Red & Black news magazine vol. 7 issue 1 2022Nation Ford High

Red&Black Parallax

Book Banning:

Dangerous practice leads to bigotry School bells vs Attention Span: How do they affect students in the classroom?

Slipknot: The story behind what made them famous Thrift and Flip: Saving money

Nation Ford High School /Vol. 7 Issue 1

Red&Black Parallax

Red & Black: Parallax produced by the

Introduction to Journalism Classes Spring 2022

Nation Ford High School 1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.

Fort Mill, SC 29715

Letter from the Editors Before reading this magazine, we’d like to ask you to participate in a simple experiment. Don’t worry, it doesn’t require anything other than your thumb and your eyes. Hold your thumb out in front of you, and close one eye.

Now, simultaneously open that eye and close the other. Do you notice how the position of your thumb changes? As you switch between the views of your thumb, it seems to move back and forth. This is called parallax, a shift in position from a difference in perspective. For centuries now, astronomers from Galileo and Newton to those at CalTech and NASA have used parallax to help them measure the distance between planets and galaxies. They’ve been able to plot positions and estimate our own position in the universeW, all the while acknowledging that perspective is the key to understanding the truth about where we are, and where we’re going.

As you read this magazine, we’d like you to keep this in mind. All of these stories, this amalgamation of work from the various students of the ’22 Spring semester of Introduction to Journalism, are written through our unique perspectives. How we feel about Slipknot and book banning, the unique responsibilities of a lead in the musical, a teenage view into the complex issues of mental health and attendance–all of these stories are rooted in perspective. But the way you, the reader, will interpret them is fixed in the phenomenon of parallax - a shift in position from a difference in perspective. See if your position shifts as you step into the writers’ shoes and see things through their eyes.

Thank you for this opportunity to share their thoughts, and we hope you enjoy ‘Red and Black: Parallax’.

Sincerely,

The Staff

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Editors-In-Chief: Maddie Thompson & Rachel Studer Production Manager: Lilieann Rabon & Emily Ciaccatore Art Director: Adalie Buckle Features Editor: Geogia Cox Op/Ed Editor: Renan Yilmaz Photography Editor: Gracie McNally Reviews Editor: Kaleigh Heffernan Reporters: Zane Teubner, Alex Lavender, Crystia Basnight, Leonor Carcamo, Trey Chandler, Cristina Florez-Jimenez, Kaitlyn Hammers, Sanaa Loyd, Andrew Maduabuchukwu, Jada Small, Makalya Szymczak

Features Thrifting - 4

Reviews

This is Where it Ends - 18

Failing Falcon - 6

Frank Ocean - 20

Sid Willoughby - 8

To Make Monsters Out of Girls - 22

Big Bird on Campus - 10 Rennissance Man - 12 Pre-K Field Trips and Covid - 14 Beware the Lizazrdman! - 16

Sports

A Perfect Spotify Playlist- 24 Chicago the Musical - 26 Slipknots ‘Self-titled Album’ - 28 The Batman - 30

Op-Ed

Signing Day - 32

Burn Books - 36

JROTC Championships - 34

Lunch Lines - 38 Attendance V. Mental Health - 40 Concerts and Covid - 42 What’s Up With the School Bells? - 44 Cell Phones and Headphones in School - 46

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Is ‘Be Yourself’ Bad Advice? - 48 Memorial & Message: Stop the Violence - 50

FEATURE

The New Style: The Old Thrifting for more than just saving money Written by Zane Teubner

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or those who want to pop some tags and land a nice pair of Nikes or a Led Zeppelin tee. may only have $20 or less in their pock“We see all types of people really, old people and et, thrifting may be the outlet they are then a lot of people 16-22,” said Cathlee Krebs, a looking for. cashier at a local Goodwill. Goodwill receives clothes The world of fashion has been unfrom all walks of life and redistributes them dergoing a major change in the past few years. The Like Macklemore said, “I’ma take your grandpa’s trends are newer than the clothes, though, as thrift- style. No, for real, ask your grandpa can I have his ing clothing is rising in popularity. hand-me-downs?”

High school students are searching stores like The new generation adopts the style of the old in a Goodwill and local consignment recurring “vintage” style. shops for vintage pieces to put While a fresh jacket only costs “My absolute favorite together stylish outfits. The new $6.99, flippers often take their wave of recycling clothing has finds home and clean them up to part of the play was become a staple of the generation’s resell them on personal accounts when Black shouted, style, bringing back 90’s oversized online. A brand-name jacket with clothing and mixing them with a cool graphic can be marked up ‘Red you are so sus!’” vibrant color palettes. to the price the seller decides While there are staple styles based on popularity.

-Renan Yilmaz from different decades like the ‘70s When buying online, expehippie era, generation Z has develrienced shoppers always make oped such a broad fashion sense that it is hard to sure to check multiple sources before buying from a put a pin on it. While walking the halls, students reseller. They research a piece to find the true value may be found wearing anything from vintage band and to avoid being swindled. tees to all-black spiked combat boots.

“Nostalgia is the vibe,” said Taylor from The Hause There are a few High school staples that can be Collective, a new consignment store in the Carolina seen on the majority of the student population, Place Mall. some examples are the famed NASCAR racing tees “We do focus on art and wearable art,” she said as and the all-white Air Force Ones. Nike is domishe showcased the custom pieces and unique finds nating the footwear game as people search for the hidden throughout the store. cleanest -often most expensive- Jordans that they Art is the center of fashion and fashion is the can find. individual expression of art. Thrifting is an outlet for Luckily for thrifters, a good day of searching can expression and an art style in itself.

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A collection of items found in thrift stores can include items like boots and jackets

FEATURE

The Failing Falcon Student Insta account finds audience with humor Written by Rachel Studer & Kaleigh Heffernan

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ailing Falcon. The name can be heard in Back in December, the ‘nafo.sleepers’ Instagram the cafeteria, in the halls, and in classpage commented on one of the Failing Falcon’s posts rooms. Many know or have heard about using insults and profanities. this account, but who really is the Failing They then continue the mocking on their InstaFalcon? gram story because Failing Falcon had deleted their No, it’s not a student struggling with academics. profanity-laced comments.

Failing Falcon (‘23) is an Instagram page, aiming “I thought that the whole ordeal was humorous, to put smiles on student’s faces one meme at a time. but I also questioned the morality of our student “I created the ‘Failing Falcon’ account over body,” Failing Falcon said.

Thanksgiving break last year Besides appealing to adminiswhich was when there were a lot of tration, they also have to worry “At the end of the school-related Instagram accounts about approval from their followpopping up around that time,” day, I continue to keep ers. the creator said. “I figured that I “The hardest part about runthis page up to make might as well take advantage of the ning the “Failing Falcon” account popularity of school-related pages is trying to create a meme that everyone’s day just a so I decided to make the account a will appeal to a large majority of meme page.” the student body while also being bit better.”

The page soon started to gain entertaining and retainable,” the traction after its creation, gaining creator said. followers from the other ‘NFHS’ pages. Currently, Failing Falcon also has to consider another factor the account has over 600 followers. in the situation: when does a joke cross the line?

“My plan at the time was to slowly amass a large Some posts, such as the Ukrainian flag post and following and then sell merchandise to my audience- the tier list of the school hallways post, have brought which has yet to be a reality,” the creator said. “How- forth criticism from portions of the student body. ever, the main reason that I created this account was Though some posts may cause push-back from a to put a smile on people’s faces and help develop few vocal individuals, the creator of Failing Falcon positive school culture. I consider myself to have a feels like it’s in the account’s best interest to leave all great sense of humor, so I wanted to pass the laughs of the posts up. onto my peers.”

“I know that there is a limit but I know that I havIt isn’t always smooth sailing for the Failing Falen’t crossed it,” Failing Falcon said, “nor do I plan on con, who at times receives criticism for posts. Some crossing it in the future.” criticism comes from other ‘NFHS’ accounts.

Failing Falcon often sacrifices time to bring these

Instagram bio on the Failing Falcon’s page.

year.

“At the end of the day, I continue to keep this page up to make everyone’s day just a bit better,” Failing Falcon explains. “Some days it can be hard to get the creative juices flowing and others I question why I do it in the first place. When I realize that keeping the page up means I will always make at least one person laugh or smile every day, keeping this page up is totally worth it.”

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memes to NFHS, finding it hard to manage the account when ideas run out and no one sends any in.

“I want to make people laugh and ease the stress of those who just need a break from schoolwork. At the end of the day, we’re in high school and most of the things we think are important to us right now won’t matter in the future,” the creator said.

Though the Failing Falcon is already a junior, the student plans to keep posting until graduation next

FEATURE

Theatre Star

Sid Willoughby inspires with their performances Written by Georgia Cox

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usical theater is an art that often ly Flynn. Their performances wowed audiences, and goes underappreciated. The peo- it’s clear that Sid has tremendous theatrical talent, to ple putting on these productions- both students and teachers. whether it’s the performers or “The dancing really stood out to me,” Gracie the people working behind the McNally (‘24), who worked backstage and created scenes- work extremely hard to present breathtakcostumes for the show, said. “They have a really good ing productions. They put in hours of practice after singing voice, too. They brought life to the role of school, working to make sure everything is perfect.

Velma.”

Sid Willougby is one of these people.

“Sid was incredible,” Beth Swann, journalism Sid Willoughby is a performer teacher, said. “I’ve seen perforcommitted to their craft. They’ve mances on Broadway that have “On stage, been in numerous productions, been equal to theirs. On stage, Sid both in and out of school, and has such confidence in addition to Sid has such reached the top six finalists for best the talent, so it really makes it feel confidence in addition professional. I was just wowed.” actress at the Blumey Awards in Charlotte for the 2021-2022 school Their performances in school to the talent. ” year. Sid has been a proud thespian have stood out to many people, but for a majority of their life. they don’t just limit their talents to “I think it’s been about 6-7 years high school theater. of theater but I’ve been dancing “On stage, Sid has such confiforever,” Sid said. “I started doing theater because dence in addition to the talent,” Swann added. dancing was horrible, and I sang one time time in “Right now I’m in a production of ‘Grease’ in Rock those little school musicals they forced us to do in Hill, and ‘Freaky Friday the Musical’ in Charlotte, elementary school.” performing at Carowinds,” Willoughby said.

Their first role? The Tin-Man, from ‘the Wizard These aren’t the first productions they’ve done of Oz’, a role that inspired them to continue acting outside of school, and they certainly won’t be the throughout middle and high school. last.

Sid recently played Velma Kelly in NFHS’s proThough Willoughby isn’t certain about the role duction of “Chicago”, alongside Cailtin O’Reilly who musical theater will play in their future, it has irreportrayed Roxie Hart and Ryan Ellis who played Bil- futably been an important part of their past.

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Belting out another number, Sid Willoughby performs as Velma in Nation Ford’s production of “Chicago” in the auditorium May 2.

FEATURE

Big Bird Big Bird on Campus Shawn McMichael Proves Kindness is Contagious

Though genuinely kind-hearted people can be hard to find, for the past few years if you got to Nation Ford High School, that hasn’t been the case for some.

“He is absolutely hilarious,” Cody Rowland (‘22).

Shawn McMichael (‘22) is one of those types of people “He is a really good kid.” McMichael is your classic prepster that tries to get everyone to feel involved and noticed.

“I would say that I know at least 300 underclassmen.” said McMichael. “I have always tried to become a part of things that I find interesting in school.”

McMichael has been a part of many plays even if he never received a true role, and no matter what he would still act to the best of his ability. But plays aren’t the only activities that McMichael has been involved in.

“Past 3 spirit weeks, homecoming court, prom court, & I also tried getting into the student council,” said McMichael.

Although he truly does live up to his reputation that he received after being here for a while.

“Shawn is like a brother to me, he is very funny, energetic, and really does show how much he cares about people.” said a fellow senior. When it comes to comments like these, McMichael is more than happy to accept them.

“I find it very true, people find me very easy to approach and know that I’m going to be there for them.” said McMichael. “The fun and energy come from the part of me that likes to stay a child.”

Maybe thats one of the many reasons that McMi-

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Written by Lillieann Rabon chael is now seen as the Big Bird on campus, also known as the alpha. Recently there was a school competion for who would be the male alpha of the school. although McMichael winning was a fairly large shock. “My mom and dad were very suprised, they knew that i would either come on top or get popular, but they never would have guessed that I would have won it all.” said McMichael.

“I felt that Big Bird was awesome and a good chance for the boys to show off their skills and talents.” said McMichael, even though most of his friends believed that the competion wouldn’t be his thing.

Everyone has that one friend that they could count on to do anything with, for some, McMichael is that friend.

“There was a time where Shawn helped me go to guidance because I was having an anxiety attack from how stressed I was, he even messaged me afterwards to ensure that I was okay,” said a fellow senior.

This is something McMichael is proud to do for his friends and classmates, “It makes me feel special that people can trust that they can come to me!” said McMichael “ I’ll always be there for them no matter what situation they are in.”

“He is very energetic, especially when it comes to the things he is passionate about like Star-Wars.” said a fellow senior. & knowing this information makes McMichael smile even brighter. “ Energy is something that defines my personality and if it shows it means that people can see that I’m different,” said McMichael.

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And we have a winner! Big Bird himself, Shawn McMichael, takes his place on the podium for the Big Bird on campus award in the auditorium on May 8. Second place went to Gus Sharpless (‘22), third place went to William Nguyen (‘24).

FEATURE

Rennissance Man

Clarinet player with many other talents Written by Alex Lavender

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riter. Filmmaker. Musician.

“Reeds have a very unique taste,” Rembert exThere’s more to this multifac- plains. “It tastes the way an old wood house smells.” eted student than his iconic, When not playing instruments. Harlen writes. long hair that he’s been grow“My stories usually include a character that is ing out since middle school. simply a fictionalized version of myself.” Rembert Lots of students at school call Harlen Rembert (’23) answers. “By taking this fictional clone of myself “Jesus” or “Skinny Jesus”. and throwing him into some fantastical scenario, I “I don’t mind it at all,” Rembert said. “I find it huam able to express myself in a more concise fashion morous and oddly fitting.” than I can in reality.”

He began playing the clarinet “Writing is not only an outlet “I didn’t even realize I was six years ago, when he was in fifth by which I express myself, but it is grade. In ninth grade, he joined our any different from anyone simply instinctual for me.” Remschool’s marching band. His favorbert said. “Even if I could not type ite part of marching band is being else until my third grade class or write them out, I would still himself and finding people with have the ideas inside me. They are read a book called ‘The Name similar interests. inseparably a part of me.”

Rembert auditioned for drum Rembert enjoys writing both of this Book is Secret.’” major last year. fiction and nonfiction.

“I feel that it gave me valuable “I enjoy the boundless freedom -Harlen Rembert experience and skills even though I of fiction the most by far, although didn’t get the position,” Rembert said.

I do entertain the idea of making documentaries.”

“My favorite part of concert band is expanding He also likes creating short films. As a little kid, the amount of music I’ve played.” Rembert says. “My he would make videos by waving toy dinosaurs in favorite is marching band.” front of a camera. Rembert has recently begun to The clarinet was his first instrument choice because pursue more serious ameteur filmmaking, encoura band teacher said that he would be best at it. It aged by his best friend Kyle Nowell, who started wasn’t easy. making YouTube videos during quarantine back in “I’d say the hardest part of learning an instrument is 2020. Rembert and Nowell are currently looking figuring out all of the fingerings for the notes.” at combining their efforts to make their own small Reeds are important for instruments like the saxofilm. phone, oboe, bassoon, and the clarinet. These instruOnce he graduates, Rembert plans to go to colments need reeds to make a sound. lege to study filmmaking and writing in general.

His favorite movie is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984), and his favorite TV show is Neon Genesis Evangelion.

“I have a deep appreciation for how the story can be applied to anyone and everyone, as well as the art style.” Rembert says about Neon Genesis Evangelion.

He also admires Revolutionary Girl Utena, FLCL, and The Owl House for similar reasons. He also enjoys the lighthearted humor of Seinfeld.

The first time Mrs. Swann met Rembert was at another student’s quinceanera. That student is a friend of his from band, and Swann had her in her Intro to Journalism class.

When Swann first had Harlen in her class, she thought that Rembert was “super nice, super chill, whip-smart, and friendly”.

“He writes any genre equally well.” Swann said.

“Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. He’s the fiction editor for Voices lit mag this year.”

Swann says that she has not heard Rembert play the clarinet, she just knows him from writing.

“He’s an astute reader, and his writing is beautifully specific and imaginative.”

Writer. Filmmaker. Musician. He can do it all.

Reviewing Voices literary magazine, Fiction Editor Harlan Rembramdt (‘23), discusses a layout May 13 during FLEX.

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Rembert practices photography nearly every day by taking pictures of the sky.

Rembert also has synesthesia, a condition where someone can experience a sense from another sense.

He associates each number and letter with a color.

He says it’s a very interesting trait.

“I didn’t even realize I was any different from anyone else until my third grade class read a book called The Name of this Book is Secret. The book describes characters who have synesthesia, and it made me realize it wasn’t a characteristic common to everyone.”

Synesthesia also gives Rembert an advantage.

“By associating each number and letter with certain colors, I am able to remember codes somewhat better by thinking of them not only as numbers and/ or letters but as a series of colors.”

Another thing Rembert enjoys doing is watching movies and TV shows. His favorite genre is science fiction.

“It’s not necessarily the otherworldly or technical elements that I love most about them, although I certainly enjoy those aspects, but rather the way in which they make us look deeper at ourselves and humanity as a whole.”

NEWS FEATURE

COVID-19 affects Pre-K field trips Children have to experience school differently

A recent change allows the four-year old lab school when needed, depending on the location. If parprogram to take field trips across state borders, but ents don’t agree with these regulations then the only if everyone attending wears a mask. In the first child must stay home, but most parents are underyear of COVID-19, all pre-k prostanding enough to follow them, gram field trips were cancelled.

“If parents don’t agree according to Michelle Greggs, Previously, there were 30 field trips instructional assistant of the prewith these regulathroughout the year. school program.

Now, there is the opportunity There is currently a bus driver tions, the child must to go on field trips but there are shortage since people are getting differences from how it used to be. sick or quarantined and there stay home.”

It had been required that all field aren’t enough “backups” to be -Michelle Greggs trips stay in the Fort Mill area, but able to replace a driver on a short this limits the places children could notice. One field trip to the Fort go. They would have gone to the Anne Springs Green- Mill Library was cancelled last minute because the way and local plays. bus driver got sick and no one was able to fill in the Masks are always required on the bus and enforced spot that day.

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Leonor Carcamo and Christina Flores-Jimenez

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Michelle Greggs, Pre-K teacher reads to a student May 18 in the preschool at Nation Ford High.

FEATURE

Beware the Lizardman SC’s cheap Bigfoot copy is kinda lame

In the dark and desolate forest of the Pacific NorthThe boy described a terrifying creature, and even west mountains, he stands. Fearless and terrifying, he drew a sketch of it upon request. Dear readers, I looms over you, with a heavy breath that blows into encourage you to be wary because the terror this your face like that leaf blower your dad thinks is a toy. image presents is not something to blow off. Look You look up at him and are greeted with yellowed and at the attached picture, if you dare, and curate your sharp teeth, the perfect length for cutting through own opinion of the cryptid. flesh. He is 8 feet tall and covered in matted hair, and Lizard-mania took Bishopville by storm. People as you look down to embrace your inevitable death were going out on the town in tin-foil suits after at the hands of this monster, you find a pair of ginorsomeone started a rumor that the Lizardman likes mous and thumping feet. It dawns chrome, and some were covering on you that you are going to die at their cars in duct-tape to prevent “My hand to God, I am lizard-induced damage. Memorathe hands of Bigfoot.

Well, South Carolina doesn’t bilia sold on interstate stops atnot making this up.” have Bigfoot, but in true SC fashtracted those driving to go watch ion, a small town makes an annual Clemson games. More reports of profit on Bigfoot’s cheap cousin the Lizardman’s rampage filed in, -Sumter woman, who is definitely – the fearsome Bishopville Lizday-by-day, and became enough not making this up ard-Man. Because what else would of a concern that local officials it be? contacted the FBI to warn them of At 7 feet tall, and accompathe attacks. Surprisingly, the FBI nied with scales, a tail, and glowing red eyes, the did not respond.

Lizardman has been terrorizing Lee County since Now, after decades of the search for the Lee 1988 by doing absolutely nothing of notability, exCounty Lizardman, with the only modern reports of cept supposedly being real. The first sighting of the his existence being iPhone 3 quality videos, filmed famed beast was on the humid night of June 29, 1988, by the same guy that takes videos of school fights, when a 17-year-old boy returned home at 2 a.m. with there has finally been a break in the case. scratches on his car – which, of course, he blamed on While walking out of church, a Sumter woman the creature. He reported this to authorities and an was shocked to see the Lizardman out and walking investigation began (because I’m sure the only reason throughout the town with a joyous little stroll, like a teenage boy would return home at 2 in the morning he was a clown going to a kid’s birthday party. “My on the weekend, with a scratched car, is because of a hand to God, I am not making this up,” she said to monster attack). local news, which is obviously a sure sign that she

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Written by Maddie Thompson

First ever drawing of the famed Lizardman, uniquely terrifying in its own way.

should include a camera, a stick of cheese to lure the lizard, duct-tape, and a medical kit–you never know when the three-fingered reptilian could scratch you with his acrylic nails.

Stay safe Nation Ford.

Beware the Lizardman

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was not making this up.

With the Lizardman re-emerging once again, and being in such a close range to our little town of Fort Mill, I beg all readers to stay vigilant. You never know if that mysterious scratch on your car came from the Lizardman (and not just the average driver in the Nation Ford parking lot).

I would advise you to keep a Lizardman preparedness kit in your primary mode of transport. This kit

REVIEW

‘This is Where It Ends’

Fantastic book shows harrowing issues in school

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Written by Makala Szymczak Marieke Nijkamp’s outstanding intensity beams substance and was boring from time to time as the in exceptional and new ways with her novel titled development of the book was slow.

“This Is Where It Ends” published on Jan. 5, 2016.

In contrast, the ideas “Where it Ends” covers are the novel explores the reality of school shootings and crucial to the emotions the reader feels throughout involves four students and their different perspecthe narrative. What would happen if Tyler had a tives in a horrifying school shooting. good childhood? How could somebody be so cruel The event takes place in only 54 minutes and yet still a child? The so-called random acts of cruelty unfolds in chapters covering one to three minutes were not opportunistic, but instead were planned. from the perspective of each of the four narrators.

The novel involves a lot of serious issues such as This story is emotional and intriguing, easily movrape, abuse, killing, and alcohol and is for more maing readers to tears. It is a true page turner, with an ture readers. unexpected twist at the end. The themes of this book “The story isn’t about the technicalities of a include change, uncertainty and shooting; it’s about four teens in a “The story isn’t about the maturing of young adults. harrowing situation whose world technicalities of a shooting; It starts off with a speech from is being turned upside down,” says the principal in the auditorium. author Marieke Nijkamp. Each it’s about four teens in a Students begin to freak out and chapter in the book ends with a harrowing situation whose that is when they hear a gunshot cliffhanger making you want to world is being turned that comes from the hallway. Tyler, read more, but the book also has upside down.” the school shooter, demands the aspects of romance in it–those -Marieke Nijkamp being a little cringy too, but the school and his peers finally listen to him as he shoots bullets left and teens are afraid that their loved right. The story is life-like, making me feel like I was ones could die. actually involved in the shooting, either crying or On top of that there are teenagers in the school stressing. that have siblings, thus making them more stressed Although the story was a little dull at times and and worried. What I liked most about this novel was confusing because readers get in the minds of four that it didn’t just focus on the school shooter but people (Claire, Tomas, Slyvia, and Autumn). The more on the characters and how they were feeling story has LGBTQ+ acknowledgment also, which is during all of it. And to me that is fascinating to read. portrayed very well.

“Grief is one big, gaping hole, isn’t it? It’s everyThis book was very powerful in every aspect and where and all consuming. Some days you think you the details were impeccable. When comparing this can’t go on because the only thing waiting for you book to “Even If We Break” I have to say that this is more despair. Some days you don’t want to go on book is a better read. “Even If We Break” had no because it’s easier to give up than to get hurt again.”

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“Grief is one big, gaping hole, isn’t it? It’s everywhere and all consuming.

Some days you think you can’t go on because the only thing waiting for you is more despair. ”

REVIEW

Frank Ocean’s ‘Blonde’

Experiencing Frank Ocean’s mind-blowing Blonde

by Andrew Maduabuchukwu When I first listened to “Blonde” by Frank Ocean, it sent me listening to the music. This song features only a bass guitar with to another world. As a previous listener of “Nostalgia, Ultra” no drum beats to highlight the deep meaning. and his album “Channel Orange,” I found he inspired a sense of “Self Control” touches on anyone being in a relationship awe. Rebranding himself, Frank Ocean reminisces on his past where there’s no maturity. As Frank says, “Wish I was there, romances, overcoming struggles, personal trauma, having to wish we’d grown up on the same advice”. The lyrics bemoan the move from Louisiana after hurricane Katrina and more. experience of being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t “Blonde” expresses the innocence of Frank’s early life. Frank share similar mindsets or opinions, someone you almost don’t shows he’s a mastermind in this album–he delivers magnificent know. He sings, “You see me like a U.F.O” showing how alone or lyricism and shows his creative mind. Did you know that Blonde unknown he feels with this person. He even explores a one-sidis split into 2 parts? That is why there are two different spellings: ed relationship, which is why the song is called “Self Control” “Blond,” which is featured on the album cover, and “Blonde”. because both of them need the self-awareness to realize it won’t Additionally, exactly 30 minutes into the work in the end, so it is better to end it. album, during his song “Nights,” the beat “Skyline To” evokes a beautiful setting completely changes. That is why “Nights” in nature. It starts with Frank saying, is one of the most recognized songs in the “This is joy, this is summer” with birds album – the amazing beat switch that rechirping in the background, and then flects the change in mood of the album. progresses to a mellow guitar leading to Starting with “Ivy.” Frank begins with a kind of faded drum that just really tops heartfelt lyrics: “I thought that I was everything off. This song has a somewhat dreaming when you said you loved me,” simple production but can stir so many reminiscing about growing up and his past emotions. “Skyline To” is about a summer regrets of separating from someone. In the love in which he realizes that time moves -Andrew Maduabuchukwu song, Frank says, “It was the start of nothby too fast and wants to cherish the meming,” revealing the relationship eventually ended and how bad ories that are made. For example, he sings, “Solstice ain’t as far it was for their health. His Avant-R&B style (a mix of neo-soul, as it used to be. It begins to blur, we get older. Summer’s not as jazz fusion, hip-hop, and pop) along with a distorted electric long as it used to be”. guitar fits his vocals and makes the whole experience mesmerIt’s as if he’s deeply reminiscing about memories and is afraid izing. of how fast time is going. Lastly, Frank gives a beautiful outro Then, in Frank’s song “Pink + White,” the lyrics express the where he says, “In comes the morning”; the morning is what he’s feelings about someone who previously showed him love to new afraid of because it shows that new days are beginning when he heights, but that, too, would soon end. He delivers the narrative wants to treasure what he has but has so little time. in an almost angelic melody with backing vocals by Beyoncé.

The song “Nights” is one of the best songs in “Blonde,” and it Frank also used some lyrics that alluded to drug use especial- has two different sounds – the first part is an upbeat high and ly after going through hurricane Katrina, and he admits how he the second slows with more lows. In the beginning, Frank’s lyrused to resort to cocaine when things were bad, just like his girl- ics are aggressive, signaling the end of the relationship. He says friend. he cannot break the law with that person, and they can’t be honIn “Self Control” Frank sings, “Now and then you miss it, est with him. sounds make you cry. Some nights you dance with tears in your Frank uses the title “Nights” to show the rough nights that he eyes.” Frank felt nostalgic about what he and his lover had while goes through in this period, wanting only wants drugs, money,

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“‘Blonde’ is a love story like no other, it might not be a good relationship but it is a real one.”

his addiction, an endless cycle, leading back into the song name.

Next, “White Ferrari,” can bring anyone to tears and could have a thousand meanings. Frank sings, “I didn’t care to state the plain. Kept my mouth closed” showing he is in love with someone but doesn’t say anything because it could be obvious to the person.

One of the main themes of the beginning of the song is silence, how much silence can keep someone away from the other.

To some extent, someone has to eventually say something, but they both are too afraid, leading to Frank not connecting with the person. He sings, “I care for you still, and I will forever,” acknowledging that he has these feelings for this person and will continue to do so. The lyrics show him begging to be close, destroying his sense of peace, then leading him to believe that love would never come.

In conclusion, “Blonde” is a love story like no other; it might not be a good relationship, but it is a real one. This album truly is one of the greatest of the 2010s, and even all time. Soft, motivating, and sad, this album truly is unpredictable and like no other.

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and sex to the point where he just doesn’t put in the initiative to fix the situation. He sings, “Did you call me from a séance?” and he’s having a heated conversation and wants to get away from that person. Frank then says, “If I get my money right. You know I won’t need you.” He believes things would be better without the person, and this person makes him less than he thinks he can be.

Then says, “Why your eyes well up?” showing feeling sad can be irritating to him, and he does not care to comfort the other person. He says, “You are from my past life” and implies Frank is better off being without them “Nights” is followed by “The Crash,” when Frank goes through this he realizes that drugs, sex, and money are terrible for him, and it’s depressing. He remembers facing the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina. He starts with “Every night f***s every day up. Every day patches the night up,” signaling how it got to the point where all of his days became recovering from what he did in the nights. Also in “The Crash,” Frank goes into his roots and how he escaped from them. But, these things add to

REVIEW

To Make Monsters Out of Girls

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Written by Lillieann Rabon In Amanda Lovelace’s confessional book of poetry “To Make Monsters Out Of Girls” she explores the memories of a past relationship. She opens about things readers fear to reveal themselves and in the process finds self-healing, and readers may as well.

Amanda Lovelace is the author of many bestselling poetry books including her “You Are Your Own Fairy Tale” trilogy, but also her bestselling “Women Are Some Kind Of Magic.”

“What happens when the man of your dreams turns out to be a nightmare with sharp teeth and claws?” she says when describing her book.

In the first part of “Things that h(a) unt duology” she not only brings light but imagery to her memories as well. Readers learn that it’s not the fault of the victim in an abusive relationship. I can definitely agree when she says, “...there’s no such thing as deserving abuse” and “...darling, you are worthy.”

This book is perfect if you are the type of person that enjoys reading angsty poems; you will enjoy this dark book of verse.

Readers should be aware that this poetry book mentions self-harm,sexual-assault, depression, anxiety, abuse, blood, and gore. She uses some strong language and comes with a “trigger warning.” But of course, the dark subject matter doesn’t mean that poems are not beautiful. They truly are, and if you have been through a lot, like myself, then you have a specific taste for it.

She expresses not only a lot of angst but personal growth, such as becoming yourself after a damaging and or toxic relationship.

This book comes in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle. The digital listing price for this book is only $9.99, while the kindle price is $8.49.

“To Make Monsters Out Of Girls” is an unforgettable book.

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REVIEW

A Soothing Spotify Playlist Good music is the best way to live Written by Jada Small

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The thing that draws me to this playlist is that even though I don’t know all of the artists well, I do know they have amazing voices and meanings to the songs.

I

have came across a playlist on spotify “My place” by someone named Idk anymore, and they include music from ‘Pop hip hop rock punk’ Ashnikko, ‘Pop’ Nico Collins,Hip-Hop/Rap Lik Darkie, Hip-Hop/Rap COERPS, and so much more. As a student that openly listens to music in class, this is probably the only playlist that can distract me and soothe me.

I listen to this playlist when I’m at my lowest point, and when you have mental health issues you need something to distract you from the real world. The songs in this playlist are a roller coaster. You don’t know what’s going to come next. It might be a sad song, happy, depressed, or just really weird.

When you have your headphones in and the music is at volume up and work on whatever you’re doing, time goes by fast and you might finish the

work you need to do. It’s like you’re spacing out in a good way, and if you’re someone like me, you need to listen to music to make you happy when you are sad or angry. The thing that draws me to this playlist is that even though I don’t know all of the artists well, I do know they have amazing voices and meanings to the songs.

If you like AJR, you would prefer Nico Collins, or if you like music from Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, or Playboi Carti you would probably want to listen to Lil Darkie on the playlist. If you like Melanie Martinez, UpsahI, ppcocaine you might enjoy Ashnikko.

One of my favorite songs from the playlist is “E-girls Are Ruining My Life”.

I highly recommend the playlist “My place” to anyone that wants to listen to some pretty good music.

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REVIEW

Chicago Musical breathtaking

Chicago’s cast impresses with their amazing acts

The “Chicago” cast amazed audiences with their everyone’s mic was ready with no problems so the performances May 1-3. “Chicago” shows the corrupcast could be heard clearly. tion of the justice system and how one can be a celebSid Willoughby, who plays Velma Kelly, was an rity criminal. The school musical is based on the 1926 excellent actress. She was very professional and play by Maurine Dallas Watkins. The plot of the play talented with her singing. Velma is a villain with is based on the true story of Beulah Annan, fictionalgreat talent and charm. Willoughby did a wonderized by Roxie Hart (Caitlin O’Reilly), and her murder ful job in portraying Velma; she made me fall for of her boyfriend. The message behind “Chicago” is to the character and her facial expressions showed show the world of crooked lawyers and a public who there wasn’t a moment where she was out of charcraves violence is as frightening in its own way as the acter. Willoughby has great talent with her voice, crime itself. especially with controlling her The overall performance from vocals and pitches. Willoughby “The overall experience the cast was outstanding, and beadded to her character with a ing at the rehearsals really shows loud and sassy attitude. I hope I had was the best, and I the determination they have to she pursues acting–especially in make sure the audience enjoys musicals. hadn’t enjoyed a play as the play. Seeing how much time From having a strong feand effort they put into their art is much as I did that day. ” male lead I would expect the remarkable. The choreography is - Cristina Flores Jimenez second female lead to not be one of the things that impressed at the same standards as the me the most, the way everyone first lead. For an actress to be was in sync, every foot pointed. I know they had to at the same level of performance as the main lead memorize every movement. shows professionalism. Caitlin O’Reilly is one of They showed how professional they are in rememthose performers that understands the role, and bering the little adjustments made to the choreograif anything she can make herself be in the spotphy, staying in character, remembering every line, and light one minute then the next she blends into the making sure they project their voices on stage. background while still being seen by the audiences.

The team also deceives just the amount of credit as O’Reilly plays Roxie Hart in the play, who kills Fed the cast. Without them they wouldn’t have made the Casely, a furniture salesman who she is having an story more lively. The lighting in the perfect shade of affair with behind the back of Amos, her husband. light blue showed the audiences a time change to the She ended up killing Fed because he wanted to end past. In addition, the sound production made sure the affair. O’Reilly has excellent talent with getting

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Written by Cristina Flores Jimenez & Leonor Carcamo

‘Chicago Teen Edition’ poster.

I hadn’t enjoyed a play as much as I did that day.

Laughing with the little jokes made by the characters and feeling part of the play when cheering for Roxie or gasping by what Velma had said or done brought a different light for me when it comes to going to a play, especially a musical.

Watching this production as a musical never made me feel bored or tired. If anything it kept me up, and I enjoyed the music. The choreography was beautiful and outstanding, feeling the female power in the dances. I walked out amazed by what my classmates are capable of doing. I can’t wait for other projects to come.

The lower classmen have some big shoes to fill from the seniors who did a wonderful job.

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the audience to focus on her. She kept her acting on point showing and expressing her emotions clearly at all times.

Ryan Ellis has to be one of my favorite actors that I have seen. I love the character he plays, Billy Flynn, a lawyer who is going to help Roxie out in getting off murder. I personally love the jokes and how everyone gets a good laugh with him. He kept it funny with his sarcasm and he really brought his character to life.

The character Flynn is a good lawyer and mostly defends women who are charged with killing their lovers. I enjoyed the little comments and remarks that were made by Flynn.

The overall experience I had was the best, and

REVIEW

Slipknot Self-titled

History of the album that made the masked nonet famous.

Short Answer: Yes. Slipknot’s first record still holds Many citizens who live in Des Moines say that up today, 23 years after its release on June 29, 1999. there isn’t much to do there, so it was quite a shock But what makes this record so legendary? Number that one of the biggest metal bands would come one, it was produced by Ross Robinson. Robinson is from the city. Each member would have their own known for producing the first two Korn records, instory and use the anger they faced their whole lives, cluding their demo tape from 1993. He also produced and pump it into this album.

“Roots” by Sepultura, which went on to sell two What else makes Slipknot appealing to people? million copies.

Slipknot is most known for its appearance-wearing Ross Robinson found out about Slipknot from a masks, and jumpsuits with their own individual 5-track demo tape the band had numbers on them and their onrecorded in 1998. He went to stage antics. Before they had a re“If this is the future of local shows and attend the band’s cord out, the band had a different rehearsals and he offered to record music, I don’t want to singer and no DJ, and a less strict the album for them. appearance. They would wear be alive.”

After Slipknot would be decasual or odd clothes on stage nied a record deal by Sony records. with masks until they recruited - Rep at Sony records Drummer Joey Jordison(RIP) said their new singer, Corey Taylor in “A guy at Sony told us ‘If this is 1997 when they started wearing the future of music, I don’t want to be alive”. Slipknot jumpsuits. would then accept the half-million-dollar record deal Each member would buy store-bought masks offered to them by Robinson at Roadrunner Records. and convert them to their liking to represent their They recorded the album in Indigo Ranch Studios in personalities. Nobody knew what they looked like Malibu California. Robinson would push them to the under the masks when they first hit it big. Basslimits physically and mentally to get them to create ist Paul Gray would say “Being from Des Moines, the awesomely chaotic album that “Slipknot” came to ... y’know everybody treats us like nobody, so we be. All the members of Slipknot lived in Des Moines, decided, hey, why not be nobody, so we put on the which is a relatively small town, in the state of Iowa, masks”. Each mask was drastically different, and America’s biggest producer of corn and hogs. Kyle what made them scary was that they weren’t scary Munson, a Des Moines Register Music Critic said, masks, they were mostly normal, which made them “The Novelty of them coming out of the middle of a unsettling. Their masks are what made them inmid-western cornfield, was kind of an interesting stantly recognizable. Each member’s masks meant story, for the world.” something to themselves, along with the number

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Written by Trey Chandler

rapping into one song.

Different genres combined together by mainstream bands were pretty uncommon at the time, and this album paved the way for more music that would take heavy influence from them. Slipknot’s fame would start with this album, and they would become one of the biggest metal bands of all time, up there with bands like Metallica and Pantera. After the release of the album, they would go on tour for Ozzfest in 1999 and then did other tours until they recorded their second studio album, “Iowa”, which would be released in 2001.

Formed in 1995, the band would work four years to get their first record out and it would go down in history as the debut of one of the most successful metal bands of all time, a record that still holds up to this day.

All the nine members posing outside an abandoned building in 1999, wearing the masks and jumpsuits that made them famous.

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they wore on their jumpsuits. Each of the nine members of the band has a number that they have identified themselves with since around 1998. The numbers range from 0-8, and are displayed on their arm on their jumpsuits. Their jumpsuits also contain the barcode of their demo record, “Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat”, and their Tribal ‘S’ logo on the other arm. Their appearance would evolve throughout the album cycles, but their sinister and eerie appearance on their self-titled album would be what made them famous.

Their songs spoke to groups of many people at the time, with themes of anger, hate, and horror stories.

Songs like “(sic)” would be an instant classic and become one of their most well-known songs. Songs like “Wait and Bleed” and “Purity” would include Melodic singing, and create a musical blend of metal, and melodies, and “Only One” would fuse metal and fast

REVIEW

The Batman Batman comes back newer more emo than ever

“The Batman” (2022) is an inventive new revival of to the hero we all know and love. As the Batman a long-loved character dating back to the 30s. Hitting himself though, Pattinson is electric. $300 million in the box office Monday, March 22 “They think I hide in the shadows, but I am the alone, the film can be easily described as a smash. So shadows” is a perfect summary of the character and what makes “The Batman” so successful? persona Pattinson creates. With much less of a ma“The Batman” starts off with a still young Bruce cho influence, Pattinson’s Bat does a fantastic job of Wayne learning the ropes of being the Dark Knight. balancing the edge of the brooding Dark Knight and Only two years into the job and he still spends majori- the frankly, emo Bruce Wayne. Batman is intimity of his time looming over the city in Wayne Tower, a dating as well as easy to relate to, in the end you’re new take on the established Wayne rooting for him to win, which is Manor, monologuing about jusnot something you can say for tice and more notably, vengeance. every impression of the character.

“They think I hide in What he lacks in experience he The fight scenes are electric, and makes up for with his world class the shadows, but I am the gadgets used are exciting as detective skills, as he solves a series always. 2022’s The Batman comes the shadows.” of murders of corrupt government up with a seemingly endless slew officials all leading back to one of of ways to re-imagine the characthe franchises most notable villains, ter.

-The Batman (’22) the Riddler.

The acting job that really steals What makes The Batman so the show however, is none other special is its focus on being less of a typical superhethan Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman. This new stylish ro movie and more of a 70’s noir detective film, eerily version of Selina Calbrese captures any scene she’s similar to the 2009-2016 Arkham games and the 2016 in, and Kravitz does a fantastic job of making the animated adaptation of The Killing Joke. characters motivations and core beliefs realistic Robert Pattinson’s iteration of the character has an and believable. And with a complicated romance interesting new way of telling the story of the billion- between Batman and Catwoman, lasting longer aire philanthropist Bruce Wayne, who is typically than the average viewer has lived, there were many described as a suave and smooth businessman, as high expectations set for Pattinson’s and Kravitz’s Pattinson instead takes a more socially awkward and chemistry, which they did not let down. isolated approach. The scenes as Bruce Wayne are Of course, it would not be a Batman movie withnothing like Christian Bale or Ben Affleck’s portrayal out some hilariously awkward moments, to which of the character, which adds an exciting new element this movie does have its fair share of.

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Written by Maddie Thompson

Movie poster of the latest superhero hit “The Batman”(’22).

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Starting with arguably the funniest of all of them, about halfway through the movie, upon running out of the jail cell with officer Gordon planning his escape, Robert Pattinson’s bat takes his first flight, and soars through the skies of Gotham in a parachute-type fly suit, which fans have lovingly dubbed the “Flying Squirrel Suit” due to its similarity to the animal. With a strange choice from director Matt Reeves, to have an almost Go-Pro-esque body camera attached to Pattinson’s chest, the entire scene reeks of failed fan-service, which is hilarious to watch, and even funnier to remember that it was meant to be an incredibly serious and awe-inspiring scene.

Another strange aspect of the film would be the inclusion of a significantly younger iteration of the famed butler, Alfred, by Andy Serkis, whose performance simply did not work for most. There was a lack of parental-ness that is integral to the character that Serkis did not have, which harmed his performance significantly. His influence on Pattison’s character was little to none, and only served to move the plot forward from act two and out. The character

seemed to hinder the movie more than help and only served to move the plot forward from act two and out.

Finally, the third act of the movie felt incredibly drawn-out and complicated, from the ‘Se7en’ style reveal of the Riddlers true ramblings and notebooks, to the attempted assasination of the future mayor of Gotham by 4chan-inspired goonies, and a mass flooding which conveniently made its way to the Gotham stadium, where all of the characters were meeting up. Personally, the third act felt as if it was trying to wrap up too many elements that could have been left untold, and instead of going deeper into the character analysis of the Bat the movie had spent the last 2 hours picking apart, the production opted to have epic and heroic moments from then on. Though, to its credit, the shot of Batman holding a flare and leading the officials of Gotham, wading through the flood water like a biblical figure is almost enough to make any grievances towards the third act pass.

In the end, if you haven’t seen “The Batman” yet, I don’t know what to tell you. It is certainly the most refreshing take on a franchise that has been beaten to death with a stick a million times over and easily throws any watcher into their own Gothamite fantasies of brooding over the city as a red sun rises in the background. What makes “The Batman” so special is that it does what we’ve never really seen before, and focuses less on the superhuman and untouchable side of Batman in exchange for a more close and exciting look at the World’s Greatest Detective. Pattinson is fantastic, Kravitz is stunning, the villains are sinister in all the right ways and the film itself is gorgeous thanks to writer/director Matt Reeves. I would highly recommend this to any new or old fan of the famous character we all know as Batman.

SPORTS

Signing Day The next step for senior athletes

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Written by Georgia Cox

Senior athletes Maya Cameron, Tyler DemarBramlett signed to Winthrop University for co, Patrick Bramlett, Jahari Dozier, Eli Patrick, soccer. “I feel like it could be a good fit for me and Jackson Sims all signed to colleges of their educationally,” Bramlett said. “I’m looking forchoice on April 21, committing themselves for ward to the Big South Championship.” their sport.

Eli Patrick signed to University of South “These seniors are a representation of the Carolina-Lancaster for soccer. success any of our students here at Nation Ford “I just love the sport I play and enjoy being on can accomplish,” Athletic Dithe field,” Bramlett (explained. rector James Shackleford said “When I got the opportunity “With careful in a letter to parents. “Their to play at the next level, I had consideration, they dedication not only to their to take it.” sports as an athlete, but also Sims, who was the 2021 signed to colleges to o their academics make up a tri-county defensive player huge culture here at #OneNa- prove their dedication to of the year, signed to North tion. Their hard work and Greenville University for their sport.” dedication is an inspiration football. to other athletes who want Dozier, who signed to to accomplish the same goals and advance their Pfeiffer University for soccer, explained why he high school career on to the next level.” chose to sign.

Cameron signed to the University of North “I liked the campus and community. I also like Georgia for Rifle, after accomplishing three the soccer program there and believe that it’s a years as the Rifle Team captain in JROTC. great place to develop as a player and continue Tyler DeMarco signed to Lander University for my academic studies,” Dozier explained.

Lacrosse.

It’s a big decision for athletes to further a ca“I signed because it is a good opportunity reer in their sport since it is a big commitment, and I really liked the coaches,” Demarco said. “I but with careful consideration, they signed to thought it was the right fit for me.” colleges to prove their dedication to their sport.

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Jahari Dozier, Eli Patrick, Patrick Bramlett, Tyler DeMarco, Maya Cameron, Jackson Sims after singing to their colleges on April 21, 2022.

SPORTS

JROTC Rifle Team Wins Nationals Written by Lillieann Rabon creased my knowledge of air rifle competitive shooting. Fourth, we out-train, out-practice all of our competitors. I offer ten practices per week of which five are mandatory. Two weeks prior to a national championship, I require all team members to attend Nation Ford teams finished first, third, and sixth place. double practices each day.

The win was team’s 46th national championship “Fifth, I implement and incorporate the practices team title since their first national rifle team title in and techniques of mental focusing/sports psycholo2015. Individually, Nation Ford’s top athletes fin- gy. ished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th place.

“Finally, we travel or host between 30-45 shoulNFHS team has won the Marine Corps JROTC der-to-shoulder competitive rifle matches per seanational championships for the past seven consecu- son,” he added. tive years–an accomplishment no other team in the The program originated from nation has achieved. “...to remain focused on the humble beginnings. The JROTC Additionally, Kyle Orr (‘22) program started in 2008, including set a new Marine Corps JROTC task at hand and not feel the a rifle team. To start, they received National Standing Record when air rifles from a Marine JROTC effects of stress makes a he fired a 189-9X out of a possible program in Mississippi that was 200. It is the twentieth national disbanded. significant impact on record set by Nation Ford shoot“The rifle were old, dilapidated, ing athletes since 2015. and not accurate, Col. Mulcahy the ability to perform.”

Samantha Zermeno also said. achieved Civilian Marksmanship At the time, students did not possess their own Program Distinguished Expert status at the national range to practice and hold competitions. “They used championships. She is the 22nd athlete in the NFHS their JROTC classroom which is now the Theater program who has achieved this milestone.

Arts classroom,” he added. “They would moved all Col. Sean Mulcahy, the Senior Marine Instructor, of the desks to the side and actually shot corner to identified six major aspects that have significantly corner in order to replicate the 10 meter competition contributed to the teams success in the past seven distance.” years: As the team outgrew that room, they practiced in “First, we have our own 25-point firing range the Commons, wrestling room, and agriculture facilwhich I believe is the best high school air rifle range ity. That required them to spend half of their practice in the state,” he said. “Second, we have the best time transporting and setting-up and tearing down equipment in adequate supply for our team. the range each practice period, Col. Mulcay said.

“Third, as the coach I have expanded and in“Their time was often limited to three days a week

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Nation Ford High School is the first and only team to ever qualify three teams to compete in the Marine Corps JROTC National Rifle Championships.

Held in Phoenix, Arizona 2-6 Feb, more than 2,000 Marine Cadets competed in the qualification round.

A team - 1st place team in the nation Kyle Orr

1st Place Individual

Maya Cameron

2nd Place Individual

Isabelle Fetting

3rd Place Individual

Samantha Zermeno

4th Place Individual

B Team 3rd place team in the nation Christian DeRenzis

5th Place Individual

Jennifer Zermeno

18th Place Individual

Liam Hunter

19th Place Individual

Caroline Audette

38th Place Individual

C Team 6th place in the nation Abril De Castro

7th Place Individual

Ben Whitaker

25th Place Individual

Kees Vandergriff

26th Place Individual

Harris Lachlan

56th Place Individual

Alternates Eli Edwards

66th Place Individual

Ben Loser

71st Place Individual

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as they shared the space with dance and cheer. Eventually, then Principal Beverley Bowman succeeded in appropriating funds for a JROTC building. Having a dedicated range was the beginning of something big,” he said.

The team held two practices each day. “This allowed band students, athletes, students with afternoon jobs to belong on the rifle team by attending morning practices and still meeting their afternoon requirements,” NFHS team members have not necessarily master the art of mental focusing, he says, but they are leaps and bounds ahead of their fellow competitors. “This may be the single most contributory factor in our team’s and individual successes,“ he said.

During this time the Marine Corps purchased 25 new, state-of-the-art air rifles for our team and applied for NRA grants each year and purchased additional rifle and equipment using Booster Club funds.

“Routinely, our rifle team began each school year with more than 50 athletes,” he said. “By winter break, we were down to 25. By the end of June or July we may have 8-10 athletes still practicing and competing.”

Students practice and compete year round. Their last National Rifle Championship is the last week in July at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“Where ever they could find a rifle match, they would go and compete. They won their first state champion title in 2013 and haven’t lost a state title since,” he said. “They won their first National Rifle Team Championship at the NRA Nationals in Albuquerque, NM in 2015.”

They usually compete in eight to nine national rifle championships a year. Team members have won more than 20 individual championship titles in the past seven years and these athletes have set a total of 21 team and individual national records.

“About the time our team starting winning national championships is the time I started implementing mandatory mental focusing,” Col. Mulcahy said. “An athlete’s ability to remain focused on the task at hand and not feel the effects of stress makes a significant impact on their ability to perform.”

OPINION

Stop Burning Books Banning books only leads to bigotry

In light of upcoming elections, politicians are Imagine a library without To Kill a Mockingbird, using the issue to drum up support, which puts them Harry Potter, Animal Farm, or Fahrenheit 51. Librariin opposition to the First Amendment and the rights ans Janet Hamilton and Julie Hooper do their best to of a student’s access to educational materials. Reading contribute reading materials to the school in an enbooks is not a political issue but an issue of censorship vironment that has become increasingly wary about that has been presented to the state and students. This equal education on social issues. But if you start to see is shown by historical court decisions. a lack of representation in the school library, a lack After the monumental court ruling on the subject of of independent ideas and educational resources, then book banning, Island Trees Union Free School District look no further than the battle against Gender Queer: v. Pico (1982), the Supreme Court A Memoir by author Maia Kobabe. made the decision that “On the prinFort Mill and Rock Hill schools “We have a diverse ciple that the Constitution protects have been impacted by investigations the right to receive information and into South Carolina school libraries student body. ideas,” an American public school by the state’s Department of EduOur library reflects will not participate against bancation as directed by Gov. Henry ning books based off of any content McMaster. that.” deemed too ‘controversial’ to be put The graphic novel, Gender Queer: - NHFS Librarian Juile Hooper on school shelves.

A Memoir, is a tale of growing up This decision, written by Justice struggling with sexuality and gender William J. Brennan, means that the identity, and has been heralded as a removal of books from the shelves of a public school gripping reflection of the queer experience, as well as library intrudes on students’ First Amendment rights a resource for any of those struggling with questions in part because of “the special characteristics of the of sexuality or gender. The memoir’s place in schools school library.” (Justice Brennan, 1982) Brennan then has been scrutinized in several other states, like Florconcluded that school officials may not exercise their ida, Texas, and Virigina, and the debate has now been discretion to remove books from a school library based brought to South Carolina when Gov. Henry McMaster when he brought special attention to what he called on “narrowly partisan or political” grounds, because doing so would amount to an “official suppression of “...pornographic and obscene materials” in his tweet ideas.” on Nov. 10, 2021. Since being brought to the attention It was also agreed upon by a fellow judge, Justice of the superintendent of education for South Carolina, Harry Blackmun, that while the school library was Molly Spearman, the memoir has been removed from considered within the district itself and not an indeFort Mill and Rock Hill school libraries, despite being pendent entity, school officials’ removal of books for “... checked out a total of 1 time at only Nation Ford.

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Maddie Thompson

restricting access to political ideas or social perspectives discussed in them, when that action is motivated simply by the officials’ disapproval of the ideas involved” (Blackmun, 1982) is a violation of the First Amendment.

Now let’s apply this case to what we as students, teachers, and administrators are seeing today. The book in question has already been marked as age-restricted for grades 10 and above by the red dot system, which is a red sticker on the spine of a book indicating it contains more mature or explicit material. This book, is also about the queer experience, with ideas that can be viewed a controversial topics, and is the first time a book has been removed from the Nation Ford Library.

This isn’t just a local occurrence, but instead a nation-wide phenomenon in which school boards are targeting books about people of color, LGBTQ folk, and those of different religions and ethnicities.

Tennessee recently passed three bills protecting book banning, most notably an amendment to bill HB 0800, which states that public and state sponsored charter schools are “... prohibited from locally adopting or using in the public schools of this state, textbooks and instructional materials or supplemental instructional materials that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender (LGBT) issues or lifestyles.”

The Oklahoma state senate filed a bill to address “indoctrination” of students in public schools in December of 2021, stating “SB 1142 prohibits public school districts, public charter schools, and public school libraries from maintaining in their inventory or promoting books that address the study of sex, sexual

Books that have been on the top 50 list for book bannings in America.

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Book Banning is a practice spanning for centuries.

preferences, sexual activity, sexual perversion, sexbased classifications, sexual identity, gender identity, or books that contain content of a sexual nature that a reasonable parent or legal guardian would want to know about or approve of before their child is exposed to it.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott requested for a criminal investigation in Texas school libraries in regards to the presence of queer books in the library, specifically All Boys Aren’t Blue by George Matthew Johnson, a collection of essays regarding his experience as a queer black man in America. Book banning even spreads to Washington State, where Mukilteo School District, a suburb of Seattle, voted to remove To Kill a Mockingbird in January 2022.

In the end, the power of education is what makes us into better people. The censoring of reading material is what drives a toxic environment for diversity to thrive.

Students being represented in the media that they consume is vital. Representation matters.

Nation Ford’s librarian Julie Hooper said it best, “We have a diverse student body. Our library reflects that.”

OPINION

Lunch Lines Never enough time

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Kaitlyn Hammers Sitting in 80 minute classes for an entire day es back to back all day from 8:40-3:40. But that just to have to spend more time waiting in line might have something to do with how short of to get food is on nobody’s wishlist. We only have time we get for lunch.

22 minutes to eat lunch, and since the majority of If we were able to have a longer lunch time we that for some people is just waiting in line, that would be able to take a break from classes and cuts by half the amount of time students are able talk with friends. Not many kids can focus with to eat. classes that are that long and making them also Testing out how long it would take to get have the only break time they have is one fourth through the lunch line by timing different days of the time they are in one class.

I got 15 minutes for one day, 8 We are supposed to be and then 12 minutes for another. learning during class, but how “People cut in lines all are you supposed to learn when Considering that is only timing how long it can take to get you are hungry or, one the main the time, and it takes through lunch, it isn’t factoring things you are thinking about how long it takes to get to the is, when your lunch is. It takes longer to get food line and sit down and start away the whole learning probecause of that.” eating. cess because you aren’t focusConsidering that students ing on class. also like to cut in line to get Even adding more lunch through the line faster, things are a little more lines could help. We only have 4 lunch lines and difficult than before. Most people won’t say the majority of them daily are very long lines. If anything to the people who cut so nothing ever we added another line we wouldn’t have as much really happens. Also, many people don’t know traffic in the cafeteria. their password, so that adds on time to waiting in If the problem is also that most people favor the line. one line over another, then why don’t we add the Even when you go to the cafeteria early they food to other lines to reduce the traffic for one won’t serve you either when you are late. They line. It would mean that one line wouldn’t be also run out of food(s) by the time the end of the taking up the most room and wait time and more day comes around for 3rd lunch, so not everybody people would be able to get lunch in a shorter is even getting a full lunch. amount of time.

One of the points of lunch is to take a break Having more lines would make lunch longer from your classes you have been in all day. Not for some people and you would still get a break everyone wants to sit through 80 minute classfrom classes.

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Students in the commons stand in line for the nacho line on May 12 during third lunch.

OPINION

Attendance vs.

Mental Health With students mental health declining, we need more days to de-stress

After more than 18 months since the pandemic started mental health issues have skyrocketed.

Suicide attempts jumped at 31% in 2020, and now 51% in 2022. Unfortunately, the numbers continue to rise.

Attendance is one of the issues that affects students’ mental health, and requiring those students to conform with South Carolina attendance policies can cause them to really struggle. Students need more flexibility in regards to attendance. Students should be able to take an excused “mental health day” whether they have a mental health provider note or not. It can be months before a student can get in to see a mental health provider.

“Nearly every child in the country is suffering to some degree of psychological effects of the pandemic,” said Sharon Hoover, co-director of the University of Maryland-based National Center for School Mental Health. “Suddenly everyone is talking about mental health. Parents, teachers and students are openly discussing it.”

“Staying after school is for state law …for accountability” Mr. Abraham explains.

“More than 140,000 children in the U.S. lost a primary and/or secondary caregiver,” during the pandemic, according to Pewtrusts organization.

Students who are facing loss and trauma need to be able to take an excused “mental health day.”

The South Carolina Department of Education continues to insist that a 504 plan will ensure that students that need help will receive the accommo-

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Lillieann Rabon dations needed, but even for students with diagnosed depression, anxiety, or PTSD, that plan does not include permission to miss school for a mental health day without a doctor’s note.

It isn’t only children with disabilities and 504 plans that have issues with mental health – all students should have the flexibility to stay home when struggling with mental health.

Even the 504 plan also does not apply to attendance relief. About 15-20 students leave the school each year because of troubles in class, leading to unexcused absences.

Students who are frequently absent may be putting their futures in jeopardy by falling behind in academics and missing important socialization concepts that enhance their ability to understand and follow directions.

The current state rule is after three consecutive or five total unlawful absences are accrued, South Carolina State Law R 43-274 identifies a child (up to age 17) as TRUANT. If no doctor’s note or other reason for absence (death in the family, etc.) a Student Attendance Intervention Plan (SAIP) will be developed to ensure regular student attendance.

In the event of continued unlawful absences after the SAIP meeting, the child/family may be referred to York County Family Court and/or the Department of Social Services. In addition, the school asks the students to pay $10 per hour for attendance recovery, and added financial burden for families.

All students should have the ability to have ex-

health and well-being of our kids in a broad and comprehensive way—not just for children with learning disabilities and diagnosed mental health conditions, but for all students,” Hoover said.

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cused mental health days without a note from a doctor or a parent, and whether or not they have a 504 plan. “...schools need to invest now in the mental

OPINION

Concerts & Covid What’s the cost of normalcy?

It’s 7 p.m. on the dot and the doors just opened. unmasked still seems like a thing of the past, but as Hundreds of people flood into the venue, quickly fillwe ramp into 2022 massive festivals and concerts are ing the floor to standing room only. There’s a guitar, a coming up for the first time since the pandemic, such drum set, and a few mics on the stage, but not much as Coachella, or the Grammys. else. The air is electric and full of life as people are As a pretty avid concert goer myself, there was dancing, and mingling while waiting for the first act something distinctly missing in my life once concerts to come on. The lights go dark and there’s cheering, had shut down. Special events that had been planned and suddenly, the concert has begun. for months were canceled, and live music felt more If this memory sounds in any way at all familiar, far away than ever. That was until July 27, 2021, it’s because you’ve probably been to a concert at least when I went to my first concert since the pandemic once in your life. Almost as old as started, the Hella Mega tour, which music itself, concerts have always includes acts from Weezer, Fall “What do we have to Out Boy, and Green Day. been a way for people to connect and interact with each other while Situated in Truist Park, the do to have just a hint enjoying familiar tunes. But since home of the Atlanta Braves, 32,000 the outbreak of the Covid-19 people came together to listen to of a normal day?” pandemic, this scene has been shut live music, most likely for the first -Maddie Thompson (’24) down for a while. Tours and ventime since Covid-19. At the pit, ues, small and large alike, started (standing room only) stood thoushutting down mid-March of 2020, sands of people crowded together, and massive artists like Billie Eilish, Elton John, Guns masks off, drinking, dancing, and yelling the lyrics N’ Roses and even My Chemical Romance, who were to their favorite songs. Situated up top in the stands, set to return after seven years of their break had to everyone else, sitting, but still packed together, but shut their tours down. It’s been two years since this significantly less so. About one in every five people initial shutdown, with COVID-19 cases still on the were wearing a mask, but at the time, the CDC’s rise, and the concert scene becoming active once Covid guidelines had instructed that since it was an again, it’s time to ask ourselves, has anything truly outdoor event it would be okay. Merch and conceschanged? sion lines were a mile long, and the music was absoNow, 5.6 million COVID-related deaths later, and lutely blaring, but for the avid concert-goers, this felt live concerts seem to be coming back stronger than like home. It felt like a return to normalcy after the ever, but should it? The virus is still easily transpandemic. mitted and crowds of people in a cramped space The acts went off without a hitch, regardless of

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Maddie Thompson

Outside with the crowd, Maddie Thompson (‘24) dances at the Hella Mega Tour concert at Truist Stadium, Atlanta.

section of the tour for the next five shows.

The current state of the world came crashing back down fairly quickly after that. While the tour continued on after the quarantine period for the members was over, it was still different at the following shows, for artists and fans alike.

Almost two years into the coronavirus, there are still an average of 2,000 Covid-related deaths a day in the United States according to the CDC, and we are now forced to ask ourselves the question: is going to live events, like sporting events, shows, concerts, and more worth the risk?

It’s estimated that about 5,000 out of that 32,000 that attended the Atlanta Hella Mega concert left with the virus. That’s more than 15%. Is the fun had at these types of events worth the increased danger we pose to other people when returning? Or is it worth it for the rush of pre-pandemic normalcy you feel when attending?

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the rain that came over the area midway through the concert. Weezer was the starter, and after a brief speech about the importance of wearing a mask and getting vaccinated, they went on to the concert as if nothing had changed. Fall Out Boy followed, saying nothing about the effects of Covid on them, except for how happy they were to return to live music once again. Finally, the headliner, Green Day started their set, and after many guitar solos, headbanging, and bass-lines, they ended with a touching speech about the importance of staying masked and getting vaccinated.

For the first time since March of 2020, there was a semblance of normalcy in the air, that we had made it out the other side of the pandemic stronger and more excited for live events than ever. Now, this would have been incredibly impactful and touching, if it wasn’t followed by a Fall Out Boy member getting Covid only a week later, and having to cancel their

OPINION

What’s Up With the Bell Schedule?

Block schedule takes toll on students’ attention

Switching from seven quick paced, 45 minute Scorsone explains. classes in middle school, to starting high school and So why is FLEX placed in the middle of the day? having four eighty minute classes is a silent killer to “Well, we chose to put it in the middle of the school some students’ motivation and attention span. Is the day because students weren’t using time effectively, extensive time in each class really necessary? No. Why such as taking an extended lunch when FLEX was exactly is the bell schedule laid out the way it is, and placed right before.” Scorsone said. is it really the most efficient for students’ motivation?

Concerns around whether or not the school actuAdministrator Anthony Scorsone explains the ally needs eighty minute classes have been a discuscommon questions students may have about the sion amongst students and educators worldwide. difficult schedule, starting with the Because school starts at 8:40 a.m. confusion behind the length and every day, students are required to “Having to try and stay wake up a few hours before ideal placement of the extra “study time” or FLEX. so they won’t be late, which alawake during extremely “The bell schedule is quite a bit ready causes stress and annoyance different from when the school first drawn out periods of time due to the lack of sleep teenagers opened; there was no FLEX… FLEX can obtain. Therefore, having to can cause disruptions in try and stay awake during exhas only been around for around 6 years, starting at 20 minutes tremely drawn out periods of time attention spans.” every other day, to then every day… can cause disruptions in attention eventually leading to 40 minutes spans: though students may seem everyday,” he said. awake, and active in taking notes, the matter of if The length of FLEX may be the biggest disruption they’re actually able to obtain the information they to the flow of classes. learned over the course of the class period is at “I like the length of FLEX, but I don’t like where it’s question. placed. I think I would work much more efficiently if “I don’t think there needs to be a full ninety it was placed some time in the morning rather than in minute lecture time per class, I think it’s difficult the middle of the day,” says Brianna Borgeson (‘25). for students to have an attention span that lasts “FLEX is that much longer (double the original time) that long. I believe if the class was split up in some because most teachers actually explained they would way where half of the time could be a lecture and prefer a longer FLEX for students to get more done, the other half was given to students for classwork such as making up long tests, and they didn’t feel as to help understand the material, classes would feel though the original 20 minutes was long enough.” much more efficient.” explains Joie Platt (‘23).

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Adalie Buckle

Cartoon by Adalie Buckle

An Average Day for Students

However, there is always room for improvement.

Scorsone states, “Though I believe the current bell schedule is the best for student productivity by far, I think the room for improvement can be implemented by me talking to students about their opinions on the bell schedule currently so we can make the best decisions for the bell schedule next year.”

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Scorsone agrees.

“I just know if I were a student I would perform much better if there were some sort of student-centered cooperative learning group going on rather than having to listen to someone talk for an entire class period,” Scorsone says. “ Hopefully teachers realize that students need that differentiation.”

OPINION

Cell Phones Headphones

&

Cell phones and headphones should be allowed in schools when students aren’t in class

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Sanaa Loyd & Crystia Basnight the hallway as long as it is not causing any At NFHS, the cell phone rules have problems.” become more strict in recent years, but However, Assistant Principal Anthony the strategy isn’t effective. In fact, 48 cell phones were collected in the month of Feb- Scorsone has a different view and supports the existing phone policy. “But I think we ruary 2022 alone. have been pretty reTeachers say they can laxed with it this year definitely see an increase “I really don’t see a with headphones and in cell phone and headproblem with it in the phones,” Scorsone said. phone usage after the Headphones are coronavirus pandemic hallway as long as it is not not allowed during back in early 2020. students’ lunch periThe school’s rules are causing problems.” ods, there have been too strict and students - Peyton Smith (’23) issues with students that are in high school being caught using should have more freeheadphones during lunch for safety issues dom. “so students can hear fire alarms and or hear According to the school handbook, cell people who need direct help,” Scorsone says. phones are only allowed to be used in the Commons prior to 8:40 a.m. during lunch Faculty can confiscate them if they see and after 3:40 p.m. However, some students them being used. Students complain that feel their phones should be allowed during they can still hear administration even with headphones in. passing periods between classes as well.

A possible solution to the phone and ear“The teachers are too strict on the cellbud problem is to give students permission phone policy because if we’re ever just on to have one headphone in at lunch because it in the hallways it’s normally when we are going to lunch,” Peyton Smith (‘23) we are still able to hear. The phone and headphone policy should be flexible. said. “I really don’t see a problem with it in

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OPINION

Is Be Yourself Bad Advice?

Being yourself is only part of the equation

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RED&BLACK / Spring 2022

Written by Rachel Studer When you ask for advice, the immediate

by Adam Grant, he talks about author A. J. answer is often, ‘just be yourself.’ Worried about Jacobs, who tried ‘being yourself’ out for a few a presentation? Just be yourself. Starting a new weeks. In summation, he ended up telling his job? Just be yourself! But when it comes down to editor that he would try to sleep with her if she it, is ‘just be yourself’ really the best advice? wasn’t married, his nanny that he would take If we’re really being honest, you can never just her out for a date if he could, and he told a little ‘be yourself’ in everyday life. People are congirl that she was holding a dead beetle, not a stantly changing their personality and demeanor sleeping one. based on the situation and who they are with.

“Deceit makes our world go round,”A. J. You have to be self-aware of Jacobs concludes. “Without your surroundings, and know lies, marriages would crumthe environment you’re in; ble, workers would be fired, “Authentic people other people have feelings egos would be shattered, govknow themselves, own too, and if the only thing you ernments would collapse.” are worried about is ‘being In our generation, ‘be themselves, and be yourself’ then you are totally yourself’ is preached. But missing the point. in reality, if you make one themselves.”

Instead of ‘being yourself’, wrong turn, you’re canceled instead be authentic. for that same thing that made Seems like a small change, you special. right? Wrong.

“Nobody wants to see your true self,” Grant According to Stephen Joseph Ph.D. with Psysaid. chology Today, “...authentic people know them“We all have thoughts and feelings that we selves, own themselves, and be themselves.” believe are fundamental to our lives, but that Authentic people not only know themselves, are better left unspoken.” but they also take responsibility in their life.

Instead of worrying about how others may They have the balance between standing firm react, focus on what you can control. Focus in who they are, but knowing that how they act on authenticity, knowing yourself + owning might have consequences if they do so irrational- yourself + being yourself. Then the next time ly. someone tells you to ‘be yourself’, know that In an opinion piece from the New York Times authenticity means so much more than that.

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Bad advice.

May 25th, 2022

As journalists, we have become accustomed to tragedy in our stories. Breaking news is rarely a happy tale, and we have to acknowledge the horrors of everyday life as a part of our job.

As students, we are accustomed to lockdown drills. We know that every day we walk into school, there is a chance we won’t be walking out.

As readers, we have become desensitized to this tragedy because of how much we are exposed to it, and that is not okay.

Thoughts and prayers do not stop bullets.

School shootings happen despite moments of silence.

At least five children die from gun violence each day*, and until action is taken, this will not change.

The staff of Red and Black urge action and policy against gun violence. We can not sit back and watch football games and school plays knowing the reality of what can happen to us sitting in a classroom.

Our sympathies go out to the victims of gun violence and to the families of Robb Elementary School.

Enough is enough.

-Red and Black Staff, 2022

*According to a 2019 study done by the Brady Organization

In memory of the countless lives lost to gun violence

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