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http://northridgereporter.wordpress.com/news/ Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

May 19, 2011 • Volume 8, Issue 8

Three schools gone

in brief

Relocation efforts accommodate displaced students anu pandit editor in chief

The tornadoes did more than just damage buildings.

When Alberta Elementary School, University Place Elementary School, and University Place Middle School were demolished in the storm, hundreds of students were left with no place to learn.

Isaac Espy, principal, said that relocation efforts were carried out by the Central Office.

“I feel like the Central Office, as well as the administrators from those schools, are doing a great job in preparing to accommodate these children,” he said.

Dislocated students will finish the school year in temporary locations.

“Alberta Elementary students will feed into Tuscaloosa Magnet School and Skyland Elementary. University Place Elementary students will go to the Stillman Heights Center, and University Middle School students will feed into Westlawn Middle School,” Espy said.

However, hosting students at the Stillman Heights Center was problematic for AP testing.

Jacqueline Hudgins, counselor and AP coordinator, said that taking the tests at a different location was just a slight readjustment.

“I contacted the Director of Admissions at the University of Alabama, and the School of Education graciously allowed us to use their facilities so that we could all test at the same place,” she said.

Brett Snider, senior and AP test taker, said that taking the tests at the University of Alabama was not an inconvenience.

“It was actually pretty nice. The facilities there are much better than those at the Stillman Heights Center,” he said.

Mahtab Monowar, senior and AP test taker, said that it was a good trade off.

“I’m sad that the three schools were destroyed, but it ended up okay. The kids get a place to go to school, and I get to take my tests in a nice place,” he said.

Adrika Venkatanarayanan, senior, said that the thought of our school being demolished was terrible.

“It really would be awful, especially this close to graduation. I feel really bad for all those kids, and I hope everything works out for them later,” she said.

McBride retires after 39 years of teaching naz syed guest writer

After 39 years of teaching, William McBride, AP Composition, AP Literature, and Advanced English 12 teacher, will retire in after the 2011 school year.

McBride is thought to have a “special bond” with the senior class of 2011.

AP Composition and AP Literature student, Beth Lindly, senior, said that seniors of 2011 hold a special place for him.

“We’re Mr. McBride’s last group of seniors, and he always prefers seniors, so I think he has a special bond with us. We’re also his last AP Literature class ever. It feels like it’s a part of Northridge that’s leaving instead of just a teacher,” Lindly said.

Owen Oneal, senior, AP Composition and AP Literature student, and Alex Smith, sophomore, future AP Composition and AP Literature student, said they think McBride’s retiring will have a big impact on the school.

“I think the whole school will miss Mr. McBride. He has the coolest stories ever. He could talk for 1 ½ hours straight, and I’d still be interested in what he was saying,” Oneal said.

“I was really looking forward to having

Mr. McBride because he was the most experienced teacher, and I would learn the most with him. He was the only reason I was going to take the AP English classes,” Smith said. “I’ve heard so many good things about him from the upperclassmen.”

Summer Atkins, senior, AP Composition and AP Literature student, said she feels bad for the other students that haven’t had him.

“He was a very good teacher and definitely will be missed. I feel bad for the people who won’t be able to have him because they’ll be missing out on a legend,” Atkins said.

Clifton Baker, senior, and Lee Tipton, senior, AP Composition and AP Literature students, said that McBride has greatly influenced their lives.

“I never knew what English class was until I had Mr. McBride. He has sparked my passion for literature and shown me what it truly means to be a teacher,” Baker said.

“Some of the best moments of my academic career have taken place in his classroom.”

“I’m really glad I got to take two classes with him during his last year. I had given up on writing until I had his class. Now, he’s inspired me to possibly pursue a career in writing,” Tipton said.

photo by andrew lattner

Seniors bring tents and trucks into the courtyard to camp out on May 12.

Teachers reach out to student tornado victims andrew lattner guest writer

After the storms on April 27, the students were not the only ones reaching out to their peers, the teachers helped too. Every student in the school who was affected, between 120-150, was adopted by a teacher to help them with their needs.

Assistant Principal Andrew Maxey said that the program holds true with the values of the school.

“We are trying to build new relationships and strengthen old ones,” Maxey said.

“We are a school that emphasizes these relationships; it’s part of our core values.

We’re all a big family.”

The teachers help the students with various needs and stay in contact with them, according to Traci Watson, English teacher.

“I helped a lot with calling the students and their families and seeing what their needs were, and then through National Honor Society, I arranged for collections of clothes and other goods to be donated to the victims,” Watson said.

The program will be around for the students until the need is taken care of.

“We will be there for them until they tell us they are fine, through the summer and into the next year,” Maxey said.

Relief Breakdown

Did you.....

Seniors camp in courtyard Volunteer? andrew lattner guest writer

Members of the senior class spent the night in the courtyard on May 12 as a last chance for the class to spend time Donate supplies? together.

Members of the senior class set up hammocks and tents to sleep in and pulled trucks into the courtyard.

Erin Hogue, senior, was one of the seniors who slept out that night.

“I spent my night in the back of a truck. Pick up debris?

My back is really sore,” Hogue said.

Another senior who went, Sivani Reddy, said that it was a nice experience being with all her friends one more time before they graduate.

McBride students “We just hung out and had a lot of fun,” Reddy said. “A lot of the people there 100 students surveyed were working on AP Composition papers designed by kate davis for their portfolios.” compiled by fantasia harris and The seniors who planned it hope that the erin mckinney tradition will be continued, Emily Taylor, senior, said.

The Northridge Reporter would like photo by kate davis photo by andrew lattner “We hope that we started something to thank all students and faculty Seniors show their love for William McBride, English, AP Literature, and AP nice, and the seniors next year will do it,” who are taking part in tornado Composition teacher, by hanging up a banner in his honor on May 12. she said.

relief efforts.

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opinion

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

our thoughts

Community provides relief for victims

I

t is said that every storm cloud comes with a silver lining.

When five tornadoes, all of intensities of at least EF-4, devastated Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas on Wednesday, April 27, we still managed to find that lining.

It came in the form of the huge outpouring of help that victims received, and in some cases, gave to others while they put their own problems aside.

The Northridge Reporter would like to commend the efforts of students and faculty who selflessly gave back to the community; taking part in relief efforts, making donations and opening their homes to those without the things they need.

Tuscaloosa found no shortage of volunteers, both organized and individual. Many from our school helped out. Lauren Curtner-Smith and Julie Potts, freshmen, sorted donated items and loaded trucks in Alberta, one of the hardest hit areas. Bria Woods and Amelia Tooson, sophomores, passed out clothes and prepared food for victims at the Belk Activity Center. Joshuah Hall-Paulk, senior, walked from Rosedale to Alabama Christian Academy (ACA), lifting trees and looking for the bodies of those who didn’t make it through the storm.

Schoolwide drives and personal contributions have lessened the strain on victims, providing everything from monetary donations to canned food to toys. Deja Williams, sophomore, donated both clothes and baby supplies to shelter drop-off locations. Brionna Roshell, junior, brought clothes, food and shoes to Holt High School, a collection center.

For those with no home, there was still a place to stay. Traci Watson, English teacher, opened her home to students who were victims of the tornado. All student victims were “adopted” by a teacher who would look out for them and attend to their needs.

The Northridge Reporter feels that the amount of devastation was surpassed only by the amount of aid, and that our community has truly shown its generosity.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 1, PAGE 7 agree (15) disagree (0) neutral (0)

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Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (205) 759-3734 ext. 235

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Nguyen tells experience during tornado carrie nguyen guest column

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staff opinion

The Northridge

trent clanton

Anu Pandit* Kate Davis Anu Pandit* Kate Davis Trent Clanton* Foster Beck Anu Pandit Kate Davis, Trent Clanton*, Anu Pandit*, Foster Beck Anu Pandit*, Trent Clanton* Trent Clanton* Trent Clanton* Adviser: Susan Newell*

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Editorial Policy: The opinions in The Northridge Reporter are those of the students and not of the faculty or administration of Northridge High School or the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education. It is the policy of The Northridge Reporter to publish all non-obscene, non-libelous, signed letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion expressed in them. All letters must be submitted to Mrs. Newell in room 109. The Northridge Reporter reserves the right to edit letters and verify allegations.

Tuscaloosa City Board Policy: It is the official policy of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, age or creed, be excluded for participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subject to discrimination under any program, activity or employment.

he board of education called my parents to tell them school was closed on April 27t. It was a banal day off from school at the Midtown Village Condominiums.

I was able to sleep in, my mother cooked us a delicious meal, and it was a fairly lazy day in the middle of the school week. My family wasn’t paying attention to the news.

But my manager, Chris Linton, was.

He called my family to leave our condo and get inside Kobe restaurant as soon as possible. His voice was urgent and panicking at the same time.

“Get down here now! There is a tornado coming your way!” and he hung up.

Was the call supposed to scare me? I wasn’t too sure. But I did take my time, and so did the rest of my family.

By the time I got down to Kobe, all of the servers, chefs and busboys were crowding the bar. They weren’t waiting on drinks this time. We were sitting ducks to the tornado headed straight at us.

The TV that sits at the bar shut off and someone let out a small scream.

There were mixed emotions in the group. Some were calm, some were worried about their friends, families, and pets and some were shaking. I was wondering about where in the Japanese streak house and sushi bar we were going to hide.

“To the middle! The middle grills!” Linton shouted.

Everyone watched him now. He was shaking, and next to him was his wife, Ashley, and his 4-year-old daughter, Allie.

We obeyed our manager’s command without hesitation.

“Where are your parents?” he asked me, scared.

I shrugged.

“They’re probably bringing the dogs down or are hiding somewhere else,” I told him.

“NO!” he shouted at me and ran out of the grill room.

I couldn’t sit there, so I started to chase him.

By the time I got to the doors in the back of the

restaurant, my manager was pushing me back and told me to go back into hiding.

I was walking backwards by now, “Wait, where are my parents?” I asked, stupefied.

But he shook his head and pushed me even further. It was useless to resist him, so I rushed back inside the grill room.

People in the room were holding onto each other.

There was plenty of space inside the room, but Chris’s daughter, Allie, caught my attention.

I crawled near Allie and her mother and wrapped my arms around them, protecting mostly Allie.

Chris rushed back to the grill room without my parents. He was whimpering by now, and I could feel his shaky arms as he guarded his wife, daughter, and me with his tiny body.

Then we felt a rumble. Everyone stopped; the still air made me nervous. A cacophony of screeches was slowly creeping up on us.

I listened to the roar of the beastly tornado somewhere above us.

I tightened my arms around Allie.

I wasn’t scared. I was only scared for her. I can die, I’m alright with nguyen that, I thought to myself, just not her.

The roar had surprisingly stopped, and the fire alarms suddenly ran wild.

Cries from children exploded, Allie whispered for her mother’s attention. Unsure, worried voices and questions filled the room.

After a while, the group split up in two. Half of us ran towards the front of the restaurant and opened up the doors to see the dark, cloudy sky. The wind was harsh, going into different directions.

Other than the angry sky, Midtown Village looked perfectly unharmed at first. But we took a quick glance at the ground and found glass shards from other buildings and awnings that had been ripped apart.

“Oh my god, look at that flag,” Lizzuly Galindo, graduate, said as she pointed at the torn American flag in the center of Midtown Village.

Ripped awnings, torn flags and broken windows were just the beginning.

The destruction began right behind the Midtown Village Condominiums. The word “lucky” just doesn’t do our situation justice.

SEE STORY PAGE 7

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

Jazz Band Benefit Concert

entertainment

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Band puts on concert to help with relief efforts jah’meka baxter staff writer

I

n the wake of the tornado that occurred on April 27, the band will perform a benefit concert at the Bama Theatre in Downtown Tuscaloosa on May 19 at 7:00 p.m. with all donations going to those affected.

Some members of the band were affected by the tornado and lost parts of their homes and even family members.

Corey Nevels, freshmen, said that the money raised can help him and others rebuild after the devastation.

“Whatever they give us can be used to help us recover,” he said.

Senitra Crutchfield, junior, said that the idea of having a benefit concert is a great idea.

“That’s one of the greatest things I have heard in a while,” she said.

“I think it will help those people who Although Crutchfield did not lose her are going to live home in the tornado, inside shelters she lost one of her and help them family members and progress,” would give them Jackson said. her portion of the Other students proceeds. who are “I don’t want performing in the to take nothing concert hope that from anybody else they can give joy because I was not to those affected. affected but if I LaGarrius received the money Thomas, choir I would give it to my member, said family,” Crutchfield photo by carrie nguyen that he thinks said.

Band students perform at Barnes & Justin Jackson, Noble on May 6 & 7. The band will the concert can people’s freshmen, said hold a benefit concert on May 19 at keep minds off of their that he thinks that the Bama Theater at 7:00 p.m. situation. the impact of the “You don’t concert will help want people at home pondering with grief, those students without a home.

so getting them to laugh will take their minds of the storm,” Thomas said.

John Cain, band director, said that he is thrilled that Charlie Ford, band director at Enterprise High School, will conduct the band in a song that he made for those students that had died as a result of a tornado that hit their town on March 1, 2007.

“He will bring a certain emotion to the song and have insight on our situation because he was at [Enterprise High School] when their storm hit and he knows what its like to be in the eye of the storm,” Cain said.

Those at Enterprise, including their bands, have started a tornado relief fund to help those in other parts of Alabama heal themselves just like they had to.

University of Alabama professors, Ozzy Molina and Demondrae Thurman, will be performing with the Jazz Band.

Members of the Alabama Blues Project will also be performing.

Fiddler on the Roof benefit show planned Drama sacrifices funds for tornado relief lane russell guest writer

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photo from mct campus

The royal couple leaves Westminster Abbey where the wedding was held on April 29. Prince William married Catherine Middleton (Kate).

The Royal Wedding

Students take different approaches to watch wedding brother hooked up our TV so that we had the channel the Royal Wedding was on,” Watson said.

One student, Lauren Curtner-Smith, freshman, he Royal Wedding took place in London, England, two days after the Tuscaloosa kept close with her British heritage.

“My dad is storms.

British, and Half of we watched Tuscaloosa was the Royal without power, We d d i n g and some of the while we Tuscaloosa Will w a v e d and Kate fans our Union almost couldn’t Jacks,” watch the wedding Curtnerbecause of their Smith said. power and cable Curtnerbeing out.

S m i t h Katie Plott, watched junior, found a the Royal way to watch the We d d i n g royal wedding. on BBC “I didn’t have through her any power, so I went to Lynn photo from mct campus international satellite.

Kyle’s house to Prince William slips the wedding ring on Kate’s finger. “ T h e watch it. The night before we made cookies for firemen to thank power and cable came back on five minutes them for all that they do especially because of the before the procession, and it woke us up in time to watch it,” she said. tornado,” she said.

Julie Potts, freshman, watched the Royal Senior Anna Watson managed to watch the wedding at three in the morning and drank tea wedding at her house.

“We didn’t have any cable, so my and ate scones. lane russell guest writer

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he drama and musical theatre department will present the 10 Tony Award winning musical Fiddler on the Roof on Sunday, May 22 and Monday, May 23.

The dates for the musical were originally set for April 29 and 30, just two days after the storm.

Craig First, sophomore, plays Motel in the musical.

“Fiddler on the Roof is a story about a family of Jewish people who break tradition, and it’s ironic because our ‘family’ of theatre people broke the tradition of doing our show the last week of April,” First said.

The theatre department broke with tradition because of the storms on April 27.

The musical theatre class decided to postpone the show to May. Many of the cast members didn’t feel ready to do the show in April due to missed days at school and missed rehearsal “I’m really grateful for the play being pushed back because we weren’t ready,” Beth Lindly, senior, (Fruma-Sarah) said.

Michael Lindsey, senior, (townsperson) thought about giving all the proceeds to the Red Cross, so the cast decided that all proceeds made from the show will go to the American Red Cross.

“We were discussing about what we were going to do, and people still wanted to do the show, so I thought why not have it as a benefit show,” Lindsey said.

Freshman SaVanna McLaughlin, who plays Tzeitel, said she feels very good about doing the show as a benefit show.

“Theatre and helping people are two things I love doing, so combining them together is really awesome,” McLaughlin said.

Koya Moore, junior, (Golde) said she hopes that the show will be a great success.

“The play is wonderful. It has comedy and tragedy and suspense and it’s exactly what everyone needs to take their minds off of what is going on in the city. Everyone should come and see it. It is the perfect little pick-me-up,” Moore said.

The show is about a JewishRussian family in 1905, and there is one real Russian in the show.

Foreign exchange student, Maria Ginovyan, plays the part of a Russian, something she can do very well.

“As a Russian exchange student I am very happy to be here this year when we are doing a Russian musical. I turned out to be helpful to make the show as close to Russian culture as possible,” Ginovyan said.

photo by kim vanhorn

Koya Moore, junior, and musical theater students rehearse during school on May 9, while play production students work on the set for Fiddler on the Roof, which will be performed Sunday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. and Monday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m.

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feature

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

Tornado gives little warning brandi bailey guest writer

Finally getting out of the house, they looked around to see the devastation that the city w o u l d “Look!” was the only warning JaMichael have to cope with.

Reedy, 11, was given before the tornado on A tree h a d fallen April 27 swept through his neighborhood. on Reedy’s house Weather reporters warned the citizens of dividing the house Tuscaloosa of bad weather, but no one was in half. truly ready for the devastation that would There were also six cars affect everyone. that were parked at Reedy was lying down as the clouds and his house that were winds began to turn. He decided to get up all crushed by trees to see what the weather looked like. Just as and other debris. he was looking around, his cousins began “I wasn’t too upset to point and tell him to “look.” about the house because When he looked he saw the massive I knew insurance would funnel cloud overhead. pay for it; I was most “My first instinct was to run back in the upset house, but about the I’m grateful because it I thought cars,” Reedy shows that Tuscaloosa can a b o u t said. my dad,” However, come together and how much Reedy said.

Reedy said that the teachers really care about He and he wasn’t too their students his brotherupset because he ~ Jamichael Reedy, 11 in-law ran knows that he can into the get another car, but backyard to he can’t get another get him. life.

“At first my dad didn’t believe us until Relief efforts for the storm started he looked at the sky and saw the funnel for immediately. himself,” Reedy said.

Reedy, living in an area that suffered Then, JaMichael’s dad ran into the much devastation, was one of the first of house, the boys trailing right behind him. many people to be helped.

JaMichael and his family members Mary Ruffin Moore and Trina Busby, quickly took cover, crouching down under English teachers and members of the the mattress Reedy had grabbed for some Faculty Relief team, went to help with the kind of protection. relief effort.

“My brother told everyone to be quiet,” As they helped, they had Reedy in mind.

Reedy said.

The two teachers visited JaMichael and They all held on as the ground began to brought him several things. shake and the wind got stronger.

“We brought him clothes, food and The tornado made its presence known. toiletry items,” Moore said.

“It sounded like ten trains running at the The team was organized to call students same time,” Reedy said. to see that they were okay and make sure He then heard three loud thumps, which those that were affected had everything were the sounds of objects, including a they needed. huge tree, hitting the house.

“I’m grateful because it shows that The tornado quickly ended, leaving the Tuscaloosa can come together and how family with no exit except for the back much the teachers really care about their door. students,” Reedy said.

“

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Teach t ra ions l i y’s live a m r e a p p save f er’s brandi bailey guest writer Michele Fuller, BTA teacher, moved to Alabama from Ohio when she was 17. She had only experienced one other tornado before the one on April 27. During the first storm, her mother threw a mattress over her.

“My experience was not major, but it helped me prepare for tornados,” Fuller said.

On the stormy day of April 27, Fuller let her dog in and called the

school to make sure that school was cancelled. She had no way of watching the news because her TV was off from a previous storm. Fuller has three children, and when they were younger, she always took precaution when a siren went off.

She put them in car seats, put bicycle helmets on them and tied them up with her robe belt.

“I would take down pictures and cover us with a mattress. My husband would come home and

laugh.

‘Why did you do all this when it never comes through this neighborhood?’”

Fuller said.

Fuller turned on the radio around 4:00 p.m. as the wind began to pick up. She told the kids to get in the back hallway as sirens sounded, and James Spann said the tornado was coming through Gordo.

“I went back to my dining room and found the Sacred Heart picture of Jesus. I gave it to Katie [her

daughter] to sit on,” Fuller

said.

Home alone with the kids, as she always seemed to be when a storm came, she heard James Spann tell people to do something that was very familiar to her, wear a helmet. She went and got the bicycle helmets and waited for her husband who arrived at 4:45 p.m.

He sat down to read his paper as if nothing was going on.

“At 5:00 p.m. the radio said it was going to hit Tuscaloosa in ten

minutes,” Fuller said.

She ran to be with her children.

Fuller, like many of the other citizens of Tuscaloosa, was in denial about the tornado. No one expected it to hit right in the heart of the city she said.

As Fuller pulled a mattress over her and her family, she began to pray.

“It sounded like a train coming.

feature

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

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Students face devastation kate davis opinion entertainment editor Trees falling, walls crashing, r o o f t o p s coming apart and collapsing: on April 27, that is all some people could hear.

The tornado that struck that day tore up our town and destroyed many people’s lifestyles.

Jameson Hubbard, sophomore, lived by Forest Lake close to University Place.

His house was split in two. Hubbard had lived there for 12 years of his life.

He said that the safest place in his house was in his downstairs hallway. His family placed a mattress over their heads.

“When it went over us, it made a terrible

sound. It sounded like a jet, a freight train and an eighteen wheeler pulling the horn,” Hubbard said.

“I am glad that we are alive.”

Sophomore, Aaron Dill’s house was also destroyed. The house was near American Christian Academy.

“The only safe place we had in our house was the bathtub,” Dill said.

He said that they did not have to wait too long for the storm.

While they were waiting they were listening to his dad’s police radio. Police were claiming to see cars flipping and tumbling down the road.

“When it went over us, all my senses took over my body. I tensed up so much that I just blocked it all out,” Dill said. “When it was all

over we went outside to check on all of our neighbors.

Allen Michael Floyd, sophomore, was in an “unsafe” place during the storm. He and his brother were sitting outside of the University Mall.

He said he saw the man at the mall recording the video of the tornado that went viral on YouTube.

He said it was very devastating to see something that he knew was killing people. He could see all the businesses being destroyed.

He said the tornado sounded like something that was out of this world, almost like an evil growl.

“We just sat and watched it go right by us,” Floyd said. “It was awful to know that I was looking at something that destroyed the town.”

Affected areas of the tornado

design by: alex hauser

-Avril Lavigne The house shook and the power went out.

I got to ‘Our Father who art in Heaven’ and the bathroom door was sucked out,” Fuller said.

She was hit in the face by dirt and glass, but none of the glass scarred her. She and her husband held on to their children as the tornado continued to cause damage. Fuller said that it took about a minute.

“When it was over I was so happy that we were all alive,” Fuller said.

Before the storm actually hit, Fuller said her children had already packed suitcases, though she didn’t believe it would get that bad.

As the oldest daughter grabbed their already packed suitcases, Fuller began to pack a bag herself.

She put water, clothes, peanut butter and other food in the bag.

While everyone in her household was safe, after calling her dad who lives on 15th street and getting no answer, Fuller began to fear the worse. However, her

grandmother in Ohio called her to confirm that her father was alive.

After finding an exit out of their devastated neighborhood, the Fuller family began to wheel their suitcases to Forest Lake Baptist Church. The fear didn’t stop there as rumors and news said that there would soon be another tornado following the same path. The alarm for another tornado came and went. The family decided to go to her dad’s house.

Although Fuller’s family is together and safe, she said that she will always take warnings seriously, and she encourages everyone else to do the same.

The day after the storm the picture of Jesus still sat in the bathroom floor.

Currently, the Fuller family is staying with her mother-in-law.

Fuller came up with an emergency plan that she thinks everyone should have in place

in case there is another disaster.

1. Have a list of phone numbers to call after a disaster. Include an out of state number.

2. Have a box put up in a closet that has flash lights, a first aid kit, and old bottles of medication you take.

3. Take the warnings seriously.

4. Prepare for the worst.

5. Inform your relatives to have a plan to rescue you.

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news

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

for those affected by the tornado

Book fair held at Barnes & Noble, Emergency relief places despite storm complications ja’michael reedy guest writer The annual book fair was held on May 6-7 at Barnes & Nobles. Despite the destruction and traffic congestion on McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street, the step team and other school organizations were able to attend.

Neilann Thomas, librarian, said after missing a week of school, she and the other librarians weren’t able to advertise the event as planned, but that she was pleased with this fair.

“I want to thank the jazz band, along with Coach Cain [band director], for coming out and performing Friday evening, and the step team, who performed on Saturday afternoon,” she said.

The book fairs are usually held in December and May. Thomas said the next book fair could be exciting.

“At the book fair this coming December, we plan to have four local authors who will be there to sign copies of their books,” she said.

They also look forward to showcasing students’ work from the NHS Art Department. There will be performances by the strings and the choir, directed by Beth McGuire.

“We hope the drama students will be able to contribute also,” Thomas said.

The librarians, like Thomas, said they encourage students to stay tuned for the non-fiction and fiction library books coming this fall.

photo by carrie nyugen

John Cain, band director, and the jazz band perform at Barnes & Nobles at the biannual book fair on May 6 & 7. Other student organizations were there, such as the step team. Librarian Neillan Thomas said she expects the strings and choir to perform at the next fair.

Sophomore awarded coin for helping police, received another gift from Navy Seal mentor kate davis opinion/ entertainment editor Phillip Cunningham, sophomore, has received two federal coins, one for his work with the police force and the other from a more unlikely source.

The first coin he received was the Veteran’s Affair Police coin for helping after the storm.

“When I get older I want to do this kind of work,” Cunningham said.

The next coin he was given was from a friend.

This certain friend cannot be named, due to the fact that he is a navy seal, so he will be referred to as his navy mentor.

About three weeks ago, Phillip received a package from his mentor. Within the

American Red Cross Assistance Line 1-800-REDCROSS for disaster victims.

Services include health, mental health, food and other services

Counseling Services The Tuscaloosa Children’s Center is taking referrals for group counseling for children experiencing tornado related trauma. Short term group sessions beginning in June, will be conducted at the center.

This service will be provided by TCC counselors and staff free of charge. There will be a group for students 13-17 years of age. They will accept students on a first come, first serve basis.

Family Counseling Service is offering free counseling service 752-2504.

Mental Health Services: Bryce Hospital, Adolescent Unit Temporary Emergency services 1705 15th Street.

For University of Alabama faculty and staff and their dependents: University Medical Center, 850 5th Ave East, corner of 5th & Univ. Blvd.

The Psychology Clinic. Located at the McMillan Building off Hackberry Lane, building #1401, DEBRIS REMOVAL Samaritan’s Purse is doing free debris removal and putting tarps on people’s homes 345-7554 Disabled Tornado Victims contact Gary Edwards 205-944-3903 Eye Glasses Sears Optical is coordinating with the Red Cross to provide replacement glasses for storm victims.

Free Prescription Glasses 1-800-8293937.

FEMA Disaster Registration 1-800-621-3362 if you suffered storm damage.

Housing/Shelters Contact 2-1-1, United Way’s Information and Referral Service.

ClassiTIDES.com is publishing daily lists of low cost housing. Belk Activity Center has availability 205-562-3200.

Prescription Medication Tuscaloosa Health Department 2350 Hargrove Road East across from Bowers Park.

Churches/other places to get help Belk Activity Center 205-562-3200 Capstone Church 366-1581 Calvary Baptist Church 758-0495 Central High School 759-3720 College Hill Baptist Church 556-3044 Cornerstone Baptist Church 345-4892 Daystar Family Church (provides shelter) 349-2446 First Wesleyan Church 752-4251 First Presbyterian Church 752-3531; 7583223 First Baptist Church 345-7554 Five Points Baptist Church 339-3320 Hargrove United Methodist Church 5537271 Holt High School 342-2768 Impact Nation (Formerly the Greater New Testament Church, Alberta) Northridge Baptist Church 758-5599 Riverwood Presbyterian Church 758-5502; 758-5703 Rosedale Baptist Church 752-4068 SAMARITAN’S PURSE 345-7554 for all needs SOMA Church - Holt area 553-2877 St. Mark United Methodist Church 3395990; 339-2127; 339-3516 The United Way 345-6640

package was his official navy seal coin.

“When I first received the ‘gift’ I was confused,” Cunningham said.

He said he tried to contact him many times to see why he had given him his coin. He could never get in touch with him and assumed he was out of town.

When his mentor came back, he finally replied to Cunningham.

When asked by Cunningham where he had been and why he gave him his coin, his mentor said cunningham he had been helping locate Osama bin Laden and that he gave him the coin just in case he did not return. The next day, the news announced the death of bin Laden.

ServingServing West Alalbama for overfor 30over Years30 Years West Alabama Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm New Patients Welcome

For any questions, please call:

205-469-1700

Dr. Shotts • Dr. Walburn • Dr. Loftin Dr. Lake • Dr. Stephenson Dr. Rosenstiel

1300 McFarland Blvd. NE, Suite 150 First Federal Bank Building 205 - 758 - 9041

news

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

7

‘Good Behavior’ Ice Cream melts jah’meka baxter staff writer Ice cream can be a wonderful reward for those students who have been on their best behavior, but for students who received ice cream passes, something unusual happened.

The ice cream melted while the power was off from the storm.

Elizabeth Tiley, guidance counselor, said that although the ice cream melted, it is only a small worry for students.

“It’s disappointing, but it is small in comparison to what people are going through from the storm,” she said.

Tiley said that students who received the passes should continue to exhibit good behavior in their classes.

“Keep up the good work and know your being acknowledged for the good behavior,” she said.

Xavier Davis, sophomore, said that the ice cream melting was not a problem for him.

“It really does not affect me because I haven’t received ice cream passes in the past,” Davis said.

For students that received ice cream passes after the storm, there will be an incentive given to them before the end of the year.

Is everyone okay?

In an attempt to check on students and teachers after the storms, the school turns to Facebook S chool system creates Facebook page, unlocks social networking site trent clanton news editor

The devastating storms on Wednesday, April 27 knocked out power and cable, crippling communication by landline phones and Internet.

Cell phone usage shot through the roof, overloading the service provider networks.

Facebook provided a more efficient way of communication when accessed by a cell phone with 3G capabilities or some other source of Internet that wasn’t damaged by the storms.

A relief team of teachers was formed on Monday, May 2 to ensure all students were accounted for.

Kenneth Webb, graduation coach, said they wanted to know how people were doing, but couldn’t get in touch with them at first.

“We [the school faculty] were trying to make sure students and other teachers were okay and to see if anyone had damages,” he said.

Webb said Facebook became a necessity for the school administration after the tornado hit.

“A lot of students are on Facebook, and so it is a major communication tool to find students quicker than if we were using the telephone,” Webb said.

However, Facebook was blocked by the school’s Internet to prevent it from distracting

students.

So,theschooladministration unlocked the popular social networking site.

Webb said Facebook is currently “wide open and not blocked,” meaning students and teachers alike can now access it at school.

Stephen Navarro, sophomore, said he thought it was a smart move.

“I think it can be good because it helps students and teachers stay in touch with each other. But it can be bad, too, because some students might not pay attention and look at Facebook instead [of schoolwork],” Navarro said.

Whit Chambers, junior, said he felt like unlocking Facebook was a good idea.

“I think they should keep it monitored, though. Some people might get on it and not pay attention in class,” Chambers said.

The Tuscaloosa City Schools created its own Facebook page.

“The Facebook page is a great way to make announcements, like school closings and openings in the days after the storm,” Webb said. “It was also used as a check-in point, to make sure everyone was okay, and to make sure we know of any people who were displaced or are currently in another state.”

The Tuscaloosa City Schools page can be accessed by everyone, including students.

Dangerous Debris ja’michael reedy

staff writer Nguyen sustains head injury while helping friends, clearing debris carrie nguyen guest writer I woke up pretty early the day after the tornado hit Tuscaloosa. I figured since I was in an affected area, I would help out my friend, Peter Mullins.

I trudged my way through the fallen trees and power lines. There was a distant voice ahead of me.

“Watch out for nails!” the voice said.

I looked closely to see myself surrounded by nails from rooftops that have been blown off. Dogs were still wandering around, avoiding the nails as well.

As I finally made my way through the cluttered roads, I was in front of my friend’s grandmother’s house.

The house collapsed during the tornado’s fury. The trees in front of the house were now being sawed off and moved by Peter and his family.

Both of mybook brothers yanked the stubborn branch out. Despite the The annual fair waswere held on May 9-10 at Barnes & Nobles. already thereand and helping the onThe force I had put into and pulling destruction traffic congestion McFarland Boulevard 15th Street, the Mullins. the branch outable caused the limb to step team and other school organizations were to attend.

Not saying anything, I jumped swingmissing back at me.

I hit of theschool, ground,she and the Neilann Thomas, librarian, said after a week inother to help them out.

Peterable looked coveredthemy faceasand started librarians weren’t to advertise event planned, buttothat she was atpleased me withwith a surprise this fair.and thanked bawl. me.“I want to thank the jazz band, along I blocked out every voice,director], for with Coach Cain [band We continuously dragged focus on who the performed coming out and performing Fridayhaving evening,my andmain the step team, limbs and branches back and soaring pain coming from my on Saturday afternoon, ” she said. fourth thefairs hotare sun.

I would The in book usually held intemple.

December and May. cough everysaid once a while After a minute of shedding Thomas theinnext bookdue fair could be exciting. to the tears, I gotwe on my wobbled “At sawdust the bookthat fair was this floating coming December, planfeet toand have four local authors about. the house.

Peter was there who will be there to sign copies of towards their books, ” she said.

But wasn’t to badshowcasing to accompany me and handed Theythe also labor look forward students’ work frommethe NHS Art compared to There the will demolished a bag ofby ice.

Department. be performances the strings and the choir, directed houses around me.

That day flew on by. Even

by Beth McGuire.

I “We scraped my hands a couple of will with the to monstrous bump hope the drama students be able contribute also,”near Thomas said. times, wasn’t bad. As my temple, I was still capable Thewhich librarians, liketoo Thomas, said they encourage students to stayoftuned for the I non-fiction was pullingand up afiction branch frombooks a helping out. library coming this fall. huge pile, I noticed the other part Living in the area affected of the branch was stuck in the by the storm, I couldn’t roam as pile. much after the injury as I did the I kept pulling on it, being first day. It felt like a prison. very cautious. I made sure I had But I had friends visiting photo by carrie nguyen loosened it before I yanked it out me, and that changed almost all the way. everything. It was some small Nguyen photographed this scene of destruction, while I was having a very difficult bit of happiness amidst all of the standing on the ruins of Hokkaido Japanese Steakhouse and Grill on 15th Street on April 28, the day after the F4 time getting it out. But finally, I horror. tornado.

the northridge reporter may 19, 2011

3

4

6 by andrew lattner

8

1) TJ Leatherwood, senior, signs to East Central Community College for basketball on May 12. 2) Kendra Gipson, senior, signs to the University of Alabama at Birmingham for track on May 12. 3) Courtland Wells, senior, signs to Southern Mississippi University for track on May 12. 4) Nura Hussein, senior, signs to Troy University for track on May 12. 5) All of the athletes who signed on Thursday, May 12, are congratulated by parents, coaches and fellow athletes. 6) Brett Snider, senior, signs to Birmingham Southern College for baseball on May 12.

Front Page- Shan Jones, senior, signs to Lawson State Community College for Volleyball on May 12.

5

sports Athletes sign letters of intent

1

2

“I was a bit disappointed because it was our last game and a home game,” CurtnerSmith said.

Curtner-Smith said she understands and agrees with why it was cancelled.

“The tornado had jut hit and the community needed to regroup. We had to help as much as we could,” she said.

Serge Miroff, soccer sponsor, said that the game being cancelled didn’t really sadden the team because the tornado devastation overshadowed any thoughts of a game.

“All of the girls on the team are safe and that’s a real relief,” Miroff said.

Curtner-Smith said they won’t make up the game and the season is now over.

“We had the sports banquet already, and the game couldn’t be rescheduled,” she said.

With a thoughtful smile on her face, she said that she had been doing some volunteering and is okay with not having to make up the game. ”I think we need to be helping the community, and even though I love soccer, I think it is better to use my time to help people who need it,” she said.

Tornado results in cancelled soccer game foster beck sports editor The girls soccer team was scheduled to play Holy Spirit at 6 p.m. on April 28, but the game got cancelled because of a disastrous event - a tornado.

It was the last girls soccer game of the season, but instead of playing, the girls were out volunteering.

Lauren Curtner-Smith, freshman, said there are more important things to worry about than soccer.

May 19, 2011 · Volume 8, Issue 8 · Northridge High School ·Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

The Northridge

http://northridgereporter.wordpress.com/news/

Reporter

PRAY FOR T TOWN

Although much of Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas were devastated by tornadoes, residents still managed to find hope among the ruins. Both Tuscaloosans and volunteers from outside the city have started intensive relief efforts, and the city is slowly photos by beth allaway recovering.