The Northridge Reporter April 2015

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

EST. 2003

the april 10, 2015

north ri d ge

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

reporter

The student voice of Northridge High School

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 7

Mock AP exams help students prepare for spring tests MYCHI TRAN NEWS EDITOR

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eachers use the AP mock exams to help students get used to the real AP exams.

Megan Liljenquist, chemistry teacher, said she used the previous year’s AP exam as her mock exam.

“The AP exams change every year,” she said.

Liljenquist said the purpose of the mock exam is to help students review what they know and do not know.

Liljenquist said there are two parts to the mock exam: the multiple choice questions and the free responses.

“I grade the multiple choices, and then

all the teachers all over the area gather and have a mock reading,” she said. “We grade the free-responses there.”

Nimra Khan, junior, said she was fully prepared for the mock exam.

“Because of it, I feel good about taking the real ones in May,” she said. “I have three [AP exams] this year.”

Khan said it was a little stressful because of the fire and weather drill that took place during her chemistry mock exam.

“We [her class] lost our train of thought during the free responses,” she said.

Jacob Fitch, junior, said he felt prepared for the AP exam.

“I got a feel of what the test is going to be like and how the test is going to go and all that good stuff,” he said. “I think I’ll do

well if I buckle down and study for it.”

Fitch said the drills also affected his concentration.

“We had to go out for the fire drills, go back in, and then go back out again for the weather [drill],” he said.

Liljenquist said because of the drills, her mock exam dragged into her fourth period class.

“The drills were scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, but it was changed to the following day,” she said. “No one informed us of the change.”

Liljenquist said she was a little angry about the drills.

“If I had known of the drills, I would have changed the date of my mock exam,” she said.

Liljenquist said luckily it was only a practice exam.

“My students had to stop and restart their thought process. It wasn’t ideal, but it was okay,” she said. “During the real exam, there will be no drills, and students will not even be allowed to leave if there were.”

Darrin Spence, dean of students, said although he is in charge of scheduling school drills, it’s the fire department that decides when to come.

“That’s the reason why the teachers don’t know ahead of time,” he said.

Spence said he doesn’t schedule drills during exam time.

“Those things are already scheduled ahead of time,” he said.

ACT boot camp to be held for students to improve scores A

n ACT boot camp will be held April 15 and 16 at school, Kyle Ferguson, principal, said.

Cambridge Educational Services, a company focused on educational advancement for students, will help students improve their ACT scores at the boot camp.

Ferguson said he originally arranged for the ACT tutoring to take place after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays like regular tutoring.

Ferguson said he wants to make this available to everyone.

“In order to make it accessible to everyone, we’re going to do it in school,” Ferguson said.

“Our primary focus is the junior class, but it’s for people who want to go,” he said.

“There will be two three-hour sessions,” Ferguson said.

“Cambridge says in three hours, they can increase your ACT score by three points. Three points could mean the difference between a partial and full scholarship. You’re talking about families saving thousands of dollars.”

Sherri Shuttlesworth, assistant principal, said that although these sessions are for juniors, available seats will be on a first come first serve basis through sign up for others.

“The boot camp is to help students become college ready,” she said.

Kaylin Harris, junior, said she is attending the ACT boot camp.

“I would love to bump my ACT score up three points,” she said. “It’s three hours of knowledge getting poured into my brain along with occasional breaks. I believe it’ll be very beneficial.”

“Anytime you have a free opportunity to be a part of something to enhance your future, you should take advantage of it,” Shuttlesworth said.

Ferguson said he thinks students should take advantage

of this, but students will have an opportunity to opt out.

“I’m not gonna have students go in there and distract the students who want to benefit,” he said.

Shuttlesworth said she thinks the boot camp will help improve ACT scores, and students should take it seriously.

“This is a time for juniors to take this opportunity seriously and represent themselves and our school well,” she said.

Junior LaTaysia Quinnie said she is attending the ACT boot camp to raise her score.

“I think everyone needs to raise their ACT score to get into college,” Quinnie said.

Shuttlesworth said Cambridge will send a representative here to discuss test taking strategies with teachers as well.

“Teachers get a one hour debrief from the representative,” she said. “The rep will let teachers know how [Cambridge] introduces the strategies, so the teachers know how to continue [introducing them].”

Ferguson said the school has also purchased materials for teachers to teach during bonus.

Shuttlesworth said the ordered material would also be used for other things.

“We’ve ordered three different books based on three levels,” she said. “These levels grow with a score range. Say you score a 13-15 on the Plan, there’s a specific book for you.”

She said the material contains practice tests, strategies and teacher guides.

Shuttlesworth said students “will be able to take the [ACT] with more confidence. A lot of students have test anxiety, and this can help with that. If this works well for our juniors, I see it helping tenth graders preparing for the Plan, which is now called the Aspire.”

Mike Lee, senior, said he wished an ACT boot camp was held when he was a junior.

“I’m one of the people who has a low ACT score. I think it would have helped me,” Lee said. “Professional help is better than doing it on your own or having a book and no one to teach you.”

AT A GLANCE ‘METRO 2033’ page 9

softball page 11

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What do YOU think about an ACT boot camp?

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I think it’s a great idea, and it gives students an advantage to make a better score.”

NAMAYA CARLISLE, JUNIOR

I think it’s a great idea that can help a lot of students. It can give them an idea of what they’ve got coming ahead.” marquis gray, senior

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I think that it’s a great opportunity. I’m actually going.

I think it’s true in the sense it could raise your grade.”

dacia long, junior

Information compiled by Jacob Martin Photos by Jacob Martin Infographic designed by James Niiler

We don’t want to test the students to death. I’m hoping we’re getting away from...the point where there’s more testing than teaching. kyle ferguson, principal

See story on page 4

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DESTINY HODGES NEWS EDITOR

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opinion

The Northridge Reporter April 10, 2015

our thoughts

Battle for student exchange a tale of hope and perseverance

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egular readers of The Northridge Reporter will remember how, in September, a column appeared on this very page describing a student exchange between high schools of the city system that was due to occur in October.

Suffice it to say, the exchange did not happen in October. Originally supposed to occur the week of Columbus Day, it was moved to Nov. 18-20.

The time leading up to those fateful days in November were intensely stressful for members of our staff. Meetings were held outside of school; conference calls were planned with our university advisor; protocols were established, at least at our school, to welcome the students who would be visiting from Central and Bryant.

However, several problems remained. Many of the students involved in the exchange from the other schools were not adequately involved in the planning process. How to get to our host schools was up in the air. Perhaps most importantly, we did not possess schedules at our host schools.

These issues were real and a cause of great anxiety to all of us, but we still assumed the exchange would occur in November. None of us could anticipate what happened next.

On Nov. 17, Principal Kyle Ferguson informed us that due to these issues, the exchange had been postponed, most likely until early in the second semester. Needless to say, the disappointment we felt was crushing; we had requested specifically the exchange occur in the first semester, and after so much buildup to such an anticipated event, we were mentally and emotionally exhausted.

Despite this setback, The Northridge Reporter staff held on to a glimmer of hope that the exchange would occur in the spring. When we returned from Christmas break, we believed we would hear word in the near future from an authority in the city schools, detailing what was to happen next.

Despite that hope, we heard very little from anyone in the city schools. By the end of February, we had lost all hope of the exchange occurring in this school year, if even at all. When our adviser, Susan Newell, finally heard from Assistant Superintendent Robert Coates in early March that the exchange had been canceled, we knew it was time to act.

A few members of our staff visited the school board meeting the night of March 10, and there presented a plea for help. Needless to say, our last-ditch effort to save the exchange succeeded, and board member Earnestine Tucker agreed to lend us her full support in making the exchange a reality.

Since that time, staff members have attended only two more meetings to go over any last-minute questions or concerns about the exchange. To our great surprise and happiness, many of the issues that appeared to be unsolvable in the fall had been taken care of this spring. Transportation and scheduling were issues that were speedily resolved, and with things moving forward very quickly, the much-anticipated ‘student swap’ finally happened April 6-7.

What have we learned as a staff as we have pursued this exchange? For one, compromises are necessary. They may not always be appreciated, but when working with those in positions of authority higher than you, they must be made.

Another thing we have learned is that bureaucracy is all too real and moves all too slowly. Inconceivable amounts of ‘red tape’ stand in the way of any project or action one may seek to do, and at times, the situation can be extraordinarily trying to one’s patience—and hope. Despite this, we have realized together to never give up, no matter how dire the situation seems. Find powerful allies to aid you. And let your voice be heard—keep searching for answers until they are given at your satisfaction.

The journey that members of The Northridge Reporter has embarked on has been at times exciting and at times harrowing, but through it all, we have grown closer and have overcome every difficulty that has arisen. In this spirit we thank the student body for their support and look forward to the special edition paper commemorating the project that will be printed in the coming weeks.

AGREE 15

est. 2003

the north ri d g e reporter

Art by Mychi Tran

Bert McLelland • Opinion Editor

On Amazon and Netflix - From Bert McLelland

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hen I flopped down on my couch last Friday, tired from a long school week, there was only one thing in the whole world I wanted: to lay back on my leather couch and watch just one episode of my old favorite comedy “Yes Minister.”

But when I opened up Amazon Prime, I was puzzled to find that it had disappeared from my recently watched. At first, I thought there might be some mistake, but a quick search showed to my frustration that my show had been taken off instant watch and had a $3 price tag slapped on each episode.

This is not the first time that Amazon or YouTube or some other provider has pulled a great show just as I was settling in to a series, and I’m formally asking them to stop.

In my young life I’ve encountered few things as frustrating as being left with a cliff hanger without warning and with no idea when (or if ) I’ll get relief. You can call me privileged (and perhaps I am), but I enjoy a good show as much as anyone, and I think it’s down-right rude to snatch them away like that.

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sk anyone today what they’ll do when they get home, and if the answer isn’t that they’re swamped with homework, chances are they’ll say something like “Probably just sit around, watch some Netflix.”

Netflix. More than any other single institution, more even perhaps than social media, Netflix dominates the happy student’s downtime.

Why? Because it has everything! From new hits like the Hunger Games to classic comedies like “Friends,” that little red icon represents the whole vast wealth of film and TV. No matter how hardcore a binge watcher you may be, even with an entire summer of nothing to do, it is impossible to exhaust Netflix’s vast potential.

You can power through all two hundred episodes of “How I Met Your Mother” and still have a dozen shows to pick from after that.

And at the end of the evening, there are plenty of fine family films for everyone to watch together.

Why do we love Netflix?

Who wouldn’t?

Journalist of the Year 2013 • Bailey Thomson Award for Editorial Writing 2013 • Rick Bragg Feature Writing Award 2009 • Pacemaker Finalist 2014 • NSPA 6th Place Best of Show 2013 • NSPA 5th Place Best of Show 2012 • NSPA 1st Place Best of Show 2011 • NSPA 5th Place Best of Show 2008 • NSPA 8th Place Best of Show 2008 • NSPA 9th Place Best of Show 2006 • CSPA Gold Medalist 2005-2013 • SIPA All-Southern 2003, 2005–2012 • ASPA All-Alabama 2003–2013 • NSPA All-American 2004, 2008, 2011 • Best SIPA Newspaper in Alabama 2003–2007 • NSPA News Story of the Year 2005, 2014 • NSPA Cartoon of the Year 2014 • SIPA First Place News Story 2007• SIPA First Place Review 2009

The student voice of Northridge High School

Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 • (205) 759-3734 ext. 295 Editor-in-Chief *James Niiler Managing Editor *Rebecca Griesbach Feature Editor *Rebecca Griesbach News Editors *Destiny Hodges, *Mychi Tran

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opinion

The Northridge Reporter April 10, 2015

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For once, I would like to pretend racism doesn’t exist and maybe, as a country, we can strive to become bigger and better for the greater good.

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Camri mason • photographer

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Spirit of racism still alive in stores and schools, subtle and overt

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ace is a topic most feel uncomfortable talking about.

Even though different races don’t necessarily physically fight anymore, there are still ill feelings.

Over the few years of my life, I’ve grown to know very well that racism will not be completely gone. When I was about 9-years-old, I used to visit my father in Mississippi. Being younger, I didn’t quite understand when people used to not be so friendly to me. I always asked myself, “Did I do something wrong?” or “Did I say something that offended people?” Simply shrugging off people’s attitudes toward me, I would continue my time with my dad.

Still, I remember the nasty stares I would get, and those will stay with me forever.

A couple of weeks ago, there were fliers promoting the KKK all over the Skyland

Walmart. It really angers me to see such a thing. To know people still hate a specific race so much, that they will put propaganda around a local store is sickening. Seeing the fliers, I almost didn’t believe it. Even if it was a simple joke, it was the worst joke in history! When I see a Confederate flag somewhere, I start to feel my anger levels rise. But I have to remind myself that they probably do not have any sense. Yet, my mind starts to wonder, why does someone continue the same nonsense that happened over 50 years ago?

Some parents or grandparents might teach their kids to hate someone who is not like them. Because this happens, the legacy of race fighting race continues into each generation. Sometimes it will flow over, but I can only hope future generations will do better about the racism issue and

JAMES NIILER • EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

try to make a better world. There was one student who would always stereotype me last semester because I am black. Whether the student was joking or not, some things are not meant to be said in a joking manner.

When certain things are said, I feel singled out, and it is not a good feeling at all. I know what it feels like to not feel like I have a voice in the world because of my skin color. Even if I try my hardest at something in school, I know I am still competing to become something more than what people might categorize black girls as.

When Nikole Hannah-Jones from ProPublica came and introduced the newspaper staff to the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board decision, I was shocked to see what blacks have endured because of their skin color. Reading her story, I see what she means when Alabama was

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quick to re-segregate again. People sit with certain people and to me there is no mix. I know people are comfortable with certain people because they went to school with them for years, but it would be nice to see people branch out for once. When you walk into the cafeteria, you will see the split, and it’s terrible.

Sometimes I feel like time is going back, and we’ll be back to being completely separated again.

For once, I would like to pretend racism doesn’t exist and maybe, as a country, we can strive to become bigger and better for the greater good. We cannot hate one another. The way I see it is, let the past be the past, and make a new present day.

We cannot continue this infamous legacy of hate and expect a change in our country if we cannot be on one accord.

The tree of ISIS has shed poisonous fruit far and wide throughout the most unstable regions of the world.

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America has moral duty to destroy ISIS no matter the consequence

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ISIS’ evil twin, Boko Haram of Nigeria, swore allegiance to ISIS a few weeks ago.

Boko Haram was already on the world’s radar before ISIS exploded onto the scene in June, due to its capture of over 270 schoolgirls and the social media campaign, #BringBackOurGirls, that followed. #BringBackOurGirls achieved absolutely nothing, and only a handful of the girls that were captured managed to escape Islamist indoctrination—and most likely far worse.

Boko Haram relies on many of the same techniques as ISIS, e.g., the burning of villages and other sites and massacres.

Now calling itself ‘Islamic State Africa,’ it has firmly established itself as an outpost of global jihad—one of the many ranging from the African west coast region to the interior of Pakistan.

The tree of ISIS has shed poisonous fruit far and wide throughout the most unstable regions of the world.

The evil of ISIS and its associated groups is scarcely comprehensible to the rational mind. Consider, for example, not only the dreadful executions it sees fit to put on video for an international audience, but the things it does every day.

ISIS finds pleasure in crucifying Christians, throwing gays off the top of buildings, burying native villagers alive, selling girls into sex slavery, and even feeding a Kurdish mother the choppedup body of her captured son without her knowing, in a rice-and-meat dish when she came to demand his release.

This madness must stop.

It is time for the United States to provide full-fledged help, not half-hearted air strikes, to our Kurdish allies who have striven valiantly against ISIS. Of course, such an action will create a blame game between liberals and conservatives who will fight about whose

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S

ince The Northridge Reporter last commented on the situation in the Middle East last October, things in the region have only become worse, especially in regards to ISIS. The Pershmega, the Kurdish militia, has made some noteworthy gains against the Islamic State, including the liberation of the ancient city of Kobane on the Turkish border of Iraq.

However, for the civilians who have stood in ISIS’ way, life has grown only more horrifying.

Christians continue to flee their ancient homeland that ISIS now occupies, rather than face paying a poll tax or a gruesome execution. Many of the religious and ethnic minority of the Yazidis endured a grueling siege last year, and are still hunted by the jihadis.

ISIS has furthermore sought to clear from the region any evidence that conflicts with its values of fundamentalist Islam.

This usually involves the destruction of many ancient cultural sites of great value, including the tomb of the prophet Yunus— the Jonah of Biblical fame.

The ancient city of Nimrud is being destroyed piece by piece, and countless churches, mosques and other sacred locations have been demolished in ISIS’ attempt to establish jihadist purity.

Perhaps the most horrible thing ISIS has done, however, are its infamous videos depicting the execution of various persons.

The world was shocked last August when American journalist James Foley was beheaded by the nefarious ‘Jihadi John,’ and since that time, more journalists have been executed, a Jordanian pilot burned to death in a cage and twenty-one Egyptian Christians shot to death on a beach in Libya by ISIS-affiliated militants.

This madness must stop.

Photo from MCT Campus

Slaughter of Innocents Black-clad jihadis of the Islamic State prepare to execute twenty-one Coptic Christians, kidnapped from their homeland of Egypt.

fault it is that ISIS exists in the first place.

Such a consideration, however, is irrelevant in the light of what ISIS does and the fact it must be annihilated. The United States has the military power and the moral imperative to rid the world of the Islamic State’s monstrous evil, and it must be sure ISIS meets a swift and total destruction.

It is not only Kurds’ duty to fight ISIS— it is everyone’s duty. When there is such evil in the world, how can one sit idly by?

The evidence is undeniable: the entire world knows, and has seen, what ISIS does.

Contrived political arguments break down in light of this. The Kurds have plenty of fighting spirit but far fewer resources than we; if our country truly cares about helping those in need, it is time to use many of our bounteous supplies and give aid to those who most need it.

Some claim American citizens are ‘warweary,’ and that this is a valid excuse for us not fighting in the Middle East. I ask anyone who utters this phrase to examine the lives of those who lived on the home front during the First and Second World Wars. These were times when most foods and supplies we take for granted, from meat to sugar to bread to gasoline, were strictly rationed to support the troops.

This was a time when those in military

families, which constituted a much higher percentage of the population than today, dreaded receiving a telegram announcing the death of a husband, brother or son.

By contrast, what have we Americans endured since 9/11? A heightened sense of fear, yes, but besides this a few more scans at the airport and the prohibition of carrying penknives on the plane.

The complaints of ‘endless war’ are at best ignorant and at worst selfish. Perhaps one who thinks the U.S. is over-involved in this conflict should examine the mere one percent of American military families who still have to endure hardships of the kind previously mentioned, or better yet, the ‘endless war’ of an Assyrian villager who lives in fear of mass slaughter every day.

Despite what politicians may claim, there is no end to the ‘war on terror.’

Terror recognizes no boundaries, honors no treaties. Where evil springs up, it must be defeated. Another, perhaps even more barbarous, may take its place, but that is not an excuse for not defeating evil where it exists.

America and the West must waste no time on infighting or self-apology, but must strike quickly to remove ISIS and its associates forever, before it is too late.

in brief

Exchange happens DESTINY HODGES NEWS EDITOR

Tuscaloosa City Schools held a student exchange April 6-7.

Five Central students, three Bryant students and four Northridge students participated.

Senior Larriel Hester, Central exchange student, said she decided to do the exchange to see the difference in schools.

“I wanted to know what it’s like to be in a mixed school,” Hester said. “Our school has three white kids.”

Senior Diamanise Sidberry, Central exchange student, said she would encourage other cities with similar demographics to do an exchange.

“There are always things that schools can take away from one another,” Sidberry said.

AC units make space

CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITER

The old air conditioning unit in math teacher Lytrice Washington’s room was very noisy and would push either too much hot air or cold air. Washington was given a new air conditioning unit as an experiment for the school.

“No [problems] it’s been fine,” Washington said. “Our room is less noisy and I don’t have to situate my desks around the unit.”

Jeff Johnson, head of maintenance at the board of education, said the new unit is environmentally friendly.

“It uses low energy, and it can recover some of the heat you use,” Johnson said.

“It’s very quiet as well.”

“Some people don’t like it as well, some people do, it’s a different system,” Johnson said. “The change is mainly because of the noise.”

Connie Cook, math teacher, said she would love a new unit in her room. “[A new unit] would be great.” Cook said. “We’re either hot or cold [due to the old unit].”

Carter Hill, English teacher, said his older unit is working well.

“I would hate to change from something that is actually working,” Hill said.

“However if there was one that didn’t take up as much space, that’d be great.”

Donate to save lives JASON LONG STAFF WRITER

The Red Cross blood truck stopped by the school’s auditorium lobby to take donations from students and other community members on Friday, April 3.

Kathleen Oatts, SGA advisor, said SGA sponsors the blood drive each semester.

“The donated blood then goes to the local hospitals and blood banks to help cancer patients and other people who need it,” Oatts said.

Over 45 students donated blood while 21 SGA members volunteered by setting up appointments.

Chandler Jones, junior, participated in the blood drive, making it his third time to donate.

“I think it’s important to save other people’s lives because you never know when you might need to be saved,” Jones said.

Erin Green, senior, participated in the blood drive, making it his first time.

“I was pretty nervous donating, but I knew that it could save people’s lives who needed it,” Green said.

The Northridge Reporter APRIL 10, 2015

End of Course exams discontinued

discontinued testing. it until it’s time to use another one. I “The state superintendent gave each wouldn’t be surprised if in a year or so district [in Alabama] the option to test they come up with something new. You he End of Course (EOC) exams, or not test. TCS as district decided that have the ACT, PLAN, EXPLORE, which were administered the we’re not going to test because it doesn’t End of Course tests [and] graduation previous two years, will not occur this year. mean anything, and we’re going to use exams. The list goes on and on,” Busby Kyle Ferguson, principal, said the tests other metrics like the PLAN and ACT,” said. “It’s as if they choose a different test in order to get a different result, and were originally related to Common Core, Ferguson said.

Shuttlesworth said the amount of they don’t get a different result, so they and their scores would correlate with ACT standardized testing has been reduced to choose a different test.” scores. three ACT-related “They discontinued “They were tests that were designed to tests. the graduation exam in be in line with Common Core standards,” “We’ve just narrowed order to use the ACT as he said.

They discontinued the a determiner down the standardized of student Assistant Principal Sherri Shuttlesworth th tests to the 8 progress,” Busby said. grade graduation exam in order to said the data obtained from the tests was th Junior Sally Ozment ASPIRE, 10 grade used to adjust teaching. use the ACT as a determiner added to Busby’s [formerly “As a school, we were using the data to ASPIRE statement. of student progress. identify the areas of math where students named the PLAN] and th “It sounds like they the 11 grade ACT,” were non-proficient. Teachers would take trina busby, english were just trying to let she said. that data and build their instruction based teacher more people graduate,” Shuttlesworth said on the results,” Shuttlesworth said.

Ozment said. the above tests will Ferguson said problems emerged with “Yes, it’s all about the be used to adjust the beginning of the implementation of data,” Busby replied. instruction instead of the EOC exams. the End of Course exams.

With regard to the constant pursuit of English teacher Trina Busby said she “There were a lot of loose ends and a new test, Busby said the school system thought the school system adopted the unanswered questions surrounding EOC’s,” wastes valuable time and money.

End of Course tests to collect more data. he said.

“The [tests] are not going to provide “I think the End of Course exams in the Ferguson said it was unnecessary extra a different outcome, so we spend a huge first place were simply a way for the schools testing. amount of money on another, and another to produce more data,” Busby said.

“We don’t want to test the students to and another,” Busby said.

“Until the idea Busby said she thinks the school system death,” he said. “I’m hoping we’re getting that standardized testing determines will pursue another test to collect data. away from test[ing] to the point where “They’ll find some student progress goes away-” we’re testing more than teaching.”

“Which it won’t,” Ozment interjected way else to do it instead.

Ferguson said the data obtained “[The cycle of testing] won’t go away,” They’ll come up with from the End of Course tests was Busby said. some new better way,” she often inaccurate.

Shuttlesworth said students should said, “or at least what they “One of the problems that occurs remember other academic factors besides call new and better.” when you over test students is test scores.

Busby said the cyclical students don’t take it seriously, and “Standardized test data for college and nature of testing impacts you don’t get an accurate picture of career readiness is just one component of a students detrimentally. where they are,” he said. student’s academic success,” Shuttlesworth “They choose this Ferguson said the Tuscaloosa Photo by Jacob Martin said. thing, and they go with City Schools as a whole trina busby

JACOB MARTIN COPY EDITOR

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news

New buses considered by city school system MAYCI HARTLEY STAFF WRITER

Due to mechanical problems, the board of education is debating getting new buses.

Dr. Paul McKendrick, superintendent, said there is a possibility of getting new buses this summer.

“Our plans are to get new buses,” McKendrick said.

Jimmy Boone,Director of Transportation, has worked in transportation at the board for 18 years.

Three-fourths of the buses are 15 years old, Boone said.

“The buses have wear and tear on them, so occasionally they break down. We are having to borrow five buses from Jefferson County because of buses being in the shop,” Boone said.

Boone said the buses go through a check to see if they need to be fixed.

“Sometimes even after the inspection, we have buses break down,” Boone said.

“We have buses that will break down with students on it every now and then.

There was one that broke down on the way to Rock Quarry. A bus was sent for the students; they switched buses and then went to school,” he said.

Alta Willaert, freshman, has been on a bus when it broke down.

“It was boring because there was nothing to do,” she said.

Willaert said she thinks the bus she rides now broke down.

“We have a different bus right now,” she said.

She said that the buses right now are terrible and really dirty.

“New buses would be nicer,” she said

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The Northridge Reporter APRIL 10, 2015

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Coach loved for motivation MAYCI HARTLEY STAFF WRITER

THE BLUE ANGELS

Photo by Nate Hester

Blue Angels leave a ‘large footprint’ on students NATE HESTER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The Blue Angels, who performed an airshow at the Tuscaloosa airport on March 28 and 29, came to the school for a presentation on Friday, March 27.

After showing a brief video, they introduced themselves and gave advice to our students, such as “Don’t ever give up. Don’t take no for an answer” and “Pay attention in school; it is huge in determining where you can go in life.”

The Blue Angels then held a Q&A session, taking every question asked.

Jackson Bowers, junior, said that was his favorite part.

“I really liked that. It cracked me up,” Bowers said.

“It makes me feel good that they care enough to come to high schools,” Bowers said.

The visit ended with the whole crew waiting after the presentation for 30 minutes to take pictures, answer questions, and sign autographs.

The school was one of three schools that the Blue Angels visited.

Sam Harwood, junior, said he was glad that they came to Northridge.

“I respect what they do, and it was pretty cool that they took time out of their day to come talk to us,” Harwood said.

Matt Suyderhoud, Blue Angel Number 2 who flies in the Right Wing position, said he was excited when he found out they were coming to Northridge.

“We try to reach a broad demographic, so we can leave a footprint as large as possible,” Suyderhoud said. “We want to reach as many people at a time as we can.

I liked being able to have a full auditorium of people to share our message with,” Suyderhoud said.

Being a Blue Angel means a lot to Suyderhoud.

“When I was a kid I got to meet a Blue Angel. I thought he was the coolest person ever,” Suyderhoud said. “And now to be on the other side of that is pretty special. It is really special.”

Don McNabb, football coach and health teacher, has been sick and out of school since spring break when he became ill. Students can keep up with his improvement by looking at Prayers for Coach Don McNabb on Facebook. Coach McNabb was taken off the ventilator on April 1.

C o a c h McNabb has coached baseball, football and wrestling at No r t h r i d ge along with coaching baseball at DON MCNABB Central for a combined 24 years.

For every one of these 24 years he has coached with Athletic Director Akins, who has known him for 30 years.

“Coach McNabb is my best friend,” Akins said.

In his time coaching, Akins said McNabb has brought knowledge to every sport and a hard work ethic.

“He is the ultimate team player, doing everything correctly the first time,” Akins said.

Jacob Fitch, junior, is in Coach McNabb’s health class.

Fitch said Coach McNabb would tell stories about his previous endeavors of doing the Heimlich maneuverer on his wife.

“She was drinking some ice tea, and she chocked, and an air bubble formed

in her throat. At first he didn’t believe her. He thought she was joking, but then he realized she wasn’t joking and did the Heimlich maneuverer twice. Then after he did it, she hit him because he didn’t take her seriously,” Fitch said.

He said Coach McNabb’s jokes always pertained to health or his students if they didn’t do their work.

“He would always say he wasn’t obese, but he was overweight,” Fitch said.

He said C o a c h McNabb would talk about the same thing over again. “ M y Photo by Beth Allaway favorite memory of Coach McNabb is how he would talk and talk and talk about the same thing. He’d pick a topic about what we’re going over, and it’d be funny because he’d say the same thing over again, and we’ll tell him he already told us, but he’d keep telling us,” he said.

Coach McNabb has been senior North Patterson’s football coach for offensive line for four years.

“I could tell so many stories, but they all sum up him teaching us how to be a true man,” Patterson said.

Patterson said Coach McNabb would yell at them trying to pump them up.

“He would yell random stuff at us that would always pump us up,” he said.

“Coach McNabb is the best man I know.

He’s like a crazy grandfather,” he said.

April

April 15 and 16- ACT Boot camp April 17- Progress Report

April 18- ACT AND Prom April 28- 11TH Grade ACT

Fraizer becomes first male cheerleader

even before I made the squad,” Frazier said.

Katherine Jessup, sophomore cheerleader, said that she was excited for Frazier when he made Jacob Frazier, the squad. sophomore, became “He is very fun. He is the school’s first male funny, upbeat, and always cheerleader when he happy,” Jessup said. made the squad for the Jessup said that Frazier 2015-2016 school year. brings enthusiasm Erin Darnell, history and the ability to keep teacher and cheer everyone smiling to the coach, said Frazier is squad. setting a precedent to Darnell said the make boys cheerleading feedback from students here something that is has been excellent. accepted.

“I think it will be a very “Since I have been here Photo by Destiny Hodges positive environment. he was the first male that We have had nothing but support,” Darnell has shown interest in trying out,” Darnell said. said.

Frazier said that he isn’t worried about Frazier was overjoyed when he found out what anyone thinks of him. that he was the first male cheerleader.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, “It means that I can make a lasting but I’m doing what I enjoy and that impression on school history,” Frazier said. shouldn’t affect anyone else,” Frazier said.

“I can make the path for future students.”

“I just can’t wait to go out there and put Frazier decided to try out because he was more spirit out there than usual and keep always interested in cheerleading. everyone pumped.”

“I did the dances at pep rallies and games NATE HESTER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

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feature

The Northridge Reporter April 10, 2014

The Final Str making the switch

Former IB student adjusts to AP curriculum

Reier transitioned from an IB schedule to an AP schedule, so her classes have changed.

“For history, I was in IB (International IB History of Americas Baccalaureate) schools’ which was more in course of study is more depth,” than her current in depth than that of AP AP U.S. History class (Advanced Placement). with Mallie Humber.

Junior Savannah Reier Humber said Reier is moved here from Hilton “very conscientious. She Head Island, South Carolina wants to be successful where she attended an IB on the AP test. She asks school. good questions and is a Hilton Head High School model student.” runs on a block schedule. “[IB] focuses on “There was A [Block] Day Photo by Jacob Martin Reier critical thinking which is and B [Block] Day. Each good; it allows kids to know how to apply block was 90 minutes long,” Reier said.

The basic curriculum is different from their knowledge,” Humber said.

“IB and AP Psych[ology] are pretty AP classes.

“There’s a lot more writing. We do more much the same,” Reier said.

AP Psychology teacher Erin Baggett in IB, more older [works and] less current events in history. They go deeper in subject said Reier, “despite being new to the class, has jumped in head first.” matters than AP,” she said.

KATHRYN VERSACE INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

Magic Number

ACT scores make

difference in scholarships JAMES NIILER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

F

or many high school students, preparing for and taking the ACT is a rite of passage. For those lucky enough to score at least 30 on the test, there is access to numerous scholarships.

Savannah Maples, sophomore, was one of the lucky ones. “[I scored] a 30. I didn’t [prepare].

I’m studying this time, though, and I’m hoping I’ll do better. I’m taking it in April,” she said.

Maples said although preparing for the test caused stress for her, it was not as bad as it could have been.

Kathleen Bradford, counselor, encourages students to be well-prepared for the test.

“I think that it’s really good to take the ACT once before junior year so you know what it entails, what kind of questions will be involved, so you get that first one with all the nerves out of the way. Then come in and do [it] your junior year. See how you do. Since it’s a free test, you don’t have to pay for it,” she said.

Bradford said students should know the ACT is “not everything.”

“Colleges look at GPAs, they look at extracurricular activities, they look at honors and achievement, whether you’re a part of sports: football team, soccer or whatever. They do not look at one bit of the picture; they look at the whole picture. But I definitely encourage [students] to do the best they can, and I do supply them with as many resources as I can,” she said.

“[Reier] is quite knowledgeable of the content we are currently talking about. At her old school, she had been in the IB class since the beginning of the year. The other students have only been in AP Psychology for two months. Therefore, she has had more time to learn the material and review concepts that possibly she didn’t previously understand,” Baggett said.

Baggett said IB schools focus on students individually.

“IB classes are similar to AP classes where they allow students to obtain [or] acquire critical thinking skills. Also, it provides a type of instruction that is more individual-geared as a result of a lot of work having to be completed at home or on their own time. Finally, students become active participants in their education,” Baggett said.

“I’m in regular math right now, but I would’ve been in IB Math Studies with writing about who created what and why it works,” Reier said.

Information compiled by Kathryn Versace Infographic designed by Rebecca Griesbach Each bar represents one student’s rating.

advanced placement: Is it worth it?

AP workload “pays off ” in long run for students, teachers

THOMAS MULLINS STAFF WRITER

Last semester, senior Katie Poore’s AP classes weighed down her schedule so much that she had to sacrifice her fall violin recital to keep up with her work.

“I couldn’t go because I had to focus on school so much,” Poore said. “I had to tell my [violin] teacher that I just couldn’t do it because I wasn’t ready.”

Poore takes five AP classes which are beginning to take precedence over parts of her life.

“It’s almost impossible for me to balance AP classes, college applications and outside stuff,” Poore said.

Despite the turmoil AP classes bring to students’ lives, many who

Ahead of the game JASON LONG STAFF WRITER When Erin Green, senior, gets home from school, he doesn’t usually watch TV or play on his phone, instead he studies. “[I] pretty much [have] no social life because of the work load and the huge amount of stress,” he said.

Green signed up for Advanced Placement classes which are college bound classes.

“These classes challenge students and offer a college experience that most students won’t get in regular classes. AP classes improve college admissions chances for students and allow them to exempt

have taken and passed them are experiencing the payoff of sticking with it.

Katrina Struthwolf, University of Alabama student and former Northridge AP student, says that taking AP classes is definitely worth it.

“My AP classes took care of a lot of my college credits for my major, and I’m a year ahead. It feels great knowing that all that hard work and studying paid off. Practicing college level work in high school has made the transition a lot easier,” Struthwolf said.

As an AP student, Struthwolf knew how to keep her head up.

“When I felt overwhelmed by the workload, I had to remind myself that the purpose of this class was to challenge and prepare me,” Struthwolf said.

The frustrations of AP classes

don’t just stop at students—they extend even to those teaching them.

Trina Busby, AP Language and AP Literature teacher, stays at the school hours after the final bell rings, grading papers. She has anywhere from 42 to 250 essays to grade in any given week.

“These things always get in the way of my life. If [you’re a teacher] and you have a life, those AP essays are going with you everywhere.”

Poore said that with all of the classes she’s taking, it’s definitely stressful to keep track of it all.

“It’s no fun, but I think working hard pays off. These classes would be a lot easier now than in the future.”

AP courses provide opportunities to receive college credit

intro college courses,” Green said.

Erin Baggett, AP psychology teacher, said it is important for students to pay attention in class, study two to four weeks before the exam, buy review books and take interest in some AP YouTube videos [if they wish to pass an AP exam]. She said by taking AP classes students can earn college credit at a cheap rate depending on their AP test scores and the college they will choose to attend.

“I think every student should at least take one AP class to see if it’s their calling or is the right thing for them,” she said.

Mallie Humber, AP U.S. History teacher, said students need to use their resources such as review books and AP

styled flashcards in order to succeed.

“Students need to start studying months before exams in order to get a three or higher,” she said. “The study shows that if a student does not pass AP exams, then they will at least have the experience of the college prep class.”

Humber said if a student passes the exams with a three or higher, then they will receive college credit and awards such as the AP Scholars Award.

Green said he uses the methods that AP teachers recommend in order to pass exams.

“I use study guides, AP styled review books, the College Board website and ask former AP students for advice on the difficulty of the exams,” he said.

feature

The Northridge Reporter April 10, 2014

retch

Students utilize Internet, supplemental work raises grades JACOB MARTIN COPY EDITOR

A

fter scoring poorly his freshman year, Andre Garcia, junior, said he is trying to get his grades up, so he can finish high school with a high GPA. “Freshman year, I got two D’s. Sophomore year I realized ‘hey, colleges don’t like these D’s,’ so I started worrying then,” he said.

Garcia said the amount of extra credit available is adequate, and it helped him raise his grades.

“I feel like the grades that I do have [that are good] are because of extra credit,” Garcia said. “I feel like I shouldn’t rely on extra credit to get good grades.”

Besides taking advantage of extra credit opportunities, Garcia said he has been dedicating himself more to his academics.

“I’ve been trying to actually do my homework, paying attention in class and writing down notes,” he said.

Chinese exchange student Logan Zeng said he had trouble with his physics grade due to language issues.

“The first few times I took the physics tests it was so hard for me. I didn’t

NATE HESTER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR With 120 hours in a school week, 37 and a half spent at school and 40 spent sleeping, only 42 and a half hours of free time remain.

The life of an AP student athlete can be extremely difficult as they struggle to figure out where to spend their 42 and a half hours.

Brenton Sanders, junior, plays varsity baseball and takes three AP classes.

“On an average week, I probably spend 20 to 25 hours at baseball,” Sanders said.

“And I

AP TEACHERS spend an average of AP TEACHERS spend an average of

AP STUDENTS spend an average of AP STUDENTS spend an average of

understand the questions. I got failing grades the first few times,” Zeng said.

Zeng said he was able to raise his grades by “doing more things about physics, like studying” and “doing more questions to simulate a test.”

Senior Davis Byars said he is not as worried about his grades since he has applied for college.

“I wanna keep [my grades] up, but I don’t care about them as much,” he said.

Lainey Hatfield, senior, said she still maintains her grades with the same rigor as before the college application process.

She said she thought her workload was too stressful.

“I think the workload is too much because in college I won’t be taking five classes at once. I’m taking five college level classes, and all of them give homework every day,” Hatfield said.

Math teacher Scott Johnson said students should “utilize the Internet to get more detailed explanations, more examples and practice work.”

“You Tube is an excellent source of assistance,” he said.

Lakesha Tillman, English teacher, also

said students can take advantage of the Internet to help them get their grades up and to study. “[Students] have a lot more access [to the Internet] that would give them a greater advantage than what I had or most of the teachers in this building had,” she said.

Tillman said students “can benefit from [the Internet], or it can also have a negative impact” if they choose to let it distract them.

“The Internet is instantaneous,” Tillman said. “It depends on how it’s used. To me there are definitely advantages and disadvantages.”

Garcia utilizes the Internet to assist him with academics by looking up how to do math problems or using an online dictionary to define terms in his anatomy class.

“It’s a tool, [and] I use it a lot, so it makes a big difference,” Garcia said.

said.

“I don’t really get to go out spend eight to ten hours doing THOMAS MULLINS much,” he said. school work,” Sanders said.

STAFF WRITER “Basically, I go to baseball, go Just like that, Sanders is left with only 7 and a half hours of home, do my school work, eat Last semester, senior Katie Poore’s free time during the school week. dinner, then go to bed,” Jackson said.

AP classes weighed down her schedule Sam Harwood, junior, takes an That leaves one and a half hours so much that she had to sacrifice her fall a day to eat, transport himself AP class and plays tennis. violin recital to keep “You up with hertowork. have make a decision. where he needs to go, go to “I couldn’t go because I had to social focus on Good grades, life, sleep or church, or do anything social. school so much,” Poore said. “I had to tell “I always stop and prioritize. I sports,” Harwood said. my [violin] teacher that I just do two. That “You can couldn’t only choose make sure what is most important it because I wasn’t iready.”s comes first,” Sanders said.

Poore takes five “My grades haven’t been AP classes which affected (by baseball) yet, but are beginning to balancing everything is a lot take precedence harder. And I don’t have any free over parts of her time,” Sanders said. life.

Marcus Jackson, junior, also “It’s almost plays varsity baseball and has two impossible for me AP classes. to balance AP “My performance in school classes, is a little bit lower than it would be if I didn’t play sports,” Jackson

Time Flies School activities limit free time

21.5 21.5 16.9 16.9

all you can balance,” Harwood said.

“I usually alternate between sleep and sports for my number one,” he said.

“Then the rest of the time I have to alternate between social life and school,” Harwood said.

hours each week GRADING

Graph

sbach

rie ebecca G

ed by R ic design

hours each week GRADING

hours each week STUDYING and DOING HOMEWORK hours each week STUDYING and DOING HOMEWORK

Infographic designed by Kathryn Versace Information compiled by John Mark McCleland

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The Northridge Reporter APRIL 10, 2015

Entertainment

BOOK REVIEW

Story about 9/11 gives hope to sophomore MYCHI TRAN NEWS EDITOR

It was a time of great tragedy. Two commercial planes had crashed into the Twin Towers and another struck the Pentagon. One more crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Everyone panicked, and all planes heading towards the U.S. were instructed to turn around or land in Canada. Any plane found in U.S. airspace would be shot down Jim Defede wrote the book The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland about a small town in Canada with a population of less than 10,000 who helped others after this tragedy.

This book is about people from Gander and their unselfish actions during one of the greatest tragedies this world has known.

For a single week, the people of Gander, Newfoundland, set aside their own lives and helped thousands of others.These people donated everything in their houses, took the bed sheets right off their beds and then gave the beds away as well.

They let strangers into their homes, let them use their showers and cooked for

them. They lent their phones and lent an ear to anyone who needed it.

This book is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. You will read about real people whose lives were put to a standstill due to the attack. You will read about the mother who worried about her son and the Newfie who tried to cheer her up. You will read about the constable who searched all over town for a flight crew member in order to pass on a hug, and you will read about the vet who snuck a little puppy off the cargo in a plane in Gander in order to treat it. Defede wrote an inspiring book that focuses on acts of unselfishness and kindness in a world debilitated by a violent and cruel act. I cried as I read parts of the book. I cheered as I read other parts.

At other times, I laughed. The characters in the book were real and complex. They were a diverse group of people, and Defede deftly weaved them together into one true account. I could sympathize with what they were going through: their confusion, their horror and their bravery.

The book is inspiring. It gives us hope that, if another crisis ever does occur, there are people out there ready to help. Among those people are the residents of a little island in Canada.

“

It gives us hope that, if another crisis ever does occur, there are people out there ready to help.

“

MOVIE REVIEW

Untraditional superhero film surprises reviewer

them. His robotic lack of understanding of human actions always made me laugh (particularly a scene in which he did not isney made an unexpected move understand a fist bump and could not make and bought Marvel Studios in the fireworks noise that followed).

Despite the disconnect between robot December 2009. Six years later, the partnership between Marvel and Disney and human actions, the viewer got to watch has finally shown itself clearly in the the bond between Hiro and Baymax grow, as Baymax’s human characteristics grew. recently released Big Hero 6.

Baymax turned into a sympathetic, Big Hero 6, released Nov. 7 tells the story of Hiro Hamada, a 14-year old super- understandable character that the viewer genius aspiring to follow in the footsteps of wholeheartedly cared about.

Watching this movie, I saw a his older brother Tedashi. of every amazing After an unexpected tragedy takes conglomeration Tedashi away from Hiro, he teams up with component of any phenomenal DisneyPixar movie out there Tedashi’s biggest robotic (which is great, because I achievement, Baymax, love Disney-Pixar movies). his kindhearted personal Lovable main character? health care robot.

Check. Heart-wrenching While investigating tragedy within 20 minutes a mystery in his home of the beginning? Check city, San Fransokyo, Photo from MCT Campus (gosh, I hate and love Hiro, Baymax and other friends find themselves in the middle of a those at the same time). Perfect blend of humor and action? Check. An ending that horrifying story unfolding around them.

Big Hero 6 is based off of an obscure 90’s threatens your emotional health and jerks marvel comic about a six person team of your tears like nothing else can? Let’s give that one three checks. supernatural crime-fighters.

When I first heard of the movie, I was While Disney’s Big Hero 6 and the comic it is based off of are similar in name, this is kind of worried.

Still a little on edge that the biggest where similarities end.

In the comic, Baymax is a dragon-esque movie-making empire in America science project made by Hiro, engrained and the third-most likely candidate with the memories of his father. This movie for world domination had purchased is a totally different take on the story told my favorite studio, I did not expect a in the comic. Disney’s Baymax is a soft, superhero movie from Disney to be that great (honestly, The Incredibles did not huggable robot.

On the topic of Baymax, the movie blow me away).

I felt like they were trying to stay “hip,” totally rides on him.

While the movie does draw attention as if they were saying, “Hey guys! Look! and feelings toward the other characters, We can make superhero movies just like I constantly found myself waiting for the Marvel!”

The end result was nothing like I next encounter with Baymax and Hiro, and the hilarious situations that surrounded expected, and I loved it.

THOMAS MULLINS STAFF WRITER

D

Photo from Flickr

BRAAIIINS BRAAIIINS The Walking Dead season five finale, “Conquer,” aired March 29. The hour-and-a-half episode was full of gruesome violence, escapes and surprises. The finale showed stories of the four groups attempting to reach the meeting-place Deeana set. The sixth season airs in the fall.

SHOW REVIEW

Cutthroat finale violently closes fifth season THOMAS MULLINS STAFF WRITER

The season five finale of AMC’s The Walking Dead aired Sunday, March 29, and brought emotional confusion and distress to millions across the nation.

If you’ve seen any of season five, you know by now that the writers have been throwing everything they’ve got at this season.

The finale, “Conquer,” brought everything to the next level. I absolutely loved the way this episode was presented.

Throughout the hour-and-a-half finale, viewers were given four parallel stories: Glenn, Nicholas, and their struggle outside the walls; Sasha, Gabriel, and their tense, accusatory scene in the church; Daryl, Aaron, and their hopeless attempt to escape death; and Rick, trying to rid Alexandria of the walkers that Gabriel let in, all the while trying to make it to the meeting Deeana was holding about his terrifying actions from the previous episode.

The writers presented these stories slowly, letting them progress until each one met a boiling point, and I couldn’t help but make a conclusion for each story. As soon as I created an ending for each one, the tables were turned. All of a sudden,

Glenn’s not dead, and now he’s saving Nicholas. Maggie busts in right before Sasha pulls the trigger and stops her from killing Gabriel. Daryl and Aaron are about to make a last-ditch escape when Morgan comes out of nowhere and takes down the horde of walkers with a broomstick.

And finally, Rick’s scenes.

The final scenes of the episode blew me away. From Rick’s arrival to the meeting all the way to Morgan showing up in Alexandria, I was at the edge of my seat.

I have never seen such masterful storytelling, even from this show—and that’s saying something because this episode aired at the end of arguably the best season in the history of The Walking Dead.

For the sake of spoilers, you’ll have to watch the final scenes yourself, but believe me, this episode is well worth watching, and closes the best story the show has ever told. It’s everything I ever wanted in a finale. The tension was incredibly stressful, and the twists and turns of every separate story had me freaking out every minute.

I can hardly wait for this fall, when season six begins airing. If you haven’t seen the finale yet, do it as soon as possible—it’s worth it.

Student questions Apple Watch’s usability

stocks. However, the watch does have a phone app. The Apple Watch has speakers and a microphone, so it is possible to have Apple has crossed into the very newly a conversation through the watch. This created world of smartwatches. The Apple watch basically does everything a regular Watch, which releases in the U.S. on phone can do plus what a normal iPhone April 24, is Apple’s first try at creating a can do. smartwatch. Samsung was the first to create All of these features are all well and this kind of technology when they released good, but the price is nothing to scoff at the Samsung Galaxy Gear on Sept. 25, with the start price for the cheapest model 2013. However, the Apple Watch offers at $349 while the most expensive model brand new innovations that are genius. costs a whopping $17,000. The latter First, the watch itself does keep time price is so ridiculous because the watch is efficiently by offering many inside of a casing made of different clock faces to suit 18-karat gold. This model the individual. Some clock is obviously for the upper faces have the time and class but the price is still weather or any alarms and hard to look at without events you have that day. laughing at how ridiculous This makes the watch very it is. The average model customizable and is a great starts at $549.99 which is selling point. very expensive, but it is a Second, the watch has still a reasonable alternative a new piece of technology to the gold incased model.

Photo from MCT Campus called the taptic engine The Apple Watch is the that makes it possible for the user to send biggest innovation in a long time, but it messages using their heartbeat. The watch also has a price to match. It will be more is also capable of using sketches or a light affordable the more time passes, but when tap to send to others. The heartbeat feature it releases many people will put in a lot is kind of creepy but still a cool feature. of money to own the new Apple product Being able to sketch a message is also very anyway. It will be a success in terms of sales, innovative although I don’t think many but usability can only be determined with people will use it. time.

The Apple Watch is outfitted with the Also see: https://www.apple.com/watch/guidusual apps such as messages, weather and ed-tours/#film-welcome?cid=& JORDAN HUTCHINSON SPORTS EDITOR

The Northridge Reporter APRIl 10, 2015

Entertainment

9

BOOK REVIEW

‘Fascinating read’ about dystopian society ‘is a true page-turner’ JAMES NIILER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

M

illions of people worldwide use the metro daily for a quick, efficient form of transportation. To live in a metro, however—to never see the light of the sun and face unforeseen dangers on a daily basis—is a prospect that sounds far less pleasant.

Russian writer Dmitri Glukhovsky imagines such a scenario in his blockbuster novel, Metro 2033. In a world devastated by nuclear war in the not-far-off future, much of the population of Moscow has retreated to its famed metro system. Settlers at each of the metro’s stations join together on the basis of survival—or ideology. Each station, or alliance, functions as a de facto country, and has its political system based on concepts such as free enterprise (the Hanseatic League), Communism (the Red Line), Nazi-style fascism (the Fourth Reich) and numerous others. The stations perpetually feud, or even break into all-out war, and the alliances between them are often created and destroyed.

On the surface of the city, the situation is even more dire. The nuclear radiation extisting on the surface has created various hideous and deadly mutants which routinely terrorize those brave enough to venture into the upper world. A group of mutant humanoids who have arisen since the nuclear disaster, the ‘dark ones,’ have begun to venture into the metro, inflicting not only physical harm but psychological horror on the subterranean dwellers.

Into this tense situation enters the protagonist of the novel, Artyom. Raised in

the relative safety of his station, VDNKh, he is twenty years old and in military training. Due to the ever-increasing threat of the dark ones, however, VDNKh is becoming far less safe.

When a my ster ious stranger k n o w n only as the ‘Hunter’ arrives at V DN K h , A r t yom confesses to him a terrible secret: years ago he and a group of friends opened a portal to the upper world in the station north of VDNKh, allowing dark ones access to the metro.

In short, Artyom is responsible for the chief trouble that all metro inhabitants face at that time.

Artyom is then charged by the Hunter to go on a dangerous journey to the very heart of the metro, to one of its most powerful

stations—Polis—to appeal for help. This Artyom does, and the consequences for him and others are life-changing. The entire book hinges on a mistaken premise that the people of the metro have been living under, and Artyom eventually realizes that he must correct this premise before it is too late.

While on his journey, A r t y o m encounters v a r i o u s people with various ideas.

He also encounters the fantastic dangers the metro presents and the nearmythic status it holds for many of its residents, encountered, for instance, Photo from Amazon.com in a tunnel that causes the one who passes through it to go mad and a terrifying biomass under the Kremlin that has a deadly and mesmerizing pull.

Metro 2033 is not just about a dangerous

MADE FRESH DAILY.

journey that Artyom faces—it is really a description of a journey into himself. With every new person or group he encounters, Artyom asks the question, “Is this ideology right?” Artyom’s journey is one of selfdiscovery to discover what he truly believes, but like resolutions in his physical journey, the answers in his introspective one don’t come easily.

Sadly, copies of Metro 2033 are not widely available in this country. This is a shame; Metro 2033 is a bestseller in Russia and throughout the world and deserves to be so here.

However, dear reader, don’t despair.

There is another way to read the book— and interact with it too—all for free.

Glukhovsky intended his novel to be an artistic project for the Internet age, and the book is free to read as a PDF online at http://goo.gl/8wTNgd. It can also be special-ordered from Barnes & Noble. An online game accompanies the book and has received excellent reviews.

Another book by another author, Metro 2034, was released not long ago, and Glukhovsky intends for his sequel, Metro 2035, to be released on a chapterby-chapter basis, incidentally enough, on a leading newspaper for Russian metro systems.

Metro 2033 is a fascinating read, and all who enjoy dystopian and sci-fi literature should give it a try. It is true that the translation from the Russian can be at times shaky, and its humorous moments not always evident. Nevertheless, it is a true page-turner, presenting horror, adventure and self-discovery in an incredibly fascinating bundle.

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The Northridge Reporter APRIL 10, 2015

SPORTS COLUMN

Soccer player faces roadblock, return possible NATE HESTER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

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hud…Thud…Thud. A sound I have become all too familiar with over the past few weeks. Due to a soccer injury, I have been confined to practically walking on just one leg.

The first pain I experienced was in late February at the Glow Run 5K. With each step I took along the course, I felt an uncomfortable tugging on my lower leg.

However, I continued to run until the end of the race and after I finished, I went about my life as if nothing had happened. I mean, how serious could it be?

With soccer practice every day and my first match rapidly approaching, the once nagging pain towards the bottom of my leg grew into a more intense pain in my ankle. The swelling began, but, yet again, I ignored it.

My first match was at Bryant. I started at Left Wing. Everything I had worked for was finally here. Everything I wanted was finally mine. But my pain was at a level it had never been before.

In the back of my mind, all I could think about was my leg. Each step hurt, but I pushed through. And once again, I ignored it. We beat Bryant 10-0, and I played the majority of the match.

So practices went on, and my leg got worse and worse. It got to the point that I could hardly stand. With every step, my leg gave out on me. Walking was hard, but running I could somehow manage.

For whatever reason, if I could get started Our first round draw was Oak running, then the pain would somewhat Mountain. They were fast. But no faster disappear. than us. Strong, but no stronger than us.

So I played and One of the best teams played, ignoring the in the state, and we were pain. pushing them to their My next game limit. came around, and I got into the game the pain was nearly early in the second half. unbearable.

When I caused commotion for coach called me up, their back line. I did I stumbled a little on my job, and they got my way to check into annoyed by it. to the game.

The last thing I Regardless, I made remember was stepping it there and got in the for a loose ball then game. Each trip up hearing a collision. Next and down the field thing I know, I was on hurt. the ground. On the With pain shooting ground, with my ankle all the way up my leg, on fire.

I had been slide I kept going. tackled right in the I was determined to keep going. injured part of my leg.

I played and played It was the only place Photo by Camri Mason on my body I wasn’t and played.

NATE HESTER And I scored. Just willing to take a hit, and two games into my season, I scored a goal. it took a hit.

Finally, after the pain in my leg got to I heard the ref say “Clean tackle, play on!” the point I couldn’t stand it, I stopped and then the stadium went mostly silent. ignoring it.

Fans were quiet. My teammates who I went to Mary T, the athletic trainer at knew about my injury went silent. The only Northridge. sounds I could hear were my coach giving She had me ice it and put me in an air the ref heck about his awful decision, and cast. Unclear on whether it was tendonitis the Oak Mountain bench excited about a or a stress fracture, she cleared me to play “Clean tackle.” the coming weekend in our tournament.

I got up and walked off the field on my

own but did not play for the rest of the tournament.

When I got back in town Monday, I scheduled an X-ray and continued hobbling around to the best of my ability.

When the day of my X-ray came around, I was hoping for good news. Perhaps it was just a sprain or maybe a hairline fracture.

My doctor’s assistant was the first to talk to me after I got the X-ray.

“Good news. It appears to be just a bone bruise. If you stay off of it, you should be able to play in a few weeks,” he said.

I was ecstatic. I might have a chance at playing again. But then the doctor himself came into the room.

“Well. I’m afraid that I don’t know what to say. You have a broken bone in your leg,” he said.

My heart sank.

I was sentenced to wearing a boot for four weeks. In addition, I would have a two week check up to see if I needed surgery.

Wearing the boot hasn’t been fun at all.

I have to take it off every time I drive which is inconvenient. I’m wrapped up in Velcro like I’m Houdini trying to make a grand escape, and it isn’t fun kicking things everywhere I go.

But I guess good things have come out of the injury.

I mean, I look like a soccer god for playing through an injury like that, I get mad respect from my teammates, and if I have to get surgery, as unfortunate as that may be, it will leave a gnarly scar. Chicks dig scars.

WEATHER ISSUES

Tennis team faces bad weather, prepares for sectionals Sujitha PERAMSETTY ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR The boys and girls tennis teams continue their season with wins and losses while preparing for sectionals. The girls’ record is 7-2, and the boys’ record is 3-5.

The girls placed second in the Auburn Invitational Tournament. The boys placed sixth, and the girls placed fifth in the Austin Invitational Tournament.

John Cain, boys coach, said the team has had to deal with a lot of weather issues.

“We’ve canceled more matches than we have played,” he said.

Despite the weather complications, Cain said the boys have shown improvement.

“Every time they get on the court, they get better, but we have to get on the court more,” he said.

Becci Hauser, girls coach, said the girls are improving by practicing and going to clinics.

“When we played in Auburn, we won, but the matches were close,” she said. “The next time we played the same team we won, but the matches were not close.”

Hauser said captains Maryam Azam

and Katie Hauser have shown leadership by “bringing the team closer together and [building] camaraderie.”

Senior captain Maryam Azam said her responsibility as a captain is team building. “[I] make sure the team has a good attitude and that we all act as a team,” she said.

India Woods, freshman player, said the team is stronger than she expected but still can polish some aspects of their performance.

“We can win more if we work on communication for doubles,” she said.

Sophomore player Anne Mason Smith said she is proud of the team for coming this far.

“We have good players with good sportsmanship,” she said. “I feel pride when I’m helping my team win.”

Azam and Woods said they think the girls team has a chance at winning sectionals and state.

Cain said he has high expectations for the both the boys and girls teams at sectionals.

“I feel strongly that we will be in the top two teams in our section,” he said.

“Renewable waste to energy”

Photos by Camri Mason

ACE John Palmer Krieger, junior, serves a ball against Chelsea on March 26. Krieger said he has been preparing and practicing everyday. “I hit for a couple hours,” Krieger said. “I’m improving pretty well.” The tennis teams played against Hillcrest April 1. “The thing is Hillcrest beat the boys 8-1 the first time, and now we are closing the gap. We hope to beat them at sectionals next week,” Coach John Cain said.

sports

The Northridge Reporter APRIL 10, 2015

11

Softball team regroups to win games NATE HESTER ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Photo by Mayci Hartley

BATTER UP Kerry Irving, senior, waits for a pitch during the Brookwood game on March 24. She said teamwork is important. “Softball is a sport that is all about teamwork,” Irving said. “If you don’t have that, then you don’t have anything.” Junior infielder Anna McMillan said that “This season has been rough and we need better team chemistry.” “Maggie has been doing well pitching, but we need to get better at hitting,” McMillan said. “We go back and forth on our hitting; it just depends on the day.”

rising stars

The varsity softball team has a (6-12) record after the departure of seven seniors at the end of last season.

Miller Fitts, senior right fielder, said the season has been hard because they have had to adjust to basically a whole new team.

“It’s taken a lot of time to get all of our stuff together,” Fitts said. “Slowly but surely we are getting there. And when we get there it is going to be awesome.”

Anna McMillan, junior infielder, said this season has been a struggle trying to adjust to all of the changes.

“We have had to change a few people’s positions, but we are mostly just making mental adjustments,” she said. “New players have to step up as leaders. We have to realize that we might have to work harder than we ever have to be the team we want to be.”

McMillan said that beating Demopolis twice was the key.

“It showed us that we have what it takes to beat great teams if we come together like we did against them,” McMillan said. “We are fully capable of playing well and being competitive.”

Golf teams overcome trials as they play big tournaments

character.”

Rose was one of the four returning players and said he enjoyed playing with The boys golf team has finished in the Akins.

“It was a little tough at first,” Rose said. top six of the four tournaments they have “But it’s a little easier now.” played in.

Rose said last year Akins went through Junior Trey Rose said the season didn’t quite an ordeal to get to some tournaments. start off well.

“We had two tournaments back-to-back, “It started off rough, but it’s getting and his [Akins] trailer got broken into,” better,” Rose said.

Rose said.

“And then his truck broke down William Walker, player, said he hopes before that.” the team makes it to state.

Rose said he’s enjoyed playing with the “We’ve done pretty good [this season] same guys over the we’re getting better,” They know me, they past years.

Walker said.“ know each other, and they Walker said his David Akins, head experience with Akins know all the expectations. coach, said the next has been memorable. tournament, on April 8 David akins, golf coach “We’ve just gotten and 9, is a very big deal. closer over the years “We play in the because we go to every Bradley Johnson Memorial tournament tournament together,” Walker said. “This is in Greystone, which is huge,” Akins said. our last year so we want to do our best.”

“The top teams in the state will be there.”

The girls team has had a winning season Akins said he feels the team has a very so far.

They won their last match on April good chance of winning state.

1, and their record is 6 0.

He said he has a “veteran team” with four Raquel Murphy, head coach, said the players returning for their fourth year. season had been going great.

Akins said he’s enjoyed watching the “All of our golfers are exceptional four returning players grow. players,” Murphy said. “They’re a team, “They know me, they know each other, they work together as a team.” and they know all the expectations,” Akins said. “They’re all classy kids, they have great CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITER

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Hard work Former cheerleader Abbie Atkins lifts a tire, a popular CrossFit exercise.

Cheerleader finds new hobby in CrossFit MAYCI HARTLEY STAFF WRITER Senior Abbie Atkins started cheering competitively in 4th grade. Eight years later she put down her pom-poms and picked up a barbell.

“I’ve never been into other sports besides cheer, but strength is something that runs in my family. My brother talked me into doing [Crossfit], and I have loved it ever since,” she said.

Before she made the switch to CrossFit, Atkins cheered in her last home football game on Oct. 25, taking on the Selma Saints at homecoming.

“The atmosphere is always fun and exciting, and everyone is always pumped up, especially the student section,” she said.

She said the last time she cheered was bittersweet.

“It was kind of sad because I knew it was the last time I was ever going to be on the field,” she said.

Atkins said her highest moment cheering was when she became team captain.

“I learned how to be a leader through this,” she said. “My lowest moment would be dealing with all the drama and keeping everything under control; it taught me that some things aren’t worth it.”

Erin Darnell, cheerleading coach, has known Atkins since she was in 8th grade.

Darnell said Atkins is a hard worker,

athletic and goal oriented.

She said she has loved watching Atkins grow up.

“She has matured into a wonderful young lady,” she said.

Darnell said Atkins has become a leadership figure.

“I feel like she encourages and motivates the girls to do their best,” she said.

Abby Abston, varsity cheerleader, said Atkins is relaxed and charismatic, and people look up to her.

“It’s kind of funny because we interact on a friendship level,” Abston said.

After cheering in 100 games, Atkins is taking on a new challenge by competing in Crossfit instead of cheer in college.

“It was fun while it lasted but not for any longer,” she said. “I’ll miss it, but I don’t want to compete [in cheerleading] at a college level.”

Atkins started doing Crossfit when she started working in their child care.

“I just watched it all the time and decided that I wanted to do it, and then I found out I was good, so I decided to stick with it,” she said.

Unlike in her experience cheerleading, Atkins will get to compete through Crossfit.

She is training for competition in regionals in two years.

“It’s more competitive. Depending on who you are and for me it’s a more competitive thing to do,” she said.

they’re more attracted to white dolls, so we just gave [the girls] black dolls to let them know that they are beautiful.”

Originating from an older group called the Cosmos, JC, an organization for “black teens,” was founded by the late Myrtle Grey over 50 years ago.

“The tradition of the club is to keep our sisterhood going and to be industrious individuals... Our legacy is to act as if the sky is the limit,” JC President Makiah Craig said.

Craig, a senior at Bryant High School, has been active in the club for three years. Craig said membership has increased from 27 to 44 girls since she has become president.

“I expect my members to have the best, be the best, and do the

The Northridge Reporter april 10, 2015

best for themselves and the club,” Craig said.

In order to join the club, prospective members must submit a letter of interest.

Junior Dajah Benson, who found out about the club through an upperclassman, said her letter “explained what’s different about [her] and what [she] can bring to the table.”

After visiting social media sites of the applicants, current members will cast a vote.

“It’s kinda like getting a job,” Long said. “We look for classy people.”

Once accepted into the club, members are expected to participate in community service projects as their motto “Lifting as We Climb” implies.

“We are trying to make a better

future for ourselves and our community,” Craig said.

Long said the club helps with Nick Saban’s Coaches’ Banquet, visits nursing homes and hosts dances regularly.

“Be prepared to be busy,” Benson said she would advise to prospective members. “Be prepared to interact with others.”

Their next event, an “extravaganza” in which “juniors [in the club] will compete against each other” in the form of a pageant will take place April 12 at the Bama Theatre, Benson said.

“We’re starting to wrap things up,” Cheatum said. “We’ll have an interest meeting sometime after the pageant, which is important because we have twelve seniors leaving this year.”

as Amigas Juniors (LAJ) delivered snacks and toys to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in DCH on Nov. 1.

“When we walked in there, the kids were really happy that we brought food and toys,” LaKesha Dailey, sophomore said. “It was really sweet; we got to see their little playroom. The nurses were sweet, and the kids were so happy they got some candy.”

The federated girls club LAJ’s objective is to “instill in all members the ideal of finer womanhood,” LAJ Sponsor Charmaine Walker said.

LAJ was founded in 1954 and is associated with the National Association of Colored Women’s Club.

Corresponding Secretary Jasmine Harris, junior, said, “LAJ’s purpose is to foster moral, intellectual, cultural and inspirational training for all members of the organization. LAJ aspires to inspire the love for home and all mankind.”

LAJ has participated in other community

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­­­KATHRYN VERSACE INFORGRAPHICS EDITOR

projects besides the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“We have marched during the Martin Luther King Jr. parade,” Harris said.

Dailey, parliamentarian, said they also, “did the Tuscaloosa Link Walkathon at Shelby Park and marched in the Stillman Homecoming Parade.”

LAJ held a pageant on March 28.

Harris said before the pageant, “We are having… [a] Miss L.A.J. Pageant in Bryant High [School’s] auditorium. It’s for eleventh grade members.”

The proceeds from this annual pageant are awarded as scholarships, provide registration fees for workshop attendance, board meetings, state, regional and national conventions.

Dailey said she likes LAJ because it has a “positive atmosphere,” and she appreciates “the value of sisterhood” the group possesses.

Girls in grades 9-11 interested in becoming a member of LAJ, are asked to provide a short essay explaining why they want to be member in the club. Also, three reference letters, including one from your school, written by an adult in good standing within the community, must be attached with the essay of intent.

“Letters can be turned in to the [recruiter] who gave you an application,” London Bailey, junior, said.

“We are accepting letters throughout April and May,” Dailey said.

Harris said LAJ is looking for students with good grades, who are a leader and have a good attitude.

sisterhood London Bailey, junior; Jasmine Harris, junior; LaKesha Dailey, sophomore and Erin Davis, freshman show off their LAJ (Las Amigas Juniors) T-shirts in November.

Photo by Kathryn Versace

Sorority aims to establish ideals of ‘finer womanhood’ in members

oung faces lit up as they unwrapped gifts from members of Junior Cosmos ( JC) at the annual Black Doll Affair on Dec. 14.

“They were all like, ‘Oh my God! I got a doll!’” senior JC member Lauren Cheatum said.

“They loved it… It made me feel like a child again watching them [open up their gifts].”

Senior JC member LeAmbreya Long said the event, held at Children’s Hands-On Museum, was targeted towards “black girls between two to ten years old.”

“Black dolls don’t get that much attention,” Long said.

“When little girls go to the store,

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REBECCA GRIESBACH MANAGING EDITOR

Girls organization encourages members to ‘lift as they climb’

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