2025 ICGL Study Tour Destinations
Ecuador:
Bringing a different angle to this year’s ICGL theme of food, the study tour to Ecuador will be primarily outside with a four day trek through the Andes, lead by junior Dean Mr. Ben Ewing and freshman Dean Mrs. Tamara Neiley. Starting on a dairy farm, students will spend two days learning about the farming practices as well as adjusting to the high altitude of the mountains.
“We get farm-fresh yogurt and dairy products with breakfast, and I am really looking forward to that breakfast,” Mr. Ewing said. After their time on the farm, the students will then start their four day “Zero Waste” hike, making sure they leave no trace behind. On this journey students will be faced with the challenge of hiking in high altitudes as well as carrying all of their food, water and supplies. “I am most looking forward to students being faced with challenges they may not have anticipated or imagined, and require them to work to a solution and work their way out,” explained Mr. Ewing. Then the study tour will travel to the eastern part of the country where they will go off the grid. During their time in the Amazon Rainforest, students will go canoeing and fishing. It is also important to keep in mind
that this trip is heavily weather dependent and is subject to change if there are any concerns.
Greece:
Starting May 30, sophomore Dean Mrs. Allison Tarvin, and ceramics teacher Mr. Ty Nicholson, will lead a study tour to Greece. To study their lenses of inquiry the travelers will go to Athens and Lesbos. The trip’s schedule will include visiting the ancient historical sites of those who previously conquered Greece. “So much of it is a mix of different countries and different cultures that have conquered Greece,” Mrs. Tarvin said. After taking a look at the country’s past, the study tour will shift its focus to migration in today’s age. The group will travel to an island about five km. from Syra, Lesbos. The island is home to
one of the largest refugee camps, where students will volunteer and meet those seeking refuge. From there, the tour will return to Athens and go to museums to see art, pottery, and of course, try the food. “My favorite thing there is a gyro, there is nothing like a real greek street food gyro, I mean my mouth is watering just thinking about it,” added Mrs. Tarvin.
Bali:
To start out this summer Guidance Counselor Mrs. Ellye Millaway will lead a trip to Bali, Indonesia, taking two groups to meet the high demand from students interested. After a long travel day of 25 hours, students attending the trip will begin studying the trip’s lenses of inquiry: Environmental Sustainability, Wellness, and Ethical
Tourism. To dive into Environmental sustainability, those on the trip will volunteer with Bye Bye Plastics, work with the Green School, and participate in a beach clean up. Hitting the second theme of the trip, students will participate in a mindfulness hike up a waterfall, enjoy a purification bath, and visit a sacred monkey forest to acquire knowledge of wellness. “I love animals, so I am most looking forward to the monkey forest. I heard the monkeys try to steal your trinkets and stuff, so I’m excited to interact with and see the monkeys!” said Mrs. Millaway. Those on the trip will also practice the importance of being respectful visitors and honoring the traditions of the Balinese. “We want to figure out how to (Continued on page 2)
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be ethical tourists when we come and take part in their spiritual traditions,” Mrs. Millaway said. To do this, students will go to temples and learn about Balinese traditions.
Germany:
The first group to depart this year will be the Germany trip, traveling from Jan. 10 - 20, led by history teacher Mr. Tim Hornor. The specific lenses of inquiry for this trip include Art History, Architectural History and the History of World War II. “There are many highlights to our trip,” Mr. Hornor said. The group will visit the concentration camp in Dachau, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and Hitler’s Bunker. “The [activity] that sticks with me is the visiting of the concentration camp in Dachau,” Mr. Hornor added. He explained how the site holds a special, paradoxical value to him, symbolizing the highs and lows of the German past.
“There’s no other country that has as terrible a history as Germany, but also, sometimes it’s overlooked that it has a magnificent history as well,” Mr. Hornor
said. Students should also get excited to visit Checkpoint Charlie, a place where a turning point in the Cold War occurred, displaying a pivotal time in history. Students will also see many aspects of the arts on this trip, such as the Bavarian Opera and the Bust of Nefertiti. Mr. Hornor is especially excited about this.
“Nothing is better than actually being in proximity to the place, the person, or the work of art,” said Mr. Hornor. The Germany study tour is jam-packed with marvels of German political, architectural, and art history, and the current workings of food in Europe. The travelers will venture all over Germany, hopping from Munich to Nuremberg to Berlin in just over a week.
Ghana:
Ms. Nikki McCrary, the DEI Coordinator of the Upper School, leads the trip to Ghana during spring break this year, from Feb. 27 to Mar. 8. The themes of the Ghana trip are Identity and Heritage, Cultural Exchange and Food Heritage. With Ms. McCrary, students will visit the castle where slaves were held before being forced overseas, traveling along the
coast, while exploring a few museums and going to a nature reserve. The students will travel through many parts of Accra and other parts of Ghana. Ms. McCrary also talked about how she plans to dive into the theme of Identity and Heritage. “We are going to be talking with some local leaders that will talk to us about what it means to be Ghanaian, their history and how they celebrate their culture,” said Ms. McCrary. Students also will get the opportunity to take cooking classes with local people, discuss how and where their food is sourced, and how they preserve it. “I’m actually looking forward to meeting the people of Ghana, the food, and also the things that they produce over there: the textiles, the ankara, their language,” said Ms. McCrary.
Italy:
A lucky group of students will travel to Italy with history teacher Mrs. Mindy Lawrence during spring break. To explore the themes of the Slow Food Movement, Sustainability and Cultural Awareness, Mrs. Lawrence has a full itinerary. There is a lot of farm exploration
planned, with the intention to observe the process of fresh food production. Students will watch buffalo mozzarella being made, attend a cooking class where they will make their own pasta from scratch and taste seafood straight from the Mediterranean sea. The group will specifically study the Slow Food Movement in Italy and the Blue Zones. They will also look into the history of the Roman Empire as well as the history of Italy, visiting essential sites such as the Colosseum and Pompeii. “It’s a combination of looking at the ICGL theme of food plus looking at the history of Italy,” said Mrs. Lawrence. Mrs. Lawrence explained how she is excited to visit Italy for the first time as a teacher of the Roman Empire, and to try the food, but she is most excited to do it all with the students. “I absolutely love going on ICGL trips because of the students I get to spend time with. I form these relationships with them, and that honestly is my favorite part of the experience,” said Mrs. Lawrence.
South Korea:
The South Korea trip will also be happening during spring break, headed by computer science teacher Mr. Charlie Bryant. There will be a lot happening on this trip, and Mr. Bryant is excited to explore a country with so much culture. “These trips are in the early stages of planning,” said Mr. Bryant. On the agenda so far is a trip to the demilitarized zone, cooking classes, and trying all kinds of classic, local South Korean foods. “I bet the students are gonna be really excited about the Korean barbeque. Personally, I’m really excited about trying some new seafood,” Mr. Bryant said. The themes of this trip are Food Systems and Culture, Korean History, and Global Religions. South Korea is a very diverse country, with people of many different religions, and the group will study how they all play a part in the South Korean culture. Temples and religious sanctuaries are bountiful in the country, and the group hopes to visit at least one. Relating to the theme of Food Systems and Cultures, the cooking classes will give the students an in-depth look on the culinary traditions of South Korea. “I’m sure [the cooking classes] will be an exciting point in the itinerary for a lot of people,” said Mr. Bryant.
Looking Into the Future of ICGL Tours
This winter, spring and summer break, the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL) will lead ten global study tours. These ICGL tours provide a rare opportunity for students to explore new communities and develop the skills to thrive no matter their location. In other words, the trips help achieve Pace Academy’s goal of creating confident and prepared citizens of the world. This year’s trips offer a diverse array of fun and exciting places to visit. Here are some other fun destinations that would make great ICGL trips in the future!
Brazil :
Brazil, known for its diverse wildlife, lush rainforests and amazing history, was an ICGL trip in 2022, and and according to junior Hayes Pollard, “It was an amazing trip, Pace should definitely do it again!” This gorgeous location would allow students the opportunity to deep dive into the origin of settlements in America and the effects of colonization and foreign rule. The Amazon, located in Brazil, also offers the perfect opportunity to study different species as well as deep dive into understanding our ecosystem. Not only would it provide an educational experience, but also a fun and gorgeous adventure. The tour could even camp near the Amazon for a few nights before heading into some surrounding cities. “Brazil is super fun, and really gorgeous. I would go back again if I could!” said sophomore
France:
Zambia :
Zambia, a country in Africa, is known for its waterfalls and wildlife that are like no other. The country is filled with exotic animals such as elephants, rhinos, cheetahs and giraffes. These animals live along the rivers as well as national parks which make it an amazing destination to do safaris or get up close to wildlife. Zambia also has the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls, this national park houses the greatest curtain of falling water in the world, and is an astounding view! Having students travel to such an environment provides a fun vacation and an exceptional trip to explore the wildlife and beautiful environment of southern Africa.
Although ICGL has led a tour to France, it has never visited Paris before. The City of Light, as many have called it, is admired for its flourishing achievements in the arts, architecture and history. The city remains one of Europe’s most prominent and influential cities. Paris is full of beautiful architecture such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Palace of Versailles. Visiting the Louvre Museum is also a once-ina-lifetime experience, allowing students to see world-renowned pieces and sculptures by some of the best artists in history. Students would also get the chance to visit the Seine river and Catacombs to see human impact on the city. Sophomore Ava Grant says, “I’ve always dreamed of
going to Paris. It’s one of those places where you feel like you just have to go at some point.” Paris’s charm also extends to its local markets, a broad array of cultures, and expert cuisine.
Croatia:
Located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is unique because of its thriving coastal cities and distinct culture. Cities such as The Old City of Dubrovnik make Croatia a dream for anyone interested in history. The city’s walls were completed in the sixteenth century, and the town has been almost entirely preserved. There are also over 1,000 islands near the coast of Croatia, leaving tons of land and sea to explore. There is a neverending list of activities to do on the land and water.
Hawaii:
“I would love for them to go to Hawaii! That would be so fun, and Hawaii is so pretty!” sophomore Eloise McDonald stated. With six major islands to visit, Hawaii is an amazing and adventurous destination. Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, marine life and volcanoes. Going to Hawaii would allow students the chance to go out on tons of marine adventures, whether it’s snorkeling or just swimming in beautiful waters, making it an amazing opportunity to go hiking in the mountains and see an active volcano. The trip would be an amazing addition to the ICGL tours next year!
Kitty Lubin.
ICGL went to Brazil in 2022, and many Pace students hope there is another trip there soon in the future.
Photo: PlanetWare
Exploring Different Clubs Around Pace
As we enter the school year, there are great opportunities to engage across the school and community with all the different clubs Pace students lead! Regular clubs around Pace allow people with similar interests to come together. Community engagement clubs provide opportunities to get service hours in different ways from volunteering or raising money. Pace offers a vast range of different clubs with this article only covering a small amount of them.
The Engineering Club is a hands-on learning experience for building a go-kart and learning about kart mechanics while building a cart. They have an allotted budget of $400 to use at each meeting to build. This year, they are working on a grasskart, being able to learn as they go along the building process. This year’s club leader is Senior Marco Juarez. “I joined the club originally because I have a passion for working on vehicles and am looking to study mechanical engineering and motorsport. My favorite moment from last year was when we finally got the motor of our cart to respond to the throttle pedal after struggling to get the water pump off the engine,” said Juarez.
Miracle Knights is a com-
munity engagement club at Pace that raises funds for the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta). All the money raised helps provide programs, purchase equipment, and fund facility renovations at the hospital to meet the needs of the children. The club is raising funds between now and the Dance Marathon, an event held sometime in January at Pace. At this event, you can meet some of the patient families treated, and dance and play games with the children. At each meeting, the club discusses fundraiser ideas and pushes for the group. “My favorite moment from last year was when we had a pickleball tournament to raise money, the turnout was great,” said Senior club leader Olivia Nelson.
The Self-Improvement Club is about guiding those who seek to better themselves, whether it is physically, mentally or emotionally. At each meeting, the club covers a self-improvementrelated topic, typically with the telling of a story followed by an actionable step that can be taken. Each meeting also has a healthy snack! “I wanted to run this club because I felt as though I’d found something beautiful in life that I wanted to share with others. My favorite moment was probably the meeting on stoicism we had last year because Roan and I dressed up in togas and it was a lot of fun immersing ourselves in the topic,” said junior Hayes
Pollard, the current leader of the club.
Knight Capital is a club dedicated to learning about the basics of investment. Thanks to the generous donation from a Pace parent, the club is allowed to manage a portfolio with real money. Each month they have a topic, with the first meeting of the month being an introduction, the second having a guest speaker, and the third sharing new ideas for stocks under the topic and deciding who will present
for a company. The last meeting of the month featuring a presentation and voting on whether or not they should invest. “It is a fantastic leadership opportunity and investing is something I really like to learn more about and am passionate about,” said junior John Hardesty, the current president of the club. La Amistad is another community engagement club at Pace dedicated to helping out kids of different ages and backgrounds in their education. They work
with kids from first grade to fifth grade from various schools in the area. At each meeting, the club helps each kid with their homework or plays educational games with them. “I love working with kids and just being around them so this club was great for me. I hope I can get others to enjoy it as much as I do,” said sophomore Lily Vadnais.
Softball Team Finds Success
The Pace Academy softball team has had tremendous success this year. Thanks to this team’s hard work, dedication, and new editions the team finished undefeated winning the AAAA Georgia High School Association region championship. This is the first time in history the Pace Academy softball team has gone undefeated in their region. Not only did the team go undefeated, but they mercyruled in every region game they played. The team even mercy-ruled schools outside the region like North Atlanta, Holy Innocents, Westminster, and even school rival Lovett scoring 14-0.
Kayla Cato, a former player at Claflin University, NYO coach, and fitness instructor has been a Pace softball coach for the past five years. For her fifth year, she took the place of Selena Collins-Patterson as the new head coach. Coach Cato implemented a “we over me” mentality. The girls focused on showing up for the team’s benefit instead of playing for personal gains and also picking up slack if necessary.
“My favorite part of the softball team is getting to know all of the girls in different grades. Since the team is so small, we all become super close and always lift each other up. Being on the team has taught me resilience, as a lot of times practices can be frustrating, but in the end, we all come together and figure it out to win games,”
The region champions were ready to face their opponents in the state playoffs, but sadly lost in the second round. This AAAA GHSA went far and set many records. This was arguably the best season yet!
Coach Cato has contributed so much to this team and the girls are so happy to have her fill Coach Collins-Patterson’s big shoes. Taylor Yates, a former player at Agnes Scott and a current NYO coach, stepped in as assistant coach for the Knights this season. Her positive attitude is truly contagious and brought out a new confidence in the girls. Two-year Pace Academy coach and Georgia State University softball alumni, India Davis, contributes to the team with her fielding tips. She can be intimidating at times, but she pushes everyone to strive for excellence because of her love of the sport.
Last but not least, Jason
Miller, a Pace middle school teacher and professional bus driver, has coached the team for three years.
When Coach Miller isn’t jump-roping, he is bringing his high school baseball knowledge onto the softball field. He is outstanding at hitting fly balls and has mastered the GameChanger mobile app. Coach Miller is the team’s unsung hero.
Many factors played into the team’s success including the new pitchers: freshmen Katie and Megan Wrigley. But the players’ chemistry was the key component to reaching their
achievements. The softball team is largely known as one of if not the closest team at Pace. “My favorite part of the softball team is getting to know all of the girls in different grades. Since the team is so small, we all become super close and always lift each other up. Being on the team has taught me resilience, as a lot of times practices can be frustrating, but in the end, we all come together and figure it out to win games,” said Senior Anna Kate Howell.
Having the skills, talent, and IQ is essential, but the bond among the teammates ultimately led the team to some of their
greatest feats this season. The players always have each other’s backs whether it’s on the field, in the dugout, or in the locker room. No one judges if someone messes up or makes a bad play. The girls uplift one another and are there to provide support and advice. “It has been easy to adjust to this team because of all the girls. They are so supportive of me and have taught me to never give up and how to clear my head in frustrating situations,” said sophomore Adryanna Cole. Softball and life in general come with struggles, but the girls make it all worth it.
Pace Seniors pose together on softball senior night
Miracle Knights raise money at an event in 2024.
Photo: Olivia Nelson
Photo: Fred Assaf
NCAA Debates New Scholarship Rules
In the past, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has had various athletic scholarship limits depending on which sport and which Division that team plays in. Division I sports have had an advantage with scholarships as they have always been allowed to have more for their players. Some conferences have had their own rules as well; for example, the Ivy League conference has not permitted the use of athletic scholarships. For some sports, the NCAA has only allowed full scholarships and has put limits on how many the schools can offer. These sports are known as headcount sports and they form
still a limit imposed, schools can break up scholarships. For example, if you have 10 scholarships and 20 athletes, you can offer each athlete a half scholarship. Equivalency sports include both Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Fencing, Swimming, Golf, Lacrosse, Cross Country, Track & Field and other sports as well. Now, the NCAA is trying to end scholarship limits and replace them with roster limits. They are doing so to avoid lawsuits that claim that the NCAA violated the Antitrust Law; different players paying more or less for their education. By introducing roster limits, getting recruited will be more challenging yet but more rewarding. “It’s definitely exciting knowing there is a possibility to earn more money by the time I go to college,” Pace Senior and Division I commit Miles Mador.
mentation of this would definitely benefit a lot of the guys I play with,” Mador said. If this is passed, there will be an increase in scholarships by roughly 790 across all Division I sports. This will also increase the amount of disproportionate scholarship per school athletic scholarships as it puts pressure on each institution to allow for unlimited scholarships. “I worry about the divide it will cause between schools that can and can not afford to use all [their] scholarships, [and] the culture of scout teams, which I think is generally understated, amongst teams that cut all walkons and only keep scholarships,” Assaf said. It is speculated that previous Alabama football head coach, Nick Saban, retired due to the ability for schools to win players over based on how much they are offering that player. It is evident that if this is put
NCAA’s Duke Devils and Virginia Caveliers tip off for their game. very competitive high school athletes with aspirations to go to college free of cost. Division I sports are the only ones that qualify as a headcount sport and for men they are only Basketball and Football while for women they are Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, and Gymnastics. On the other hand Equivalency sports include the NCAA Division II. For these sports, while there is
Depending on how the school spends their money, all athletes would have the opportunity to go to college without paying a penny. “My biggest excitement is [potentially] more walk-on type players getting the money they deserve for what they do for the team, not on game day,” said Pace Alumni and former Notre Dame football and Lacrosse player, Sam Assaf. “The imple -
into place there will be more capability for schools to recruit athletes through more money. The removal of headcount sports will also be implemented easing the requirement for only full scholarships. The only sport that wouldn’t qualify for a rise in scholarships would be Women’s basketball.
The Knightly News
966 West Paces Ferry Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30327 (404) 262-1345
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Published by students at Pace Academy
Member of Georgia Scholastic Press Association
Co-Editors-in-Chief:
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Managing and Opinion Editor: Harrison Silver
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Current Affairs Editor: Jiya Patel
Lifestyle Editor: Hayes Pollard
Sports Editor: Grant Chase
Web Content Editor: Sophia Webb
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Staff Writers: Kennon DeFrancis
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Campbell Hanna
Faculty Adviser: Mrs. Tamara Neiley
Tech Adviser: Matt Walker
The Knightly News Editorial Policy
The Knightly News is the student-run newspaper of Pace Academy. For 50 years it has reported the news that affects Pace, as well as the opinions of students.
The Knightly News is published by the students of Pace Academy, and approximately 500 copies are printed by School Publications Company.
The Knightly News welcomes letters to the editor and
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NCAA’s KU plays
We Need to Have a Conversation About Gun Violence
Apalachee High School, located in Barrow County, GA, is just 44 miles from Pace Academy. For a lot of families in our community, school shootings became a legitimate harsh reality in our world after what happened at Apalachee. 14 year old Colt Gray murdered four students and teachers and left several others injured. Colt has been charged with four counts of murder, and his father faces counts of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children.
School shooting. A term that is ugly and uncomfortable and disturbing. Associating a school with a shooting feels wrong, because it is. School is supposed to be a place of learning where children can feel safe, and ideally students and teachers help build a community centered around growth. A shooting, however, is an unpleasant, gloomy word that spells out tragedy. The fact that the term, “school shooting,” exists points to how the United States has normalized this recurring predicament. At the end of the day, isn’t the protection of our schools and the protection of children the most important thing? Why is it that after all of these “school shootings,” there has still not been a major adjustment in the system and policy of mental health, the isolation and bullying of students or even the access to firearms?
Stopping the violence in schools is important, not only to protect future lives but to ensure the memory of those we’ve lost is not in vain. Improving the policy surrounding mental health is a great step the U.S. can take to be safer. By looking at Colt Gray’s life for example, an outsider can see how mental illness absorbed his brain. Gray lived in a household filled with drug abuse, domestic violence, rage and irresponsible family
members. Both of Gray’s parents were addicted to painkillers and his mom was on meth. His parents beat him and did not show proper means of affection. This situation can make anyone develop a mental illness, and when this is not tended to, it can become more destructive. There are many people with mental illness who don’t respond with such violence and evil, so Gray does not exactly have an excuse for his unforgivable behavior. But, Colt was supposed to go to the school counselor the day he committed the shooting, and
ternet for how to kill his parents, via the Washington Post. Maybe meeting privately with a counselor would give Colt the opportunity to address his brutal home life and therefore be protected from his family. As well, teachers can play a major role in looking out for students because they are the watchful eyes over kids everyday. If teachers make themselves available to students as a trusted ally, kids can gain another person in their life to talk to.
Similarly to the protection of students’ mental well-being,
could cut off a possible lifeline for parents to make sure their children are safe during school shootings or other emergencies. Phones could be the device used to call parents, inform 911 of the situation or even leave messages that students fear could end up being final goodbyes.
Fortunately at Pace Academy, a benevolent community is grounded by carefully interested faculty and sympathetic students. “Pace does support its students because they have guidance counselors, deans and college counselors all to help
to feel the same level of security and personal connection. The access to firearms is the most controversial part of discussing school shootings. Some people are so fixated on their Second Amendment rights that they ignore the existence and sad reality of school shootings. For example, Alex Jones famously argued that what happened at Sandy Hook was a hoax filled with actors and he has since been found liable of defamation towards the families of the victims. While others who oppose gun control are
just one day
it makes anyone think that this situation maybe could have been prevented if Colt had made it to the counselor before he even entered his first class that day. More generally, the U.S. can create stronger policies around mental health by enforcing that troubled kids like Colt have to meet with counselors, especially because there were very obvious signs of affliction for years; he had been flagged online for threatening to commit a school shooting and searched the in-
schools have room for improvement on dismantling the isolation of students. Isolation, loneliness and bullying can collectively create mental illness, and it’s not a secret that isolation is felt heavier than ever in schools due to increased phone usage. However, with new widespread phone bans, many parents are outraged that schools may not permit students to have their phones in hand amidst a tragedy like Apalachee. Critics of phone bans argue that this restriction
console students throughout high school,” says senior Davis Trimble. Pace has succeeded in giving every student access to multiple trusted individuals, all with the goal of protecting the mental health of the student body. “I feel like when you go and make an effort to talk about mental health and not hide it, students feel good,” remarks senior Miles Glover. It’s assuring that Pace is not trying to hide the negative stigma that was once surrounded with mental health. Furthermore, Head of the Upper School Mr. Michael Gannon emphasizes that Pace is a tight-knit community focused on making sure every student has a trusted adult to talk to. “At its core though this is because we are a community that knows and cares for each other.” As well, the physical safety of the Pace community is nothing to be concerned about. “Pace routinely assesses the safety and security of our campus. I come to work each day because I believe it’s a safe place. There are visible elements to this like APD on campus,” continues Mr. Gannon. While Pace clearly has the resources to protect its community, it’s important that every school across
should
able
less extreme, there are statistics that point out that the access to firearms does have a correlation with the amount of mass shootings. According to a study from the National Library of Medicine and National Center for Biotechnology Information, higher rates of state-level gun ownership are associated with higher rates of K-12 school mass shootings. Looking back at how Colt Gray was allowed into a position to commit a shooting, it’s important to remember that he was given a gun and ammunition from his family. Even though some critics of gun control may argue that he could’ve gotten his hands on a gun anyway, the bottom line is that his access to a gun was way too easy for him. His father should not have even been allowed to buy a gun. If the U.S. can not agree on even slightly enforced gun control, (which is expected), the country must come together to find another reasonable way to protect our schools.
Schools should be prioritizing dialogue about the sad reality of these shootings in order to more effectively address the root causes of these incidents.
the country
be
The Apalachee community mourns the loss of Richard Aspinwall, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn and Christain Angulo
after the shooting.
Photo: CNN
Photo: New York Times
Healthcare
As vice president she reduced prescription drug costs and capped insulin at $35 under the Affordable Health Care Act. Promises to continue to lower drug costs and make insurance more accesible.
Foreign Policy
A staunch supporter of Ukraine. Supports a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. Advocates for winning the tech race against China. Supports democracy worldwide.
Democracy
Has contrasted her work as a prosecutor and district attorney with Trump’s 34 felonies and multiple ongoing criminal trials.
Economy
States she will reduce food and housing prices by banning price gouging. Plans to give subsidies to small businesses and incentivize new housing development. Will expand the Child Tax Credit and increase taxes on businesses and Americans making more than 400K a year.
Climate
As Vice President she helped the Inflation Reduction Act pass, which subsidized electric vehicles and renewable energy. In the 2020 primary debates she opposed fracking, but has since dropped her position and says she will allow it to continue.
Gun Control
Although she and vice presidential candidate Tim Walz both own guns, proposes tightening gun laws to prevent violence. However this effort will likely face opposition in Congress.
Reproductive Rights
Advocates for national legislation to enshrine abortion rights, but such legislation would be unlikely to pass in such a divided political environment.
Immigration
Oversaw immigration issues under the Biden administration. Record numbers of border crossings occured in 2023 but executive orders have since caused numbers to fall. Helped design and supports a bipartisan hardline immigration bill that would stem the flow of people across the border. However the bill did not pass because of pushback from Trump.
Hear what students are saying!
“I feel that I want a candidate who believes in human rights for all, and not a candidate who belittles people with differing opinions. I want the candidate whose beliefs are built off of her education and not someone whose beliefs are built off of ignorance. I want a candidate who loves all of America.”
“I support Kamala because she is someone who truly cares about this country, about the citizens, and wants to improve the USA. Also, I will not support Trump since he is a convicted felon, he is charged with sexual assault, has started a riot, has lied countless times, has started an insurrection, he is a racist, he is sexist and he only cares about protecting himself.”
“She’s protecting democracy.”
“Even though I don’t support many of Kamala’s policies, Trump and Project 2025 are a genuine threat to American democracy and many people’s rights.”
Why
“This election will shape a lot of aspects of the next four years of our lives. Understanding the candidates’ policies is part of our civil duty and even if you can’t vote it’s necessary to be informed as a citizen.”
Should
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE IMPACTS
As the election approaches, presidential campaigning has intensified, function as a way for candidates to express their opinions regarding controversial often debate multiple times, and the debates can lead to polls favoring more endorsements and donations.
LEFT 2024 ELECTION THE
The debate took place on Sept. 20, and was hosted by ABC News, leading candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The two candidates to abortion and foreign policy, differing greatly in their responses. The watching it live.
Often debates result in no candidate clearly coming out on bates can sway voters in swing states, which are crucial to winning the the two candidates, Vice President Harris received an overall increase ahead of trump.
Her polling average also increased in swing states such as North sylvania, however, Trump still has an overall higher polling average in increase in his polling average, with his only increased polling average advantage in the polls. Harris has received approximately a one percent Additionally, in the 24 hours after the debate, Harris received 600,000 people, and increased Harris’ financial advantage over Trump. $257 million in August, compared to the $85 million raised by Trump. Evidently, the debate has benefitted Harris’ campaign far more in the polls. As for another debate, there has been no firm decision, however dent Harris is ready for a second debate,” however, on Truth Social, Trump debate. Despite this, there are still chances for either side to sway voters, including a debate between the two vice presidential candidates on Oct.
Photo: Brian
ELECTION
Healthcare
Plans to repeal the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA). It would eliminate protections for those with pre-existing conditions. Would replace the ACA with a new plan that has yet to be detailed.
Foreign Policy
“Voting is the best way to express what your view of America is and your vision for what the country can be.”
Says he will end the Ukraine war and stop US financial support to Ukraine in goal to “restore peace.” Expressed his strong support for Israel. Has not explained how or if Ukraine would regain conquered territory. His plan for peace in the Middle East is yet do be announced.
MaintainsDemocracy
his defense of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Still believes that he won the 2020 election. Has refused to say whether he will accept the result of the 2024 election.
WillEconomy
institute more income tax cuts. Hopes to end inflation, and “make America more affordable again.” Plans to increase tarrifs on imports. Claims he will end inflation by lowering interest rates. Believes decreased immigration will lower housing prices.
Climate
Plans to continue to pull back on federal environmental regulations on businesses. Expresses skepticism about renewable energy and electric vehicles.
Gun Control
Aims to protect Americans’ rights under the Second Amendment to bear arms and is supported by the National Rifle Association.
Reproductive Rights
“So many people fought for the right to vote in this country. Even if you don’t believe your vote will matter, it’s the most patriotic thing to do. But since we live in a swing state, our votes matter a lot more.”
intensified, culminating in the recent presidential debate. Debates controversial topics, and to potentially garner support. Candidates favoring one candidate over another, in addition to candidates receiving News, resulting in it being the first presidential debate between candidates covered topics ranging from immigration and the economy, The debate was immensely popular, with over 67 million people top, however, debates often sway voters, and affect polls. Dethe election. Although polling averages remain very close between in her polling average after the debate, placing her marginally
North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and Pennin Georgia and Arizona. After the debate, Trump received a small average in a swing state being in Wisconsin, in which Harris still has an percent increase to her polls, overall.
received $47 million in donations. These donations were made by over Trump. Recently, Harris has been raising more than Trump, raising
more than Trump’s, giving her an advantage both financially and however it is unlikely. The Harris Campaign stated that “Vice PresiTrump stated that he would not participate in another presidential voters, with upcoming debates from other members of either party, Oct. 1.
Overturned Roe v Wade because of his conservative appointments to the Supreme Court. Sometimes says he will leave abortion up to states, sometimes says he would sign a national ban, and sometimes says he would not restrict mailing of abortion pills. Would most likely not veto a national ban on abortion if there are significant Republican majorities in both chambers of Congress.
PlansImmigration
to complete a wall along the southern border and increase enforcement. Promises mass deportations, though that would likely face legal challenges. Told Republicans to block a bipartisan border bill that would have decreased immigration during the Biden administraion. Hopes to achieve a secure border with Mexico.
“Actions speak louder than words. What has our current vice president done since she has been in office? She is now saying things she would do... she should talk about what she has done already... The only historical thing we will remember her for is being the first female Vice President ever.”
Hear what students are saying!
“The past 8 years have shown that our country was safer and more prosperous under Trump.”
“Trump is going to make America great again like he did last time.”
“I chose Donald Trump because he is better for the U.S. Economy. This is true because he will stop funding Ukraine using our tax dollars. He will also reduce taxes for the middle-upper class workers.”
“He will do a better job of protecting women.”
New Technology Bans Respond to Critisicm
Have you heard about the new phone bans in schools? Or about Instagram’s time and usage restrictions? As much of the community is already familiar with, because of increasing criticism and studies surrounding the negative effects of social media, school and apps around the country have began to take a stand. As technology continues to dominate, scientists, innovators and school administrators have responded with many new rules and restrictions, including phone bans and usage restrictions.
In a study done by scientists Jonathan Haidt and Nick Allen, it was discovered that the usage of technology and social media directly links to depression. Around the time when teens began to use social media in 2012, depression rates notably increased. Now in 2024, depression rates have skyrocketed. Before teens began to use technolgy, the avergae depression rate around the country was at around 12.5 percent. However, today that percentage stands at just under 25 percent. Although this study focused on depression, social media and phone usage also contributes to an increase in anxiety levels, violence, poor performance in school, and overall productivity.
Because of this study and thousands of others, many states have begun to implement phone bans during the school day. California governor Gavin Newsom passed The Phone-Free Schools Act, requiring a ban of
social media and phones during school hours. By July 1, 2026, all schools in the state will be required to ban phones. As of Sep 6, 2024, nine states across the country have banned phones in schools. Georgia is not one of them.
However, many schools in the state of Georgia have banned phone usage during school hours. The Marrieta City School Board recently voted to ban phones in their schools, requiring students to put all phones and smartwatches away for the entirety of the school day. Similarly, the Atlanta Public Schools have prohibited the use of all cell phones, watches, tablets, and headphones. The City Schools of Decatur and The Liberty County Board of Education in South Georgia have followed suit and implemented similar bans. Although many districts around Atlanta have implemented changes, some districts oppose phone bans. In a discussion between The Cobb County School District and Axios Atlanta, the district told Axios that will not be implementing phone bans during the school day. “Parents decide what is best for their children regarding phones, and teachers implement what works best in the classroom,” the district argued. Other districts in agreement include Clayton, DeKalb and Gwinnett.
In the Pace community, phone bans have been implemented in the Middle School, requiring Middle School students to leave their phones at home or with their parents before being dropped off at school. In the High School, while phones are not banned, many teachers require students to place their phones and watches into buckets
before sitting down in class. This is aimed to reduce distractions and increase focus and learning ability. In order to reduce phone and social media usage, the Student Advisory Board (SAB) is offering students the opportunity to participate in “unplugged”
days, where students can turn in their phones at the start of the school day. Once the school day is complete, students receive their phones back along with a prize. Junior Anna Kate Shelton mentioned how much she enjoys these day. “I feel so much more productive and spend much more of my time talking face-to-face with my friends. And when I make it through the whole day without using my phone, I feel very accomplished.”
A Gambling Epidemic is Sweeping the Nation
There are over 100 million adult gamblers in the United States according to American Attitudes towards Gaming. Due to the increased popularity of sites like FanDuel, Prize Picks and Betr gambling has become very easy to access. The average sports bettor loses 7.7 cents per dollar they bet. The saying “Vegas always wins” is truly a fact. Prize Picks and other sites give promotions that seem like free money, but in reality, they are traps to bet more. Promotions include .5-yard plays or deposit matches. These types of promotions convince people to deposit more money and inevitably lose more.
First, let’s get the slang correct. A parlay is multiple bets together with long-shot odds. A book is a website that you can place bets on, while a bookie is someone who manages the book and pays the money if you win. Money line is picking the odds that a team will straight-up win.
While spreading is how many points a team has to win by. If a team is -3.5, they have to win by more than 4 points to cover. However, if a team is +3.5 a team has to lose by less than or equal to 3 points for your bet to win.
Parlays and long-shot odds are a big money-makers for gambling sites. The idea that you can bet 10 dollars and win 100 is very addicting. However, the odds of you winning are very unlikely. You can place a 10 to win 100 parlay 12 times and win once, but you will still lose 20 dollars. The feeling of hitting that six-leg parlay is what keeps people addicted.
There are also tons of influencers that idealize gambling. People like SteveWillDoIt, Togi, Book it with Trent, or Drake stream themselves betting absurd amounts of money. However, most of the time they are sponsored by the gambling website and are not winning or losing any money. These types of bettors idealize gambling and show off expensive cars, however, they are not winning that money through gambling. Book it with Trent is popular for his
Americans spent 264 billion dollars on gambling in 2023 per quitgamble.com.
horrible picks, and many people purposefully pick the opposite of what he does in order to profit.
Underage gambling has also been on the rise. “I get multiple random texts a week telling me to get on a book,” said Senior Thomas Costanzo. Many schools around the country have illegal gambling books run by students. Since 2017 the revenue from gambling has grown 500% according to a chart on statista. com; the numbers rose from 50 million to 250 million.
Gambling will inevitably become legal in Georgia. It is
already legal in a multitude of states across the country. “Once gambling is legal I am excited to bet the Buffalo Bills money line every week,” said senior Charlie Costanzo.
One of the most profitable forms of gambling is a casino. Casinos are prolific for rigging games to give the player bad odds. Carnival games, slot machines and virtual websites like Stake. The longer you are at a casino, the more likely you are to lose. Casinos have tricks to keep you in the casino like pumping in oxygen to keep you awake,
having no clocks on the walls and giving out many complimentary treats. In 2023 casinos only in Las Vegas profited 15.5 billion dollars according to the Nevada Independent.
Gambling has become extremely popular in recent years. If you want to gamble and not lose a lot of money, do not bet on longshot parlays, keep your wager amount the same and play baccarat at casinos. However, gambling is difficult and you will most likely lose money.
Photo: Olivia Siskin
Junior Anne Weiss poses in shock to Instagram’s new bans.
Diving into the Past of Horror Movies
Apart from the decorations and candy, one of the best things about Halloween is the horror movie marathons. Every year, people gather to watch the art of horror filmmaking. We set out to watch and find the best horror movies that you can watch this Halloween.
Along with the classics, there are new movies coming out this year including, “Heretic” or “Smile 2.” Some of the favorites in the Pace community are “The Conjuring” or “Smile,” said Sophmore Ansley Vincent. However, you might be wondering about the origin of the genre
that sparks our interest around this time of year. If asked, many people would say the best horror movies were produced during the 70s or 80s, but the golden age of horror movies is considered to be the 20s and 30s. The classic film “Frankenstein” and the sequel “The Bride of Frankenstein” were just some of the movies made during this time. It was only beginning in the 30s that the word horror was even used to describe the genre. Even though this was the golden age of horror, the first ever horror movie was only made about 30 years prior. In 1896 “The House of the Devil” was created. The film was only three minutes long and included all the icons we associate with Halloween today such as skeletons, bats, cauldrons and ghosts. Of course, all movie ideas originated from books or poems written prior, but turning those ideas into films was revolutionary for the time.
Many subgenres have broken off from typical horror movies,
such as slasher movies, or horror comedies. Some people also enjoy watching horror movies in 4D, which allows the movie seat to move with the movie. No matter how you enjoy horror movies there is always an option for you. In case you need help picking a movie, Bennett and I have some of our favorite options for you.
New Movies:
“Barbarian”
“Ready or Not”
“A Quiet Place”
“Us”
“Hereditary”
“Unfriended”
“Get Out”
“Smile”
Cult Classics:
“You’re Next”
“It Follows”
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
“Scream”
“Saw”
“Jennifer’s Body”
“Speak No Evil”
Our Favorites:
Stiles: “The Strangers” Bennett: “X”
Uncovering the Origins of Halloween Stories and Legends
With Halloween up coming, you may be wondering where the well-known, spooky legends and stories come from.
“My favorite vampire is Dracula,” said sophomore Kitty Lubin. In the 19th century, the fear of vampires spread like fire around Europe. During this time, tuberculosis, also known as consumption, claimed the lives of entire families in the Northeast, in places like Rhode Island and Vermont. The disease caused the infected to appear as if life was being sucked out of them. Unsurprisingly, the symptoms of consumption were similar to the symptoms that Dracula’s victims were experiencing in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, published in 1897. However, by the end of the 19th century, German physician and microbi-
ologist Robert Koch discovered the tuberculosis bacteria and the vampire craze started to die out. Even though we can prove that vampires were not actually feeding on New Englanders, copies of Dracula have been in print for over 125 years and the superstition of vampires lives on to this day. “Last year I had to read and analyze Dracula for my English class,” said junior Noah Zinman, proving that vampire stories live on, even if just in literature.
Witches flying on broomsticks is another popular superstition. Witches are a very popular costume, often complete with a pointy hat and a flying broomstick. “When I was younger, I dressed up as a witch four times!” said junior Eliza Fogarty. Where did this notion of flying on a broomstick come from? It likely comes from what is known as the “broomstick dance.” The dance was used by farmers to boost crop growth. Rural farms performed this pagan ritual by dancing on and around poles, pitchforks
and brooms under a full moon. These dances became mistaken for witches flying through the night. Anxiety around witchcraft halted by the 18th century, but there are still people in the United States who self-identify as “witches,” though very few claim to fly on broomsticks.
Many Halloween enthusiasts
look forward to haunted houses, but few know that haunted houses only became a Halloween staple recently. “I always go to my neighborhood haunted house. It’s my favorite!” said freshman Gavin McGurn. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Halloween became a festival that young men and teenage boys dedicated to pranks and antics to blow off steam.
At first, it was a positive outlet, but the pranks became progressively harmful. When the Great Depression hit, these pranks only escalated. The boys would flip cars, vandalize the city, saw off telephone poles and terrorize their communities. The term “Black Halloween” picked up in popularity, drawing on “Black Tuesday” and the stock market crash. Many called for Halloween to be canceled, but instead, communities started working on a plan to keep the boys occupied. Trick-or-treating, parades, parties and the new idea of haunted houses were popular solutions.
The concept of haunted houses only grew in popularity and today, over 1,200 houses in America charge for admission.
At the same time, many other families and communities still participate by creating small-
scale haunted houses for free. Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is an iconic Halloween story. It tells the tale of a headless horseman who haunts the real-life village of Sleepy Hollow. In the story, the main character Ichabod Crane, a schoolmaster, arrives in Sleepy Hollow, a small New York town. He meets and pursues a young heiress, Katrina van Tassel; however, van Tassel is being courted by Dutchman Brom Bones. At the van Tessel party, Katrina rejects Crane, and he decides to leave the farm. While departing, Crane gets chased from the farm by a headless horseman who throws a pumpkin at him, knocking Crane from his horse. Ichabod Crane is never seen again. Irving likely got his inspiration from Sir Walter Scott, another writer, and Irving’s friend. Scott wrote The Chase, in 1796, translating the German poem The Wild Huntsman. “I’ve never read the book, but I watched the movie and really liked it,” said Senior Harper Auchincloss. Today, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is recognized as one of America’s first ghost stories and one of its scariest.
Tess Marshall arrives at her rental house and discovers its dark secrets in Barbarian.
Photo: Wikipedia
Photo: Look and Listen
A Haunted House sits in a spooky setting.
Photo: Flickr
The headless horseman chases Ichabod Crane, the main character in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Pop star Skye Riley prepares for her world tour while being haunted by the smile demon.
Photo: Rotten Tomatos
Prioritize Your Own Self Care
In today’s fast-paced society, prioritizing self-care is more crucial than ever. Self-care involves intentionally taking time to nurture both mental and physical well-being. “My #1 self-care habit is taking a cold shower every morning,” said Junior Dylan Nelson. Self-care comes down to 2 simple questions. What’s the #1 thing that ensures that you have a great day? Perhaps even more importantly: What’s that action that if you don’t do, you run a very high risk of having a bad day? Is it getting a good night of sleep? Is it taking a hot bath? Is it reading before bed?
Developing hobbies isn’t just about finding ways to fill your
time, it’s about finding meaning to fill your life. Hobbies are how we de-stress and flourish in life. So find a hobby. Whether it’s gardening, creative writing, painting or knitting, a hobby will soothe your mind and allow you to flourish in life.
We do things to take care of ourselves every day. We brush our teeth, wash our hands and listen to music. All of these represent the self-care we have for ourselves. Self-care is the practice of showing yourself the respect that allows you to arrive at self-love. It’s about spending time on yourself, with yourself. So take a walk, journal, meditate and take care of your mental health. Then, exercise, go for a run, do hot yoga and challenge
yourself physically. Because when we care about ourselves, we respect both our mind and body. The endpoint that selfcare can physically and mentally bring us to is eventually selflove.
Stoic Philosopher Seneca once said that “we treat the body rigorously so that it is not disobedient to the mind.” Part of self-care is not sheltering yourself from hardship and struggle, but throwing yourself head first into discomfort. Because those who care about themselves understand that comfort is the enemy of progress. “Growth and comfort cannot coexist” said Junior Hayes Hurd. So take care of yourself and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Are the Chick-fil-a Spin-Off Restaurants Worth a Visit?
Georgia residents are known for being the biggest consumers of Chick-fil-a in the country so it is no surprise that, since Chick-fil-a was started in Hapeville, Georgia, its spin-offs are nearby as well. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-a, started the restaurant to sell burgers in a diner-style restaurant in the late 1940s. However, mad cow disease began killing cows in the late 1900s and Chick-fil-a had to make the switch from burgers to their famous chicken sandwiches.
The Dwarf House, formerly Dwarf Grill, is the birthplace of Chick-fil-a and serves the original burgers and other original menu items. Smaller Dwarf Houses were built around the metro Atlanta area serving different items to honor the
original location. Truett’s Grill opened in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of Chick-fil-a. This is a diner that pays tribute to the original design of Chick-fil-a and serves special items and all-day breakfast. Truett’s Luau was opened in 2013 after Cathy visited Hawaii and wanted to put a southern spin on the Hawaiian dishes he had loved so much. The sit-down style restaurant offers the original Chick-fil-a menu and additional food and drink options.
Bella Goings (junior), Sophia Webb (junior) and I drove to these locations to taste the fun additions to the menu we know so well. The Dwarf House location we visited was not the original, so sadly we did not get to try the original Chick-fil-a burger. We went to one of the newer Dwarf Houses and tried their hot brown, fried okra, sweet potato casserole, and cornbread. When we went to order we asked the staff what was in the hot brown to which
they replied “that is a great question…”. Our expectations were undoubtedly low at this point. The hot brown is a deconstructed sandwich served in cream sauce, with Chick-fil-a style chicken, bacon and cheddar cheese with a piece of white bread served on the side for dipping. Our group decided there was definitely way too much cream sauce and we would have preferred the dish with more chicken. The fried okra was good but was nothing special and lacked flavor. The sweet potato casserole was pretty standard and did not stick out to us. The cornbread was honestly our favorite item. It was very moist and had a really sweet corn flavor. Overall, the Dwarf House was probably our least favorite location and we were underwhelmed with their food. The design of the Dwarf House itself was really cute and it even had a mini red door to get inside.
Truett’s Grill was immediately a hit with its eye-catching diner exterior and 1950s decorations inside. Everyone was friendly and gave us hats to wear while we ate. We ordered the loaded fries, the chicken and waffles, the fried pickles and the banana pudding. The loaded fries were great and unexpect-
edly had pimento cheese on them. The flavor combination of ranch, chicken, french fries and pimento cheese was a little weird at the start but really good when we figured out what it was. The fried pickles were amazing as fried pickles are hard to mess up. The chicken and waffles were our favorite item by a landslide. The Chick-fil-a chicken patty was served with two homemade waffles, syrup and whipped butter. It was the best item at any of the three locations and we would highly recommend trying it. Lastly, we got the banana pudding. The pudding was super light and was topped with marshmallows and vanilla wafers. This location is where the banana pudding milkshake originated and you can tell they have perfected their banana recipes. All in all this was the best set of food we had at all three restaurants and we would definitely return.
Truett’s Luau had a fountain and Hawaiian decorations covering the restaurant and the hostess gave us leis as we were greeted. We ordered the Kalua pork tacos, sweet and sour nuggets, sweet potato fries, chicken salad sandwich and their specialty drinks, the Frosted Hawaiian
and the Frosted Pineapple. We were really excited that this location had tacos but were a little underwhelmed. The pork itself was really good but there was way too much of it and the tortilla was breaking from all the juice. The sweet and sour nuggets were a twist on their normal chicken nuggets with a sticky sweet and sour sauce. The nuggets were good but weren’t too sweet or sour contrary to their name. The sweet potato fries on the other hand were amazing and we finished them quickly. They were not soggy and the sweetness of the sweet potato mixed with the salt they added was great. Personally, I loved the chicken salad sandwich but the rest of our group were not huge fans and they said it was too boring. Although, the menu did say there was pineapple in the sandwich but we could not taste it. The Frosted Hawaiian and the Frosted Pineapple were twists on a strawberry daiquiri and a pina colada. The drinks were delicious and came in adorable tiki cups that added to the fun. Overall Truett’s Luau was a hit or miss but the frosted drinks and sweet potato fries were the highlights of this visit.
Sophia Webb and Bella Goings pose with a statue of Truett Cathy at Truett’s Luau.
Junior Roan Dutta takes a stroll to clear his mind.
Truett’s Grill impresses with its unique diner exterior.
Photo: Anne Weiss
Photo: Roan Dutta
Photo: Anne Weiss
Exploring the World of Brainrot
Have you ever wondered who John Pork is? What about Livvy Dunne? Brainrot has consumed social media and taken the younger generation by storm. The name brainrot was coined after many people thought that after viewing Brainrot that it was so stupid they felt their brain was actually going crazy. The viewer doesn’t take away any meaningful thing after watching brainrot. When these videos were first circulating on TikTok, they included subway surfers, soap cutting, or Minecraft gameplay that was taking up half of the screen. This results in a constant over stimulation for the viewer. Mainly, the most affected by this were kids, mainly in the generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha. To dive into actual examples, here are the top 5 most common phrases, ideas, or videos. One of the first known uses of brainrot began in 2020 with the popular video game Among Us. With Covid-19 and mandated quarantining, people had to stay home. With this, there was a rise in electronic and social media usage. Among Us had major success for its quick and fun games. The word “sus,” standing for suspicious, was popularized in the game and online. The second base for
brainrot is Quandale Dingle. He changed the idea of brainrot, and is known as “one of the founding fathers” of brainrot. Quandale Dingle was popularized after a user on Reddit posted, a found laptop, and when opened the name Quandale Dingle was displayed. Thirdly, Kai Cenat should also be credited for the rise of brainrot. He is an American online streamer and YouTuber that uploads comedy-based videos. He is mainly known for his life streams as he brings
special guests on. Lastly, the TikTok rizz party took the world by storm. It’s famously known as a video where an entertainment company posted a TikTok, amassing 9 million likes, of a group of boys dancing to the song “Carnival.” The people in the video were Blue Tie Kid, white shirt kid, tomato kid, group leader clone, mustache guy, and finally Turkish Quandale Dingle. Deep analysis and study was done on each of the boys after their fame. Famously,
Blue Tie Kid was the leader as he led his friends to the beat drop of the song. Finally, John Pork is one of the most recent examples of brainrot. John Pork was a pig influencer, who is famously known for calling TikTokers around the globe. The famous video of John Pork has been featured in many TikToks nationwide. Some honorable mentions include mogging, goofy ahh, and Baby Gronk. Some popular words in the brainrot world include “rizz,”
“sigma,” “mewing,” and “skipidi.” To briefly describe them, rizz is short for the word charisma, almost how effective you are at getting a partner. Mewing is the act of putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth to achieve a better jawline. And finally “skipidi” is most commonly used with the word toilet after it. It has no known meaning, adding to the brainrot stigma.
Pace Student Goes Missing at Netherworld
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Davis Trimble, Akshay Tolmare, and Etan Gerber went to the Netherworld Haunted House. Davis Trimble did not make it out of the Haunted House. Here is a timeline of what happened that night.
10:02 PM CCTV footage
shows Davis Trimble, Akshay Tolmare, and Etan Gerber enter Netherworld Haunted House property from west entrance.
10:05 PM The three friends are then spotted walking to the entrance of the line.
10:06 PM The three friends enter the single file line with Gerber leading, Tolmare following and Trimble last.
10:08 PM Netherworld employee jump scares the group
while they wait in line. Gerber doesn’t budge. Tolmare and Trimble jump.
10:09 PM CCTV footage picks up Trimble whisper to friends. Expert lip readers have concluded Trimble said “I am so scared.”
10:11 PM Group scans tickets to enter the next line.
10:14 PM The three friends take picture in front of green screen before rejoining line in the same previous order.
10:22 PM The three friends enter the haunted house.
10:23 PM Group encounters employee dressed as clown. Gerber recalls hearing screaming from behind.
10:25 PM Video captures Trimble exiting the property through a back door.
10:44 PM After enjoying the the haunted house, Gerber and Tolmare exit the building. CCTV footage shows them looking behind themselves and finally realizing Trimble is no longer with them.
10:47 PM After conversing for 3 minutes, footage shows Tolmare and Gerber show little concern over the whereabouts of Trimble. They believe “Davis is
Etan Gerber and Akshay Tolmare pose for photo with Netherworld employee and clearly rattled Davis Trimble holding up weird sign with his hand following the friends reuniting with each other.
playing a prank” so they decide “to live in and enjoy the moment” according to Gerber.
10:48 PM: Tolmare then calls Trimble. Call logs show 7 missed outgoing calls to Trimble’s phone.
10:50 PM Gerber and Tolmare purchase dippin’ dots from nearby concessions.
10:52 PM Gerber and Tolmare walk around and take photos with Netherworld employees.
10:57 PM The two then scan tickets to enter the second haunted house.
11:21 PM Gerber and Tolmare are seen leaving Netherworld property and exiting into the parking. Gerber and Tolmare find Trimble with his dead phone sitting on curb next to parking lot attendant. Witnesses say Trimble was twiddling with his thumbs. Trimble has denied these allegations.
Akshay Tolmare and Etan Gerber pictured here posing for photo during search for missing person.
Photo: NetherWorld
Photo: NetherWorld
The TikTok Rizz party poses as The Group Leader sings “Carnival.”
Photo: TikTok
Tufts Lacrosse Players Suffer Post Workout Injuries
In mid September, the Tufts University lacrosse team hosted an optional workout with a duration of 45 minutes that was under supervision of the Tufts staff. This past season Tufts was successful in managing to win
the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III championship. A Tufts alumni who had recently graduated from Navy Seal training was in charge of this workout and incorporated similar exercises in this workout from which
“We commend the team’s resilience, [and] admire how they cared for one another during a difficult time.”
he had to do during his training. Following the workout, nine out of roughly 50 participants were hospitalized and diagnosed with Rhabdomyolysis best known as Rhabdo. Rhabdo is a condition in which the muscles leak components in the bloodstream meanwhile
breaking down. This can directly affect the kidneys and other organs in the human body. While rare, this condition, if severe, can be fatal. IV’s are often used when treating Rhabdo to flush out toxins and to supply the patient with surplus electrolytes and fluids. “As a coach, my primary responsibility is to keep our players safe, both in training and off the field,” said Pace Lacrosse coach, Coach Winter. “Recent events at Tufts University have shown how quickly things can go wrong. We’re taking steps at Pace to ensure our athletes understand the risks of overexertion, dehydration, and other health hazards. I urge players to listen to their bodies, communicate openly, and prioritize safety above all. This is about preventing unnecessary harm and stay-
“All members of the men’s lacrosse team that were admitted to the hospital with Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo) have been discharged.”
ing healthy to continue competing at their best.” Tufts has taken action hiring a lawyer to investigate the situation and to determine what measures the University should take as a response.
All of those who were hospitalized were discharged in late September.
“We are happy to share that all members of the men’s lacrosse team that were admitted to the hospital with Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo) have been discharged,” Tufts University said in response to these events.
“We want to express how grateful we are that the team members have returned to good health. We commend the team’s resilience, admire how they cared for one another during a difficult time, and thank their families for their unwavering support.”
What’s at Stake in the 2024 NBA Season?
The NBA is back! Many teams have been shaken up this year by trade and free agency, and a new rookie class is ready to make an immediate impact on a number of competing teams.
The 2024 NBA Draft: The Atlanta Hawks won the lottery despite a 3% chance and selected Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall pick. This pick was surrounded by controversy, because many NBA scouts believed that Alexandre Sarr was the most talented player in this draft class. At 19 years old and 7’0” tall, with an ability to stretch the floor and shotblock at a high level, it seems obvious that the Frenchman would draw interest from NBA teams and even comparisons to last year’s first overall pick, Victor Wembenyama. But, he told the Hawks that he did not want to play for them, igniting the Hawks to ride with Risacher. Risacher is also French and he is trying to make a name in the NBA as a three point sniper. Risacher sports a 6’9” body that can be extremely efficient off of the catch and shoot or creating off the dribble. Next, Sarr followed Risacher at number two overall to the Washington Wizards. Then, Reed Sheppard and Stephon Castle got picked up by the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Sheppard is a 6’3’’ guard from the University of Kentucky, known for his defense, speed, shooting, handles and passing. Castle is an athletic, physical defender from the University of Connecticut. Both these players will make immediate impacts on their teams and are likely to be the frontrunners for the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award, mainly because of their contributions to winning basketball. As well, the Portland
Trail Blazers got another ROTY finalist in Donovan Clingan at number seven overall. Clingan may be more league-ready than many other prospects and will have a fundamental role on a team full of young players.
The Boston Celtics look to remain dominant after their title run, especially after their two best players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were slighted this offseason. Tatum was benched throughout the entirety of the Olympics, and after winning the Finals, it seems disrespect-
Kevin Durant and Lebron James filled Jayson Tatum’s role and more, while glue guys Derrick White, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards played more productive roles on the team.
On the other hand, Jaylen Brown was not even invited to the Olympic team after winning the Finals MVP over Tatum. The Celtics will look hungry again in the 2024-25
“I think [that] the Celtics are going to win the Finals because Baylor Scheierman is my favorite player.”
likely be the most dominant teams during the regular season. However, the Mavericks and Pelicans have the upside to be competitive with the best in the West, as prefaced by Luka Doncic and the Mavericks’ surprising trip to the Finals last year.
The Mavericks and Pelicans both had impressive offseasons: the Mavs signed a 4x NBA cham-
Murray should help lift this team to another level, especially considering that Brandon Ingram will have a stronger performance in the wake of his last year on his contract.
What teams are focusing on getting an early draft pick in the 2025 draft featuring the highly touted prospect from Duke, Cooper Flagg? The first team that comes to mind in this category is the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets traded their best player in Mikal Bridges to the Knicks, signed Killian Hayes and will likely
ful that he could not receive minutes. But truthfully, the US Men’s Basketball coach, Steve Kerr, was justified for not playing Tatum. Tatum’s lack of ability to shoot three pointers (he shot 28.3% for three during his NBA playoff run and 0% on four attempts during the Olympics) contributed to his lack of playing time. As well, there was no room for Tatum to play when some of the best players of this generation were getting his minutes.
season, with Tatum and Brown trying to prove their prevalence. “I think the Celtics are going to win the Finals because Baylor Scheierman is my favorite player,” said senior Zach Segall. What teams are legitimate contenders to win the NBA Finals this year? The Celtics, Knicks, Bucks and the 76ers will likely be the top contenders in the Eastern conference. In the west, the Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Suns will
pion and 5x NBA All-Star, Klay Thomson. He should be a big help to the Mavs, who lost athletic wing Derrick Jones Jr to free agency and traded away guard Tim Hardaway Jr. They also picked up under the radar players Naji Marshall, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie. The Pelicans traded for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Hawks, and they aim to keep their face of the franchise and all-star Zion Williamson healthy.
let point guard Ben Simmons get playing time; this team is well on their way to the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes for first pick in next year’s draft. The best case scenario for this team is to watch Jalen Wilson and Nic Claxton develop, while monitoring Cameron Thomas’s consistency as a scorer. Additionally, the Wizards, Trail Blazers and Hornets should continue to be bottom-feeders for the rest of the league.
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