Red & Black news magazine Spring 2019 by Beth Swann

Red Black

Volume 5 Issue 2 Spring 2019 Nation Ford HIgh School 1400 A. O. Jones Blvd Fort Mill, SC 29715

Catawba Ridge Find out all about the newest Fort Mill School

A.L.I.C.E. Training

Facial Recognition How can the world use your face?

Nation Ford should improve training for an active shooter

Umbrella Academy The latest hit Netflix show is not worth your time

Girl Dirty Birds Nation Ford will have a group of girl Dirty birds

Red Table of Contents Black

Catawba Ridge

Eurovision

Lightning Strikes

Taylor Rumsey

Music Man

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Kayla Boan

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Student Rights

Growth in Fort Mill

Plastic Crisis

Facial Recognition

Mine Karatas

Kate Guerra

Strawberry Pageant

Teachers & Guns

Sophia Plate

Lila Zois

We Don’t Look Alike

Lila Zois

Ryan Nguyen

Talkin’ Trash

Umbrella Academy

Nathan Simmons

Enoch Ibarra

An Immigrant’s Tale

Ayden Hash & Addie Ruth

Luke Marlovits

Lights! Camera! Action!

Crossings on Main

Ivan J. Rubanenko

Devin Taylor

A Hero Remembers

Vivek Crowe

Grace Janzen

Hooper & Her Horses

Sam Frank

Hunter Mattes

Ivan J. Rubanenko

Music & Lyrics

It’s Just Too Much Kaiden Bridges

ALICE Training

Lily Schweder

Online School

Nate Merritt

Behind the Falcon

Aiden Liles

Grace Asaad

Playing with the Big Boys

Kendall Grahl

Haley McCurry

Leaving for Lunch

Racing for the Future

More Than A Sport

Eric Finley

Girl Dirty Birds

Maddy Doan

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New Experiences at Catawba Ridge Principal Dee Christopher explains what will be offered at Fort Mill’s newest high school

by Taylor Rumsey

ort Mill’s newest high school Catawba Ridge is expected to open this August for the 2019-2020 school year, and a total of 1,088 students will be attending. The school will be three stories tall and is offering a variety of classes, sports, and clubs. It is expected to be finished and have staff working out of it by June. Students and parents will be offered tours beginning in July. Catawba Ridge also has features that its two rival schools, Nation Ford and Fort Mill, do not. Catawba Ridge will be a large school, with 57 general purpose classrooms, 18 science classrooms, 14 computer classrooms, a media center, auditorium, band room, and much more. The Copperhead stadium will seat 5,000 people, and its auditorium will hold 1,000. Catawba will offer five core academic classes, including social studies, science, English, math, and world languages. The school is also offering 14 sports, including baseball, soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball. Band, chorus, theater, and visual arts will also be an

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option at Catawba Ridge. Catawba will have many clubs and organizations that students can join as well. Catawba will be offering Beta Club, a book club, Dance Team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Yearbook, Mock Trial, Model UN, and much more. Catawba will also allow students to join the Ridge Rowdies, their version of the Dirty Birds. Many positions for Catawba have already been filled, including the principal position, which will be filled by Dee Christopher, former principal of Fort Mill High School. “I am most excited about building the culture of a new school,” Principal Christopher said. “It is exciting that we have students from both high schools that will build a unique Copperhead culture at our school. We are going to work hard to build our school into one of the best around.” Mr. Christopher explained that although the school will have a different aesthetic appearance, Catawba will have all the components that Nation Ford and Fort Mill have. However, there will also be different features.

“Catawba will have all the components that Nation Ford and Fort Mill have, along with a few different features.”

One of Catawba Ridge’s many accessories is it’s open balcony floor plan that covers two out of the school’s three stories. Photo by Nick Roarty

The building will offer a lot of natural light and every classroom will have windows. One of the largest differences between Catawba and Fort Mill’s other two high schools is a large courtyard that will be located inside of the structure. Mr. Christopher explained that the courtyard will provide for an outdoor classroom as well as a place for students to hang out. Catawba will also have a black box theater, which has black floors and walls and allows room for theatre performances and instruction. Lecture rooms will allow more than one class to meet and discuss topics. Catawba will also have a track that stands alone from the stadium where students will be able to practice and host meets, which is something that Nation Ford does not have. Many people are excited for the opening of Fort Mill’s newest high school, which will offer students new opportunities.

Catawba Ridge is built around the idea of natural lighting, which is featured in its cafeteria. Photo by Nick Roarty

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MUSIC MAN Nation Ford’s Michael Ramsey inspires students in chorus, guitar classes every day by Ivan J. Rubanenko

t’s early in the morning. Flipping through his book of scales, Dr. Micheal Ramsey prepares students to Dr. Michael Ramsey, cho- warm up their voices of students in second block Concert Chorus on March 5. rus and guitar teacher, Photo by Ivan J. Rubanenko wakes before the sun rises tar worked, so I could write for it betHow did Ramsey find his passion for to get to his classroom early. ter. But I almost instantly liked it more teaching? Once in his classroom, he brushes “I always liked sharing what I knew,” his stormy-gray hair and exhales deep- than piano, so I started playing it all the time.” he confessed. “And after a time, I was ly. This week is going to be busy, but he Surprisingly, Ramsey didn’t sing in leading music in my church in the youth isn’t surprised. He sits down on his stool, the chorus in high school. group. Some of the kids in the youth which bears scars from drummers from “I was in a very small high school. We group also wanted to learn how to play the past, and he begins practicing todidn’t have much of a chorus,” he said. guitar, so their parents said, ‘Would you day’s lesson on the piano. “I didn’t think much about singing at teach so-and-so?’ ‘Yeah, I’d be happy “When I was 8, my mom asked if I the time. I was a guitar player. We didn’t to.’ So I started teaching their private wanted to learn how to play the piano, have a guitar class or anything like that, lessons in guitar and kept doing it.” so I started taking piano lessons,” Ramso I didn’t do guitar in school or really To earn his doctorate, Ramsey had to sey said. any music at all when I was in school. I work hard. Second period begins, and he walks “I went to three different colleges,” he into a chaotic classroom. Students who said. “I have my first degree, my Bachare in Concert Chorus are still talking or elor of Music Education, and I have a preparing for their vocals. But no matmaster’s in guitar performance from ter how rambunctious the class, Ramsey Winthrop. And then after that, I have a knows that one thing can bring all of master’s in music composition from the them together – music. University of Louisville. And I have a Music is a big part of his life, too, but Doctorate in music composition from the it wasn’t always. University of Missouri, Kansas City.” “I don’t necessarily come from a muNow, as a high school teacher, Dr. sical family,” he said. “My mom sang a Ramsey does a lot to prepare for upcomlittle bit, and she loved music, and my miss chorus, and I wish I had now that I ing semesters. mom and dad had lots of records. But “I am making sure that I can read the we didn’t have lots of people singing and do that all the time, but I didn’t.” After graduating from Trinity Chrismusic, making sure I know what’s going playing instruments around the house.” tian High School in 1983, Ramsey found on in the music,” he said. “But before After years of playing the piano, a his passion for singing. that even, I have to select the music by young Ramsey wanted to try something “By the time I got into college, I was picking things that I think match what new and different. singing in the choir for my first degree the choir can do so they sound good. “It wasn’t till I was about 16 when I and continued to do that all through my “I don’t want to give them pieces that picked up the guitar,” he said. “And at college years,” he said. they aren’t going to be successful at,” he first I just wanted to learn how the gui-

“My goal for every class is for each student to be better today than they were the day before.”

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“So music, for me, is a way that students can go beyond thinking about one thing in one class, using one part of the brain in this class, to using all the parts of the brain at once...and that makes your brain better.”

said. “I always want to look for pieces brain better.” that can highlight what they can do. So Challenging your brain, however, is I try to find a difficulty level that is apnot the only reason he believes in involvpropriate and the number of singers and ing oneself in music. those sorts of things all come into play “I think also, music gives people a to what I select.” creative outlet but also inspires creativiAfter he decides which songs work ty in what they do in everything,” Rambest for his classes, Ramsey must learn sey said. “As in a choir or a band, you how to play them. also have to develop the skills to work as “Once I select the music, then I have a group. So I think that music, in a muto make sure that I can play at least sic class especially, helps make every stusome of it on the piano, that I know it dent smarter, helps make every student enough to be singing it to the students more creative, and helps make every stuand demonstrate to the students what dent a better team player.” they’re supposed to be doing,” he said. In addition to teaching, Ramsey has Unlike most teachers, Ramsey has many responsibilities outside of school. only one goal for students to accomplish “I don’t have any free time,” Ramsey in his class. says, jokingly. “I have another part-time “My goal for every class is for each job that I do. I am a worship administrastudent to be bettor at a local church, ter today than they and that requires a were the day before,” good bit of my time. he said. “To learn I have a wife and something new about three kids. My son, singing or guitar or Benjamin, is 17, and something, that’s my I have a daughter goal every day. named Abigail; she’s “So for me, the 8. My oldest, Courtideal student isn’t ney, is 22, and has always the one who graduated with a is the best singer or music degree at Anthe best guitar playderson University of er, but the one who Rock Hill and is now works the hardest at studying music therlearning, singing, or apy at Queens Uniguitar every day.” versity in Charlotte. Elijah Brinn (’20), I love spending time who took Guitar I with them.” last semester, enjoys But Ramsey still Ramsey’s style of has a little free time While reading their notes, students in the Concert Chorus sing out teaching. to pursue other in“The way Dr. with all their hearts during a second period class on March 5. terests. Ramsey teaches, Photo by Ivan J. Rubanenko “I also like playderstanding of math and the historical it’s unorthodox but ing video games. context of a piece, the social aspect, the I am no good at them, but I like video fun,” Brinn said. Hannah Cole (’21) sings soprano in language, and all these things that we do games,” he confesses. in music involve all the different parts of Concert Chorus. As the ’18-’19 school year ends, Ram“I just enjoy the family environment the brain. sey prepares for next year’s classes, “So music, for me, is a way that stu- which will be new. Ramsey is looking of it and the complexity of the songs we get to learn,” she said. “And it helps me dents can go beyond thinking about one forward to introducing Guitar II and AP to better myself as a musician and as thing in one class, using one part of the Music Theory beginning in the ’19 - ’20 brain in this class, to using all the parts school year. well as a singer.” But in Ramsey’s opinion, those aren’t of the brain at once,” he said. “I tell the At the end of his day, Dr. Michael the only reasons a student should be in- kids sometimes that ‘Musicians have to Ramsey packs up his stuff to leave work be smarter because we are doing every- at 6:30 p.m. He gets in his white, Hyunvolved in music. “Music is the place where all the other thing at once.’ You’re doing incredibly dai Sonata, and on the way home, he classes come together,” he said. “Music detailed, incredibly challenging things tunes the radio to channel 25 to listen to is a pursuit that requires an innate un- with your brain and that makes your some classic rock. Red & Black 7

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First having an interest in music when she was 11, Rebekah Johns (‘20) now writes her own music . Photo by Grace Janzen

Music & Lyrics

Rebekah Johns overcomes personal struggles by writing music

unlight fills the room as the music softly flows from the piano, the tone rises and falls as she strikes the keys harder, then lightly. The chords blend together well, played over and over with a slow rhythm. Her voice carries as she sings along with the music. As she plays, a bit of a smile begins to spread across her face, her eyes full of emotion and passion. She loves playing music, and anyone watching can tell. Beginning to have an interest in playing the piano at the age of 11, Rebekah Johns, now 16, has an even greater passion for song writing. By ear, she pieced together notes, followed by chords, and then created her own lyrics. “It started with playing piano and then evolved into actually being able to say what I

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by Grace Janzen

was feeling,” she said. Growing up, her family did not share their emotions much, and this evolved into her writing music as a way to relieve these feelings. “There was a lot going on in our family, and expressing feelings was very rare, and music became an outlet for her,” said Rebekah’s mom, Brooke Johns. Her sister, Bethany Johns, agrees , “If Rebekah was in a bad mood and she went to write songs then when she would come out of her room she would be in a happier mood.” She has written many songs and they all focus on her past relationships, heartbreaks, and her dad. Rebekah says her dad was never a positive role model for her, and this is reflected in some of her music.

“Whenever I would have something that “She seems to experience a freedom from usually a girl should be able to talk to her releasing her emotions, while bottling them dad about, I didn’t really talk to him about up can temporarily feel like they’re gone but it because that’s just not something we did. causes more pain and hurt because they’re Even happy emotions- we wouldn’t really repressed,” said her mom. portray anything, it was just gray all the Rebekah now realizes that other people time. The one song I wrote about him-it’s go through the same things she did, so she talking about this girl who feels like she’s decided to post her music on YouTube betrapped and like she’s cause she wants to help others screaming but nobody realize they’re not alone. “I think the words can hear her, and it’s “I was at church, and there that she writes not only about bottling up emowas this specific singer that express her feelings in sang and I got chills and I tions and not being able a beautiful way but to talk to him,,” Rebekah was like, ‘wow, I want to give said. someone chills through my are also relatable to Because of an absence voice or even my lyrics.’ I’m what others are going of a male role model in pretty sure I’m not the only through, so it makes her life, she turned to one who feels the way I do, it that much more dating guys to try and fill so I want other people to feel that gap. like they can relate,” Rebekah beautiful.” “It really is rooted in said. ‘my dad was never there so I’m going to turn Her mom agrees with the reasons why to guys to try to fill that void’ and obviously Rebekah writes music and why she decided that didn’t work. to share her gift with others. This is where Rebekah found the inspira“I think the words that she writes not only tion for her songs about relationships and express her feelings in a beautiful way but heartbreak. Singing about what she was are also relatable to what others are going going through was therapeutic for her and through, so it makes it that much more beauhelped her to realize how she really felt. tiful.” Rebekah Johns (‘20) plays the piano and sings one of the songs she wrote during a difficult time in her life. Photo by Grace Janzen

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Hooper & Her Horses Big pet, big responsibility: Julie Hooper enjoys riding

by Devin Taylor

he Media Center. You may have seen Taking care of a horse’s health takes time, and Julie Hooper, media specialist, checkowners have to call the vet if it’s serious, ing out books, helping students with “Younger horses have to get vaccinations for research, or working with the computers, tetanus, strangles, and West Nile virus. Once horses but what you may not know is that in her afare 15 they don’t get strangles anymore, “she exter-hours she takes care of horses. plains. “I’ve taken care of horses since I was a little girl,” The majority of injuries are skin wounds, acshe says. cording to Nancy S. Loving, author of “All Horse Mrs. Hooper has two Tennessee Walking horsSystems Go.” She says, “of the many incidents es, Chelsey and Blackjack. confronted by a horse owner or trainer, the most She boards the animals at the Anne Springs common are skin wounds.” Close Greenway. If a horse’s teeth grow too long, owners have to Her morning starts with call the vet. “Twice a year, the vet taking care of the horses before comes to file teeth,” Mrs. Hooper going to Nation Ford. says. “I have to leave the house by Horses can get a variety of in7 o’clock, feed them, and get here juries, “They can get muscular and at 7:30 to 8 o’clock, sometimes skeletal injuries,” Hooper said. after work I can get a ride in.” Horses also have to be groomed. Mrs. Hooper has been taking “Grooming is soothing,” Hooper care of horses for 18 years. says. “My oldest horse is 24, and I With all the supplies it isn’t -Mrs. Julie Hooper cheap, “You have to pay for all the got him when he was 7, and my youngest horse is 3,” she said. “I supplies, I don’t know how much it got him when he was about 1 and a half.” costs, but it can be expensive,” she admits. The biggest challenge for Mrs. Hooper is the Michael Korda, author of Horse Housekeeping weather. The best time for riding is in the summer, describes the grooming routine, “Anytime their legs she explains. Winter and spring were wet this year. are muddy, we wash or hose them off and dry them “One of the challenges is the rainy weather and with towels,” he says. mud,” she said. “[The horses] were very dirty and Mrs. Hooper is an experienced owner, some of rolling in the mud.” her tips for beginners are, “Go to the greenway and Mrs. Hooper isn’t always there to care for her take riding lessons and do trail rides, test it out and horses, so she has to get someone else to fill in. see if you like horses.” “I have to get one of the girls from the barn – What are some safety precautions? “You have to several sometimes.” pay attention and try not to scare the horse. You Taking care of horses takes a lot of supplies. have to be cautious of mud because the horse can “You have to have horse feed, mineral sauce, slip or fall, and you have to be aware that you’re give him vitamins, a sadal and bridal, brushes and riding a 1,000 to 1,200 pound animal.” hoof picks, and fly spray in the summer,” Hooper “Having one horse is fine, two is harder, but also said. twice the fun.”

“Having one horse is fine, two is harder, but also twice the fun.”

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Left: Taking her horse, Blackjack, out for some exercise, Media Center Specialist Julie Hooper enjoys a trail ride at the Anne Springs Close Greenway in May. Above right: Chelsey and Blackjack grazing in the fields at the Anne Springs Close Greenway last winter. Below right: Waking up at sunrise, media center specialist Julie Hooper feeds her horses at the Anne Springs Close Greenway.

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A Hero Remembers

Retired soldier and firefighter shares his experiences

by Luke Marlovits

eart. Dedication. Loyalty. Charles P. O’hara has what it takes to perform his services in the Military and East Hartford Fire Department. Charles’ wife, Kathleen Brennan, was a 16-year-old in high schooler when she met Charlie, who was 18. Two years later, he enlisted in the Seabees which was the construction unit of the Navy. Ever since he was a boy, he dreamt of serving his country. “I wanted to serve my country and I realized that by enlisting in the Navy I could accomplish that,”says O’hara. “ I was fortunate to be chosen for the SeaBees construction battalion.” He had a lot of fun in Vietnam. “The best part of my tour was giving the children my chocolate and making them laugh and helping the villagers build their rice paddies,” says O’hara. “The beaches were beautiful during the dry season.” Unfortunately, there wasn’t always light through this path. “I’d say the rainy season, the heat and the loneliness of missing home were the worst part of my tour,” he explains. “Vietnam was extremely hot and dry until the heavy rains set in, and then it never stopped raining for months at a time. There were rice paddies and water buffalo, rats, snakes and insects, and it seemed you could never get your clothes to dry.” His family was very worried for him while he was over there.“We wrote each other every day but would receive letters in a bunch instead of on a daily basis,” says Kathleen. “So when the time between letters stretched out longer than a

week, I was sure something was very wrong and he had been injured. Fortunately, my thoughts were incorrect.” After being in the military, O’hara still wanted to fulfill his dream of being a firefighter. “Even as a child, I always dreamt of being a fireman,” explains O’hara. “So I jumped at the chance when I was offered a job in West Hartford, Conn. I am happy I made that decision and had the privilege of helping save many people.” The military was where O’hara built up the strength and courage to firefight. “Before going to Vietnam, we trained and worked together and were determined to help each other. Teamwork, hard work, preparing for emergencies and doing our very best under extreme conditions is what’s expected of us.” Many people don’t understand why he runs to danger when most are running away. “I gained my confidence through training, my faith in God, and the expectations I had of my fellow firefighters.” This confidence allowed him to feel that he would succeed in saving others and himself. Over his many years firefighting, some events stay with him. “My coworkers and I have faced many challenges with business and house fires and automobile accidents. The smiles and gratitude from the survivors will always be with me, yet a part of me will always regret not getting a few of the emergency calls in time to save everyone.” He did his job the best he could day after day and now that he’s retired, he misses it. “Since retirement, I miss the Fire Department; we were like brothers. We do get together for lunches and celebrations and I am very proud to have been a part of this special group.”

“The best part of my tour was giving the children my chocolate and making them laugh and helping the villagers build their rice paddies.”

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On the job, Charles Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hara and his fellow firefighters brave danerous flames in their work for the East Hartford Fire Department, rescuing victims of a house fire. Photo courtesy of Charles Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hara.

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Lights! Camera! Action! Cheri Addison teaches, shapes future actors

by Enoch Ibarra

heatre teacher, Cheri Addison as a kid wanted to work with animals. As a child, Mrs. Addison wanted to be a veterinarian. “I was a fairly shy kid until high school, when I took a speech and theatre class and discovered my love of acting,” she said. Mrs. Addison continued her training by attending a highly competitive graduate school, Florida State University – Asolo Conservatory where she received her Master in Fine Arts in performance. She then Cheri Addison pursued her dream of Theatre Teacher theatre. Before working at NFHS, she had a temorary job in New York City when a position opened at a Catholic High School. She has been teaching for 18 years total and has spent eight years at NFHS. This year, she directed the school musical “Young Frankenstein.” “We started rehearsal on Jan. 7, when we got back from winter break,” Mrs. Addison said. The cast rehearsed for over two months before closing out their final show on March 24. “I think the cast did a great job. This show was a huge undertaking, and I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but looking

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back I am very proud of everyone’s efforts,” she said. Mrs. Addison chose to take on Young Frankenstein because the theatre department switches back and forth from a family friendly play to an adult-themed play every year. “Young Frankenstein” won this years pick, following last year’s kid-friendly “Seussical.” “I wanted to pick something that “My students would be challenging yet fun, so are taught “Young Frankenearly on how stein” was a perfect match,” Mrs. Addito work as son said. “Mrs. Addison professionals.” does a fantastic job every year between creating the perfect cast and nurturing them to become great characters,” stage manager Samantha Sweeney (19’) said. “She balanced the cast and crew and was highly successful.” Mrs. Addison told the cast to be prepared no matter what happens. “My students are taught early on how to work as professionals,” Mrs. Addison says. Students at NFHS appreciate Mrs. Addisons help. “They know they need to be prepared for anything and be able to cover if anything were to go wrong.” Dreams change – the only animals that Mrs. Addison teaches now are the costumes.

Featuring Dr. Frankenstein (19’ Jackson Ringley) and fiance Elizabeth Benning (19’ Lily Averkamp), NFHS theatre teacher Cheri Addison directed the production of the spring musical, “Young Frankenstein.” Photo by Grace Asaad

“I think the cast did a great job. This show was a huge undertaking, and I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but looking back I am very proud of everyone’s efforts.” –Cheri Addison, theatre teacher

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An Immigrant’s Tale Hao Nguyen was on a mission to reach the U.S. with a family of 8 from Vietnam

by Ryan Nguyen

fter waking up on April, 1991, Hao Nguyen prepared for the long awaited move to America alongside his family of eight. Very thin, skin to the bone, Hao Nguyen had grown up without a father figure since he was 10-years-old in Hue City, Vietnam because his father was imprisoned. During this time after the war, the communists imprisoned everyone who was fighting against them in the war. Kieu Nguyen, Hao’s father, had been imprisoned for eight years due to America’s loss in the Vietnam War. Living in the very low social class, his mother, a teacher, and his grandmother, a stall owner selling sandals and food, worked their hardest to raise five kids. “Prison separated me from my family, leaving them to live on their own,” Kieu said. At 18, Hao was tired of living in Vietnam with little-to-no money. Hao’s family signed up to move to America, hoping for freedom and a better life. They were put into a long list by the government behind everyone else who signed up. “The American government took a very long time to approve our paperwork,” Hao said. After a long-awaited year, the U.S. government approved their request to move. But the family had no choice of where to move in the U.S, and the American government chose North Carolina. Packing nothing with them, the family came

with only the clothes on their bodies. Using all their money on the tickets to come to America, they had literally nothing when they arrived. They stayed in a motel and worked full-time jobs to work their way up, eventually having enough money to pay rent so they could stay in an apartment. Eight people – one grandma, two parents, and five kids – lived in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. Four people slept on one bed, waking up early to wait in line for the bathroom to prepare to go to school and work. Hao applied for many jobs, but he did not meet the first requirement of speaking English. Eventually Hao got a minimum-wage job at a bakery that sold wholesale to stores. He worked long hours to help support his family. Once he made enough money, he enrolled to earn his engineering degree. Unfortunately, after college, he was unable to find a job in engineering. Since he couldn’t find a job in engineering, he obtained a license to become a nail technician. After being employed at a nail salon, he met the love of his life, Hang Pham. Hang and Hao dated eight years until he decided to propose. Eventually saving enough money, he quit his job and opened up two nail salons with Hang. One of the nail salons is in Charlotte, NC and the other is in Shelby, NC. “I’m now loving my life with a successful business and a happy family,” Hao says.

“I didn’t know a word in English, what a dollar looked like and what to expect.”

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Ryan Nguyen

VIETNAM IMMIGRATION TO U.S THE ART & SCIENCEÂ OF MAKING WINE

FALL OF SAIGON-1975 125,000

1980 231,000

1990 543,000

988,000

2010

1,241,000

1,343,000

Sources: photos used with permission from unsplash.com

stats: migrationpolicy.org

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Talkin’ Trash

Paper bags answer to protecting oceans

by Lila Zois

aper, plastic or reusable? This bags do not break down completely is a question that consumers but instead photo-degrade, becoming face on a daily basis. Americans microplastics that absorb toxins and go through billions of plastic continue to pollute Earth’s precious bags each year, according to the Envioceans and land. ronmental Protection Agency. Stray bags The long lasting effect of plastic has are gathering in our oceans, landfills and been brought to the attention of many streets, where they are harming wildlife government officials. In fact, Califorand never biodegrade. Plastic alternania, New York and Hawaii have banned tives are the answer disposable bags along to our environment’s with 349 known “We were future. cities. Mark Murray In contrast, with Californians generating 35 non-plastic bags have Against Waste helped positive impacts on the million single-use lead the ban of plasenvironment. Paper tic bags in California. bags require less energy plastic bags every In an interview with to be recycled than plasCBS on December 26 single day.” tic bags. Plastic bags 2017, Murray said, are decimating our plan“We were generating 35 et’s wildlife as well as increasing the risk million single-use plastic bags every of flooding. According to Live Science, single day. Those are gone,” Murray humans have created over 9 billion tons says some of the biggest success has of plastic since 1950. In 1950, less than been along California’s beaches where two million pounds of plastic was made, there was a 70 percent drop in overall according to Sierra Club. plastic bag litter during the annual Many local businesses and retailers coastal cleanup day. are making the switch from plastic to If humans do not take initiative for paper. Americans are starting to realize the plastic crisis, by 2025, we will be the everlasting effects of plastic bags. It producing three times the plastic we can take over 500 years for a plastic bag produce today. Finding a solution for to degrade in a landfill, according to the the plastic crisis is critical for Center of Biological Diversity. Plastic the future.

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500 million plastic straws are used everyday in America each day. Lined up end to end, that is enough plastic to circle the earth. Source: EarthDay.org

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We Don’t Look Alike Two 15-year-old girls were born minutes apart but they’re not so close in life

by Kate Guerra

t is May 29, 2003. At 4:54 p.m., the doctors peformed a c-section so my mom’s two children could come in to the world. So as it was my turn to climb out and soon be in my mother’s arms...Ka-Boom! My sister had somehow pushed me out of the way and enters the world first, leaving me behind. During my mom’s pregnancy, we’re called baby A and baby B. I am baby B now, though I was supposed to be A. Flash forward, my sister and I are now 15 years of age, and we are still fighting. Sometimes you can see Halle and I arguing in class over the stupidest things. Who is more attractive? Who is the more intelligent? Who has the better grades? Well, me, of course. Since 2014, every year on our birthday, at 4:54 p.m., Halle gets to brag about how she is one year older and I’m one year behind for four whole minutes. Last year, in-

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stead of listening to her boasting, I put on some headphones and ignored her.“You took the fun away from me” she says to me. My sister and I have very different personalities, too. Here’s basically what we have in common, parents and the fact we both say, “We are not alike!”, stop searching for similarities, you’re not going to find any! Halle has more of a hispanic/ white female look, and I am as pale as paper. Halle is almost exactly three inches taller than I am, and she always gloats about it. I asked our English II teacher Christopher Lippa if he could tell if we are twins “No, because I didn’t see the resemblance, though I did notice that you two sat together a lot, that you two were maybe close”, he said. Halle and I both say that we are different, though maybe it’s the fact that we want to be different that makes us different.

The two 15-year-old sisters Kate and Halle Guerra eat breakfast at an IHop in Indiana with their father in July 2018. At only 5 months old, twin sisters Kate and Halle Guerra watch as their mother takes a photo for her new scrapbook. Photo taken by Michelle Guerra

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column

Strawberry Festival Pageant It’s more than a beauty contest

by Kayla Boan

veryone in Fort Mill knows all The next night is the pageant, and girls about the Strawberry Festival. It perform the opening dance, show off is everyone’s favorite event of the fashion with their outfit of choice and year, but most people don’t know formal dress. about the event that happens the weekend There are three different divisions: before. The Strawberry Festival Pageant is Teen, Miss, Ms and a total of three more than just a reguQueens. The paglar beauty pageant. eant teaches teen “This pageant Every contestant girls and women puts in a lot of work, how to be more conteaches so many and and there are many fident in themselves. practices and events The best part teen girls and before the pageant. about the pageant People think that is every contestant women how to be since it’s a competition, has a “cause before the contestants aren’t crown,” which gives more confident in close or there is a lot of every girl a chance rivalry, but that’s not to give back to the themselves.” the case. Every girl is community and also sweet and humble in talk about what she many different ways. Girls can make some feels passionate about. of the coolest friends in the pageant. There In most pageants, after girls win they are numerous bonding opportunities, from don’t do anything; it’s like they win and workouts to walking in the “Come See Me” are done. Once you win the pageant, parade together. Strawberry Festival girls work and The older women, are like older sisters attend events around the community all and second moms. There are three amazyear long. The Queens go to the Strawing directors Beth Vanderwalker, Bethany berry Festival, and they promote their Thomas and Stephanie Devany. They help causes before the crown. the girls in any possible way they can. They The Strawberry Festival Pageant is prepare them for the pageant so they know in a prelim to go to Teen/Miss South exactly what to expect while on stage pagCarolina USA pageant. The 2019 Queens eant night. were crowned April 27. The Teen Queen At pageant practice -- which is every is Hailey Harding, Miss Queen is MadSunday for a couple months -- girls learn ison Cornwell and Ms Queen is Kristen the opening dance, work on fun fashion, Privette. formal walking and participate in practice This pageant is tough. So many girls interviews. The night before the pageant want to win, not only for the crown, but girls’ interview, the girls sit down with each for the year long of community work. judge one on one, and talk to them for three Even though everyone can’t win, the minutes. Then, after the interviews, girls pageant is worth every penny and it’s practice a full run-through of the pageant. worth all of the long practices, too.

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The 2019 Strawberry Festival Queens: Teen Queen Hailey Harding, Miss Queen Madison Cornwell and Ms Queen Kristen Privette competed for their titles April 27. Photo by Carissa Rogers

The contestants the night before the pageant at their final pageant practice.

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column

How

saved my life

by Sam Frank

arents. Friends. Movie stars. Everyone has I transferred to online school – but it didn’t help. I their own personal heroes. My “hero” is pret- was still on an exponential decline from the person I ty unconventional – a song contest, broadhad once been. Trapped in my own mind, I searched cast thousands of miles away on another everywhere for an escape – anything that could ease my continent. Formally known as the Eurovision Song mind, something that I could commit to. Then I found Contest, I also call it my lifesaver. it. The Eurovision Song Contest is a multinational During one of my online classes, an old memory competition in which more than 40 nations compete popped into my head – “Eurovision.” I was familiar annually to win the grand prize by sending original with the contest, but had never done further research. music and artists to the competition to showcase their I quickly got into it after watching the competing nahome country’s identity and musical exports. Since tions’ music videos. 1956, the contest has grown Polina Gagarina from from humble beginnings to Russia sung her powerul dominate the television and peace anthem “A Million phone screens of Europeans Voices.” Loïc Nottet in mid-May. The contest is a from Belgium flawlessly celebration of diversity and choreographed and performed unity through the medium his modern upbeat track of music, the world’s univer“Rhythm Inside.” However, sal language. Latvia’s Aminata Savadogo Why is the Eurovision surpassed my expectations Song Contest my hero? To that night. The vibrant red put things simply, when I Australia’s 2019 representative, Kate staging and stunning dress first started following the Miller-Heidke effortlessly performing her was the cherry on top of competition, I was in a self-written song ‘Zero Gravity,’ placing her hit, “Love Injected”, the rough place. I had endured 9th at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 performance that brought my three seemingly endless years in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo courtesy of EBU support for the competition of middle school, and my into full force. mind was all over the place. Along with my grades I was hooked. I have no idea what inspired Euroviplummeting, my mental health took a huge hit. I no sion to pop into my mind that day, but I am extremely longer enjoyed the things I used to, and I quickly fell grateful for rediscovering the contest. Otherwise, I’m down the rabbit hole of depression. The mental strain not sure where I’d be today. Imagining myself without of falling grades, constant harassment from other Eurovision is a scary thought. It’s scary to think about students, and a lack of self-confidence led me to withhow I could’ve ended up if I never found something draw from public school. that could calm my mind.

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The Top 3 of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, Left: Mahmood (Italy), Center: Duncan Laurence (the Netherlands), Right: Sergey Lazarev (Russia). Russia placed 3rd, Italy 2nd, and the Netherlands won the competition. Photos courtesy of EBU Eurovision encompasses geopolitics, music, my peers. Of course, I’m talking about being gay. Not foreign language, and art, all topics I’m passionate only was I finally accepted for my differences, but I about. I fell in love with the conwas embraced for them. I had test and began following it every never experienced such kindness year since. in my entire life. A new feeling. As someone who’s never been A good one. a huge sports fan, the musical As my love for the contest aspect grabbed me. I became continued to grow through the enveloped by the competition and years, nothing can compare to sought out more information the where it took me in 2018. I travlonger I followed it. eled all the way from Fort Mill, I eventually found myself SC across the Atlantic to Lisbon, Latvia’s Aminata Savadogo powconnected with other fans from Portugal for the 63rd Eurovierfully belting out her self-written almost every country you can sion. The atmosphere of the city song, ‘Love Injected’ at the Euroname. I made friends from comcoupled with the local festivities pletely different backgrounds, na- vision Song Contest 2015 Grand surrounding the contest made Final in Vienna, Austria where she tionalities, and cultures – people me fall in love with Eurovision placed 6th. Photo courtesy of EBU I would’ve never met otherwise. even more. I never would’ve beThe love and acceptance from the lieved I’d ever make it there, but friends I’ve made throughout my I’m so glad I did. following of the competition is As someone who’s struggled unbeatable. Finally fitting in and with issues regarding my mental having your own “group” of sorts health from a young age, I can is an amazing feeling, especially safely say the best medication for someone who’s felt like an you can take is to open your outcast his entire life. Going eyes to the world. Find out more through my teenage years with about yourself, whether that be these people has made me much through music, art, or writing more social, confident, and loving The winner of the Eurovision Song – you’re the only one with the Contest 2016, Jamala from Ukraine of myself than I ever could’ve power to change your life. Sure, performing her controversial song, imagined I would be four years not everything is within your ‘1944’ which addressed the deago. control, but a deeper underportation of Crimean Tatars under Something that I discovered standing of yourself and your inJoseph Stalin’s leadership of the while being around the Euroterests is one of the biggest steps Sovet Union. Photo courtesy of EBU vision community was that you can take. My understanding there are a lot of other fans who of myself came from something share a very similar characteristic with me, the same I would have never expected. Your hope isn’t lost, you characteristic that I was always told was “wrong” by just aren’t looking in the right places. Red & Black 25

review

A Fort Mill family hauls their festival prizes to their car after the Strawberry Festival was cancelled due to harsh weather on May 4. Photo by Hunter Mattes

Lightning Strikes

Bad weather shuts down Strawberry Festival

by Hunter Mattes

ll year long, the community of Fort Mill eagerly prepares for the annual Strawberry Festival in May. It comes just once a year to Walter Elijah Park, and people of all ages attend. Food trucks line up side by side sporting cuisines of every kind, and life-sized prizes are won from the numerous games that are set up. Squeals of delight can be heard coming from the terrifying rides that tower above. This year’s festival was expected to be just like the years before, but it was not. I was walking down Main Street heading towards the festival, accompanied by some close friends of mine. We clutched our money tightly in our hands, thinking about all of the things we would purchase once we arrived. It was then that I felt the first raindrop. It landed lightly on my elbow, and a feeling of dread shot through me. As if on cue, the sound of thunder rippled through the air. My friends and I looked at each other, and made an unspoken decision with our eyes; we would keep going. We continued walking, and the crowds of people streaming past us became more

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numerous as the rain intensified. We had almost made it to the park when a woman pushing a stroller containing two small children said to us, “It’s no use, they’re shutting everything down.” Those few words were all it took to convince us, and we hastily turned around and began going back in the direction we had come from. Just moments later was when the chaos hit. Out of nowhere, the slight drizzle suddenly turned into a fullon rainstorm. Parents grabbed their children and made a beeline for their vehicles in the parking lots. Teenagers darted for nearby businesses to take cover. People were seen holding cardboard, flyers and even an empty Coors Light box over their heads to prevent the rain from drenching them. We never made it to the festival thanks to the sudden downpour. Through no fault of its own, the Strawberry Festival was a disappointment. It was cut short, and eventually canceled due to safety concerns. If the weather holds, the festival can be a lot of fun. Try attending the Strawberry Festival next year and hope for sunshine.

Crossing on Main can be found in an artsy building right on Main street in downtown Fort Mill. Photos by Vivek Crowe.

Just one of the many products found in the boutique is Shea butter and goat milk hand cream that goes for $26.95.

Crossings on Main The perfect place for a petite gift

by Vivek Crowe

f you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member Crossings on Main is the place to shop. The atmosphere and the ambiance is quiet and calming, so it’s a perfect place to shop. Crossings on Main is located on Academy St. in Fort Mill and is easily accessible with a parking lot and street parking on Academy St. When you need a last minute gift or just a little something, go to Crossings on Main because they have a great choice of gifts such as gifts like a hand soap and hand cream for $18.95, and the service the boutique is fantastic. The friendly staff will wrap gifts and pace them in a nice bag for a beautiful presentation.

From art to beautiful china collections, Crossings on Main has a lot to offer shoppers. You can shop for items and gifts such as beauty products and facial or skin care, but some of the prices were high for some of the items. For example a hand cream made with Goat milk and shea butter comes to a total of $26.95, which seems a bit overpriced. When you’re shopping you need to keep in mind that products now days get expensive and you should research before shopping. Since it’s a local business, Crossings on Main may have some higher prices for an inexperienced shopper, but for most gifts you will be sure to get your money’s worth. Red & Black 27

review

Rating

5.5 10

Umbrella Academy Series has interesting concept but poor execution

by Ivan J. Rubanenko

hat if Guardians of the Galaxy was a TV show? Umbrella Academy, the latest binge-worthy show on Netflix since Feb. 15, is based on a comic series of the same name by Gerard Way, lead singer and co-founder of the Alternative Rock band “My Chemical Romance.” The show follows a group of seven step-siblings who were all born on Oct. 1, 1989. Their mothers had showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. The seven children are then adopted by an illustrious man named Reginald Hargreaves (Colm Feore). The show picks up in the present day, where many of Hargreaves Children have moved on from the Academy. They are suddenly brought back together when they hear that their father has died of no suspicious reasons. Umbrella Academy takes many ideas and story lines from other comics such as the X-men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Hellboy. The show blends these concepts for characters and story lines well, in the case of Number Five (Aidan Gallagher), but there are some characters or plot lines that seem to be stealing more than paying homage to these original comics. Vanya (Ellen Page) has a plot line that is very similar to the X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga, and the setting and characters further build that comparison. Vanya’s Boyfriend, Leonard (John Magaro), is later given a back story that is very similar to the back story of Syndrome (Jason Lee) from The Incredibles. But overall, many of the show’s plot and characters are similar, but different, from many of the comics that their concepts were based upon. Many of the actors in Umbrella academy are well cast and are excellent in their roles, most notably Robert Sheehan’s Klaus, David Castañeda’s Diego, and Aidan Gallagher’s Number Five. Each character is setup as an archetype of well known Comic book characters, but the depth and chemistry shared between them builds a cast of loveable scoundrels who are way in over their depth. Many of the other actors are not given enough time or care to fully form. Tom Hopper’s Luther and Emmy Raver-Lampman’s Allison are given little development, but play

their characters in a real and interesting way. This goes for most of the actors and actress to a lesser degree. On the other hand, Ellen Page and John Magaro play unrealistic, stereotypical characters. Their role in the story, especially in the case of John Magaro, is the most obvious example of using a character to further the plot. Ellen Page, on the other hand, is given an awful script and plays her character like a stale piece of cardboard. But even if the ideas and certain aspects of the show are good, they are entrapped in a lackluster script and poor pacing. Even the best characters like Klaus and Number Five are given dumb lines every now and then. The pacing is the worst in episode one, but eventually becomes little more bearable as the show progresses. The editing in the show is average for the most part, except for some scenes were it can feel amateur and pull you out of the show. There is a scene early on in the show where Hazel (Cameron Britton) and Cha-Cha (Mary J. Blige), two time traveling hitmen, attack Number Five in a closed department store. When Hazel and Cha-Cha fire their guns, the screen freezes, and made it seem as if Netflix had stopped working for a second. But this scene also includes another problem: the soundtrack. The soundtrack is good at times and dull at others. In the scene previously mentioned, the song Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen plays and feels dull and lazy, for many already know of this song and it feels boring compared to other tracks. Songs such as Istanbul by They Might Be Giants or Saturday Night by Bay city rollers are odd and strange choices, especially when they feature in the show, adding to the weirdness of the show altogether. Overall, Umbrella Academy has mostly great actors playing compelling characters surrounded by poor pacing, lackluster editing, and static characters.

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opinion

Pro: Teachers & Guns Armed teachers will protect students

by Ayden Hash

here are all sorts of situations students aren’t prepared for. One of these situations is a school shooting. But what if they were prepared? There will always be someone out there who is thinking about or planning to attack a school, so why not let teachers be prepared? Some people think it is unsafe to have a weapon in a classroom with students. They may fear the teacher will snap and use the weapon on his or her students, or they fear a student could gain access to the weapon. It’s what they don’t know that people are afraid of. It’s the “What If ” situation that stirs the pot and clouds people’s judgment. People tend to look past facts, and come up with reasons not to have some sort of weapon near them. In some ways they are right to be scared of the “What Ifs” because, the world is a messed up and crazy place where anything could happen. However, the idea of arming teachers is not as scary as it is made out to be. A school could have many ways to monitor the use of weapons. For instance, a pin pad on a locked drawer at teachers’ desk could contain all they would need to protect their students. Another way for schools to take precautions is to make sure that teachers will have additional background checks before being allowed to carry a weapon, and make sure they have a permit. The teachers also must have proper training to use a weapon, and schools can take simple measures to prevent

misuse, such as proper lock-boxes that would hold the weapons. This would be the greatest way to prevent incidents from occurring. How would the students feel when they found out their teacher had a weapon in the class? Although a schools first priority is their students’ safety and wellbeing, the second is to teach students. The schools don’t wish to put their students through unnecessary trauma. Arming teachers would be better if teachers would be upfront about it, and tell their students about their training and knowledge of the weapon, so that the students know they are safe and in the capable hands of someone prepared to protect them. Arming teachers would be a better alternative than hiring more security, because something might cause students to see their school as a prison. What would it look like if armed men and women roamed the halls of school on a daily basis? The presence of more security would only cause distress among the students. Some students might feel as if the school was trying to intimidate them. Students know the teachers who educate them, and they know the teachers want to keep them safe. So why not put their trust into those who only want what’s best for their students? The arming of faculty could repel and defend against attackers. Teachers truly are the real first line, they will continue to help protect their students from harm.

The arming of teachers and faculty could repel and defend against attackers.

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by AYDEN HASH

Con: Teachers & Guns Guns inteachers’s hands are weapons, not protection

GUNS IN SCHOOLS ACTIVE SHOOTER EMERGENCY Police Officers make their target 20% of the time. A teacher's accuracy would be much less.

STOPPING THE SHOOTER People hope having guns on campus would scare shooters but nothing is going to stop these gunmen.

THE COST If you arm 10-20 percent of the public school teachers it would cost $250 million.

GUN SAFETY LAWS If there are limitations on guns and more safety precautions available then lives could be saved.

ADDIE RUTH SOURCE: EVERYTOWNRESEARCH.ORG

by Addie Ruth

ccording to CNBC, 73 percent of teachers do not want to have to carry a firearm around their schools. Most Americans argue that it is more dangerous for teachers to be carrying weapons than to be teaching without them. After many shootings in the past decade, some people argue that they need to be able to protect themselves with guns, but can a gun really protect anyone? “Children could get ahold of the guns, even if their parents don’t own one What if they were to take it and try to hurt themselves or other people?” said Vivek Crowe (‘22). One third of students have handled a gun and 40 percent of those kids did it without their parents knowledge, according to CNBC. What would stop students from trying to get to their teachers’ guns? “That’s an ignorant idea. they get paid so little and already do so much. Why would we want to put that big responsibility on their shoulders along with everything else?” said Hunter Mattes (‘22). Teachers re not trained to handle guns, and not all of them are comfortable with it either. We shouldn’t be throwing more responsibilities at our teachers. With all they do for us everyday putting a weapon in their hands that they aren’t comfortable with

is too much. “...what if a teacher or student goes crazy and then they have access to a gun” said Kayla Boan (‘19). With all the nation-wide school shootings now we have to be careful around everyone. Not everyone is comfortable with having a gun in the classroom. Not everyone can, and not everyone will. Guns shouldn’t be in schools at all and we definitely shouldn’t place them there on purpose. Instead of arming our teachers we should prepare our faculty and students. During a drill kids are huddled in a corner, but if they were spread out it would be harder to shoot more of them. There are better ways to prepare schools for intruders than to arm the teachers. We also need to focus on the victim and their families instead of the shooter, as to not give them the attention they are seeking. Increasing our schools’ security would also benefit us. Doors should be locked and there should be more security protecting our nation’s students and faculty members. Schools have so many better options than arming our teachers. That type of power should not be expected of our beloved teachers. They should be focused on teaching – not shooting at threats.

“Why would we want to put that big responsibility on [teachers’] shoulders along with everything else?”

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opinion

Student Rights Students should be able to dress as they choose in in schools

by Nathan Simmons

earch and seizure. Petitions. Mandatory standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Too often students have their rights violated in America by staff or administration who do not know the rights students have once they come onto the school campus. Some students to feel their rights change when they come into school. While school officials are allowed to regulate some student expression if it is considered to invade the rights of others or if it disrupts the school environment, but students should to be able to express themselves and their own personal opinions. The most controversial topic concerning students rights is dress code. Students are forced to express themselves in ways administration want to see them and not how they want to see themselves. Dress codes violate students rights to free expression. The U.S. Supreme Court has said that students â&#x20AC;&#x153;do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression at the schoolhouse gate.â&#x20AC;? Therefore, if a student chooses to wear a hat to express their favorite sports team they should be able to. Students not being able to wear a hood on their head or a bandanna in their hair should not be a topic of concern for schools to decide. It should be the decision of the individual student.

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STUDENTS' OPINION AND EXPERIENCES ON THEIR RIGHTS BEING VIOLATED by Nathan Simmons "I THINK INTERRUPTING MY EDUCATION AND THE REST OF THE CLASS IS NOT WORTH WORRYING ABOUT MY LEGGINGS."

"I BELIEVE THAT I WAS NOT INTERRUPTING ANYONE'S LEARNING PROCESS. THE HOLE IN MY JEANS SHOWED LESS THAN WHEN I WEAR A SKIRT."

"I HAVE NEVER BEEN DRESS CODED, BUT THEN, I'M A GUY. BUT EVEN GUYS THAT BREAK THE CODE DON'T SEEM TO BE PUNISHED."

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opinion

Growth in Fort Mill Town of Fort Mill approves $35 million loan from State Water Pollution Control revolving fund

by Lila Zois

came from commercial, according to Fort iedmont Medical Center. LPL Mill School District Board Chairwoman Financial. Carolina Panthers Kristy Spears. Most of the new buildings in Practice Facility. With an area Fort Mill are homes, and the land is becomof only 4.6 miles, the infraing overdeveloped. If buildings continue structure will not be able to handle the to replace the ecological growth that will be happening over the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sixty-five percent environment, it will result in traffic congestion, lack next decade in Fort of permitted of parking space, environMill. Commercial buildings and housing construction value mental degradation, water pollution, air pollution, continues to be develfunding came and loss of wildlife habioped resulting in traffic tat. and a need for more from residential The sewage systems in services and resources. work and thirty-five Fort Mill can not handle Fort Mill is not the percent came from the expeditious growth. quaint and serene town In fact, the Town of Fort that natives often recommercial.â&#x20AC;? Mill just got approval for member. Over the past a thirty five million dollar decade and a half, the loan that will go towards constructing and town has experienced rapid growth. Fort improving sewer facilities, according to the Mill was named the fastest growing town minutes of the Fort Mill Board meeting. by the U.S. Census Bureau. As the population continues to grow, more In fact, the Charlotte bedroom community of Fort Mill has doubled in population houses are built which leads to a need for since 2006. Although population growth is more sewage systems. If the Fort Mill community continues to great for economic growth, many problems allow over-developing of land there will be come along with it. many negative effects in the future. Fort Due to the exponential growth in Fort Mill is not the industrial mill town it was Mill there is a demand for new infrastrucknown to be. ture, public transportation, police and fire Fort Mill is the fastest growing town in stations, more housing and new schools. As the country. It is our responsibility as memthe population continues to increase more bers of the community to take an initiative houses are built. 65 percent of permitted and find solutions that will help our town construction value funding came from flourish in years to come. residential work and thirty-five percent 34 Red & Black

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feature

“Plastic bottles take anywhere from 450-1000 years to decompose; it’s been estimated that by 2030, the ocean will contain, ton for ton, more plastic than fish.”

Plastic Crisis

Personal responsibily, corporate pressure needed

e’re all taught to put our plastic bottles and soda cans in the big blue bins at school to protect our natural environment, but this lesson that’s been so pivotal in increasing awareness of environmental issues may be rendered useless as of this year. For decades, the U.S., rather than recycling its own material, has been sorting it and shipping it to China, where it became raw materials for new goods. The U.S. had been shipping almost 50 percent of its recycled materials to China. But then, China began warning that as part of its efforts to tackle its environmental pollution, it would place stricter demands on scrap imports. In January of this year, they officially stopped accepting recycling from the Western world. This has lead to major plastic build up all over the world in just the past few months. In places like Japan, the U.S., and many countries in Europe, plastic pile-up is getting out of control. Plastic bottles take anywhere from 4501,000 years to decompose. It’s been estimated that by 2030, the ocean will contain, ton for ton, more plastic than fish. These statistics were released before China stopped accepting

36 Red & Black

by Sophia Plate

U.S. recycling. In a poll of 200 people in Fort Mill, 74 percent claim to use plastic grocery bags, even with paper or reusable bags readily available in most stores. Plastic bottles are still the top-selling single-serving drink container by far, despite their negative effects on the environment and alternative options. Americans used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year. However, the U.S.’s recycling rate for plastic is only 23 percent, which means 38 billion water bottles – more than $1 billion worth of plastic – go to waste each year. This excludes other beverages like sodas or juice. o, what can we do to slow this plastic crisis down? Firstly, we clearly need to take personal responsibility for our actions. Using reusable or paper grocery bags, buying glass or reusable beverage holders, and saying no to single-use straws are just a few of the ways that anyone can help the environment. Secondly, we need to put more pressure on companies to use more eco-friendly materials, and also push for the invention of new materials that could replace plastic. By doing these things, we can ensure a beautiful, healthy earth for our generation and the generations to come.

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opinion

As great as it may be to get hundreds of likes on a post, it can also be dangerous.

Facial Recognition

Privacy rights growing problem as tech advances

by Mine Karatas

e live in a world with advanced technology that can do just about anything. Your face can be scanned from your phone, published to the Internet and sent around the world without you even realizing it. This scary scenario is a growing concern that needs to be addressed in schools. Our faces are all over the Internet from the use of social media and photos that we publish for the world to see. As great as it may be to get hundreds of likes on a post, it can also be dangerous. Google collects millions of people’s photos a day, and who knows where they will ultimately end up? Russia has a major problem with facial recognition in their country. Some people illegally take people’s pictures and track them, or use photos to make it seem as if a person did things the person wouldn’t normally do. For instance the government can use the opposing candidates face that is running for office to say something racist or inflammatory. Manipulation can be a major problem for elections and popular people. Criminals can twist and turn the government and society. It’s scary to think about, but it’s real. Catfishing is another big problem in the U.S. Criminals take people’s pictures

and steal identities, ruining reputations and finances. It’s terrifying to know that someone could be using your photo right now to do absolutely anything. Social media and other Internet services give people the right to be able to access our identities and can lead to controlling a country by stealing the identities of presidents and other leaders. Criminals can also use stolen identities to harm the lives of our citizens and manipulate the words of celebrities by using their pictures to overlap the truth with negativity. According to Fortune Technology Newsletter, giving permission to billions of people to access our personal information can be extremely unsafe and lead to many problems in the country. We must find ways to limit our personal information from roaming around the Internet so we can live in a country where we feel safer. We should educate kids at a young age what and what not to do on the Internet and the scary things that could happen if we don’t use the Internet safely. In Nation Ford High School, we can start by adding Internet safety lessons into High School 101 classes to help teenagers comprehend how dangerous it can be. Teaching students can help us grow a place that’s safe for everyone.

Our faces are all over the Internet from the use of social media and photos that we publish to the world.

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FACIAL RECOGNITION

Infographic by Mine Karatas

Source: Fortune.com

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opinion

TOO MUCH HOMEWORK by Kaiden Bridges

of students argue with their parents every night about their school and homework

of high school students have homework more than 3 nights a week

of kids refuse to do their homework after school and have a hard time getting all their assignments turned in! Source: Oxford Learning. 40 Red & Black

It’s Just Too Much Students feel over their heads in homework by Kaiden Bridges

hink about it, students Even though homework can help come home after a long day students comprehend and retain of school. Some of them the knowledge that they learned at have sports or extracurricschool that day, it can deliver lots ular activities after school, too. They of stress and physical and emotiondo their usual after school routines, al fatigue on the students dependand then they have come to the ing on the classes students are enemy that they’ve taking, they could dreaded all day. ... at least 50% of have more work Homework. than other stuSome nights, the parents argue with dents. Students at foe is worse than Nation Ford High others, but either their children about school have told way, it’s always a us that students battle on school taking Honors or homework every nights. If the odds AP classes usuare really not in ally have more night. their favor, they’ll homework than get stuck with it students in CP over the weekend, too. But it doesn’t classes. Studies show that students matter what their situation is, the average about 366 minutes of amount of homework is way too homework per week, if not more much. per week. That may not seem like Homework has always been a a lot of time, but some quite a few battle, at school and at home. Stakids have more than that, and the tistics from an infographic created amount of work that was provided by Oxford Learning shows that at to them can add up quickly. least 50 percent of parents argue Students have way too much with their children about homework homework, and it is very hard to every night, and about 71 percent of balance all of their assignments kids refuse to do their homework at with sports and other activities on night. busy school nights.

Red & Black 41

opinion

A.L.I.C.E. Training Students should practice evacuation

by Lily Schweder

he year 2018 was recorded to have the greatest number of school shootings since 1970, with 82 recorded incidents. The current lockdown procedures and preventative measures of schools nationwide have failed. Teachers should be required to have ALICE (alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate) training, in order to keep the classroom as safe as possible. With the increasing number of life threatening active shooter incidents, students and teachers need to be well prepared in their school environment. “It does sound as though the teachers did everything humanly possible, down to risking their lives, to protect the children at the Connecticut school,” said President Donald Trump, speaking on the Sandy Hook Shooting. However, former SWAT Officer Greg Crane told ABC News that he does not think current lockdown procedures are sufficient. During the Sandy Hook shooting, first grade teacher Kaitlin Roig locked and barricaded herself and 14 other students in a bathroom, a smart move according to Crane. He founded the lockdown training program ALICE, to keep his wife, a school teacher, safe after the Columbine shooting. He has established himself as one of the foremost school safety and active shooter specialists in the nation. Currently, only 31 percent of schools in the U.S. have been trained by the ALICE training program. In the past, locking the door was not always enough protection. During the Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High School shooting, the gunman fired an AR-15 rifle through the glass window pane of one of the classrooms, caught on video by a student in the classroom.

The current lockdown procedures were originally not intended for active shooters. They were created to keep students safe in the building while crime was occurring on the streets, not for a death threat inside the building. ALICE was designed using the advice of law enforcement officials who have been put in life threatening situations. According to the official website, instructor led classes provide preparation and a plan for organizations and individuals on how to more proactively handle a threat or active shooter. What differentiates the program from most lockdowns is two words – counter and evacuate. During the UNCC shooting, the message spreading across the campus was “Run. Hide. Fight.” At Nation Ford, students practice only “Hide. Fight.” We trap ourselves in the building, and we have never practiced our instinct to exit the building and flee from danger. ALICE training teaches the skills needed to counter an attacker’s ability to shoot. They teach the use of noise, movement, distance and distraction to make shooting accurately very difficult. Most students have been informed on what to do if the shooter is outside of the classroom, but if they reach the inside, everyone is unprepared. If the teacher knows that the shooter is not anywhere near them, they can make their way to the nearest exit and leave the building. Since lockdowns were designed for a threat outside of the location, evacuation has not been taught because the plan is for an attacker who was already outside the building. All teachers and students must be informed and trained to protect themselves and others from this ongoing problem in America. ALICE training will prepare schools for a tragic event that could happen anywhere any time.

During the UNCC shooting, the message spreading across the campus was “Run. Hide. Fight”. At Nation Ford, students practice only “Hide. Fight.”

42 Red & Black

NEVER AGAIN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS were killed in 2018 during school shootings

OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS

31% have been trained by the ALICE training program Â

96%

OF NFHS STUDENTS

think lock down procedures should be improved

OF NFHS STUDENTS

60% feel unsafe at school

TRAIN STUDENTS AND TEACHER. SAVE A LIFE.

Sources: 2018 FBI Report 28 Students Surveyed May 3, 2019 by Lily Schweder Red & Black 43

opinion

Online School is not Equal to Public Online classes not as beneficial as public school for students

by Haley McCurry

very student in America has to enroll in public, private, or home schooling from kindergarten to high school. Now, there is also another option that students can choose to get their education. Online school allows students to do their work at anytime, anywhere. This sounds like a dream to most students, but it is much more difficult than they may think. Public school is the best education option for most students because it provides students with social, life, memorization, and skills that will benefit them in the future. Students go to school to prepare for higher education or a career. But, if students take online courses, they may miss valuable life and career skills. Attending public school gives students the chance to interact with many different people. Public school cannot turn down any student that is being enrolled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Diversity in public school ensures that every student has the same educational opportunities as the neighbors down the street, regardless of personal or financial situations,â&#x20AC;? according to educational publication. Public school students are exposed to diverse people and cultures. Students who take online courses will lack this type of interaction, but might communicate through email or text messages with their teachers and possible classmates. Public school teaches students how to interact with people and how they should handle situations. It also teaches students valuable life skills they will need later in life. Online classes do not offer the same social or emotional guidance as public school. In addition, online courses lack memory and learning development skills. Most students who want to take online courses, do so to avoid attending actual classes to work from home. With students being able to do any type of school work anytime they want, their teachers never know if the student is actually doing the work or not. Students taking a test or quiz online do not have to worry about a professor catching them cheating, because there is no teacher

44 Red & Black

present to stop them, the students do not have to study for tests and quizzes or develop memory skills from studying. For students who are not self-disciplined and ethical, online courses can be a really big downside. On the other hand, students who are getting the education necessary attending public school will have to study and really focus on what work they are doing to perform well on test and quizzes. Students know that if they do not do their homework and pay attention in class, they will not learn material or skills and will not do well on test and quizzes. The amount of effort a student puts forth with their work will show in the end, and a teacher makes sure they do their own work. Some online schools require students to video chat with teachers and some require phone calls. But students cannot call them every time they have a question about work or are confused. In public school, students have easier access to teachers and the chance to ask them questions. When taking online courses students have to keep in mind they are not the only class that a teacher instructs. Online instructors teach a couple of different classes per semester, so they cannot just be focused on one class all the time. Sometimes it is also more difficult to get your teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention because of different lifestyles. Teachers are real people attempting to balance their work and home lives. Students should keep this in mind when taking an online class that the professor may live in a different part of the country than they do. The differences in time zones will determine when they are online verses when the student is, according to geteducated.com. In public school students are able to talk to their teachers during the time they do their work. Online school does not offer the same benefits that public school does to students. If students really want to get the best education, they should stick to actually going into school instead of completing it on the computer. It will all be worth it in the end.

ONLINE VS.

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Source: PublicSchoolReview.com

Red & Black 45

opinion

Leaving for Lunch

Upperclassmen should have off-campus lunch

by Grace Asaad

back on time could face the consequences fter being cooped up in the and lose their privilege to leave campus. school for sevral hours, being allowed to leave and would be Students are going to skip school a good mental break. Seniors weather on open lunch or not according should be allowed to leave campus during to an article. Students who don’t meet lunch. Not all seniors have to leave certain standards could get this privilege campus but they should at least be able revoked. Such as the attendance meeting to have the opporthe standards, tunity. grades of at least an average Even with the of 80 percent senior section, or above, and students are all I.S.S. absence. squished together in the Commons. If One concern some students go the school has off campus to get about open lunch, there will campus at lunch be more room for is students people who choose taking other Principal Jason Johns not to go out. students when their parents Students have don’t approve. There could be a liability many things to think about outside of release form that the parents or guardian school and without having to worry of any student under eighteen must have about packing lunch: They can focus on getting more sleep or having more time to signed is they wish to leave campus. If do homework. In addition, cafeteria lunch the form doesn’t get signed, the student would not be able to leave campus. may not fit everyone’s dietary standards, and the option of leaving campus for “I know it’s fun and all getting off lunch can help students fit specific needs. campus and going somewhere but there’s the possibility of being a venue on camMost students respect the rules of the school, and those who choose to not come pus,” Principal Jason Johns said.

“I know it’s fun and all getting off campus and going somewhere but there’s the possibility of being a venue on campus.”

46 Red & Black

by Grace Asaad

-Sofia Tran ('19) no 17.9%

17.9%

81.1%

Yes

yes 82.1%

45 students surveyed March 13, 2019

Red & Black 47

sports

Playing

Big Boys

with the Freshman Patrick Bramlett plays varsity soccer

by Nate Merritt

is everyday life is no different than many Bramlett said. “But since I have been playing for so others at Nation Ford, but he has a second long, the soccer mentality is there, all I need is supfamily off the field that most freshman port and connecting with the team.” can’t say they have. Most of the professional athletes on TV seem like Patrick Bramlett (22) is one of the few freshman they were just born to play sports, but most athletes at Nation Ford playing on a varsity team. While this will tell you someone has helped shape them into the may occur more often in sports like softball and volplayer they are today. For Patrick, it was his father. leyball, it rarely happens in soccer. “Sometimes he is annoying about getting on to me, “Freshman rarely make varsity - usually because of but I do appreciate him trying to help me with his size and maturity,” Kenny Halas, boys varsity soccer good advice,” Bramlett said. “He gives perspectives coach, said. “We have had only that I don’t see from other peothree to four players over the ple’s point of view.” last five years that have made No matter what someone’s varsity.” doing, especially in friendships Bramlett may be on varsity or being a part of a team, being now, but neither Coach Halas nor younger can affect your relationBramlett were positive he was ship with those people. Luckily going to have a spot on the team for Patrick, he was welcomed by at first, despite his 8 years of his upperclassmen team. experience with the sport. “I think we have a good, fami“My size and skills are defily kind of relationship, but when nitely there,” said Bramlett. it comes to being serious we are “But trying out for a team as good at that too,” he said. good as ours, there is always a When it comes to hanging out - Coach Kenny Halas little doubt in your head.” together, it can also be a probJust like any other high school lem. “Sometimes it’s annoying kid at a tryout, Bramlett had his doubts on whether because I can’t drive yet,” Bramlett says. he’d make the team or not. To make a varsity team at According to a recent study by Fatherly, a website a young age, varsity players can’t be any average Joes. fathers look to for advice, professional athlete still Certain things separate these athletes from the rest. ranks as the third most popular dream job. When you “Patrick separates himself from other players in look at all Bramlett has accomplished and his bright that his technical ability is very high,” said Halas. future ahead, he may have a shot at playing soccer “He sees the game very well and is typically one step professionally. ahead of the play, so he knows where the ball needs to “Patrick’s future has high opportunities,” Coach go next before he even receives the ball.” Halas said. “He has the ability to play at the “At my age I’m just expected to be the rookie,” next level.”

“Patrick’s future has high opportunities.

He has the ability to play at the

next level.”

48 Red & Black

“Patrick separates himself from other players in that his technical ability is very high. He sees the game very well and is typically one step ahead of the play, so he knows where the ball needs to go next before he even receives the ball.” - Coach Kenny Halas

Chasing down the ball, Patrick Bramlett (’22) faces Clover in the preseason tournament championship. Photo courtesy of Todd Bramlett

“At my age I’m just expected to be the rookie.” -Patrick Bramlett

Red & Black 49

sports

Racing

for the

Future

Well-known within the American Motorcyclist Association, Randy Hawkins helps young kids become successful like him

by Kendall Grahl

e is racing through the woods at 80 mph on a dirt track, the thrill of trees, mud and water flying past him. After winning more than 73 competitions across the world, Randy Hawkins is well-known in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). He has also received Sportsman of the Year, Most Popular Off-Road Rider in Japan in 1992 and the key of their city, Travelers Rest. Now, Randy owns the Am-Pro Yamaha racing team to help young riders create platforms for themselves. Randy Hawkins works hard, helping young kids reach their dreams. Randy loved to ride motorcycles ever since he was a young kid. He wished to race professionally, but never thought it would become a reality. “I always enjoyed riding my motorcycle when I was little, but a friend of mine asked me to a race when I was a teenager, and I went,” he said. Randy entered a small-town race with his friend out of curiosity and completely fell in love with the sport. “I did not do very well, but I had the bug to go back to another race and challenged myself to do better,” he said. Randy’s first professional race was in 1976. It was a race that launched his career and led him to hundreds of rewards and opportunities. “In 1988, I won my first National Enduro Championship,” he said. “Since then, I have won seven national championships and had the amazing opportunity to travel all over the world.” Randy’s goal is to give young racers the same opportunities he had throughout his career. Dirt bike riding is popular within the South, and many young boys and girls love to race. “Am-Pro Racing is a professional off-road racing team. I established it in 1997 to manage the Yamaha Factory motorcycle team,” Randy said. “I am the owner and manager of the team.”

Randy takes young racers from around the U.S. and trains them to become professional athletes. His goal is to create platforms and opportunities for talented riders across the country and turn them into national champions like himself. “Currently this year, we have three young men on our team. Their ages are 13, 14 and 17,” Randy explains. “We offer them the opportunity to live out their dream by supplying them with equipment capable of winning races. Of course, they have to maintain their grades and do well in school!” A typical work day for Randy is pretty hectic. He has young riders to take care of as well as dirt bikes. “We have about three mechanics who travel to the race on Thursday and spend Friday setting up our rig and putting the bikes on display under the tent,” he said. “We travel in a toterhome with a big trailer behind it. Sundays are the normal race day,” said Randy. “Our youth program, which consists of three riders, starts at 8 a.m. The amateur race is at 10 a.m. with one rider, and the Pro race starts at 1 p.m. This year we only have one pro rider. The Pro race lasts about 3 hours.” He spends most of his day at the race course. “During that time, I bicycle or walk to complicated parts of the course and help my riders if needed,” he said. “Once the race is over, we will spend one to two hours cleaning and loading up all our equipment.” Randy is more than a racer – he is a father and a husband. After his twin daughters Catherine Jewel and Addie were born in 2004, Randy decided to stop racing professionally. He now helps young athletes along with others. His wife Cathy Hawkins admits she was a “girly” girl growing up. She was a cheerleader in high school and attended cosmetology school. When she met Randy, her life changed. The former cheerleader now rides four-wheelers, fishes in local lakes, hunts turkeys and deers with bows and guns. Once she met Randy,

“Racing has blessed our life by giving us opportunities like traveling to Japan and all around the U.S. “

50 Red & Black

Taking young kids under his wing, Randy Hawkins formed the Am-Pro Racing Team to help young kids further their career. Photo courtesy of Am-Pro Yamaha Racing she cheered on her husband amid the roar and smoke of dirt bike races. As a racer, Randy traveled all over the world. He would journey to Japan and Brazil for competitions. Now that he is retired and helps young kids further their careers, he travels around the U.S. and mentors young kids in the racing world. “I do not attend many races now that Randy has retired,” Cathy said. “Now he travels to the races and is gone for about 15 weekends out of the year,” Randy Hawkins Dirt-bike racing has given the Hawkins family Photo courtesy of many opportunities within their town, such as being Am-Pro Yamaha Racing gifted the key of their city, Travelers Rest, S.C. “Racing has blessed our life by giving us opportunities like traveling to Japan and all around the U.S.,” she said. “We have made great friends along the way. My son now enjoys going to the races and riding – but of course he has big shoes to fill!”

Red & Black 51

sports

Behind the Falcon

Shall the truth of the Falcon be revealed?

by Aiden Liles

t’s a tie game, with 30 seconds left in the second half of a basketball game, and everybody is cheering on the Falcons. School spirit erupts the gymnasium. But who appears to have the most spirit? The Falcon mascot running the sidelines, hyping everybody up for the big game. The famous Falcon mascot remains silent, and the behind-the-scene story involves a secret. Does anyone know who is under the mask? Nation Fords Athletic Director, James Shackleford has the scoop on the history of the mascot. “Members of the Booster Club along with our previous A.D., Brian Turner, developed the mascots,” Shackleford said. Shackleford couldn’t remember a time without the mascot in the -The school. “There have been two different suits. The new colors were just a change in design,” Shackleford added. The Falcon has to attend many school events, such as pep rallies and sporting events, and that takes the work of multiple volunteers. “There are usually about one or two students who have been the mascot for the different seasons and whenever they were available to be the Falcon,” Shackleford said. Holly Bentley, leader of the Spirit Club, is involved with the Falcon and all spirit

activities in Nation Ford High School. “We don’t really have any set rules,” Bentley said. “People usually volunteer. I have thought about having tryouts, but I’m not sure that there is much interest in it.” A current Falcon weighs in. “I chose to be the Falcon because I wanted to experience what it was like,” the Falcon said. “Not many people have the guts to do it.” Since the school opened, it has attempted to hide the identities of the volunteers inside the Falcon costume. “I hide the identity because it’s simply just much more fun not knowing who it is, and I can embarrass myself, and no one else will know it’s me,” the Falcon said. With so many Falcon events, volunteers must sign up to participate. The whole time you have to deal with a hot suit and a head that does not smell very good. “I’m not tired of being the Falcon because I don’t want someone else to be it, but it does get super hot fast,” the student admitted. When the Falcon works an event, the main goal is to hype up the crowd. “I enjoy dancing when I’m the Falcon,” one volunteer admits. “I think I’m a good dancer, and it gets the students hype.” The Falcon is one of the student oldest traditions, and it is also one of the biggest mysteries at the school.

“It’s simply just much more fun not knowing who it is, and I can embarrass myself, and no one else will know it’s me.

52 Red & Black

The majestic Falcon belies the sweaty student under the warm suit in the Nation Ford High School Football Stadium on 29 March 2019. Photo by Joi Nelson

Red & Black 53

sports

More Than A Sport Billy McKinney uses his coaching skills to help local tennis players and have fun

by Eric Finley

n cracked concrete tennis courts with weeds, Coach Billy McKinney coaches his passionate students through lessons and drills. He is passionate about coaching in spite of where he plays. Coach Billy McKinney is a U.S. Tennis Association tennis pro. He owns his company called Absolute Tennis and he has been coaching since 2004 and he runs his company from the tennis courts at the Springfield Neighborhood and the YMCA in Fort Mill. He used to coach at a country club until their strict rules motivated him to start his own company. “I had developed some good players, and I didn’t receive the credit since I didn’t own the club, so I decided since I do good work, I should get credit for developing the player,” McKinney said. He enjoys seeing his players succeed on and off the court, which keeps coaching fun for him. “First I love the sport… most of my students are young adults and kids, I love being able to impact them on and off the court. I like to have a personal approach, and I think so much

of that is because I didn’t get a chance to play myself, so when they win, I win.” McKinney said. He wants his students to be good people. He has many inspirational quotes all over the walls of his tennis building, and he is always trying to get his students to work hard on and off the court. “I don’t only want them to be good players, but have good character too,” McKinney said. He was the coach for Nation Ford, bringing the falcons two consecutive regional championships and even an undefeated regular season where they lost in the state finals in 2012. He now is a pastor at a church and has to balance his two jobs coaching tennis and working at the church. He runs private lessons and clinics which is his main coaching revenue since he does not coach for a high school anymore. He drives 40 minutes to and from his clinics just because he wants to see his students succeed. He works hard to make his players the best they can be and he is passionate about every player that goes through his lessons or clinics. When his players succeed he knows, he has done his job well.

“I don’t want them to only be good players, but have good character, too.” - Billy McKinney

54 Red & Black

Feeding tennis balls to enthusiastic kids, coach Billy McKinney runs his weekly tennis clinic from the YMCA tennis courts in Downtown Fort Mill. The teaching the kids get from these clinics help them to get better at tennis. Photo by Eric Finley

Red & Black 55

sports

“If they are a girl Dirty Bird, then I think they should be separated from the boy Dirty Birds.” – Connor Ross ‘20

“I think girl Dirty Birds will be fun because it’s something different than the norm.” – Myra Nguyen ‘21

“I don’t know. I feel like it’s just a guys’ thing.” – Apryl Beck ‘20

“I’m excited to join the boys next year. I think it’s another way to make our school more inclusive.” – Christina Sims ‘20

56 Red & Black

Girl Dirty Birds

Spirited girls challenge the social norm at Nation Ford

by Maddy Doan

ou’ve heard of the dirty birds added enthusiasm is always going to be – the guys who parade around welcomed, whether in the form of girl or with their shirts off and their guy dirty birds… so why not both? bare stomachs painted, with Christina Sims will be the leader of the girl birds and has already talked to adminone mission in their minds… to rally the crowds and get them fired up for the Naistration about the new concept, and it has tion Ford sports games. So, what would been approved for next year. happen with some girls thrown in the mix? “I’m so excited to be able to join the How would people boys next year and I feel about it? Well, think it’s another way to “Having girl dirty we’re about to find out make our school more inbecause next football clusive,” Sims (’20) said. birds is going to season our beloved boys “Having girl dirty birds is show the gender are going to be joined going to show the gender equality we have at equality we have at our by some gutsy girls. The idea of girl dirty school and will empower our school and will birds would be a huge our female students to empower our female change to the usual have more spirit.” flood of guys running Josh Hartke (’20) and students to have around the stands. AJ Newlands (’20) will more spirit.” The big question is, be the leaders of the guy -Christina Sims (’20) why can the boys run dirty birds next year, but around with their shirts the question is… do they off and their bodies painted up while girls support the idea? The ideas of the two can’t? Adding girls to the mix could bring leaders differ. some diversity and change the specific “I think it’s pointless and doesn’t make gender roles that everyone thinks of when any sense, because it has always been guy they hear “dirty birds”. dirty birds and not girls, and that’s tradiOf course, the Nation Ford cheerleaders tion.” Newlands (’20) says. are also there to cheer on the boys teams as Hartke disagrees. well as the crowds, so is there really a need “Personally, I have an open mind about for the added girl birds? The argument the idea and don’t think it will change is split, with many saying no, there’s no much of anything,” Hartke (’20) says. point and others that are all for it because Either way, the girl dirty birds are hapthere is no such thing as too much spirit. pening next football season and the Falcon One of the biggest components of high fans should expect to see the spirited girl school sports is the supportive fans in the birds in the stands, rallying the crowds stands; the support never waivers and alongside the boys. Red & Black 57

Red Black

The Red & Black is a publication of the Introduction to Journalism classes at Nation Ford High School, and the magazine is the culminating group project.

Editors

Addie Ruth Managing Editor

Vivek Crowe Managing Editors

Kayla Boan Editor In Chief

Grace Janzen Design Editor

Maddy Doan Sports Editor

Ivan Rubanenko Editor In Chief

Lily Schweder Feature Editor

Hunter Mattes Op/Ed Editor

Eric Finley Review Editor

Mine Karatas

Enoch Ibarra Garcia

Aiden Liles

Lila Zois

Luke Marlovits

Taylor Rumsey

Grace Asaad

Sophia Plate

Kendall Grahl

Ayden Hash

Devin Taylor

Kaiden Bridges

Ryan Nguyen

Kate Guerra

Nate Merritt

Haley McCurry

Sam Frank

Staff

Beth Swann, CJE Adviser

Red Black Volume 5 Issue 2 Spring 2019

Nation Ford HIgh School 1400 A. O. Jones Blvd Fort Mill, SC 29715