of players were all At the start of eighth grade, guard Dequan Ellison and forward Leroy Legette brought together wearing the CCHS uniform. joined Team Athens. A year later, guard Jaquan Dowdy moved from Covington, With a year of varsity play under their belts, the seven felt ready to make a Ga., rounding out the team. splash at the regional and state levels for the first time in their junior year, the In their ninth grade year, the 2010-11 season, the Team Athens boys tried 2012-2013 season. out for the CCHS basketball team for the first time. Of the group, only Austin, “Last year we thought we had something good,” co-captain Leroy said. “We Cameron and Leroy made the varsity roster. were more mature and finally had a winning record.” “At the time, they weren’t ready to be varsity ball players,” CCHS basketHowever, after a promising regular season where they went 20-6, the team ball head coach Andre McIntyre said. “They weren’t strong enough, and they suffered the heart-breaking loss to Loganville in the first round of the region tourweren’t physically or mentally ready, but there was a need to have them there. nament, immediately ending their season and dreams of a state tournament run. We struggled the first year.” “It was a big, big, big disappointment,” Jaquan said. “It hurt us and we just The team ended the season with an 8-16 record and did not make the state didn’t want to lose.” tournament. However, things would get worse before they would get any better. The disappointment stung, but it helped shift the players’ attention toward their The 2011-12 season was the hardest. senior season. “Our 10th grade season was not good,” Dequan, who moved up to the varWith seven seniors on the team, expectations were high; and, having won Below: THE SQUAD: The seniors sit on the sideline before their game against Flowery Branch High School. “This year’s team is definitely a team that really wants to win. I see it in everybody’s eyes. Every time we hit the court I just see that we want to win,” Thompson said.
their first 17 games before a showcase tournament loss to Morgan County High School, they were living up to the hype. “We’re making a major statement (this season) because ninth, 10th and 11th grade it wasn’t as good as we wanted,” Austin said. “But this year we really think Photos by Chad Rhym and Porter McLeod
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SPORTS Left: ALMOST TELEPATHIC: Senior guard Jaquan Dowdy passes the ball to senior guard Austin Johnson as he cuts to the basket. After years of playing together, the varsity seniors feel the game is intuitive at this point. “The experience we all have together is amazing,” co-captain Cameron Johnson said. “It’s just a great feeling knowing where each other is going to be on the court without having to necessarily say it.” Below: FIRED UP: On Feb. 22, the CCHS varsity basketball team faced Tucker High School in the first round of the AAAAA Georgia Boys Basketball State Championship. Down at the half, varsity basketball head coach Andre McIntyre gave the team an inspirational speech.
we can go all the way. State Championship: that’s the only goal we really want.” McIntyre credits the change in his team’s fortunes to the players’ collective experience and maturity gained during the past four seasons. “I knew we had a good team coming back this year,” McIntyre said. “They’re battle-tested, they know what to expect. You can just see the confidence has definitely changed from when they were sophomores, even junior year. Now they just have a presence about themselves. There is a presence about this team.” The players have also noticed the new team mentality. “This year’s team is definitely a team that really wants to win. I see it in everybody’s eyes,” Jaquan said. “Every time we hit the court I just see that we want to win.” The understanding of each others’ playing styles has also gotten better with time. “I think that we have better chemistry than we had last year,” Leroy said. “It seems like something amazing happens every game.” Additionally, this being their last year playing together provides an extra incentive to do well. “Just being seniors, you know there’s no time to play around,” Cameron said. “You don’t have an extra year any more.” With the physical and mental maturity also comes the knowledge that, after 14 years for some of them, this will be their last year playing together. “It kind of hurts (to think that this will be our last season together), but it also feels good because I know that we’re going to go out strong,” Dequan said. “This last year has been great on the team. Every time we touch the court, we get closer and closer. It just feels good.” No matter how this season ends, or what happens next year, the players are enjoying the last chapter in their extraordinary basketball story. “It’s going to hurt to be split up and go to different schools and whatnot,” Jamonte said. “Hopefully, this will be a season to remember; that’s what we’re trying to make it.” Right: HELPING HAND: Senior forward Leroy Legette lends a hand to fellow senior guard Austin Johnson in a first round matchup in the AAAAA Georgia Boys Basketball State Championship. The Gladiators fell to Tucker High School with a final score of 72-53.
February 2014
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February 2014