The Northridge Reporter October 2014

Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

EST. 2003

THE OCTOBER 29, 2014

NORTH RI D GE

www.northridgereporter.wordpress.com

REPORTER

The student voice of Northridge High School

VOLUME 12 ISSUE 2

Students have trouble accessing grades KATHRYN VERSACE INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

Would you like a student iNOW? 100 students polled Infographic designed by Kathryn Versace Information compiled by Kathryn Versace

Students say they want access to the iNOW grading system, monitored mainly by parents.

Dr. Victoria Evans, science teacher, said she believes students should have an individual login and password for their own iNOW. “They need to see their own grades,” Dr. Evans said. “It’s good practice for college to keep up with your personal grades and work.”

Students received a parent login in the first progress report.

“Ideally, I would love to see students and parents have access to iNOW the first day of school, but I’m happy that logins [were] sent out with progress reports. Before last year, a parent was required to come to the school to sign up. Almost no students had access,” Dr. Evans said.

LaTaysia Quinnie, junior, transferred here from Hillcrest High School. “[At Hillcrest] they have student ID and [iNOW ] logins. You get them in ninth grade and use it every year; if you

lose it then you can go get another one,” Quinnie said.

Dr. Evans predicted that grades will have an overall improvement if students have their own password.

“It would let students keep up with their own grades and stay on top of teachers’ mistakes,” Dr. Evans said.

Alexus Stevenson, junior, said she agrees that students should have separate logins. “[Teachers] don’t have time to give you your grades during class,” Stevenson said.

Darryl Wilson, junior, said he has a hard time getting grades from teachers because they are busy. Wilson said he could focus on the classes he is failing if he had his own login to iNOW. Rachel Emig, junior, said her parents have kept their iNOW password from her.

“They don’t want me seeing my siblings’ grades,” Emig said. “It hasn’t caused any problems, but it just keeps me from checking mine.”

Sophomore Kristen Loper said that her mother has an iNOW password. Loper said that her mom “hides it” from her.

“You can’t change your grade, so I don’t

see the problem [with me having access to my grades],” she said.

Principal Kyle Ferguson said the possibility of having student iNOW logins is up to the central office.

“We are currently reviewing our established protocol concerning allowing

HALT forms used for bullied students KATHRYN VERSACE INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

HALT, or Harassment Awareness Learning Together, was initiated district-wide by the Tuscaloosa City Schools to combat bullying in August 2012.

Smothers is the counselor representative to see the Board of Education about a bullying report.

“We went to training at the central office to learn how to teach kids how to fill out the [HALT] forms,” Smothers said. “Parents and teachers can also fill them out, so we can get the cause of the problem.”

He said there are different ways to report bullying.

Bystanders can inform the school anonymously about an issue or present the problem in person.

“The [bystanders] I like the most are those who are not afraid [to report a problem they see]. They are not going to stand down against bullying,” Smothers said.

“It makes me glad that someone spoke up.”

Smothers said the victimized students should not be scared to tell someone to investigate their problem.

Students should “let a teacher or counselor know if [they] have a problem,” so it can be easily communicated and resolved Smothers said.

HALT forms can be found in the main office and counselors’ office.

AT A GLANCE CRIMSON CAVALCADE page 12

Lauren Nieman, eleventh grade counselor, said the forms should only be used if a student feels like they are being bullied not for a peer conflict.

“Bullying is a repeated offense; it happens over and over,” she said. “But, if a student does report a one-time thing [the counselors] will go ahead and still go over it [with the student].”

Nieman said HALT forms should be turned into appropriate grade level counselors.

On Oct. 6, the Tuscaloosa City Schools commenced a “Green Out” where students and faculty wore green in order to stand strong against bullying and raise further awareness of the program.

“A lot of faculty and staff participated. I think we had a really good turnout,” Smothers said. “But, our banner didn’t come in for us to sign the pledge. Once we get that in, we will have another day of handing out [HALT] bracelets and books.”

Smothers said he believes that students and parents are well aware of the program.

Alexus Stevenson, junior, said she has never had to fill out a HALT form, and she thinks that a lot of people joke more about HALT than actually use it for its true intention.

Students who have filled out HALT forms did not want to be interviewed even though they would have been anonymous.

OH WHAT A TWISTED WEB page 9

student access to iNOW,” Chris Jenks, Director of Instructional Technology for the Tuscaloosa City Schools, said.

Ferguson said the current solution to effectively use iNOW is for students to gain access through their parents’ logins and passwords.

STAY CLASSY

Slight changes made to dress code policy MYCHI TRAN NEWS EDITOR

The dress code remains the same as previous years with some minor alterations.

Students are still not allowed to wear anything that might reveal the body in an inappropriate manner.

The Code of Student Conduct includes a list of what students are allowed and not allowed to wear to school.

It says that shorts, dresses and skirts should be no more than five inches above the knees.

“Length must be appropriate whether the student is standing or sitting,” it reads.

Sagging is not allowed and neither are tank tops or spaghetti straps.

Clothing bearing any inappropriate or explicit pictures or words are not permitted.

The handbook said this includes “reference to alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, drugs [and] drug related slogans.”

Dean of Students Darrin Spence said that the administration does not want students to dress in a way that distracts or interrupts the learning process.

He said students should not wear “anything too revealing or show inappropriate areas of the body.”

Spence said the dress code policy is adjusted in accordance to changes in styles.

“We’re open to changes as we see fit,” he said.

Kyle Ferguson, principal, made a modification to the dress code policy.

He said students are allowed to wear leggings under shirts as long as the shirts remain within five inches of the knees.

Ferguson said their goal is not to be oppressive, but it comes down to one thing: “if you have to think about it, you probably shouldn’t [wear it].”

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

OUR THOUGHTS

JAMES NIILER • EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Glory Bound program benefits students

I

n a time when there is so much bad news caused by terrible events happening worldwide, it is heartening to read about small acts of kindness that still occur on a regular basis.

The partnership formed between our school’s transition program, faculty and Glory Bound Gyro Company is such an example. Forming positive bonds between the people of our community while teaching students invaluable skills shows there is so much more occurring in our world every day than just terrorism, war and disease. The Northridge Reporter commends Becci Hauser and all teachers at our school who have lent their support to this program.

All who participate in this lunch delivery program benefit from it in some manner.

Besides being able to employ its five core values (positive attitude, hard work, vision, gratitude and fun), Glory Bound has a group of faithful customers patronizing its business weekly. Teachers receive an inexpensive, hot and delicious lunch every Thursday, and the students who deliver the lunches develop personal relationships with teachers and Glory Bound employees, as well as social and monetary skills.

As The Northridge Reporter has covered so many unfortunate events this month, we believe it is of the highest importance to remember the good deeds that occur more often than many may realize. The partnership between our transition program, the faculty and Glory Bound is a win-win both for those directly involved and for our community at large.

See page 7 for more about the Glory Bound lunch program

AGREE 20 DISAGREE 0

Anti-Semitism, anti-Israeli sentiments dangerous JAMES NIILER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

T

he recent war between Israel and Gaza has revealed that despite progress made over the past century, anti-Semitism is alive and well, and doesn’t look like it will be going away soon.

Regardless of where you stand on the situation in Palestine, the fact that a good deal of the Western world immediately initiates bias, and even violence, against a certain group of people once their leaders do something they disagree with is frightening.

There is no good reason for such bias. Protesters against the policies of the Israeli government and military not only criticize them, but the entire ethnic group of which they are associated.

Think about it: this is similar to saying that all Americans are evil and deserve to be ostracized because our government interned the Japanese in prison camps during World War II. From the dreadful protests of those who sing ‘Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas,’ and the ridiculous (and blatantly offensive) assertion of the Turkish Prime Minister that Israel’s actions in this latest war had ‘surpassed Hitler’s,’ anti-Semitism in both ‘enlightened’ Europe and the United States is an evil genie well-bottled up - most of the time. Give the bottle the slightest provocation, and the genie comes forth with a vengeance.

It may not surprise those familiar with

my political views to find I am a supporter of Israel and of its rights to exist and defend itself. Nor am I unsympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians - it greatly saddens me that so many of them have died in this conflict, and I am concerned that on several occasions the Israeli military may have misjudged its targets or used excessive force.

However, whenever Israel enters a war to defend its territory, it is disturbing to see how much press coverage is given to pictures of the dead and dying in Palestine, in the context of how the Israelis are portrayed as unjust oppressors and tormentors of the Palestinian people.

Let the Western world remember that Hamas (the Palestinian government in Gaza) is a terrorist organization, and Israel is the only free democracy in the Middle East. Let those critics of Israel know Hamas gladly and callously exploits its own people as human shields for Israeli missile targets (which cannot see).

Let them further realize Israel has taken extraordinary measures to protect civilian life in its enemy’s territory, and it is never acceptable to malign an entire group of people for the actions of a few, no matter how well-deserved the criticism.

Time will tell how justified Israel has been in its Gazan campaign. In the meantime, though, it is our duty to remember how anti-Semitism plunged Europe into its darkest days - while America looked away indifferently - and to recommit ourselves to such a thing never happening again.

“

Anti-Semitism is alive and well, and doesn’t look like it will be going away soon.

“

Art by James Niiler

“There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”

est. 2003

THE

NORTH RI D G E

REPORTER

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 Editor Destiny Hodges, Mychi Tran

Entertainment Editor Jason Long Opinion Editor Bert McLelland Sports Editor *Jordan Hutchinson Asst. Sports Editor *Camri Mason

Copy Editor Jacob Martin Asst. Copy Editor Sujitha Peramsetty Infographics Editor *Kathryn Versace Art Editor Mychi Tran

The opinions in The Northridge Reporter are those of the students and not of the faculty or administration of Northridge High School or the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education.

It is the policy of The Northridge Reporter to publish all non-obscene, non-libelous, signed letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion expressed in them. Submit letters

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OPINION

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

3

Ebola’s no joke, so we shouldn’t laugh CAMRI MASON • PHOTOGRAPHER

Y

ou sneezed? Looks like you have Ebola.”

Ever since Thomas Duncan, the man who came to America with the Ebola virus, that’s all I hear when someone says they are sick or just simply don’t feel well.

It’s very annoying to listen to someone constantly scream out “Ebola!” every day.

This is not a comical issue if someone is dying from it.

It’s rather scary to see that the virus has reached America, even when the government said it would never come to our country.

Even though the person who carried the deadly virus was in another state, people still have to think how dangerous it can be if it spreads over the whole country.

What if it spreads into our town and our

family members get sick and pass away?

It wouldn’t be a laughing matter at all.

They have authorized screenings of the virus at airports now, as if it wasn’t enough to do the regular safety search before boarding.

So we should all understand that a virus isn’t something you can joke about and expect for it to be okay.

My heart is awfully sorry for the family who lost their family member due to the virus and others should take that into consideration.

As the generation of young adults coming up, we should learn not to make everything into a joke.

When something like this happens again, we should listen, know what is going on in the world, and stop treating important news as if it may or may not affect us.

“

We should all understand that a virus isn’t something you can joke about.

A TURN TO MOURN Mourners gather at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 8 to remember the life of Thomas Duncan, the Liberian man who was the first person in the U.S. to succumb to the disease.

Photos from MCT Campus

“

W

hen a wave of 50,000 Hispanic children broke on our border over the summer, illegal immigration became an even hotter topic than usual. Many of those who have an opinion lean to one extreme or the other: mass deportation or mass amnesty (granting blanket citizenship to all the children and other illegal immigrants).

Neither of these solutions is wholly moral or practical, but not for the reasons you might think.

Take, for example, the common fearmonger’s cry that we must defend our cities and towns from dangerous

dagos (basically, a widely held belief that immigrants are more prone to commit crimes than native-born Americans).

Logical as it might seem to some that More Darkies=More Crime, academic research actually suggests that immigrants are less criminally inclined than natives. So if immigrants do not make our cities more dangerous, why else would we not want to welcome them?

The biggest real disadvantage is that immigrant labor drives down American wages, because the immigrants who make it here across half a continent succeed because they’re both very skilled and incredibly determined. Once they do arrive they’ll

work like fiends, working over time for half pay and not complaining either because it’s ten times better than what they could ever have had at home. When companies hire immigrants, they do it to avoid paying an honest wage to an American citizen, and that truly is a cost to our country.

So what should we do? Round up millions of illegal aliens and quite legally deport them? We could do it, certainly, but it would mean calling out the army to raid towns and cities, break down doors, rip families out of their homes and force whole communities into concentration camps.

This would further entail sorting human beings and forcing them at gunpoint all the HAND IN HAND A brother and sister grasp hands as they answer the questions of police officer Miguel Martinez (left), commander of the Honduran special police unit called up to reign in the mass exodus of Honduran children to the United States. Martinez is pictured here checking the children’s Honduran identity cards, and asking them questions designed to ascertain whether they are being smuggled to the United States.

Photo from MCT Campus

way back to the chaos and violence of their own countries - hopefully, achieved with relatively few massacres.

We could do it, oh yes, but we’d turn into monsters in the process, and it would’ve been all for nothing.

All I know is this: whatever we do, we have to do it for the right reasons. We must not act only with a bleeding heart, and we MUST NOT act out of fear.

“

We must not act only with a bleeding heart, and we must not act out of fear.

“

BERT McLELLAND • OPINION EDITOR

Prudence advised in immigration crisis

4

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

HOT N’ READY

in brief

Transition Program partners with Glory Bound DESTINY HODGES NEWS EDITOR

Transition program students are picking up and delivering lunches from Glory Bound to our faculty members.

Becci Hauser, transition program teacher, contacted The Glory Bound restaurant and asked if they would be interested in preparing lunches to help the transition program.

The Glory Bound restaurant agreed and started preparing lunches on Sept. 4.

Hauser said her students are learning social skills, how to count money, to walk around safely, and then go out into the community to practice these skills.

She said she thought delivering lunches to teachers would be a fun way of interaction between students and faculty.

“It is exciting to me to see our students develop relationships with our faculty and the employees at Glory Bound,” Hauser said.

The Glory Bound restaurant has agreed to prepare lunch for our faculty for $6.00.

This includes a gyro and fries (possibly, a different side).

On Mondays, emails are sent to teachers and those who are interested reply.

On Tuesdays, students deliver menus to those who would like to participate.

On Wednesday, a student will pick up

$6.00 and the order.

Then on Thursday, the order is placed and picked up.

Every Thursday at 10:45, one or two students take a bus to Glory Bound to pick up the lunches. The students then deliver them to teachers depending on their lunch shift.

LaRissa VanHorn, junior and student of the transition program, is one of the students who rides to Glory Bound and picks up lunches. She said she likes the idea of delivering lunches to teachers.

“I know a lot more teachers now. My favorite part is going on the bus and picking up the lunches,” VanHorn said.

Delivering lunches to faculty has made students think about taking other classes.

Junior Elizabeth Hubbard, student in the transition program, delivers menus to teachers. She said delivering menus to French teacher Kelilah Anders helped her decide to take French next year.

“The French teacher is my friend, and I say bonjour when I open the door,” Hubbard said.

Nick Chichester, owner and general manager of Glory Bound, said preparing lunches for Northridge is just another way to get involved in the community.

“Our company has five core values: 1.

Positive Attitude 2. Hard Work 3. Vision 4.

Gratitude 5. Have Fun. We look for extra

Awards were given out to students who took AP exams the previous year and passed with a 3, 4 or 5.

Kyle Ferguson, principal, said before the event that there were 120 students who will be honored with this award.

“Each of these students will receive a $100 gift certificate and earn college credit,” he said.

Ferguson said a total of $12,000 was awarded to students.

Morgan DeWitt, senior, said, “It’s an honor to be rewarded for putting in so much hard work,” she said.

Photo by Destiny Hodges

ORDER, PLEASE Elizabeth Hubbard, junior, gives a Glory Bound menu to Raquel Murphy, credit recovery teacher.

ways to live these values out every day, and this gives us a way to show gratitude to the community, but specifically to the class and teachers at Northridge,” Chichester said.

“I hope that others will take Becci’s heart for the students and explore other ideas that effect their education,” he said.

Glory Bound lunches will be available every week for faculty, and every faculty member has an opportunity to get involved in this program.

See page 3 Our Thoughts

Exchange student compares United States, Sweden JACOB MARTIN COPY EDITOR

Swedish exchange student Anna Dahlbäck arrived in the United States on Aug. 5 and is staying for 10 months.

Dahlbäck is from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. She said she decided to study abroad to experience a new culture.

“I am looking forward to living the American high school life,” Dahlbäck said.

Dahlbäck snow skis, snowboards and plays soccer. She said sports are organized differently in Sweden than in the United States.

“In Sweden we don’t have school sports after school. Everything is in clubs,” she said.

Dahlbäck said the way Swedish schools are organized is different from American schools.

“In Sweden, we do all the classes together in one class of 30 people,” Dahlbäck said.

In Sweden, all students Since her arrival, Dahlbäck learn English. Dahlbäck said said she has noticed that her English is good and that people are more extroverted language is not an issue for in the United States. her.

“People here talk to more Kava Smith, secondary strangers. They are more ESL specialist, tests foreign friendly,” she said. students in their English Dahlbäck said religion proficiency. plays a bigger role in life in “I test listening, writing and Alabama than in Sweden. speaking,” she said. “[In Sweden], people say Photo by Jacob Martin Smith also helps students they are Christian, but they don’t ANNA DAHLBÄCK adjust to their new school. actually go to church or read the “We provide supplemental support for Bible. There are no [Christian] youth groups,” international students, such as tutoring she said.

Dahlbäck said the climate of Sweden is services,” Smith said. “With Anna our very different than the climate of Alabama. support is limited because she is very “We have a short summer [in Sweden]. proficient in English.”

Dahlbäck is staying with an American The winters are usually long, and we have a lot of snow,” Dahlbäck said. “School does host family. She said staying with the host not get canceled for snow, even if it is up to family is “fun because you get to experience how to live with an American family.” one meter [three feet].”

Ferguson takes over All-Academic Team, members added

SUJITHA PERAMSETTY ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

T

he All-Academic Team has inducted this year’s newest members.

Kyle Ferguson, principal, has taken over the All-Academic Team.

“It’s an incentive for students to strive to their maximum potential,” he said.

Ferguson said that it’s also a great way for students to get college scholarships.

“So many colleges offer scholarships for ACTs of 30 or higher,” he said. “Well, you know, just like at [the University of Alabama], once you receive a 30, you get a Presidential Scholarship.”

He said he made each new inductee write an essay before the induction.

“Each person wrote an essay on their secrets to success and tips that help other students,” Ferguson said.

He said he got different responses from each student.

“We had kids in ACT Prep at Stanford.

We had some kids take ACT Prep at

Sylvan,” he said. “We had others that just studied, and studied and studied. Some studied a lot, but didn’t do too well. Then they realized they just needed to relax.”

Rebecca Han, freshman, said she did lots of practice tests.

“I bought study books and took online tests and found what I needed to work on,” she said. “I realized I didn’t know a lot of the math because I hadn’t taken it yet, so I took online math classes.”

Senior Keishun Smith said he didn’t put in any work.

“I just showed up and took the test,” he said.

Terry Millsaps, sophomore, said they got T-shirts at the induction.

“We got a cute little bag with our shirts in it,” she said. “It’s a blue shirt with an armadillo on the back.”

Ferguson said that some people will do “crazy things” for a T-shirt.

“I was talking to [Isaac Espy], and he was talking about the number of students in All-Academic Team. He said it was

AP awards given

MYCHI TRAN NEWS EDITOR

‘T-shirt culture,’ but obviously it’s more than that,” Ferguson said.

Smith said being on the team meant a lot to him.

“It shows that anybody can do anything they put their mind to,” he said.

Millsaps said she is proud she was able to do so well.

“I’m grateful to all the teachers and Mr. Ferguson for helping me,” she said.

Appie Millsaps, Terry’s mother, said her daughter rose to the challenge.

“I was thrilled and very proud of her,” she said.

Ferguson said he hopes that the AllAcademic Team will serve as motivation for students to strive.

“We definitely want to recognize academic excellence and make that a priority for more students,” he said.

Millsaps’ mother said she thinks it’s an excellent motivational tool.

“It’s a great way to recognize the hard work and dedication of these young people,” she said.

Chess club to begin

CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITER

The chess club will return this year, but at the moment, it is still being formed.

Last year the club met on Tuesdays after school, once a month. In the club, a member would play other members. Beginners are welcome and the experienced players in the club offer teaching to new players.

Sponsor of the club Librarian Neilann Thomas said, “I want people to come to me with a sheet and say these are the people who want to start the chess club.”

She said she’d rather have it that way so the people who are truly interested in chess will want to start a club themed by it.

So far Thomas said only one person has mentioned the club.

Anthony takes Board job AJ GRANT STAFF WRITER

Former Assistant Principal Charles Anthony accepted a job with the Board of Education as Attendance Coordinator.

“It’s a system-wide job where I will coordinate the attendance of more than 10,000 students,” Anthony said.

Those with major attendance issues such as excessive tardies to class may receive a possible juvenile detention sentence Anthony said.

“Hopefully, this will cut down on the students missing class,” Anthony said.

In the spring Mr. Anthony was one of three finalists for the principal position.

“It just wasn’t in God’s will for me to have that job. But, when one door closes, another one opens,” he said.

Anthony was at Northridge six years.

“The people here have made me feel so welcome, so it’s tough to leave,” he said.

“I will also miss working with students on a day to day basis,” he said.

Nancy Reed, history teacher, said he was a great asset to the school.

Dean of Students Darrin Spence said that the faculty will “miss him.”

Key Club Fall Rally held NATE HESTER STAFF WRITER

The annual Key Club Fall Rally, an event where club members from across Tuscaloosa County come together, was held Oct. 5.

Key Club Lieutenant Governor Mackenzie Johnson, junior, planned the event.

Johnson, who oversees nine Key Clubs in the Tuscaloosa area, said the Fall Rally is a “good networking opportunity.”

Sophomore Taylor Harless, Fall Rally attendee, said, “It taught us the core values of Key Club [and ways we can help others.]

NEWS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

Yearbook staff makes changes KATHRYN VERSACE INFOGRAPHICS EDITOR

The style of the yearbook is changing.

Cikerri Gardner, blueprints editor, said, “It’s going to be interesting and different than years before. This publication we’re using more and new style options.”

The index has been removed from this year’s edition.

“The index takes up too much space. We can cover more without it,” Gardner said.

“We have a bunch of senior ads to place.”

“This year’s yearbook theme is Spark,” Mallie Humber, yearbook advisor, said.

Gardner makes decisions on Spark’s new content as well as the overall design.

“I’m designing pages. The rest of the staff [is] doing stories right now. We are working on the club pages and getting pictures,” Gardner said.

The students selected for profiles “have

to do exciting and different things in their everyday life. They need to do unique things and have to be interesting,” Gardner said.

LeAmbreya Long, editor, designs the summer and fall pages.

“I’m choosing what events to cover,” Long said.

The pictures chosen for clubs “have to have good quality. I like off guards and ones where you can see their eyes. The best are when they’re focused on what they are doing,” Long said.

She said the yearbook is coming along and is pretty much on schedule.

“Yearbooks are sold all throughout the year. We don’t order a lot of extras, so by the end of April students should have their orders in. The books come in the second week of May,” Gardner said.

The staff has revealed little information about the content of the yearbook because they want the new style to be a secret.

Cheerleaders make pep rallies fun

two co-captains are Abbie Abston and Abby Wolbach,” she said.

The team is doing more fundraisers.

Three, two, one! Hit it! N.H.S.!

“Our booster club helps us with parking The cheerleaders have started trying cars on campus for game day. Our girls to make the pep rallies more fun for the assist of course,” Darnell said. crowd Erin Darnell, coach for The cheer team also hosts a varsity cheerleading, said. mini cheer camp.

“We wanted to make the pep “Our mini-camp is for grades rallies more interesting and shift kindergarten through fifth grade. gears from the past,” Darnell said.

They learn and do cheers, chants, Mary Glenn Agee, sophomore dances, jumps and a craft. At cheerleader, said the cheerleaders the end of the camp they get to are getting teachers and students ABBIE ATKINS perform what they learned in front involved in pep rallies by playing of their parents, friends, family and more games. anyone else who wants to watch. We do The cheer team has one captain and two this to raise money and to get community co-captains. outreach. The camp is held at the end of “Our captain is Abbie Atkins and our summer before school starts,” she said MAYCI HARTLEY STAFF WRITER

Buy a Large Quarter Pounder with Cheese Extra Value Meal and get a second Quarter Pounder with Cheese sandwich FREE when you bring in this ad! (only available at Rice Mine location)

GO JAGUARS!!

Locally Owned and Operated by Rick & Mary Ellen Hanna 4840 Rice Mine Road NE Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 205-345-0045

5

Photo by a bystander

ON A MISSON Combined teams from Church of the Highlands gather on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The teams enjoyed their last day in Ireland to tour the country. Junior Thomas Mullins, a member of the team wearing the reflective sunglasses above, said he enjoyed himself. “It was beautiful. Enjoying myself would be an understatement,” Mullins said. The teams spent the rest of their day visiting Dunluce Castle and traveling home.

CONFIDENCE BUILDER

Junior goes to Ireland on mission trip

CAMRI MASON PHOTOGRAPHER

Thomas Mullins, junior, visited Ireland this summer with other youth members from Church of the Highlands.

Mullins said he heard about the trip while at youth night called “Motion Night,” an event at his church.

“I jumped at the opportunity because my family is from Ireland,” Mullins said.

Mullins’ mom, Perri Mullins, said being a parent and hearing your child wants to go on a trip like this, your first reaction would be to say “no.”

“We knew his motivation wasn’t just to go somewhere,” Mullins said. “We said we would pray about it, and if God gave us peace about him going, then we would let him go,” she said.

His mother said because God granted her and her husband peace, they knew that God would protect their son.

“Two of his older brothers have both taken trips like this, one to Africa and the other to Brazil, Spain and Mexico,” she said.

“It is never any easier no matter how many times you let one go,” she said.

During the trip, the students weren’t allowed to use their cellphones at all.

“You don’t realize how dependent we’ve all become on those silly things,” his mother said.

Because they couldn’t use their phones, the leaders of the trip kept parents updated and sent parents pictures of the things they did in Ireland.

“So, it was good for us as well,” his mother said. “It’s our faith building,” she said.

The Church of the Highlands youth leader, Taylor Kilycone, said he believed that the trip revealed to Mullins that he was a leader.

“Thomas is a gifted leader and leads completely out of his love for Jesus,” Kilycone said.

“He was a leader and God wanted to use

him in an incredible way,” he said.

“I gained a satisfaction of fulfillment knowing I can make a difference and spread the word of God,” Mullins said.

While in Ireland, they helped with nearby schools, cleaned up the area and covered up graffiti. “[We] replaced the graffiti with encouraging words for the students,” Mullins said.

The group members also did some outreach work to nearby Catholic schools.

“Thomas did an incredible job inviting people form the neighboring schools and neighborhoods to The Hub,” he said.

Kilycone said his hope during the trip was to disconnect the students from the world around them and focus on what God was teaching and showing them.

“Although we were in another country, you still see a touch of the same culture in terms of the churched and the unchurched,” Kilycone said.

Mullins interacted with a lot of people from the country and played rugby with a local club.

“They were really obsessed with our American accent,” Mullins said. “They had us say ‘God Bless America,’ and we taught them how to say ‘Roll Tide’,” Mullins said.

Mullins said he learned that you don’t appreciate what we have in America until you look at an outside perspective.

“I think Thomas has a better idea now of what [God’s] purpose is,” his mother said. “His Dad and I know that if Thomas is willing to do whatever God calls him to do, he will be able to accomplish anything he sets his mind to,” she said.

His mother said since the trip, Thomas has been more motivated to share his faith with others.

“It allowed him time away from what he was most familiar with, and he came back more confident and secure in who he is and what he believes,” his mother said.

6 FEATURE FEAR RISING

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

TALIBAN THREAT STILL ACTIVE IN AFGHANISTAN JACOB MARTIN COPY EDITOR

A

s the United States tapers down its military action in Afghanistan, students and teachers are wary of ending the war too quickly.

Richard Shelby, United States Senator from Alabama, described President Barack Obama’s plan for withdrawal.

“On May 27, 2014, President Obama announced his plan to have 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan at the beginning of 2015, and draw down to a normal embassy presence by the end of 2016,” Senator Richard Shelby said in an e-mail interview.

Nancy Reed, history teacher, expressed concern about a 2016 withdrawal.

“That area is so volatile that I am wary about withdrawing all troops,” Reed said.

TALIBAN THREAT

Dallas Merrit, English intern and Iraq war veteran, said a situation similar to the crisis in Iraq could arise in Afghanistan

if all troops were withdrawn by 2016.

“You can look at what is happening in Iraq right now. You can look at the extremely recent historical context of what is happening in Iraq near Baghdad,” he said.

Reed said the Taliban could regain power in Afghanistan “if monetary funding was available to them.”

AFGHAN GOVERNMENT Merrit said that the Afghan government is not able to support itself in fighting the Taliban.

“With all governments you’re always going to have problems maintaining or controlling terrorist groups,” Merrit said.

“We cannot fathom the religious tensions [in Afghanistan]. We have no framework to understand.

Tensions exist even in that government.”

Senior Joseph Mohabbat, a student from an Afghan family, said the Afghan government could not fight the Taliban alone.

“Even with 140,000 NATO

troops they couldn’t stop the Taliban,” Mohabbat said.

CONNECTION TO ISIS Merrit said the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is connected to the war in Afghanistan.

“It’s hard to separate Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Afghanistan is one component of the larger picture,” he said. “Our foreign policy in the Middle East directly affects Afghanistan.”

Mohabbat said ISIS couldn’t spread into Afghanistan because they would have to go through Iran.

“I know the Afghan sector of the Taliban condemned the ISIS killing of civilians, but some terrorist fighters went to go join ISIS. Other than that, ISIS won’t spread [to Afghanistan],” Mohabbat said.

Merrit said the Taliban threat in Afghanistan needs to be completely extinguished before troops can be withdrawn.

“In these wars, if you do not fully eradicate these groups you

will have to stay forever,” Merrit said.

Merrit said that it would be difficult because of the fluid nature of the Taliban.

“You have these liquid terrorist organizations that are mobile.

They can establish cells in any region,” Merrit said. “They can operate as if [national] borders don’t exist.”

Shelby said the United States has “maintained a military presence in Afghanistan because we strive to root out terrorists where they live.”

“While the war in Afghanistan has cost our nation dearly in terms of lives lost, the courageous efforts of the men and women of the U.S. military have yielded significant progress in combating terrorism,” Shelby said.

Mohabbat said a peace agreement could possibly be reached in Afghanistan.

“I think peace agreements could be made with the Afghan sector of the Taliban but not the Pakistani sector of the Taliban,” he said. “The Afghan [sector] is

more tribal, so they work in the best interests of the country, and the Pakistani sector just wants to use it as a war zone.”

Mohabbat said the biggest problem in ending the war is corruption.

“If they can stop corruption, a lot of the programs will work,” he said.

Sriram Dantuluri, junior, said the Afghanistan war could be ended smoothly if “[the United States] is careful” and “if they train the Afghan troops that are already there.” “[The U.S. should] leave steadily and not in one big wave.

If they have Afghan troops that can actually defend themselves the war should end,” Dantuluri said.

Reed said the return of the last American soldiers would be one good thing that would come from the end of the war.

“Many families will be reunited with their loved ones and the void of missing a family member will be filled,” she said. “Soldiers returning home is always a beautiful thing.”

With the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sending the Middle East into turmoil, students and faculty weigh in on the impending threat of ISIS attacks on the U.S. and the most effective tactics for government and military action.

Graphic by Rebecca Griesbach

Students, faculty express concerns for homeland security, others say ISIS

JAMES NIILER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to gain more territory, kill more civilians and issue threats against the United States and Europe, fears of their attacking the West have become pronounced.

“I think [ISIS] is a pretty high threat,” Scott Johnson, math teacher, said. “They’re pretty well-funded. There’s already been a beheading in Oklahoma, so apparently they’re already here.”

Johnson said the US is “not weeks,” but “probably months away” from a terrorist attack

initiated by ISIS. “[The government] already knew about this threat of ISIS over a year ago and chose to do nothing. But apparently the president didn’t attend security briefings—over half of them,” he said.

Students’ responses to the threat of ISIS are mixed.

Senior Sam Maughan ranked the government’s response to ISIS a “negative one million” and said the US could be attacked at “any time.”

“We should be concerned, obviously,” he said. “I think our foreign policy’s too soft.”

Senior Oliver Reinwald said ISIS is “not very much of a threat at all.”

“I think [the government] could definitely do more,” he said.

“We have drones.”

A lack of information among students about ISIS is problematic, senior Abby Abston said.

“Most people don’t know a lot about ISIS,” she said. “Many students are uninformed.”

Art teacher Richard Nowell said the threat of an attack from ISIS is “about as much as the Taliban.”

“I think [the government] is doing as good as a job as they can without being in a full-out war. But since we have an open border policy, it’s hard to protect American citizens when they go overseas,” he said.

Daniel Levine, assistant professor of political science at the University of Alabama, said the possibility of ISIS attacking the West is hard to measure. “[It’s] hard to evaluate without knowing [the] organization’s capabilities,” he said in an e-mail interview. “Those who know won’t say; those who talk the most tend to know the least.”

Levine said the Oklahoma beheading and the shooting of the New Jersey teenager are not actions of the Islamic State.

“Those events are probably not connected to each other or to ISIS. In [the shooting], the attacker had a criminal record and no ties that I know of to the Middle East. In [the beheading],

the principals involved are from Pakistan, which is not anywhere near Syria or Iraq; and the story seems to be domestic and familial,” he said.

Levine said it is “too early to tell” if the government has effectively dealt with ISIS, and its set of options in dealing with ISIS are “very unattractive.”

“We don’t have a policy because the US has conflicting interests, and it’s not clear how to make ‘tough choices’ given how divided our politics have become. We have lots of political resources that could be effective in achieving political goals. What we lack is a means to set goals, given that our interests conflict,” he said.

Levine said he does not believe

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

FEATURE

7

WAGING WAR

Students, teachers, officials

suggest strategies to take down ISIS

BERT MCLELLAND OPINION EDITOR

S not a threat

ISIS will launch an attack against the US in the near future.

“The question is what ISIS wants,” he said. “Terror attacks against the US/UK homeland are complicated, and require a fair amount of logistical support. The 9/11, 7/7 [Benghazi], and other such attacks were planned over an extended period. Why should we assume that ISIS wants to invest such effort?”

America launched the first strike against the self-proclaimed “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” (ISIS) on Aug. 8.

The attack was made, said Richard Shelby, U.S. Senator for the state of Alabama, in response to rapid territorial gains made by ISIS militants in Northern Iraq and Syria since 2013.

“ISIS militants have executed significant numbers of Iraqi soldiers and noncombatants, persecuted Christians, including women and children and beheaded two American journalists,” Shelby said.

President Barack Obama said his strategy has been to “create an international coalition that will utilize increased airstrikes and provide assistance to Kurdish and Iraqi ground forces in order to defeat ISIS.” Shelby said there is no mention of “troops on the ground” in the president’s battle plan, so for the time being the war shall be waged from the air alone.

Opinions of the America’s current policy towards ISIS vary widely among the students and staff.

Humber said she does not Junior Josh Lotfi said he supports the president’s policy of believe that the U.S. is under any moral or political obligation limited aerial assault.

Lotfi described the campaign to send American soldiers as “very effective” in rolling back back into Iraq, since only two what he called a “criminal band of Americans have been beheaded by the militant group, calling it an destructive marauders.”

English teacher Carson Vines is “overreaction.”

“I don’t agree also a supporter.

COMMITTING with putting more “I fully lives in danger for TROOPS TO THE understand something like m a k i n g MIDDLE EAST that,” Humber airstrikes the AGAIN IS A VERY said. first stage,” BIG DECISIONEnglish teacher Vines said.

M O R A L L Y , Shane Ashcraft AP Calculus P O L I T I C A L LY , said he believes Teacher Scott AND FOR US AS that Americans Johnson said A NATION. should beware the he would favor CARSON VINES, temptation to take a much more ENGLISH TEACHER the aggressive aggressive approach in every strategy to combat the so called “Islamic moral dilemma.

“At what point do we stretch State.”

“You’re limited in what you can ourselves too thin?” Ashcraft said. do if all you’re going to do is do “If we want to be the world’s policemen, then there’s a whole airstrikes,” he said.

Johnson said he believes that world out there.”

Humber and junior Julie nothing short of a ground force in Jackson said they Iraq will stop are concerned the militants’ IF WE WANT TO about the further advance.

BE THE WORLD’S death of innocent “I’d hire a POLICEMEN, civilians in the mercenary THEN THERE’S A Middle East force to go in WHOLE WORLD and elsewhere, and eradicate OUT THERE. as well as what them,” he said, they see as a adding that SHANE ASHCRAFT, growing threat of such a small ENGLISH TEACHER xenophobia (fear force would be all that was necessary to defeat of foreigners).

“The American stereotype that the Islamic State.

“They drive around in pickup all Muslims are bad probably trucks for God’s sake,” Johnson mirrors their stereotype that said. “We oughta be able to all Americans just want to kill people,” Jackson said. handle them.”

Though Shelby made no clear Vines said he believes such an undertaking would be far more statement about what he thinks A m e r i c a momentous should do next, than Johnson ...THERE ARE NO he said “there suggests.

GOOD OPTIONS are no good “Committing HERE, AND options here, troops to the WHATEVER WE DO, and whatever Middle East THIS CONFLICT IS, we do, this again is a very UNFORTUNATELY, conflict is, big decision,” NOT GOING TO unfortunately, Vines said.

GO AWAY IN THE not going to “ M o r a l l y, go away in the FORESEEABLE p o l i t i c a l l y, foreseeable and for us as a FUTURE. future.” nation.”

RICHARD SHELBY Ashcraft Another U.S. SENATOR said he thinks skeptic is AP U.S. History teacher Mallie this ends “nowhere good, and not quietly.”

Humber.

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8 ENTERTAINMENT

Photos by Sujitha Peramsetty

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Reviewer enjoys tasty Asian twist SUJITHA PERAMSETTY ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR

Maki Fresh, one of the new additions to Tuscaloosa’s array of restaurants, provided me with a delectable and satisfying lunch when I visited on Sept. 28.

Maki Fresh opened on Sept. 24 at Indian Hills Square on McFarland Boulevard.

The interior has a contemporary and casual ambiance. There are pops of green and brown and a painting of a cherry blossom tree that attracts the eye. The restaurant also provides outdoor sitting.

Maki Fresh puts a modern twist on Asian cuisine. The menu ranges from rice bowls to sushi to sliders. They served healthy

portions of food, but the price seemed a bit on the expensive side but was not too bad.

The service was wonderful. The staff was well-informed about the menu and prompt in bringing the food.

First, I ordered the “Vulcan” and “Tiger” maki. The restaurant calls their sushi “maki” which is a type of sushi. Customers have the option of their sushi being wrapped in white or brown rice.

The “Vulcan” had tender grilled chicken, crunchy bell peppers and cream cheese wrapped in seaweed and white sticky rice with Maki spicy sauce on the side. I’ve never had sushi with chicken in it before, but it was absolutely delicious. The sushi and the sauce went well together. It is

perfect for people who don’t like the idea of eating raw fish.

The “Tiger” is one of Maki Fresh’s signature rolls. It was made of crunchy panko shrimp and creamy avocado with a mound of fresh, shredded crab salad on top.

It was also quite enjoyable. The crab salad just melted in my mouth and paired well with the sushi.

Then, for an entrée, I had a “Thaiphoon” rice bowl with brown rice. Rice bowls come with an option of white or brown rice.

The “Thaiphoon” was my favorite part of my meal. The brown rice was topped with grilled chicken, various vegetables and a mango-jicama salad. The tangy zing of the mango-jicama salad and refreshing twist of

grape tomatoes added extra flavor. Sprouts and cashews also provided a much-needed crunch in the dish.

Maki Fresh offers caramel cake or cookies for dessert, but I didn’t have the chance to taste either of them.

The restaurant caters and has a callahead or takeout option which is great for people in a hurry.

Overall, Maki Fresh adds variety to Tuscaloosa’s dining options. The best part is that the restaurant puts a fast food spin on sushi. Customers get sushi fast and easy. Before, people had to go to fancy and expensive restaurants to get good quality sushi, but now they can easily get fresh and tasty sushi.

MOVIE, BOOK REVIEW

Reviewer recommends If I Stay, read book first

DESTINY HODGES NEWS EDITOR

In Gayle Forman’s If I Stay (PG-13), seventeen year old cello player Mia Hall, who has already had to choose between Juilliard and her love life, contemplates her life after a catastrophic car accident.

A ruptured spleen, brain contusions, internal bleeding and a coma are all small traumas compared to those of her parents, who were dead on arrival, and her brother, who later died at a hospital.

Her best friend, who hasn’t warmed up to Mia’s boyfriend Adam, manages to become friends with him during an attempt to get

him in the ICU to see Mia. It’s quite an unusual relationship between Mia, portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz in the movie, and Adam ( Jamie Blackley), considering she plays the cello, a classical instrument and family member of the violin, and he is the lead guitarist and singer in a punk-rock band called “Shooting Star.”

Although they’re from two different genres, it’s music that brings them together when they meet in the music wing of their high school.

She travels with him to his concerts, and although she is uncomfortable with the scene, she fully supports him.

They soon fall in love like the two starcrossed lovers they are depicted to be, and in the end, it is Adam that helps Mia make her decision to stay.

If I Stay, the movie adaptation, premiered Aug. 22, but it is no longer at the theater.

The DVD will come out on Nov. 18.

If I Stay helps young people decipher and scrutinize choices in life, whether it’s the choice between pancakes and a bowl of cereal for breakfast, or a life or death situation.

While the movie was worth the watch, I would recommend reading the book before viewing the film.

Book cover

LET’S MAKE A DEAL.

PREPARE FOR THE ACT WITH SYLVAN

MUSIC REVIEW

Mixtape cover

Chaboki releases new mixtape NATE HESTER STAFF WRITER

“Boki Bandz,” Chaboki’s latest mixtape, released Sunday, Oct. 5, includes 19 songs and features a plethora of talented artists such as Rondonumbanine and L’a Capone.

From potent beats to shocking displays of spectacular technical skill, “Boki Bandz” is a must have for any fan of rap music.

From the Intro until the last song “So Busy,” this mixtape is reminiscent of the work of Chief Keef but is executed with more finesse and better flow.

One of the most highly anticipated songs, “I Want It All,” was personally recommended by Chaboki himself. It just has a really good vibe to it. It makes you feel good, as Chaboki would say.

The futuristic beat sets a relaxed tone which Chaboki takes advantage of. With his poetic lyrics and vicious punch lines one can see why the song was so anticipated. “I Want It All” delivered on all levels.

The mixtape also includes “My Time” featuring Rondonumbanine. Once again,

much like every song on the mixtape, this one features an amazing beat which both artists use to their advantage. Chaboki and Rondonumbanine both execute their respective parts. It is one of the better songs on this mixtape, and it brings a new dynamic to the work as a whole.

My personal favorite from the mixtape is “Rocks on My Wrists.” This song has an extremely commanding beat that instantly makes a listener start moving. The lyrics are genius and stay with you for hours after listening just once. The way Chaboki executes this song is mesmerizing. His talent is on display for any listener to hear.

The mixtape is one for ages. It is also being sold at such a great price that it is basically a steal. For only $9.99, you can get all 19 songs, and it is money well spent.

Chaboki is an extremely under-rated rapper who definitely has a future career in the music industry and will undoubtedly become a mega star before his time is up.

“Boki Bandz” is absolutely one of the better music releases of 2014 thus far.

The mixtape has explicit lyrics.

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THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

PLAY REVIEW

9

AN EVENING OF COMEDY

Griesbach has a laugh at drama production Drama class presents two one-acts REBECCA GRIESBACH MANAGING EDITOR Rising stars emerged among drama teacher Donna Wright’s diverse casts of theatre newbies and veterans in “an evening of comedy” on Oct. 7. The production entailed two one-act plays: Oh, What a Tangled Web by John R. Carroll and Final Dress Rehearsal by Jake Rakes.

Oh, What a Tangled Web, the first play, took place in “a simpler time in Suburbia U.S.” according to the program. The storyline, involving mix-ups, cover-ups and utter confusion, was humorously convoluted.

In their living room, the Wilson family mourned the loss of their beloved cat, but little did Frank and Shirley Wilson, played by seniors Jason Snyder and Mary Long, know they would soon become tangled in a sticky web of lies.

Emily McGuire, sophomore, played Jan Wilson exceptionally well. For almost the entirety of the play, McGuire was the perfect spaz; she desperately tried to follow through with an elaborate lie she made up about her sister’s death. Her sister Chris, played by

sophomore Sally Ozment, had only asked her to cover for her while she snuck out of the house on a date, and was clueless about the shenanigans about to take place at the Wilsons’ house.

Upon hearing of Chris’ death, her boss Mr. Quigley and his wife arrived at the house in funeral attire, weeping hysterically. Junior Daryn Lewis took the comedic factor of the play up a notch, portraying Mrs. Quigley as an emotional mess.

Mrs. Wilson thought this was all in respect for her fallen feline, but after a saucy affair, a visit from the plumber and an unexpected homecoming, the “cat was out of the bag.”

The real comedy, however, didn’t take place until after intermission.

The curtains reopened prematurely with stage hands Jay Hubner and Luke Seale, sophomores, scurrying about in the dark. What followed was a “really bad production of Cinderella,” the program said.

Final Dress Rehearsal was indeed bad.

From a comedic standpoint, however, the play was brilliant.

Seniors Charles Lane and Billy Luu starred as a frazzled

director and an author with high expectations, constantly interrupting from seats in the audience as their patience wore thin.

The classic plot of Cinderella was made an excellent mockery by all cast members, but one in particular made quite the debut.

From his performance as the evil stepmother, it was hard to tell that this was Jarrod Worley’s first acting experience. The junior managed stage lights in previous plays, but he ditched the lights for a wig that night. Worley strutted across the stage and sassed everybody in sight, never forgetting to fix his hair. He embodied his role from head to toe, fitted in a flashy purple gown and jewelry.

Playing up the stepmother’s hilariously offensive personality, Worley delivered the line, “Shut up and eat your mush!” towards the cast with a crudely made whip in hand. I, already in a fit of laughter, was now overcome with a sidesplitting guffaw.

Worley’s performance and the accompaniment of his fellow staff made an evening of comedy live up to its name; it was a production well worth going to.

Photos by Rebecca Griesbach

PLEAD Cinderella (junior Reese Seale) begs her stepmother and stepsisters to allow her to go to the Royal Ball, but to no avail.

SCANDAL Mrs. Wilson (senior Mary Long) and Mrs. Quigley (junior Daryn Lewis) clear up rumors of an affair with the help of the plumber (Thomas Long).

BAD NEWS Mr. and Mrs. Quigley grieve with Mrs. Wilson in the living room.

TAKE 100 The director (senior Charles Lane) lets out his frustration to his cast, of Cinderella while stage hand Luke Seale, sophomore, ignores him.

10 Freshmen ride skateboards, SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

JV girls finish on high note

one brings his to school Quin Peelor, freshman, skateboards, longboards and cruises, but only in his spare time.

Peelor, who has tried every branch of skateboarding, said he has skated for “probably three years.”

He said in that time he’s ridden longboards, skateboards and cruiser boards.

“I’ve tried [skateboard] tricks,, but I’m not very good at them,” Peelor said.

Peelor said he rides as often as every other day.

“I sometimes use my longboard to ride to the gas station,” he said.

He said boarding “requires balance and dedication.”

Peelor explained the difference

between the three styles of skateboarding.

“Longboarding is more about gaining speed and setting up to bomb hills. [Skateboarding] is about tricks and technical things and is harder than longboarding,” he said. “[Cruising is] all about just having fun and riding.”

Freshman Dylan Hackett also boards and on occasion rides his pintail longboard to school. He has skated for six months and has only ridden longboards. Hackett does some tricks on his longboard.

“I do some sliding, which is basically tricks for longboarding,” he said.

Hackett said boarding requires skill and awareness. Hackett said he boards every day and recently updated his longboard’s features.

STUN THE SAINTS

Football team will make playoffs with Homecoming win KATHRYN VERSACE & NATE HESTER INFOGRPAHICS EDITOR AND STAFF WRITER The varsity football team lost their region game to Bessemer City 35-14 Friday, Oct. 17. With the loss, the team fell to (4-4) overall and a (2-3) record in the region.

Orlando Walker and Tommy Bryant each scored one touchdown, and Cooper Herrington was once again perfect going two for two on extra points.

The team will play Friday Oct. 24 against Selma. A win against Selma would put the Varsity team in the playoffs.

Sam Harwood, junior, was at the game Friday in Bessemer City.

“We couldn’t stop their really good players. Overall, they were just faster than us.”

Cooper Herrington, senior kicker, said, “We were in it in the

first half, but we came out of the locker room differently. We came out with less intensity.”

Orlando Walker, junior running back, said, “In the second half, we didn’t come out and do what we were supposed to do. We had some bad penalties, and we weren’t focused.”

Looking forward to the pivotal Oct. 24 game against Selma, Robert Beard, Rockets coach for the team, said he is confident the team will come out victorious over Selma if they play hard and right.

“This is the game to get us to the playoffs. It’s the biggest game of the year, and it’s [this] week,” Beard said.

Walker said about the Selma game, “We are pretty prepared.

We have been practicing better.

I think we will come out with a positive attitude and execute.”

See our Facebook Fan page for the Homecoming football story.

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“Renewable waste to energy”

“

Photo by Jacob Martin

FREE RIDE Freshman Dylan Hackett rides his longboard in the hall. Hackett said he started skateboarding because he surfs. He said he practices maneuvers that he would do while surfing. Quin Peelor also skateboards and has tried tricks.

We worked very hard and had a winning season.

“

CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITER

“All the players were important.

We used all of them,” she said.

One of the highlights of the season was a 2 set to 1 home The JV volleyball team finished victory over County High.

“The game against County with an 8-5 overall record.

Shakira Landrum, freshman High was close, but we came out outside hitter, said the season with the win,” Landrum said.

“The [County High] game was went better than expected. intense and “We had a loud,” Joiner few ups and said. downs.

But “I can’t we finished wait to play s t r o n g , ” next year,” Landrum said.

JESSIE KATE JOINER, Landrum said.

“We worked FRESHMAN “Hopefully, I very hard and had a winning season,” Jessie Kate can get better, and we can beat one of our other rivals, Hillcrest.”

Joiner, freshman player, said.

Sophomore player Cassie Head coach Raquel Murphy said she was very happy with the Wilson said she enjoyed being on season “because the team worked the team a lot and “was grateful to be on the team.” hard.”

NATE HESTER & CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITERS

Cross-country team prepares for sectionals workouts.

“We will either run to Sokol Park or run intervals on the The cross country team is on track,” runner Morgan Roberts, their way to the section meet on sophomore, said.

Sparks said the team has Oct. 30 at Sokol Park and is ranked worked really well together. in the top ten teams in Alabama.

“Most of them have run The team is heading into sectionals together for many years,” he said. ranked at number eight.

Runner Demetrius Williams Coach Jeff Sparks said that said he was “optimistic” about “with regrouping of schools who sectionals. were bigger than us, we are able to “We have an increased chance be more competitive.” of going to state this year,” he said.

“Our goal is to finish in the top For cross-country, fitness is ten and if possible finish higher the basis of competition. Crossthan eighth [at state],” he said. country participants run a certain The team has trained for course and are given points by sectionals with alternating

JORDAN HUTCHINSON SPORTS EDITOR

where they finish. The goal is to have the lowest points total out of any other team consisting of seven runners.

The boys cross-country team includes senior Davis Byars, senior Colin Hammond, junior Jacob Martin, junior John Mark McCleland, junior James Niller, freshman Jody Prescott and senior Demetrius Williams.

The girls team includes senior Zaahira Deboise, freshman Destiny Hodges, sophomore Mallie McCleland, freshman Jasmine McCollum, sophomore Courtney Mobbs and sophomore Morgan Roberts.

SPORTS

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

REELING IT IN

11

Fishing team may appeal to non-athletes

REBECCA GRIESBACH MANAGING EDITOR

Following in the footsteps of three Tuscaloosa area schools, head football coach Mike Smith took the initiative to add another sport to his coaching repertoire: fishing.

“I knew kids in the area liked to fish, so I contacted other schools that had [a fishing team],” Smith said.

Seniors North Patterson and Austin Smith, Smith’s son, are the team’s original members.

The friends said they have been fishing since they were little.

“One day at football, Coach Smith asked me if I wanted to fish with him, and I said ‘absolutely,’” Patterson said.

That moment sparked Smith’s, Austin’s, and Patterson’s interest in starting a fishing team at the school.

“Basically, everybody else has [a fishing team],” Patterson said, noting Tuscaloosa County High School, Hillcrest High School, and American Christian Academy. “It’s starting to get big.”

“We saw [high school fishing teams] growing, even out west, and wanted to start one,” Austin said.

Smith and the boys began the

planning process in the summer; Austin said they attended meetings with other schools to work out the logistics that come along with starting a new team.

“Right now we’re waiting on me to meet with the State Director on Oct. 22,” Smith said. “Signups will be the following week.”

Principal Kyle Ferguson said he taught a tournament fishing class of about 30 students during “Tiger Time” at Thomasville High School. “[Thomasville] was on a block schedule with a skinny period [that lasted] 50 minutes,” Ferguson said. “Anybody with a C-average or above could participate in ‘Tiger Time.’ We offered anything from aerobics, grilling and scrapbooking.”

Ferguson said that although “it’s hard to find time to dedicate to it,” the team’s founders and he are working with Lake Harbor Marina to start up the team as soon as possible.

“It’s a priority; we have a definite interest,” he said.

Sign-ups are open to any male or female in grades 7-12 with access to a boat. Smith said applicants must be willing to have a partner and adult in the boat. “[Fishing] is a chance for students to get to have some

father/son or father/daughter time,” Smith said. “When kids get in high school, it’s hard [for parents] to find time to hang out with them.”

Smith said his leadership on the fishing team has its differences and similarities to coaching football.

“The responsibility of monitoring children and keeping them safe is no different,” he said.

“But with fishing, I’m just a passer in a boat. [The students’] parents are coaching, and they’re on their own.”

The team’s low-key atmosphere provides students who don’t participate in spring sports or “need something to do on Saturdays” a chance to get involved in the school, Smith said.

“It’s kinda like campin’ on the water, but with prizes,” Smith said. “You don’t have to be the biggest or the fastest. You just have to be persistent and keep that lure in the water.”

While the sport may be more relaxed than most contact sports, Smith said it’s important to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

“The thing about fishing is that it’s humbling. You could do everything right and not catch a thing. The other guy could do

UPCOMING EVENTS

Informtion compiled by Rebecca Griesbach Infographic designed by Kathryn Versace everything wrong and fill the boat up,” Smith said. “But if you don’t have a competitive spirit, it’s a long day on the water.”

Ferguson, a tournament fisherman for 15 years, said fishing competitively reaps both monetary and personal benefits.

“It’s great for stress relief, and it’s also a good source of income,” he said.

Some of Ferguson’s students at Thomasville went on to the University of Alabama and

Auburn University to take the skills they learned in “Tiger Time” even further.

“You could get a major in wildlife biology; there’s a lot of science involved. Migration, pH levels and weather patterns all go back to fishing,” Ferguson said.

Smith said that to some, fishing can become a “lifelong thing.”

“You can get scholarships. You can get paid. You can make a living with this. That’s the unique thing about it,” Smith said.

Varsity volleyball season ends CARTER LOVE STAFF WRITER

The varsity volleyball team finished with a record of 5-25.

The last night of their season, the Area Tournament on Oct. 21, resulted in a loss.

The team also lost their last home game.

Kathleen Oatts, head coach, said, the team had some great wins at the tournament at the beginning of the season.

“There’s always room [for improvement],” Oatts said.

Varsity player Denae Sisler said only three Varsity players returned.

“It was hard to work together at first, but eventually, we [the team] came together,” she said. “I’m proud of how we connected [as a team].”

Photo by Susan Newell

HEADS UP Sophomore Katelyn Atchison jumps for a kill. “Even though the season didn’t turn out the way we wanted, we tried our hardest,” junior Brooke Weatherby said.

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steps, and I hope no one makes any big mistakes,” he said.

Band director John Cain said students have prepared for this event since practices began in July.

On the day of the event Cain said, “Today, we’ve just been working on logistics and setting up alongside UA.” Hosts were in charge of making sure everything ran smoothly and taking care of set up, Cain said.

“Parents helped a lot with things like food preparation, while UA staff helped to get the bands here and give them instructions on how the night was supposed to go,” he said.

“We weren’t doing it all on our own.”

The event ran “pretty smoothly,” Cain said.

“Everything went according to schedule and with minimal issues. UA has even asked if we would host the event again next year,” Cain said.

“There’s a highlight to every [Cavalcade] night, and the Million Dollar Band was the highlight,” Cain said.

“They began with their usual halftime show and finished it out with some fan favorites,” Cain said.

“It was a good experience for everyone. We had a chance to watch each other and view different styles of marching and the different ways we march,” Clark said.

THE NORTHRIDGE REPORTER OCTOBER 29, 2014

he school hosted on Sept. 23 the sixth annual Crimson Cavalcade, a noncompetitive exhibition of bands from Tuscaloosa and surrounding counties that includes performances from the UA trumpet choir and Million Dollar Band.

Days before the event, sophomore trumpeter Romeo Clark said even though the school has hosted the event before, this year’s show is a little different.

“We’ve included a dance and a few extra

T

BRIANNA DUNN STAFF WRITER

Photos by Camri Mason

ROCKIN’ Gordo High School’s Green Machine Marching Band performs Elvis (far left). Northridge High School’s Jaguar Pride Marching Band visited Gordo for a competition last year. The Good Hope High School Marching Band sings during their performance (right). Central High School’s band and their dance line, the Falconettes, dance during their act (top).

High school bands evaluated at Crimson Cavalcade

BATTLE OF THE BANDS

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OCTOBER 29, 2014 VOLUME 12 ISSUE 2