Volume 14 Number 3
April 2021
The Talon Nation Ford High School
COVID-19 Exacerbates Sub Shortage 6
1400 A.O. Jones Blvd.
Fort Mill, SC 29715
Pay (Not) To Play: Sports Fees Nonrefundable 8
Pre-course Reading Overhauled 3
The Art of Procrastination & How to Beat It 4
Meet the Leader of the Band 9
2 • News
Full Return To School Causes Controversy by Tatum Robbins
Though Gov. Henry McMaster and the SC Legislature made the decision for all public schools in the state to back to school five days a week on March 15, not everyone has been happy about the change from A/B day for high schools in Fort Mill. ”South Carolina cannot afford to delay going back to school any longer,” Supertintendent of Schools Molly Spearman said in a press conference on Feb. 4. Many parents pushed for kids to go back to five days for a better education. But what do the teachers think should happen? Covid 19 cases have gone up in the area recently after the change was made. Unfortunately, not all teachers feel like this is the best idea. Numerous teachers are worried about the safety and physical health of their students. “I am shocked we are going back five days as soon as we are,” said Amanda Murphy, an English teacher at Nation Ford. Many teachers felt as if this whole matter was out of their control. Teachers had an “it is what it is” mentality, and there wasn’t much that they could do to try and change it. Several teachers’ main concerns are about seating in their classrooms. Although many classes have installed shields in their classrooms, some classrooms do not have proper desks to sustain shields. Some of these classrooms may include, science classrooms, art rooms, and computer labs. Teachers are also worried about having too many kids in their classes. Even with shields, students will be in close proximity with each other, especially in smaller classrooms. In addition, teachers recognize that there are some benefits to having more kids in classes. “Having blended classes will help those who are struggling,” says a teacher, who preferred remain anonymous. Students will be able to learn from each other better because they will have students they haven’t been with everyday. However, teachers are worried about spacing in the classroom and the quick transition to having more kids in one classroom. Teachers are trying their best to keep all their students safe and to provide the best learning envi-
Going back to five days
80% 80% of children feet unsafe going back to school five days a week.
About two in ten students feel safe going back to school all five days.
"I am shocked we are going back five days as soon as we are." Amanda Murphy Karen Salmansohn
Prefer A/B day over five days Feel safe at lunch
Prefer smaller classes
87% 18% 86%
396 students took a survey to see if they felt safe about going back to school. 314 students said that overall they dd not feel safe about returning to school full time.
Infographic by Tatum Robbins
Writing & Design Awards
23 Journalism, Creative Writing Students Win Regional Awards, 7 Win in National Contests by Tatum Robbins
With entries for newspaper and literary magazine, Nation Ford students won seven national Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and 23 individual awards in regional competition in March at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association awards. Both of the conferences were held virtually due to the pandemic. Despite being produced virtually during quaratine, this year’s literary magazine was the largest literary magazine Nation Ford has ever put out, containing 72 pages. Students were working from home with advisor, creative writing instructor, Beth Swann. ”I think the hardest part would be gathering pieces that fit our theme and having it all flow together,” Co-editor Khonnie Koundabandith (’21) said. The literary magazine was released digitally and print copies were available to participating students in the fall. CSPA awarded the literary magazine an All-Columbian rating, the highest rating in the
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country, along with a Gold Medalist standing for excellence. Voices literary magazine for 2020 was titled ”Uncharted,” and the publication earned 996 out of 1,000 possible points from judges who critiqued the magazine. The seven individual students that won Gold Crown awards in the national competition are: Claire Mattes (’20) for Open Form Poetry Josh Cacciatore (’20) for Essay competition Annamarie Yates (’20) for Nonfiction Interview Abigail Heeney (’20) for Single Illustration Michael Marciniak (’20) for Photo Portfolio Yasmin Awan (’20) and Alexandra Cardona (’21) for Photography Illustration. Both newspaper and literary magazine earned an All-Southern rating from SIPA, the highest in the region. These awards were all worth difficult parts of the students’ writing process, they said. ”I am proud of the staff and the happiness this lit mag brought me,” Co-editor Alexandra Cardona (’21) said. ”It helped me find courage and become a better writer.”
Presidential Scholars 3 Students Qualify As National Merit Scholar Finalists for ’20-21 by Iyua Drafton Lucas Grigat, (‘21) Teddy Feldmann, (‘21) and Mackenzie William (‘21) qualified for scholarships from being National Merit Scholar Finalists, which is determined by the College Board. A National Merit Scholar Finalist is Mackenzie Wila student with a high PSAT score, and completes an application for the scholarship. The National Merit Scholarships is used by colleges and companies to identify high performing students. “Lucas and Teddy are both my students and both very competitive and have high test scores,” said Kathy Seastead, an honors biology and AP environmental science teacher. “Lucas is an all star swimmer and Teddy Feldis one of the highest ranked in his class, (‘24) he is an amazing student and is still in the process of deciding which school he is going to attend,” said Mrs. Seastead. A finalist earns a $2,500 scholarship award from the National Merit Scholarship Association. However many colleges offer more scholarships to National Merit Scholars, some offering a full four year scholarship. “I’m excited to be a finalist because it opens a lot of opportunities for me in the Lucas Grigat future,” Grigat said.
SIPA AWARDS WINNERS Nation Ford students won 23 individual regional awards in newspaper & literary magazine competition. Both publications earned an "All Southern Rating" & Voices lit mag also earned All-Columbian rating & a Gold Medalist rating in national competition.
1 2 3
FIRST PLACE WINNERS
Staff editorial by: Alexandra Cardona Review by: Connor Brandenburg Community Advertisement by: Emily Willers Nonfiction story by: Alexandra Cardona Illustration by: Emma Friberg
SECOND PLACE WINNERS
Editorial and Opinion by: Zaria Drakeford Feature Page by: Megan Andrews Sports Story by: Kaiden Bridges Fiction Story by: Alexandra Cardona Nonfiction spread by: Anna Leech Art Portfolio: Abigail Heeny THIRD PLACE WINNERS
Headline package by: Kaiden Bridges Entertainment page by: Megan Jafarace News story by: Khonnie Kounabandith Nonfiction story by: Claude Hejl Literary Magazine portfolio by: Khonnie Kounabandith Table of Contents page by: Alexandra Cardona Nonfiction spread by: Megan Andrews Illustration by: Abigail Heeny Graphic by Tatum Robbins
Infographic by Tatum Robbins
April 2021
News • 3
The Talon Asks: What do you think about summer / precourse reading? by Amaris Arroyave
”If the book choice was more open, more people would enjoy summer reading.” - Nicholas Jallette (’24)
”I enjoyed summer reading in high school – I’ve always liked it.” - Principal Jason Johns
”It’s unnecessary. People are at a disadvantage if they read the book in the summer and have English second semester.” - Paityn Tumblin
Demonstrating how she works with student patients to make sure they are healthy, Nurse Lori Stout checks the heart rate of sophomore John Frick on March 30.
Nurse Lori Stout Wins Support Staff Of The Year by Aiden Witkopf
“People say it’s the year of the in meetings with other school reps. nurses,” said Support Staff of the Year She acknowledged the other nomwinner Nurse Lori Stout. inees: April Annin, Anita Benfield, Principal Jason Johns presented Annete Irvin. She thinks that they all her with the SSOY poster, and Nurse would have deserved the Support Stout proudly placed it outside her Staff of the Year. office. She also won a parking spot “As a kid I’ve always wanted to be in the front of the a nurse,” Stout said. building reserved She’s worked “As a kid I’ve always just for her. through a tough “I was surprised wanted to be a nurse.” time to be a nurse and not expecting it because of being in all,” she said. the middle of a -- Nurse Lori Stout Stout was one of world-wide panfour nominees that were elected by demic when people are getting sick other teachers within the school. As at frightening rates. Stout says one the school nurse, she has been exday will be relaxed and the next day tremely busy with caring for students would be crazy, she never knows and staff, as well as contact tracing. what shes going to get when she Now she will represent school staff walks in the building in the morn-
April 2021
Changes To Come: Precourse Reading Teachers Meet to Discuss Pre-Course Reading Changes To Create More Student Interest
by Amaris Arroyave This summer America’s indigenous people. Fifor winter break all teen-year-old Frenchie and his friends College Prep, Adstruggle to hide from the “recruiters” vanced Placement, who will stop at nothing to get the and Honors classbone marrow from native people, the es will read ”The only cure for those who can no longer Marrow Thieves” by dream. Teachers believe all students Cherie Dimaline as a will relate to numerous themes in the required pre-course novel. reading book. English teachers, Media Studies show that students who do Center Specialist Julie Hooper, as well not read during summer break show as administration and teachers from a decrease in their reading abilities. other departments have been meeting However, in recent years teachers say to discuss the book and project-based many students have not complied assesments and traditional testing. with the requirement.While The MarA website created by the English row Thieves is the only required book Department will be forthcoming with for College Prep students, Honors more information and book sales will and Advanced Placement classes will take place May 3 through the end of still require two books for pre-course the month. reading, so an additional book will be “If we’re committed to doing a assigned for each course. pre-course reading book as a school, “The nature and design of an honI’m glad we’re choosing a book that ors-level course requires students to appeals to teenagers,” English teachapply the additional depth of knowler Jessica Cooper said. edge and also necessitates advanced ”The Marrow Thieves” takes place rigor and pace...such as a second prein a futuristic world where people course reading selection in a shorter have lost the capacity to dream. The time,” English Department Chair only people who can dream are North Richard Solt said.
Standing in front of his students, Mr. Richard Solt teaches his third block English 4 Honors class on March 29. Photo by Aiden Witkopf
English Teacher Rick Solt Wins Teacher Of The Year
by Maddox Oxendine English 4 Honors class. English Department Chair Richard “I was not expecting to win this Solt was selected Teacher of the Year award at all,” he said. “I am genuinely for Nation Ford on Feb. 17, and was shocked.” named an Honor Teacher, one of the Mr. Solt said he felt humbled, top five teachers of the year in the thank-ing his colleagues their kinddistrict for 2021 on April 15. ness towards him over the years. Mr. Solt has been teaching for 21 As Teacher of the Year, Mr. Solt has years, and this is his 13th year teachplans to help the school. ing at NFHS. He earned a B.A. in En“I hope to be a voice for teachers glish Literature and Secondary Education and an M.A. in Human Growth and students,” he said. Mr Solt’s school year has been very difficult for and Development. He has completed him. an additional Master’s course work in “This year’s been very difficult for English and Education and he is AP me – whether it’s the limiting of the and GT certified. groups or the students being so silent, Mr. Solt’s students say they love I haven’t enjoyed much of this school his sense of humor and his peculiar year, but I look forward to it getting obsession with Spider-Man. Students better,” he said. describe him as very engaging. Other nominees for this year’s Principal Jason Johns surprised Mr. Teacher of the Year for NFHS were Solt with the TOY award during his
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4 • Features
The Art of Procrastination
While you may be a master, do yourself a favor By Amaris Arroyave The wave of relief after completing a school assignment it’s due can give a sense of accomplishment. However, following the rush of adrenaline, the fatigue from pulling an all-nighter to draft a “great” essay kicks in. Though a student may feel like she is the only one who puts off assignments, hundreds of students at Nation Ford High School procrastinate. In a survey taken on March 15th, eightyfive percent of them admitted to procrastinating on schoolwork at least once. Even though it may seem shocking, teachers procrastinate as well. “Life is busy...I think everyone procrastinates at some point, including me,” High School 101 teacher Renne Kozlowski confesses. One of the main reasons students procrastinate is because they would rather do something they enjoy rather than something they don’t. “If people are not looking forward to doing something, for example, spring cleaning, they may procrastinate on it,” Kozlowski says. Some students find it easier to procrastinate when working alone. When students are not in a classroom environment, it can be harder to focus or put in the full effort when working on school work. “I get caught up doing other things,” Amir Kaveh (‘24) said. “When we were on a hybrid schedule, I procrastinated more on my virtual days because I was at home and not at school.” Fear of failure and wanting an assignment to be perfect is another cause of procrastination. “Procrastination can be linked to perfectionism,” Hannah Papin (‘23) said. “The fear of failure or feeling like you won’t know how to do something keeps you from actually getting it done.” Hannah is not alone in this feeling. Several students sometimes have trouble starting an assignment for fear of not doing it accordingly. “I’m a perfectionist. I get anxious about the work because I know I won’t be able to do it properly. In the end, I will always finish my work, but I procrastinate more because I’m just anxious at the thought of work,” Mili Shah (‘23) said. At first, putting off homework may sound like the best idea, but as time passes and the deadline gets clos-
er procrastination will likely increase anxiety and stress levels. “Procrastination does affect my mental health. When I put everything off to the last minute, like I do all the time, I get overwhelmed by all of the work I have to do. This puts me in the worst mood and state of mind,” Julia Wolman (‘24) said. When students start to fall behind, they may begin to feel overwhelmed, which can lead to difficulty catching up. “Unfortunately, procrastination can affect grades,” Kozlowski says. “Students who turn in last-minute assignments or late work overall typically receive lower scores and grades.” Procrastination finds its roots in our biology. The limbic system is one of the brain’s oldest and most influential parts of the brain; it has a strong connection to the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and planning. Because the limbic system is so dominant, it often triumphs, resulting in procrastination. Procrastination can be viewed as a conflict against a person’s current and future self. Due to the neuroplasticity of human brains (the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through growth and reorganization), overcoming procrastination is possible. The topic of procrastination, and how to avoid it, is included in the High School 101 curriculum. “Ninety percent of freshmen procrastinate,” Kozlowski says. “In class, we discuss ways to help students become prioritizers instead of procrastinators.” Though procrastination is a habit many feel that they cannot escape from, there are a few effective tactics to combat it. “Plan weekly.” Kozlowski explains.“Step one: identify your big rocks, otherwise known as the most important things. Step two: block out time for big rocks. Step three: schedule everything else.” Kozlowski also suggests using a planner, learning how to adapt daily, and staying committed to schoolwork or other work that needs to get done. “In High School 101, teaching time management and study skills are helpful—if the students are willing to use the tools and tips given and make them a habit.”
Dating 101
But that was a long time ago. Today, two nervous and awkward teenagers sit down for their first date. They plop on the couch and start streaming “Good Girls” on Netflix. He gets a text from his mom that reads: Home by 11? For the next two hours they sit, scrolling through Tiktok, the show playing in the background. For this generation, dating is oftenviewed as superficial. It’s more common to hang out as a group rather than a couple, making the dating scene uncomfortable. Cell phones are a huge contributor to unsuccessful first dates and excessive awkwardness. Your cell phone allows you to shut out the real world. However, during a date, every second you’re on your phone is another second of awkardness.
Tips for complicated relationships in the 21st century by Rian Donahue
He knocks on her red front door holding a bouquet of roses, then checks his watch. The time is 6:30 p.m., and he’s right on time. He looks up as the door opens and is face to face with her father. “Good evening, sir.” They shake hands. “Bring her home by 10,” her father says. She walks down the stairs in her new chiffon dress, and they race out the door to ensure they arrive at the movie theater on time.
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HOW PROCRASTINATION AFFECTS THE BRAIN AND BODY Amaris Arroyave
BRAIN An increased risk of insomnia symptoms and daytime drowsiness is associated with procrastination.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM A variety of stressrelated issues can stem from procrastination. Short-term stress reduces appetite and delays digestion, whereas long-term stress can cause gastrointestinal concerns such as indigestion or an upset stomach.
“The first time I went on a date,” says Lexi Bumgardner (‘21), “it was really awkward and we barely talked because he was on his phone too much.” Another huge issue with currentdating is the rising number of teens getting stuck in abusive relationships. A study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that 1 in 11 girls and nearly 1 in 14 boys who are high school age have experienced physical violence in a relationship in the last year. This means that many of the students here at Nation Ford could have been in one of those relationships. “I fortunately have not been in a harmful relationship,” Ryan Crigler ‘23) explains, “but I have witnessed some of my peers stuck in situations that were potentially dangerous with a significant other.”
BRAIN Procrastination is the outcome of a constant battle between the limbic system and the brain's prefrontal cortex. As a result, this constant battle can cause headaches.
IMMUNE SYSTEM Procrastination-related stress exhausts the immune system and causes people to become more prone to illnesses.
Fortunately, there are some ways to try to prevent dating violence. Creating protective environments, communicating with trust-worthy adults, and setting boundaries are key in establishing a safe relationship. “Like bullying,” said former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, “teen dating violence has far-reaching consequences for the health and life outcomes of victims. We need to do everything we can to make sure all students are safe.” The type of dating you see in older movies and tv is long gone, and it’s doubtful it will return anytime in the future. The best thing you can do is put the phone down, and seek help when you need it. If you or someone you know needs help, call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org to chat live.
April 2021
Features •5
Fuel for Fire
HOW TO PREVENT A FIRE FROM YOUR WASHER OR DRYER
The most dangerous thing in your house may suprise you
SIMPLE STEPS TO PREVENT
CLEAN YOUR LINT FILTER YOUR LINT FILTER CAN BUILD UP IF YOU USE YOUR DRYER AND DON'T CLEAN IT
KEEP YOUR WASHER AND DRYER OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR HOUSE, MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF BOTH OF YOUR MACHINES TO PREVENT ANY FIRES/ACCIDENTS JUST IN CASE
BUY A RELIABLE MACHINE IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU BUY A DURABLE WASHING MACHINE OR DRYER IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE MANY PROBLEMS
by Maddox Oxendine The washer and dryer can be some of the most sional should be called to come and investigate your dangerous household appliances. washer and dryer. This should be done once a year More than 81% of the population has a washing not only for the wiring but to make sure the washing machine or dryer in their household, and more than machine doesn’t have any future problems as well. 15,000 house fires a year are caused by washers and The best way to prevent a washing machine or dryers. Luckily, they are easy to prevent. dryer fire is to simply install a smoke alarm. The Every dryer has a lint filter, which catches lint and alarm should always have charged batteries. Outlets fibers from your clothes. Not cleaning filters leads to near the machines should not be overloaded with a build up of lint, which prevents heat from enter- non-essential plugs. Also, make sure to turn off the ing the dryer. Heat not being able to get through the washing machine when you leave home -- this way, lint causes your dryer to run longer. This can lead to when a problem occurs, there will be immediate atfibers in the filter catching on fire and possibly injur- tention. ing someone. Although machines can be repaired at home, it’s The only necessary steps to clean your lint filter is better off to buy a more reliable machine in the first to vacuum it, wash it, then vacuum it one more time. place so that not as much money is needed to fix These preventive measures could save your life. them in the long run. As long as the filters are cleaned once a month Samsung is regarded as one of the best washing and you call a professional to come check on it once machine brands. This brand is the most popular a year, dryers are completely safe appliances. among owners and said to be the most durable as There is much controversy about whether dry- it has been reported to last up to fifteen years wither sheets are dangerous or not. Dryer sheets do not out issues. Consumers have also stated that their cause any direct problems to dryers, but they can favorite brands for dryers are Speedqueen, LG, and cause problems to a person’s health; several articles Whirlpool. These brands are consumer favorites but and studies have claimed that dryer sheets can cause are also said to be some of the most durable as well. irritation to the eyes and airways, allergic skin reac- LG and Whirlpool have even been recorded to last tions, migraine attacks, and asthma attacks. Other up to thirteen years. researchers say that dryer sheets cause no issues and Investing in quality washer and dryer machines, do not affect your health. as well as taking proper care of them, will make Most washing machine fires are caused by faulty homes a lot safer. wiring and bad insulation. To prevent this, a profes-
KEEP YOU'RE HOME SAFE!
REVIEWS
Mamma Mia! Pizza!
Red Baron’s frozen cheese pizza hits the spot
RED BARON PIZZA
by Erek Ortiz
Going to pizzerias with your friends and family can be troublesome in the pandemic. Most restaurants, including your favorite pizza joint, are most likely closed at this time. If only there was some way to eat my favorite cheesy meal from home…. But there is! The solution for an easy, inexpensive but mouthwatering meal is frozen pizza. Red Baron’s cheese trio brick oven pizza is one I’d recommend. The price of the pizza is about $3 per pie. the pie is the equivalent of a 12 inch pie you would get at your neighborhood pizzeria for only half the price, if not even less. The pizza is suggested to be cooked at a temperature of 450 degrees for around 15-20 minutes, depending on how you want it. After 15 minutes, I pulled the pizza out of the oven and let it cool. I cut the pizza into four individual slices, and the
BLUE LIGHT GLASSES NOT
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cheesy aroma wafted through the room alongside the smell of a fresh batch of baked bread. Next, I proceeded to start the grease test. I grabbed a paper towel and placed it on top of one of the slices and left it there for 30 seconds. Minimal grease soaked through the napkin, indicating that the cheese is high quality. Finally, I was able to take a bite. The cheese from the pizza melted in my mouth and the sauce was like taking a sneaky sip from your grandma’s pasta sauce. The crust was a bit crunchy and tasted like school lunch cheesy dippers. After considering all of the factors, I made a decision. Red Baron’s Cheese Trio pizza is most definitely a good buy. The taste and smell of the pizza was superior to that of an ordinary slice from Dominos and it’s half the price.
by Aiden Witkopf
Durable
Strong working lenses and blocks blue light efficiently
AOMASTE Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Fragile and lenses break easily
Lenses do a poor job of blocking blue light
April 2021 $19-$20 for two pairs
GREASE TEST TASTE CRUNCH
Blue Light in the Lime Light The Talon puts two brands to the test
FEIYOLD Blue Light Blocking Glasses
by Addie Rae Allen
In the pandemic, school systems have gone to online schooling and E-learning, causing screen time to rise for teens astronomically. According to newsroom.osfhealthcare.org, teens ages 1518 spend an average of seven and a half hours a day on screens. Lots of screen time has resulted in damage to the eyes, and to avoid that many teens have turned to blue light glasses. Blue light glasses use lenses that limit the amount of exposure of blue light to the eyes. Blue light can be found within computers, phones, tablets, and even the sun. Some of the claimed benefits of blue light glasses are how they can relieve eye discomfort and reduce the risk of AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration).
However, while there is no scientific proof that blue light blocking glasses are effective, there has been positive feedback on Amazon. After ordering one pair for $15.97 and wearing them to school for two weeks, the AOMASTE lenses were weak and not very durable. Although they broke within the two week of trial period, they looked good and coordinated with most outfits. Despite their stylish nature, the glasses are overpriced for such poor quality. 2/5 stars For $19.98, you can get two pairs of the FEIYOLD Blue Light Blocking Glasses on Amazon. These glasses are still durable after two weeks of wearing them. They have strong lenses and block out blue light very well. The frames come in many color options and are pretty good looking. They are cheap and give you your money’s worth. 4.5/5 stars
The Talon 15$ for one pair
6 • Centerspread
COVID-19 & Substitute Shortage
District-wide substitute shortage exacerbated by pandemic, causes teachers to lose planning time to fill in for their colleagues
A
by Zaria Drakeford
Teacher absences causing substitute shortage
shortage of substitute teachers, both in time, or not charging teachers for needing a sub after quantity and quality, is impacting educa- a teacher has acted as a sub for a colleague is not an tion throughout the U.S. With the spread option. While outside subs are paid, teachers are not of COVID-19, a previously existing short- compensated or given comp time for losing planning age has been exacerbated due to more teachers hav- time. The Brookings Institute administered surveys ing to be absent for the school day. “All school employees have a line in their contract to teachers and substitutes for the 2017According to an estimate drawn from a sample that reads ‘and other duties as assigned,” said Mr. 2018 school year of large U.S. metr o p o l i t a n Johns. Covering for a colleague who has to be out districts, on ave r a g e , would be one of those duties. On average, teachers miss 11 days “While I do have the ability to compensate teachteachers in the out of a 186d a y ers with time, doing that would take away classroom sample district s c h o o l y e a . instructional resources that our students need. I do were absent for Multiply that not feel it is responsible to take these resources away about 11.8 days, or by four, t h e from our students. 6.6% of the time. number o f “In a broader context S.C. is a ‘right to work state’, t e a c h e r s which means employees have a right to work as each Fort M i l l much as needed or desired without being penalized 11.8 , high schoole r s and restricted by a union,” he added. 10.9 learn from e a c h However, article 9 of the S.C. Teacher Bill of Rights day means that each stu- reads teachers should have “an unencumbered daily dent spends a month and a half of planning time, equal to no less of one quarter of their . the school year with substitute teachers. assigned instructional time, free from meetings, duHowever, the school district is low on substitute ties, or requirements incompatible with the effective teachers, causing administration and department planning of instruction.” The bill is still waiting a fi, chairs to ask teachers to cover during their planning nal vote for approval by the legislature. ... period for classrooms Shari Hartley, that don’t have sub...teachers have reported receiving who manages the with permanent with teacher during stitutes. The problem? information on subteachers about their planning Teachers lose their planemails instructing them to stitutes at the Dis37% of the period about 35% ning, which gives them trict Office, says the time of the time less time to prepare, orcommunicate with their emergency district is working ganize, and grade. to recruit more subThis year, COVID-19 in-house colleagues to act as subs stitute teachers. 37% 35% has seriously impacted “There has been the teachers, whether because there were no outside a substitute shortquarantined for their age, however the with a school and other forms of own illness or exposure, substitutes for their classes at times. substitute pay has administrator or that of their children. coverage took place increased recently, “We have had 1,043 teacher absences to date,” and we have been able to secure more subs,” she about 12% of the for the remaining said Principal Jason Johns on Mar. 6. “This number said. “Each month, we’ve been able to on board new time 16% of the time is not an accurate representation of substitutes in the subs. As you can imagine, with the number of illbuilding because it includes office staff and absences nesses and unanticipated quarantines across the in which the teacher did not request a sub.” 12% 16% district, it is still often difficult to cover all absences District-wide 169 teachers were out on March 30, sometimes.” leading to 29 teachers without substitute coverFort Mill schools are managing to find coverage. Nation Ford did not have coverage age within their ranks, but it’s hard on www.brookings.edu for five teachers that day, which already-stressed teachers who must means faculty and staff had to now also spend time sanitizing fill in. ISS has been closed on and reworking lessons to al- classrooms. On Nov. 10 the school was averaging 11occasion, administrators will 16 uncovered teachers a day. low for social distancing. sometimes step in, but freSenior Nyasia Hatchell explained that having a “We have had a positive quently teachers are asked year with our sub pool substitute teacher makes learning a little more chalto cover for each other on here at Nation Ford,” said lenging. planning time. “I feel as though I don’t learn as well when having Dana Gibson, Principal English Department Jason John’s assistant who a substitute because I can’t ask them any questions I Chair, Rick Solt believes coordinates information might have just because most of the time they don’t the situation can and related to subs for Nation know what we as a class are working on or what should be resolved. we’re learning about,” she said. “Also when there is Ford. “Filling in for another High School 101 teacher a substitute, a lot of busy work is given, and I’m not teacher affects my ability to and wrestling coach Anthony actually learning anything that can help me prepare get things done tremendousfor the next Forte has ly,” he said, “especially where lesson.” missed seven With COVID-19 still there is little or no notice of coverage As of Mar. days this year. needed, and I’m counting on having that “I haven’t been in continuously spreading, teachers may 1, substitute planning time to not only grade, communicate with the situation where I couldn’t teacher Dave parents, post online content, make copies, collabo- get a sub to cover for me,” he Esper has be covering other teachers due to rate, etc., but also to adequately plan and prepare for said. “It is my understanding substituted that day’s instructions/students.” 44 times this that you try to get someone in colleagues being ill Losing valuable time isn’t the only issue when it your department to cover or year, however, comes to teachers stepping in to sub for colleagues. split up the classes between he said that he and having to quarantine. Some teachers may have serious health problems or team members – we did that a is completely may be older, putting them at higher risk of catching couple days for one of our HS comfortable the virus. Vaccines can’t protect 100%. 101 teachers during the first semester when he had with substituting despite of the pandemic and un“I’m certainly not happy about being exposed to a to leave town for a family emergency.” vaccinated students. new group of kids while filling in for another teach“I’m not worried about it. It doesn’t really bother However, other teachers have reported receiver,” Mr. Solt said. “It could be an unanticipated occu- ing emails instructing them to communicate with me that much because I take precautions, and I just pational hazard and could make contact tracing even their emergency in-house colleagues to act as subs recently got my first vaccine shot,” he said. more challenging, too.” With vaccinations becoming available, there is because there were no outside substitutes for their Although many teachers say they would appreci- classes at times. hope that the impact of the substitute teacher shortate being compensated for missing a portion of their On Nov. 13, ISS was closed because there were age may ease, but until the pool of subs is large planning period, the district does not do that. Comp seven teachers who still needed coverage for their enough, coverage issues will continue.
6.6%
Of the teacher absences per year an average of days were covered by a substitute teacher
When an absence was not covered by a substitute students were split up into other classrooms
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April 2021
Centerspread • 7
Contract Tracing Takes Team Approach
Nation Ford Attempts To Identify Numerous Close Contact Students by Carly Jacobson Due to all the hard work of the nurses at Nation Ford, students have been able to stay in school this year. Nurse Annin and the rest of the contact tracing team have been able to keep students safe through contact tracing. According to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, contact tracing is “ a disease control measure utilized by public health officials worldwide for many decades . . . for preventing further spread of communicable disease within a community.” At NAFO, students who have tested positive for Covid-19 are asked to complete a form from the contact tracing team. This form gathers the names of people the infected student was within six feet of for 15 minutes or more, with or without a mask. NAFO has had a total of 43 cases and 674 students and staff quarantined this school year as of March 3. “We have a team here in school,” said Annin. “We just all work together, and we go off the CDC and DHEC guidelines on how to set up the contact tracing.” The process can be intense for students. “When I was first pulled out of class I was scared that I would have Covid-19,” said freshman Dhanvi Gude “ Once I knew I was negative, I was very glad the contact
tracing team was proactive so I couldn’t have spread it to all my friends.” The contact tracing team tries to give students peace of mind that they are safe at school. The contact tracing team has “been amazing, everyone has pitched in, and now it’s down to a science,” said Assistant Principal Pam Pittman from the
Contact Tracing team. At press time, however, Nation Ford has far more students in quarantine than any school in the district, according to the district COVID-19 dashboard. “It’s important to continue to keep your hands washed, and out of your face, and continue wearing a mask,” Nurse Annin explains.
COVID-19 Affects Extracurriculars by Addie Rae Allen On Wednesdays, Fridays, and every other Saturday, Emma Bennett (‘23) gets home around 4:15, eats a quick meal, and goes straight to work at Whit’s Frozen Custard. “My shift is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. [on weekdays], so I usually get home around 10 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.,” Emma explains. “If it is a virtual day, sometimes I work at three rather than five and close. I desperately try to get work done when I get home. Those days suck because then I’m really tired, but I still have to do more work.” In addition to work, Emma’s Tuesdays are occupied with acting classes, and Thursdays with voice lessons. Last year, Emma was in the school’s production of Cinderella, which took more time out of her schedule. “When Cinderella was going on, you were there after school until 6 or 7 p.m.,” Emma remembers. “When it was closer to our show, we would be there until 10 p.m., just desperately trying to get our homework done.” Emma is not alone in her balancing act between extracurriculars and school. When asked to assign a number between one and five to their weekly stress level, 75% of students participating in extracurriculars reported either a four or five. “Some shifts can be super crazy, then you have to go home and start homework,” says a survey response. “Most days I feel like I need more hours in the day to do other things rather than go to school then work. It seems like a never ending cycle.” Emma agrees. “Mentally, there’s too much on my plate, and too many things I’m worried about, stressed about, anxious about. I’m being pulled in too many directions, which then obviously leads to burnout. I’m just tired all of the time.” On Feb. 22, the Fort Mill School District announced that high schools would return five days a week on March 15. For many students, this announcement raised concern. “I don’t feel safe going back five days a week,” Miné Karatas (‘22) says. Mine works at Starbucks and plays midfield and forward on the school soccer team. “I am already prone to exposure at work and
April 2021
soccer, so going five days is going to be hard.” “I worked on my virtual days after school,” Mine explained. “I had to change and coordinate my schedule around the new model.” To some, the answer may seem simple - cancel or quit. School is a priority -- students hear it all the time. However, Emma explains that it’s not that easy. “With extracurriculars, I’ve made this commitment, and my parents are paying for it,” she says. “I can’t cancel things because I feel like it. People are going to be disappointed in me if I don’t go.” It’s not as if students don’t desire a break, or at
least a more manageable schedule. “I really wish I could cancel,” Emma says. “A lot of times I have too much homework. Every Tuesday when I have acting class, I think I could be doing something else productive, like getting some sleep in or doing some work.” The fact that Emma lists “getting sleep in” as something productive is not shocking -- 63.4% of students say they often or occasionally use caffeine (or something equivalent) to stay up later to do homework. Staying up late is well documented among the student body. “I have to stay up later now that we are returning,” says a student in response to a survey. “I will be more occupied, and I will probably go to sleep late at night,” says another. However, for a lot of students, it seems like the only option to be able to finish work for school. “Finding the time to complete hours of homework after working six hours after school almost every day is really hard,” one student responded in the survey. Of course, stress is not foreign to the teenage experience. The teenage brain experiences a change in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity, which causes an increase in stress-induced hormonal responses, according to Dr. Russel D. Romeo of Barnard College. “Given that the brain continues to mature during adolescence, it’s possible that the adolescent brain may be more vulnerable to stressors,” Dr. Romeo says. This potential increase in stress for teeangers in general, and especially now with the pandemic, could be addressed by the school, students say. “Teachers have to understand that students have a lot going on with all of their classes combined, and with the pandemic,” Karatas says. “I personally feel that teachers should encourage distress activities and time for students to have to themselves.” Teachers are not the only ones who can help relieve the situation. “The same goes for students to teachers,” Karatas states. “Teachers have a lot on their plates, so we can’t put our expectations too high on things like getting grades in.” If the faculty has learned anything this school year, it is to be flexible and patient. “If we all give each other the space, time, and encouragement that we need, the world and NAFO itself will be a better place,” Karatas says.
The Talon
8 • Sports
Pay To (Not) Play
No Refunds: Pandemic Impacts Student Athletes, Family Expenses
by Grace Asaad After Nation Ford shut down because of COVID-19 in mid-March of 2020, many student athletes were unable to complete their season, yet the fees students paid to play were not refunded. Fall athletes whose seasons were cut short due to quarantine also paid the fees, which amounted to $92,650 across the entire Fort Mill School District for the fall 2020 season and averaged to $30,883 per high school, according to the Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Operations Leanne Lordo. Some students who qualify for free or reduced lunches also have to pay the athletes fee if they wish to play any sport. Alhough, some scholarships are available for students who may not be able to afford to pay the athletic fee. The $100 middle and high school athletes fee pay in Fort Mill schools is collected “to help offset the cost of the athletic programs to the district which are traveling (buses and drivers), coaches stipends, and any other expense for athletics that falls on the District Office to pay,” explained Nation Ford Athletics Director James Shackleford. A few school sports, including soccer and lacrosse, were able to play some games, while golf, tennis, baseball, and softball were scrimmaged. Certain sports were able to play pre-season games, matches, or meets, but were unable to do much since the start of COVID-19. The pandemic presented a problem with no easy solution: how do school sports continue when medical experts say athletes must stay distant from one another? At first the solution was clear -- sporting events, practices, and team meets were cancelled to stop the spread of a deadly coronavirus, but as the
virus spread and still showed little sign of slowing, school officials searched for a way students could have sport meets while still following The Centers for Disease Control guidelines about youth sports. The CDC has not updated their recommendations for student athletes since December 2020, but the organization recommends that all sporting events still being held should be outside, and the athletes should be vaccinated (if possible) and wear a mask. Sports are currently in full swing with occasional shutdowns due to quarantine. Sports like cheerleading and boys basketball have already had to quarantine for 14 days. Though in Spring 2020 most athletes were never able to play a game or participate in sporting events, they were still required to pay the $100 athlete fee, and the Fort Mill School District has set this price as a precedent for all student athletes (though no transportation was involved). Students who paid this fee and did not participate in sporting events were never refunded the money. The coaching salaries are directly funded from the $100 athletic fee and the district was determined to fulfill their commitment to the coaches and provide them with their full salary. For each sport, the coaching salary is different, but the district spends approximately $158,500 on coaches, assistant coaches, and trainers. The district made a commitment to continue paying salaries for all employees, even as they perform their duties remotely. Included in these employees are coaches of athletic programs. In the Summer of 2020, the school district released a statement saying, “Coaches have continued working during this closure. They have stayed in contact with athletes, provided at home workouts and train-
ing plans, and have prepared the programs for next year including planning and season scheduling.” Some coaches kept in touch with their athletes by hosting zoom calls and providing a list of workouts that they were able to do at home. However, some student athletes reported very little instruction from coaches at that time. When one student athlete was asked about the kind of workouts provided by the coaches last spring, he said, “My coach just told us to to stay active.” Another student athlete, Kaiden Bridges (‘22) plays on the varsity girls soccer team. “I believe that the coaches did well in the aspect that they still kept in touch with us and did everything in their power to keep us in the mindset of playing soccer even in the middle of the pandemic,” she said. Student athletes who paid the $100 fee last year continued to pay the fee again this year, in spite of the pandemic’s effect on their sport’s season. Additionally, some students play more than one sport, and many families have more than one child involved in athletics. “I wish it was a one time fee instead of $100 per sport. It can deter some athletes from participating in multiple sports simply because they cannot afford to pay the fee,” Coach Shackleford said. “I believe every student should have the opportunity to play every sport and a fee should not stand in the way.” The Fort Mill School District has not lowered the price nor refunded the student athletes who paid the fee. Later in their statement, the district said coaches played an important role in returning a sense of normalcy for the student athletes.
‘Ghost Games’ With No Fans Impact Athlete Performance From loud, ear-splitting stadiums to pin-dropping silence. The absence of fans this past year has been an unusual transition. Most athletes accustomed to the roaring fans say they get them fueled and going. Competing in an empty, cavernous stadium can be tough for players, but quarentining has become a concept in the day to day life of an athlete. Currently, the majority of sports teams quarantine and travel together, with no interaction with the outside world until after their games. This way they keep Covid-19 from spreading and infecting not only the team and coaches, but also their families. The feeling of isolation and low adrenalin is real, and sports leagues understand that. The stadium for the 2021 Super Bowl wasn’t filled with people -- cardboard cutouts of dogs and fake fans sat in the stands to imitate a big crowd. The speakers were used to mimic the sound of fans roaring. Ghost games have a significant effect on Falcon athletes as well. Nation Ford athletics have been weathering a unique year of events, cancelations, quarantine periods, and a loss of crowd excitement. Nation Ford sports continue to set a limitation on how many fans can attend games.
The Talon
by Mine Kaaratas Tickets are sold online prior to the events to keep track of how many fans go to the games. Sports earn a lot of profit from fans in stadiums. Like the NBA and Major League Baseball, professional sports have been losing revenue without fans. The revenue shortfall, league-wide, is close to $3 billion, according to Sportsnaut. Nation Ford sports gain money from the fans in stadiums and concessions to be able to go on trips, buy uniforms, etc, and afford transportation and equipment. For many teams, it’s hard to get back from the loss of revenue. Nation Ford sports are doing fundraisers to raise back the money that they did not gain during the pandemic. There are a lot of questions still about when it’s safe to have fans in stadiums, when it’s safe for players to travel across the country, and when things can go back to normal. As Nation Ford transitioned back into a 5 day school week, Covid protocols stayed in place for sports. It’s hard to predict as the pandemic strengthens across the world. Nation Ford’s stadium used to be full of students and parents, cheering players on. This past season, football had a minimum amount of fan entrees, and masks were required. The energy level was not the same, and this has had
an effect on the players. Social distancing was needed, though, social distancing was not enforced. Many sports have lost their seasons due to Covid outbreaks from another team, or long periods of quarantine due to exposure. A couple of players have been interviewed from the soccer team as their season begins. A player, Kaiden Bridges (‘22), on Varsity Women’s Soccer was asked how she was affected by Ghost games? “I definitely feel that it makes the gameplay different because as a player I enjoy having fans in the stands. It adds an element of excitement almost, because you hear the crowds cheering.” Kaiden shares her feelings towards ghost games and how it has changed the outlook on the game. Kaiden was also asked what some of the protocols the team takes regarding Covid-19? “Basically we have to separate our bags at practice... during games we have to sit 3 to a bench.” Kaiden explains, “If someone does test positive on our team, we’re able to adhere to Covid protocols correctly and make sure our whole team doesn’t get quarantined. We also have to wear masks during practice.” The girs’ soccer team, along with other teams, are required to follow Covid-19 protocols during their season.
Dribbling down the field, Catawba Ridge’s Emma Sexton (‘21) blows past the Falcons at Catawba for the win on Feb. 23. The final score was 4-0 Catawba.
Varsity Soccer Teams To Play Boiling Springs by Sara Pipa
The boy’s Varsity Soccer team takes on Boiling Springs head-to-head at home on April 23rd and pulled out a victory (3-1), while the girls traveled to Spartanburg that night winning as well (3-0). Boys are now scheduled to battle Gaffney on April 26 away while girls take on Gaffney at home. The boys’ team has overcome many obstacles this season but have still managed an overall score of nine and six. “We do feel like we have more depth and that will put us over the top for the match,” says Coach Kenny Halas. According to Coach Halas, team members do not wear masks while playing, but players are required to on bus rides and in locker rooms. After some early controversy, there are now two separate
buses, one for Junior Varsity and one for Varsity will take players to and from away games to practice social distancing. Fans are also allowed to attend games as long as they are six feet apart. Coach Halas has watched the boys grow as a team. “We expect a very low scoring game and the battle in the midfield will be exceptional. Both teams have some really good players in the midfield,” he says. This year’s girls’ Varsity soccer team has had an outstanding season despite the Covid-19 pandemic. The team is ten and three overall and have placed 2nd in the AAAAA Region 3 league. The girls have had zero quarantines this season, unlike the boys, who had a twoweek quarantine mid-season.
November 2020
Directing The Future
Sports•9
Assistant Band Director James Woody Teaches, Inspires Students by Elise Papke
At 5:45 a.m. James Woody wakes his kids and gets them ready for daycare. He lets out Jessie, the family dog, and makes sure everyone gets breakfast. He and his wife Catherine work as a team, each taking turns watching their two-year-old son and one-yearold daughter as the other gets ready. When everyone is ready for the day, he drops his kids off at daycare, and drives to Nation Ford, to direct the Nation Ford High School Marching Band, one of the best bands in the nation. Mr. Woody has been the assistant band director at Nation Ford for two years. “I got my first director position at Andrew Jackson High School,” he said. “I taught there for five years until Nation Ford split, creating Catawba Ridge. I applied for the position and was hired in 2018.” But, you can’t become the assistant band director of a well-known band without some experience yourself. “I first learned about Drum Corps in the summer before my 9th grade year. I had already marched in the marching band for two years as a 7th and 8th grader,” Mr.Woody remembered. His enthusiasm for music began in the fourth and fifth grade. “I remember making my own ‘soundtracks’ in my head whenever I was playing outside,” he said. “I also remember paying more attention to the music in a movie than anything else.” As Mr. Woody gravitated towards music more and more, his family encouraged his interest. “My mom was definitely my biggest supporter,” he said. “My mom and her brother helped foster my love for music further in fifth grade when they gave me their trumpets.“My Uncle had a nicer professional level trumpet that he gave to me later when he saw that I had taken a serious interest in it.” Mr. Woody’s love for music only grew as he moved to middle school. “My band director taught at both the middle school and high school and was the one who offered to take a group down to Columbia, SC to see a Drum Corps International show,” he said. “He tried to explain what we were going to see, but words didn’t do it justice. We got to sit close to the field and all I remember was a stimulus overload. The volume, power and precision was something that was heavily imprinted in my mind. Three of us who went to see the show fell in love with it.” The trio auditioned together for Carolina Crown in November 2002. Carolina Crown, a Drum Corps
International group founded in Charlotte, NC, has guided Mr. Woody through many aspects of his life, and even brought him to Nation Ford. “My first memory of the first rehearsal was the staff being relentlessly strict,” he said. “They spent over an hour making us line up cases so that they were perfectly uniform.” He later realized the staff was teaching him one of the most important lessons he would learn: seeing what could be accomplished when focusing on the details. His individual audition was easy, and he was given a spot playing mellophone. “The hardest part was getting accustomed to the extremely high standard that they were always asking for,” he said. Mr. Woody realized he had challenged himself more than others, and through Carolina Crown he had learned lessons that would last him a lifetime. “I learned how to make and maintain relationships with others,” he said. “To this day I still maintain a great deal of relationships with those who I met in Carolina Crown.” “I started teaching as a band staff member when the school originally opened. I met Mr. [Ray] Linkous when I was a member of Carolina Crown and got to know him further when teaching together at Carolina Crown While they practice the piece First Suite in Eb in preparation for an upcoming concert, and Nation Ford. I helped teach at Assistant Band Director James Woody conducts this year’s top band on March 15. Nation Ford after I graduated with my Photo by Elise Papke bachelor’s up until I finished my master’s in 2014.” “ In the beginning it was a blessing ter and my family is everything to me. Though this wasn’t his original because it gave me more time to be I do plan to stay with NAFO. Howevdream, Mr. Woody still enjoys what he with my newborn daughter and my er, one thing I have learned in life is does. then two-year-old son. Teaching band that it is unpredictable, and it’s hard to “ I honestly had no plans to be a is a large commitment in terms of time, know exactly what the future holds.” band director,” he admits. “My first de- and having that extra time to be with Linkous believes the future will be gree was in trumpet performance and my family was definitely a positive.” bright. my plan was to make a career in play“I hope Mr. Woody’s future path B u t ing. I feel t e a c h i n g finds him continuing to feel great joy very blessed a band is in teaching music to young people and “You get out of it what you that I get to d i f f i c u l t that his path is full of success and perteach someput into it. This can be applied to when stu- sonal growth,” he said. “He is one of thing I have dents can’t the most fantastic people I have had anything in life.” such a great practice as the privilege to know, and I am expassion for.” tremely grateful that I not only get to a group. -Band Director James Woody Band di“ T h e work with him, but also that I can call rector Ray very na- him a dear friend.” Linkous has Mr. Woody has high hopes for his ture of known Mr. Woody for 15 years. what we do requires us to be togeth- students. “I’ve had the unique perspective to er,” Mr. Woody explained. “However, “I see them living successful lives see Mr. Woody transform from a col- because the band is used to hard work doing what truly makes them happy,” lege student musician into a successful and adversity even in a normal season, he says. “I hope that band serves as a colleague and fellow music educator,” the band was able to overcome the cornerstone in their life that provided said Linkous. “Mr. Woody is a fantas- many challenges we faced and come valuable lessons and lifelong friendtic musician and one of the best mu- out of it with great success.” ships.” sic teachers in our state. He is a team The band’s motto is “The best we Beyond all the current struggles, Mr. player and a person who strives to lead Woody looks forward to the future. can be”, and Mr. Woody teaches his the students he teaches to be as knowl“My plans are to move into the new students the importance of working edgeable and successful as possible.” house our family is building and have hard and striving for excellence. The struggles with COVID-19 have fun raising my amazing kids with my “You get out of it what you put into impacted Mr. Woody’s life differently amazing wife,” he said. “Having kids it,” Mr. Woody says. “This can be apthan most. has totally changed my life for the bet- plied to anything in life.”
Skateboarding Sport Offers Mental, Physical Health Benefits by John Frick
November 2020
Crashing. Plummeting. Getting back up. A routine of skateboarding can be more than thrilling -- it can be therapeutic. Just ask any skater. “Skateboarding is an outlet that helps us all -- it is an artform that goes unnoticed. It is a way to escape for all who do it,” said Joshua Brown (‘22). Skateboarding is a stellar source of cardiovascular exercise, Michele Olson, Ph.D., a professor of exercise science at Auburn University in Alabama. The sport strengthens the heart, along with legs, while the skaters have fun at the same time. Though skateboarding is popular, many teens do
not have a proper place to skateboard and are forced to skate in their neighborhoods and on benches. While there are 85,000,000 skateboarders worldwide, according to skateboardershq.com, not every skater has a place fit for skating. Fort Mill has no skate parks, and the closest is in Waxhaw, which is about 23 minutes from Nation Ford. “I like how you fall constantly because you always get back up and try again,” said Hanson Nyugen (‘23). Students who skate are pushing through
Continued page 12 The Talon
10• opinion
SC Ignores COVID-19: Big Mistake
Discarded A/B hybrid schedule forces students back to school every day causing increase in quarantines and absences
by Alyssa Martin Shields up. Masks on. Students have diligently followed safety precautions on the hybrid schedule, but very limited social distancing is now what Nation Ford students must cope with after coming back to classes five days a week. Nation Ford clearly is not ready for five days a week as they have 12 times the quarantines more than Fort Mill High last week, according to the Fort Mill School District COVID-9 Dashboard. When the South Carolina and then Fort Mill announced on Feb. 22 that students will be attending classes five days a week, face-to-face, the situation sounded intimidating to many who are still not happy about this decision. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the chief medical advisor to the president, continues to warn against lifting COVID-19 measures. Despite this, Repulican-led states, including South Carolina, push on, removing precautions. Neither teachers nor students could be offered the COVID-19 vaccine and students when the state demanded schools hold fiveday-a-week classes. Until all students can get the vaccine, which will not be until next school year for those under 16, the impossibility of social distancing puts families and students at risk, disregards the mental health of students, and ruins an A/B day routine everyone had become accustomed to. The biggest fear for many is contracting COVID-19 and potentially spreading the virus, but the spectre of quarantines looms large. This detrimental situation could happen easily due to teachers and students not wearing their masks properly and crowding in closed spaces, such as hallways and the Commons, and variants on the rise. Students already felt the loss of traditions such as dances and pep rallies but the disappointments might continue to get worse now that everyone has returned. Even though a scaled-down
prom is planned, it could very well never happen. Students must wear masks for the greater good, and should follow social distancing guidelines, but how are we supposed to socially distance when they will be in computer labs, packed like sardines with students merely inches apart. Measures are being taken to try to include more students safely, but there is only so much the school can do with limited space. “We will be adding 10-15 more tables at lunch. It will not look normal, but it will look better than what it is now,” Principal Jason Johns said. However, some tables are empty while others are crowded with stu-
The Talon Staff Editor-In-Chief: Zaria Drakeford Section Editors: Addie Rae Allen Grace Asaad Mine Karatas Sara Pipa
Staff: Amaris Arroyave Rian Donahue Destiny Drafton Iyuna Drafton John Frick
ad manager: Alyssa Martin
Carly Jacobson
Adviser: Beth Swann
Elise Papke
Maddox Oxendine
Tatum Robbins Aiden Witkopf
Nation Ford High School 803-835-0000 1400 A.O. Jones Blvd. Fort Mill, SC 29715
dents sitting closer than recommended – with no masks on while they eat. Principal Johns also stated that the plexiglass on students desks will remain. The shields help some, but make it harder to communicate when students are called on in class. It is also difficult to see the board with the resulting glare and distortion. In addition, with a higher likelihood of students getting sick, the situation could result in the school closing, which then would lead to the highly anticipated social events being taken away from seniors, again. Like many of her colleagues, history teacher Jennifer Mummert is opposed to changing A/B day. “Why fix something that isn’t broken?” she says “The
A/B day schedule has been working well, so why is it getting changed now?” Mrs. Mummert makes a great point. Students and teachers have been used to the constant routine of A/B day, and more than halfway through the year, and the change has drastically affected everyone. As of April 19, 1,002 students have been quarantined at Nation Ford, and clearly the rush to return to school was not a positive move. This decision by the South Carolina state legislature should have been more carefully considered regarding the way it could affect our community. The opinions of students should be valued in decisions that affect our dayto-day lives.
The Talon Policy
The Talon provides students with an opportunity to research and write informative articles related to Nation Ford High School or topics students find interesting. The paper’s objective is to notify the school community of the news in a timely and informative manner and to entertain them through articles and columns. The staff encourages letters to the editor. Nation Ford High School students, staff members, and the public can express their opinions and reactions to the articles in The Talon. Letters should be signed and should not exceed 150 words. Letters submitted may be published in the paper at the discretion of The Talon staff and will be edited for accuracy, length, and grammar, as well as offensive or inappropriate content. The staff may permanently keep all unpublished letters for reference or guidance for future writing. All submissions should be submitted to Mrs. Swann, room D111, or via email to swanne@fortmillschools.org. Please keep in mind that opinions voiced in the articles and personal columns are not those of the Nation Ford High School newspaper staff or Nation Ford High School’s administration, faculty, or staff; opinions are solely those of the author who submitted the article. All-State & All-Southern 2021 International 1st Place by Quill and Scroll Society 2015, 2016. 2019
Cover art by Zaria Drakeford
The Talon
April 2021
opinion • 11
Vaccines Critical
All eligible students should be vaccinated against COVID-19 Staff Editorial When the wait for a COVID-19 vaccine finally came to an end with the Dec. 11 announcement that the Pfizer vaccine was available for the general public, normalcy seemed to be on the horizon; those ready to complete two doses could imagine going to school, eating at a restaurant, and going to work -- completely unrestricted. It would be a literal breath of fresh air. However, just when people began to line up at vaccination centers, others began to voice their naive opposition to receiving the vaccine. As of April 20, more than 26% of York County’s population has been vaccinated. In addition, 4,111 vaccinated York County residents are ages 16-24, but many high school students are hoping for an increase of teenage vaccination rates now that all Americans 16 and up may be vaccinated. Many share Dykes’ train of thought, but the issue runs much deeper than people simply not wanting to get the vaccine. The reason why people refuse to show up to their local vaccination centers is because of the heavy politicization of the pandemic and the consequent spread of misinformation -- and even purposeful disinformation. While it is important to advocate for efficient medicine, opposing vaccines feels fruitless when trials and scientists have endorsed them. If a vaccine works, why would people continue
olina, many students remain hopeful that their peers will choose to be vaccinated. “A lot of Southern people have strong opinions about vaccines and the government,” Dykes says, “but their children are learning differently.” High schoolers can decide for themselves to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as they are protected by Article Three, Section 63-5-310 of South Carolina law, which states, “Any minor who has reached the age of sixteen years may consent to any health services from a person authorized by law to render the particular health service for himself and the consent of no other person shall be necessary unless such involves an operation which shall be performed only if such is essential to the health or life of such child in the opinion of the performing physician and a consultant physician if one is available.” Tragically, America’s ignorant, anti-vax past has steadily bled into the present. However, the announcement that teens over 16 can now receive the Pfizer vaccination raises the question, “Can we change the future?” It is in high schoolers’ hands to educate themselves on the matter using reliable sources and critically analyze the media they consume about vaccines. To live safely with eased restrictions -- to finally approach the horizon of what was once normalcy -- all students must be vaccinated. –ARA
to speak against it? Anti-vaxxers have many articles explaining the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, includmade their case clear. The anti-vax movement has exist- ing one titled “Ensuring COVID-19 ed for as long as vaccines have, but Vaccines Work.” Readers can click on the idea surged in popularity in 1998; headers where they explore the safety during this year, Andrew Wakefield, of the vaccine -- understanding this is a British physician, published a study essential to the digression of the panin The Lancet. This is the same pub- demic. Especially with new strains of the vilication that criticized the efficacy of rus, the CDC still recommends getting the smallpox vaccine, which became vaccinated. a part of rouThe more tine immuni“Any minor ... the age of 16 virulent the zation until B.1.1.7. vari1972 when years may consent to any health ant is now it proved so affecting successful high school that smallpox services ...for himself and the and college was eradicatstudents, ed in the U.S. who previconsent of no other person shall Wakefield ously had concluded less severe that vaccines be necessary ...” symptoms. can cause “Current conditions data suggest that COVID-19 vaccines such as autism spectrum disorder used in the United States should work (ASD), but he was expelled from the against these variants,” the CDC’s offimedical registry for his fraudulent and cial statement reads. “For this reason, ableist speculations. Despite the retraction of his work, COVID-19 vaccines are an essential tool some people still firmly believe that to protect people against COVID-19, Wakefield’s experiment is credible. including against new variants.” Pfizer recently released a vaccinaAny reverence for Wakefield’s flawed tion guide to those 16 and up via the study should not be entertained by auCDC, the purpose being to “reduce thoritative figures. morbidity and mortality from coronaOf course, this is not the case. To virus disease 2019.” Despite vaccine combat false claims, the Center for hesitancy in red states like South CarDisease Control (CDC) has published
MENTAL HEALTH
IN TEENS
Stressed Students Require Mental Health Days By Elise Papke
by Elise Papke member is severely ill or passed, or Imagine waking up in the morning, they have a scheduled doctor or dentist and your head spins. Your hands be- appointment. But they can’t stay home gin to shake, and your body trembles. when they are emotionally breaking Your breathing is quick and short, down? Mental health affects how you your stomach ties itself in knots, and learn more than anything else, which all you can do is sink to the floor and is why it’s important to treat mental hope it will all pass in time for you to health as a major part of students’ lives. According to the Association of Chilgo to school. You are experiencing a dren’s Mental Health, students with panic attack. mental health disMental health orders may have affects how we Not all students trouble starting or think, feel, and finishing school act. Stress can come to school smiling work. This causes build up and take them to be overly a negative toll on and ready to learn. stressed, and can your mental and lead to bad mental physical health. And the worst part? Mental break- health days. One thing the ACMH says downs and anxiety/panic attacks can can help students is allowing them to happen to anyone – even students take breaks and de-stress. Over half of without mental health disorders. Stu- students that participated in an anonydents are forced to attend school, even mous survey stated they stayed home when they feel like their world is fall- at least once due to their mental health. If our legal absence days included ing apart. Good mental health allows students mental health days, students overall to work productively and learn. Stu- health and grades would improve. dents don’t have the energy or moti- Excused physical illness days could vation to come to school when they’ve be extended to mental health days as just had a mental breakdown, and well, and students would need to bring sending them to school would only a parent or doctors note the next day. Not all students come to school make it worse. They should not have to go to school when they’re having a smiling and ready to learn. Some are hurting, and feel like they can’t meet bad mental health day. Some feel like they don’t have a certain expectations. On days when choice. “I would have to go to school their mental health is especially bad, even though I wouldn’t be able to get students should be allowed to stay through the day. There are some days home and get it under control, so they that you could not pay me enough to can come back the next day and be able go to school,” said an anonymous Na- to focus on what they’re being taught. The school district needs to stretch the tion Ford student. Currently in the Fort Mill School limitations on excused absences to indistrict, students may only be excused clude mental health days. Some stufrom school if they are sick, a family dents need a break.
April 2021
T E E N S
3 in 7 students that participated in an anonymous survey at Nation Ford High School have been diagnosed with at least one or more mental health disorders.
Mental health disorders are detrimental to a students sleep, diet, physical health, and self-esteem. Generalized anxiety disorder and depression are the most common among the students that participated in the survey.
& M E N T A L H E A L T H by Elise Papke
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
20% Depression
23% 6 Other Disorders
57%
91% 57%
91% of students agree that excused mental health days would benefit individuals 57% of students have missed school at least once due to their mental health, and were marked unexcused.
The Talon
Continued from page 9
Skateboarding Benefits Physical, Mental Health
even when they feel discouraged. The value in skating is more than for channeling emotions and relieving stress while staying healthy, an exciting escape -- it requires perseverance. When skaters fall, they pushing yourself, and having a good time. have no choice but to get up and do better. Through trial and error Exercise causes the body to releases chemicals called endorphins these talented people learn skills over many hours -- and they learn that interact with receptors in the brain, triggering a positive feeling to keep going rather than quitting when it often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, gets tough. known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompa“I feel like skateboarding is Skateboarding can also bring people tonied by a positive and energizing outlook on gether and push them to be better. life -- and that’s exactly what happens when as much of a sport as “I like skateboarding because it’s fun to do skating. with friends because we can push each other Skateboarding usually involves spending a lifestyle...” to do harder tricks,” Varinia Delgado (‘23). time outdoors, which is healthy both mental– Skater Tony Hawk Skateboarding, like other sports, may be ly and physically. more fun with others, but it’s also an excelWell-known skater Tony Hawk is often lent way to learn new skills and spend time alone while having fun. quoted as saying, “I feel like skateboarding is as much of a sport as a Skaters describe the ride as liberating -- they surf the concrete lifestyle, and an art form, so there’s so much that that transcends in while performing tricks that have taken months or even years terms of music, fashion, and entertainment.” to perfect. And more than that – skateboarding may actually good for Skateboarding is obviously a positive for youth and a fun outlet you, too.
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