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Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406

December 16, 2011 • Volume 9 • Issue 4

Exams New exemption policy delights students

Number of students who knew the exemption policy on Dec. 8 30

yes

Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief Because of the new schedule the city school system implemented, a new exemption policy was in order. Some students have up to eight classes per semester and have been waiting for their senior year when they get the opportunity to exempt all of their exams. Classes that only meet every other day haven’t finished their courses yet, and aren’t in need of a final exam until May. Isaac Espy, principal said, many of the requirements for exemption are the same. “Students still need to earn the needed grades and meet the attendance and behavior standards, including tardies and ISI suspension referrals,” he said. “On Dec. 20 and 21, ‘final’ exams will be administered in courses that conclude with the issuing of a credit [i.e third and fourth block classes and year-long AP classes]. Fourth block exams will be administered during 4th black class on Tuesday, Dec. 20, and third block exams will be administered on Wednesday, Dec. 21. On Wednesday, students will report to

third block as usual and stay in there for Number of students taking the rest of the day. midterms The most drastic change that was made 50 was the exemption policy. “Last year’s block schedule allowed enrollment in only four courses per semester, and thus the greatest number of exemptions that a school could grant a student was four. Further, the student’s grade level 40 will continue to dictate the number of exemptions that a school may grant [them],” Espy said. Freshmen get two exemptions each semester, sophomores get four, juniors get 30 six and seniors get eight. Kyle Anderson, junior said that he wasn’t upset that the policy came out so late because it “takes time to come up with the 20 best solution that is fair to everyone.” “I will receive six exemptions, as a junior, and I’m only taking five classes this semester which means I can exempt all of my classes,” Kyle said. Taylor Goodall, junior, said he is “super 10 stoked” about the new exemption policy. “It’s pretty awesome,” Goodall said. “It’s like being a senior early, except I’m cooler.” Information compiled by: Jah’meka Baxter

Infographic designed by: Alex Hauser

Jingle Bells Childhood innocence is lost when teens lose faith in Santa. Johnathan Carlisle, sophomore, said his favorite Christmas was the first one he remembers. His parents made him go to bed early and did other things to make him believe that Santa was really coming and that Santa came the next day. “I got everything I wanted that year, and I really thought it was Santa.” Davis Byars, freshmen, believed in Santa Claus un-

til he was about ten years old. He said he still thinks Christmas is just as fun even though he can’t look forward to Santa’s arrival. “Thinking Santa is coming is one of the things that kids remember most about their childhood,” Byars said. Some teens like John Austin Higginbotham, freshmen and Natalia Aranda, junior grew up not believing in Santa, so it wasn’t a big deal when they were told that Santa didn’t exist. “My dad just flat out told me Santa wasn’t real. I guess he wanted me to

yes

Theme ‘created’ Ebony Hughuley Staff Writer

“Create” can mean a lot of things. It can mean how different we all are or how creative and unique we are as a school and as individuals. That’s what the editor of the yearbook Nick Pappas said. That’s why he chose “create” for this year’s yearbook theme. But everyone has their own meaning to the word like Letitia Sidje, freshman yearbook editor, and Troy Yancey, junior editor. Letitia said create means “your building something that comes not only from your mind but your heart.” Troy said it means “to make something beautiful out of nothing.” This yearbook is kind of like last year’s book because it is chronological. The cost is $75 now and must be ordered by Jan. 31. Books may be purchased in room 109 or online at Jostens.com.

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown

Believing in Santa brings back memories Emma Jackson Staff writer

In the news

know the truth from the beginning,” Higginbotham said. “I’m okay with it because it really didn’t change my childhood. I still got presents like everyone else.” “I never actually believed in any of it: Santa, the Tooth Fairy,” Aranda said. “My parents were never believable I guess. They still write ‘from Santa’ on gifts even though I’m 16. I don’t even know if Information they think I still Infographic

believe in [Santa]. They’ve never told me he wasn’t real.”

highlights

Year students stopped believing in Santa

compiled by: Jah’meka Baxter designed by: Alex Hauser

Vending machines sell unhealthy snacks; students not disturbed Brianna Shaw Staff writer As the students past the vending machines on their three minute break they can’t resist the many different kinds of chips, rice crispy treats and fruit roll ups, but do they stop to think if they are healthy? Estefania Estrada, freshman, said she thinks most of the snacks in the vending machines are

healthy, such as the fruit gummies and waters. “The other candies, potato chips and soda pops that aren’t as healthy are there so we can satisfy our hunger between classes. I personally enjoy the snacks in the vending machine because, just a simple bag of Sun chips can get me through the 100 minute classes or until I have lunch,” she said. Health teacher David Akins, said the snacks in

the vending machine are “healthy” because they are approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and they have nutritional value. “The revenue from the vending machines pays for a lot of the things the students do not see,” Akins said. He said, “The vending machines also give an opportunity for the students to get a snack between classes. In today’s society our

students do not eat healthy anyways.” Estrada said that every now and then she dozes off and daydreams about food. “The snacks in the vending machine do not affect us in a bad way because if we stay in class for 100 minutes we forget and become brain dead from our hunger. So, the snacks affect us in a positive manner,” Estrada said.

“Photos by: Beth Allaway Charlie Brown was presented Dec. 9 and 10.

Opinion

The Northridge Reporter December 16, 2011 Art by Jane Yu

Our Thoughts New exemption policy allows more exemptions than previous

ach change brings about another one, and with the new schedule in place this year, a revised exemption policy was also to be expected. There was much anticipation about the outcome of the policy, with many students worried about not getting enough exemptions per semester. After much time and thought put in, the Tuscaloosa City School Board finally decided on a new exemption policy for this year. With most students carrying the load of double the classes this year, as compared to last year, the new policy also grants students double the number of exams that they are allowed to exempt; starting with freshman who get two a semester, sophomores who get four, juniors with six, and seniors with eight. The way the policy works, juniors who have every day classes first or second block now have the luxury of the option to exempt all of their exams, before even officially becoming seniors. The wait to find out exactly what the new policy would be might have been hard on some, but The Northridge Reporter believes that it certainly doesn’t disappoint and is fair to all students.

Blessed:

Homeless war veteran impresses junior Jane Yu Entertainment Editor

agree (19) disagree (0)

Visit us on Facebook and check out our website. Look for Sarah Katherine Barnes story about two homeless men she met in Minneapolis. Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (205) 759-3734 ext. 235

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Alex Hauser* Raiha Bajwa* Renu Pandit Jane Yu* Trent Clanton* Alexandra Stewart James Roberts Raiha Bajwa* Nick Motz, Sarah Katherine Barnes, Rand Schille, Candace Wiggins Renu Pandit Trent Clanton* Jane Yu*, Parker Evans Ja’’hmeka Baxter Rand Schille Staff Writers: Sarah Katherine Barnes, Parker Evans, Ebony Hughuley, Emma Jackson, Nick Motz, Tyesha Pinnock, James Roberts, Brianna Shaw, Aasiayah Sullivan, KeamBria Washington, Candace Wiggins, Rand Schille Adviser: Susan Newell* *Denotes state, regional and national award winners Editor-in-Chief: Opinion Editor: Feature Editor: Entertainment Editor: News Editor: Sports Editor: Beat Editor: Business Manager: Photographers: Copy Editor: Art Editor: Artists: Infographic Editor: Web Master:

Advertising and Subscriptions: Contact The Northridge Reporter Staff at (205) 759-3734 ext. 235 or snewell@tusc. k12.al.us to advertise in or subscribe to The Northridge Reporter. 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 or emailed to northridgereporter@gmail.com. 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.

It was a beautiful morning in Minneapolis, MN. Half of our newspaper staff got awards, and we were at the end of our journey in snowy Minneapolis. We had time left before the flight, so we decided to get some coffee. When others went into Starbucks to get some coffee, I zoned out and wandered off to another section of the skyway. There was a gigantic window between me and the group. “Hey, do you have ten for us or a hundred,” a man said. As I turned around, I saw two men who sat at a table in the skyway. One man stooped down and fiddled with his hand, while another man sat straight and talked to every person who passed by. In confusion, I turned right and saw classmates on the other side of the window. Susan Newell, advisor, told me to come and stay with the group, and Sarah Katherine Barnes, freshman, asked me what happened. I said nothing. Maybe that’s why our group just happened to sit right in front of those people who wore layers of clothes with Nike hoodies. The man who sat straight kept saying, “God loves you.” A few minutes before, that man asked me for money, and now here he was praising God. Dumbfounded, I looked at the man next to him and saw him dozing off. The word ‘pathetic’ came across my mind. The two men looked old enough, old enough to have a stable life. It looked pitiful to ask for money and drowse outside Starbucks.

So I started to read the copy close, I figured out that his hand of The Onion I had gotten on the was infected by bacteria and had street. gauze on it. Time passed. I was embarrassed by my judgSarah Katherine who sat next mental attitude. to me said she wanted to interThe fact that I had avoided view those people. them gave me a blush. Yu She even said she wantI started to admire Sarah Kathed to provide them erine who is compassionate and food. stepped up to do an interview. I did not like that So I wrote a letter to be responidea. sible for my arrogant attitude. However, she I wrote him that God had forobstinately wanted given him and that everything to do the interview, will be better. and she listened as Right before we left, I gave the man rambled. him the letter. We do not know their He opened my letter, and his names because the sleeping per- eyes were fixed. son kept sleeping, and the other After looking at my letter for man started to talk about the about two seconds, he asked if he Vietnam War. could give me a hug. He said he strangled someone. I stepped toward him, and he No, he said his friend killed hugged me. someone. He smelled like an old dark He gibbered continuously. chocolate. He reminded me of two solOne tear dropped because he diers my friend met on Veteran’s smelled so bad. Day. Two tears dropped because his One soldier asked my friend if eyes did not move. she was Chinese. Three tears dropped because My friend answered no and of his extensive knowledge. told them that she is Korean. And I cried because I know his “Ko… Korea….. Korea…,” tomorrow will not be better than said the soldier looking in the today. air. The other soldier closed his eyes. The two soldiers my friend met escaped from the war but still held some unimaginable memories within them. However, this man failed to escape from Vietnam. He kept saying he was sorry and asked for forgiveness. Then he started to talk about the Bible, which he understood through his heart. When he talked about Bible verses and God, his eyes lightened with joy. Then I saw the man next Photo by Sarah Katherine Barnes to him. When I saw him up Minneapolis, footsteps in the snow.

The Northridge Reporter December 16, 2011

Entertainment

Photo by Nick Motz Stewart Bond, a former Northridge student, describes The Alabama Blues Project. Bond has been involved in The Alabama Blues Project since 2008.

Blues project captures interests James Roberts Beat Editor Every Thursday afternoon after school, Jimmy Hill, junior, goes to First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa and gets the blues. He deals with it by playing his heart out on his harmonica and saxophone. He’s far from depressed. He is simply participating in The Alabama Blues Project, a nonprofit organization that preserves blues music and teaches it to new generations. Thousands of students have seen its presentations, and hundreds have taken music lessons in Tuscaloosa, including a handful from Northridge. “The Blues Project is fun,” said Hill, who has been a member since mid-2010. “You make a lot of friends doing it, and we play great music.” There isn’t one thing Hill doesn’t like about participating in

the Alabama Blues Project. “There are tons of friendly people, and all of our talents push us to strive for the best,” Hill said. Hill is in a blues band with Jameson Hubbard, junior, who also is a participant in the Alabama Blues Project. Hubbard plays the harmonica, and loves playing the blues. “The blues is a cool kind of music, and it’s fun to play and listen to,” Hubbard said. Another student participating in The Alabama Blues Project is Kanjalla Dancer, sophomore. She’s been playing guitar for the Alabama Blues Project for five years. “It’s a great outlet. The teaching environment is easy,” Dancer said. One teacher is guitarist Stuart Bond, who started with the Blues Project in 2008. “I really hope at the end of every semester the kids get more out of it than I do,” Bond said. “I

sometimes feel selfish that they teach me so much. I wish I had something like this when I was growing up playing music. You get to work with so many incredible musicians, and it makes me respect (the blues) a lot more.” Bond said that many of the instructors write their own music. “We try to encourage our kids to grow up and do the same thing,” Bond said. Bond said each semester of lessons at the Blues Project are over too quickly, and that finding financial support can be challenging. One of its fund-raising events was a benefit concert on Dec. 10 at Rooster’s Blues House in downtown Tuscaloosa. What Bond likes about the blues is that it’s the heart of American music. “We wouldn’t have most of anything that you currently hear on the radio today if it wasn’t for the blues. Also, it’s one of the most pure and honest forms of

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music. It’s three chords and the truth, and from Robert Johnson to Muddy Waters to Gary Clark Jr. and to The Black Keys; it all trickles down to artists like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.” Linda Mills, the programs/ events manager, started working for the Alabama Blues Project in 2006. She likes how the program is an opportunity for at risk kids who have an appreciation of music. “The program is scholarshipbased, and we get grant money for letting these kids come here for free,” Mills said. “There’s not one thing I dislike about working here. This is probably the best part time job I could have, and the reason I took this job is that I love giving back to the community.” Mills loves the blues because of the rich history and because of what it’s done for people in the best of times and worst of times. “I like how it’s a way to share and connect with other people,

and I also find it fascinating that the blues originated from church hymnals.” As of now, the Alabama Blues Project is still looking for more young people to participate. “We’re getting a lot of kids interested, but we’re wanting more. Tell your friends about us; we’re always recruiting,” Mills said. While Mississippi might be better known for blues, the Alabama Blues Project wants people to know about famous blues musicians from this state. They include: Alabama Blues History * W.C. Handy of Florence, known as the Father of the Blues. * Big Momma Thornton of Ariton, whose version of “Hound Dog” came three years before Elvis Presley recorded it. * Johnny Shines, known as one of the last of the Delta blues players. He died in Tuscaloosa in 1992.

Forget cute, young boy Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe becomes Arthur Ki pps through strange acts of paranormal activity and realizes there was more to Alice Drablow than he originally understood. The Woman in Black haunts him with her story of her failed attempt of saving her drowning son. And in a twist of fate, Arthur Kipps must Photo save her child to ensure safety to his own. from This role is very different from what imdb.com Radcliffe is used to portraying; his characThe Woman ter being a father and older man. His son in Black is played by Radcliffe’s real-life godson, poster Misha Handley. Giving Radcliffe a sense of familiarAlex Hauser ity is Ciarán Hinds, who played Aberforth Editor-in-Chief Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the After portraying his famous character, D e a t h l y Harry Potter, for ten years, Daniel Radc- Hallows: liffe takes on a new role in the new thriller, Part Two. The Woman in Black, which hits theatres Feb. 3, 2012. The Woman in Black is based off of Susan Hill’s book of the same name. The story was adapted into a stage play as well as a TV movie. Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, a lawyer who was called to a secluded town in EngPhotos by Jane Yu land to attend to the death of Alice DrabDaniel Radcliffe talks to journalism students low. While looking through Mrs. Drablow’s at the National Scholastic Press Association papers at Eel Marsh House, he suffers convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota about The

Woman in Black.

Feature

The Northridge Reporter

WH NEED December 16,, 2011

Caffeine rich substances make rest Coffee addictions vary in grades and staff Jane Yu Entertainment Editor The library is always filled with the fragrance of coffee. Patsy Lowery, math teacher, goes to the library almost every day during her second period class, AP Calculus. She enjoys the delicious, comforting smell of coffee in the library and makes her own. “I was a hot tea drinker before I got married,” Lowery said. “My husband is a big coffee drinker, and he got me into drinking coffee when I was 24 or 26.” Lowery said she drinks one cup of coffee while getting ready, another cup of coffee on her way to school and one or two more in the classroom. “I do not drink coffee after 10:30 or 11 a.m.,” Lowery said. “Or else, the coffee will keep me awake at night.” But she laughs and admits one ironical fact. “At night, I drink tea which definitely has more caffeine than coffee,” Lowery said, “but it does not keep me awake.” As a “not hard core coffee drinker,” Lowery said she neither likes real bitter black coffee nor wants more than one cup of coffee at a time. “Until two years ago, I drank instant microwave coffee because I wanted a cup of coffee instead of a whole bunch in the morning,” Lowery said. She showed her resentments toward her past coffee makers which made a bunch of coffee instead of a cup. “But two years ago, at Christmas my sister gave me a KEURIG,” Lowery said.’

Cannon

Lowery said KEURIG is the best coffee maker for her because she can get one cup of coffee at a time. “I still have to get K cups, special cups for KEURIG,” Lowery said. “They are rather expensive, so I get them from Amazon.” However she said she still enjoys coffee from outside of her house. “I do not go to the Starbucks,” Lowery said. “I am rather a Donut shop coffee person,” Lowery said. “I love their French Vanilla.” Amelia Tooson, junior, too showed favoritism toward a Vanilla flavored coffee. “I love Starbucks’ coffee and McDonald’s,” Toosan said. “Especially, I love Skinny Vanilla Latte from McDonald’s.” She said she also likes coffee from her own hands. “Before I was ten, my mom got me to drinking coffee,” Tooson said. “And now, I drink [coffee] to wake myself up in the morning.” Tooson said coffee is now part of her life and can be found in her hands about three days a week. She holds her coffee in the morning while she talks to her friend as she heads to her first periodMrs. Darnell. “I still remember it,” Tooson said. “The first coffee I had tasted like bitter chocolate milk.” Ashley Ray, senior, also described the taste of coffee as bitter chocolate milk. “I thought my mom’s old cold coffee was a hot chocolate,” Ray said. “Not pleasant.” Ray said she started drinking coffee about freshman year. “I had a whole bunch of homework one time

Kamal

Photo by Nick Motz

Hughston

Photo by Nick Motz Anna Kate Hughston, senior, drinks a frozen coffee from McDonald’s in her first period class. ““I drink three cups a day, ”” Hughston said. ““The caffeine keeps me awake.”””

“I’ve been drinking coffee every morning for two years. I get it from Publix,” Colt Wrobel, junior, said.

“I’ve been drinking coffee for two years, ever since my aunt got me into drinking it. I get it at Publix,” Evontaye Cannon, junior, said.

Photo by Nick Motz

that I could not start until late at night,” Ray said. “And I figured I can get through the bad taste if it would keep me up.” But after a sip, she figured out that it actually tasted good. So now she always has her coffee in her hand even though she is late to school. Ray said she makes her own coffee every morning. “I put tons of sugar and cinnamon in it,” Ray said. “It is my own special way of making coffee.”

Photo by Nick Motz

Do you drink coffee? “My dad has always brewed it for me, but I’m not addicted. I’m starting to drink Christmas blends now,” Maani Kamal, senior, said.

Wrobel

“I’ve been drinking coffee for a year, and I drink it every morning. I get Hazelnut from Dunkin Donuts,” Maddie Mayfield, junior, said.

Mayfield

Photo by Nick Motz

Feature

The Northridge Reporter

DS SL December 16, 2011

and relaxation a thing of the past Homework overload causes students to miss out on sleep Renu Pandit Feature Editor

For those who are neither coffee nor soft drink addicts, there are other solutions for turning into a nocturnal, sleep-deprived beast. For Sarah Cassell, junior, and Anna Poist, senior, homework is the most natural way to stay awake. “There are simply not enough hours in the day to finish [homework],” Poist said. “I’m up until around 12 or 1 because of it.” Poist said she wishes she could get more sleep because when she doesn’t she is “in a bad mood the next day,” and Total of 35 students has to drink tea in the morning to stay questioned. awake. “I have a theory that tea keeps you in ’ Compiled by Jah meka Baxter a good mood,” Poist said. Designed by Renu Pandit Cassell said she is also up late because of homework. “I don’t drink coffee or take anything to keep me awake,” Cassell said. “But I still stay up until 10 to finish my homework.”

Do you think energy drinks are healthy? Yes: 12 No: 23

Elizabeth Monk, sophomore, said her awake has become a habit that she “just homework is the reason she stays up, but can’t quit.” she sometimes uses 5 Hour Energy drinks Dr. Arti Pandey, physician, said that she to actually stay awake. strongly objects to teens using energy “I stay up really late doing homework, drinks like Red Bull and 5 Hour Energy and I need something to make sure I don’t for staying awake. fall asleep,” Monk said. “They increase your Monk said heart rate and blood presshe prefers sure, which puts unneces“There are simply not sary strain on your heart,” coffee, but 5 Hour Enenough hours in the day to Dr. Pandey said. “They ergy is faster also cause sleep deprivafinish [homework’]. and keeps her tion which causes irritaawake longer. bility, anxiety, depression “It works, but and lack of concentra-Anna Poist, senior I’m not sure tion.” it’s healthy,” Instead of energy Monk said. drinks, Dr. Pandey said “So I make sure I only use it when I she suggests that teens “plan ahead, and really have to stay awake.” do their homework before a certain time, A student who preferred to stay anony- eliminating the need to stay up late.” mous said that she takes Red Bull often to “I’m not saying cut it off completely,” finish her homework. Dr. Pandey said. “I mean, I have an occa“If I don’t drink it I wake up to see that sional coffee or tea myself, but you have I fell asleep on my books,” she said. to take these things in moderation to stay She said that taking Red Bull to stay healthy.”

“

”

Caffeine content in favorite soft drinks

Students, faculty members try to stop intake

Raiha Bajwa Opinion Editor Carbonated and catenated drinks are Some people give up soft drinks to generally harmful for your health, but get healthier. Darrin Spence, Dean of Studiet sodas are even worse. Kathleen Oatts, food and nutrition dents, said he traded in sodas for teacher, said diet drinks are the worst coffee. “Carbonated water makes your belly for your body because of the harmful fat,” he said. “Coffee makes it soft. chemicals in them. Surprisingly, I had “What people some withdrawal don’t realize is problems at first, that it’s better “...It’’’ s better to drink but coffee gives you to drink more regular sodas more regular sodas thann a good boost.” Taylor Goodall, than to drink to drink a diet soda... junior, said he cuts a diet soda bedown on his cafcause they are feine intake during so harmful for you,” she said. -Kathleen Oatts, teacher track season to keep his performance up. “If you need “I try not to drink caffeine, tea’s it at all, but I usually probably the best way because it’s the most natu- drink about one every other day during track,” he said. “I gotta run, so I drink ral.” Anna Poist, senior, said she drinks more water and milk.” Over the summer, with no sports obsodas, not for a caffeine fix but simply ligations, Goodall said he isn’t as strict because she likes the taste. “I only drink it because it tastes about his caffeine consumption. “During summer I have one to two good,” Poist said. “It doesn’t have any sodas a day,” he said. effect on me.”

“

”

Number of students that prefer each drink

Diet sodas present health issues

23 20

69 mg

54 mg

41 mg

Caffeine Content

Information from energyfiend.com Compiled by Jah’meka Baxter Designed by Renu Pandit

35 mg

News

The Northridge Reporter December 16, 2011

Target eliminated

Annual Assassins game starts again Emma Jackson Staff Writer

Fast Food: Quick and easy

Teens eat, hang out at fast food restaurants after school Trent Clanton News Editor

Art by Trent Clanton

Pulling up to the drive-thru window, Reagan Walker, senior, leans her head out of the window and places her order for chicken nuggets at Chic-Fil-A. Walker said she eats here about once every two weeks. She is one of many students who enjoy fast food after school. Richard Hamner, senior, said he eats fast food about three times a week. “I like to go to Zaxby’s and get the buffalo chicken fingers with ranch. It makes me feel special,” Hamner said. Some students go to the McDonald’s on Rice Mine Road just down the street from the school after school, like junior Delarreyon Grace. “I go to McDonald’s every day. I always get a quarter pounder with cheese,” Grace said. Grace said he thinks fast food has a lot of fat and calories. Jasmine Starkling, senior, works at the McDonald’s on Rice Mine. Starkling said high school students always come to McDonald’s for various reasons. “They come to eat with their friends or family, to have tutoring or studying sessions, to hang out with their friends or to just simply meet up,” Starkling said. Starkling said there are a lot of students that come into McDonald’s after school on a moderate basis, and not all of

them come there just to eat. “There are a number of groups that come in every day. For some of them, I know when to expect them. A well-known group called Young Life meets at McDonald’s every Monday night around 8:45,” Starkling said. Walker said she thought fast food was okay to eat, in moderation. Donald McNabb, health teacher, said fast food can be unhealthy when not eaten in moderation. “Fast food is usually real high in sugar content and is mainly carbohydrate oriented which means that it turns to sugar really fast and if not used immediately, it will be stored as fat,” he said. McNabb said fruits and raw veggies are always good alternatives to snacking on fast food. Some fast food chains have actually expanded their menus to include healthy side items, like apple slices and other fruits, as well as yogurt and salads. “The FDA and the USDA have mandated that all fast food places that get federal money must comply with the new code [to include healthier items on the menu]. I think this is good, particularly for the kids,” McNabb said.

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Tuscaloosa Young Life, a local Christian group, has begun its annual game called Assassins. Each group member has a target person, and the objective of the game is to get the target out with water. The target can be splashed, drenched, or slapped on the back with a wet hand. Nick Fairbairn, sophomore, is playing for the first time. “Getting to drench people with water is the best part, but you always feel paranoid, and you kind of have to give up your social life for a while to stay away from people,” he said. Anything goes as long as its water. Targets can be “killed” in their house, in their car, at a friend’s house or in a random park. Taylor Goodall, junior, is playing assassins for the first time. He said he likes to get really into it and pretend it’s real life.

“I ‘killed’ two people within two or three seconds,” he said. According to the club leaders the game started off with about 125 people this year. By the next Friday only 70 people were left standing. And on Dec. 5, there were only 30 left. Davis Byars, freshmen, didn’t know who had him as a target. “I think it’s better not knowing because it makes it more fun, but it would be easier to know because I could avoid my person,” Byars said. The other object is to avoid getting out of the game by the person who has them as a target. It’s basically a big circle, but no one should know who has each other as a target. Kathleen Kennedy, sophomore, is not playing but has made a list of people and their targets. She said she had about 15 Facebook messages asking for her help. The list has gotten so big she calls it “My Assassins Book. Keep Out.”

Photo by Nick Motz Wesley Strickland, junior, holds his water gun, ready to attack. He is playing the annual Assassin’s game created by the Christian group Tuscaloosa Young Life, which involves taking out targets by spraying them with water.

The Northridge Reporter December 16, 2011

Sports

Alex Shealy, senior

Harrison Aslami, senior

Photos by Nick Motz Alex Shealy, senior Harrison Aslami, senior Seniors Harrison Aslami and Alex Shealy show off their skills outside the school and in the parking lot. Shealy said he started skating three years ago. “Skating is an activity for all ages, and it’’s a good way to get out of the house. It’s a cheap way to have fun,“ Aslami said. Harrison Aslami, senior

Flips and Tricks Opportunities for skate parks arise with tornado clean up Parker Evans Staff Writer The April 27th tornado left desolation in its path, but presented opportunities for a skatepark that Tuscaloosa is in need of. With the debris cleared, concrete foundations have been left all over the city. They’ve evidently been abandoned, and some will no longer serve any purpose because the businesses that once sat on them have been relocated.

Jack Aured, junior, said they would be perfect for a skatepark. “There’s a group of skaters in Tuscaloosa that doesn’t have anywhere to go. We’ve built wooden structures around town, but they always get torn down. The [abandoned] foundations would work because we’ve built things on torn-down buildings before,” Aured said. “If we had funding we would make it work.” The closest skatepark to Tuscaloosa is one in Greensboro, about an hour away.

There is also a skatepark in Birmingham. Alex Shealy, senior, said skating is a community activity, but without a skatepark close by, not many people get together to skate. Shealy has been skating for three years. “Driving to the parks in Birmingham and Greensboro takes a long time, and gas is very, very expensive,” Shealy said. Harrison Aslami, senior, said “skate-

boarding is a good way to be social. When I started skating I met all these people. Skating is an activity for all ages, and it’s a good way to get out of the house. It’s a cheap way to have fun.” MacKenzie Underwood, senior, doesn’t skate, but said she enjoys hanging out with people that do. “It’s hard to find a place to watch people skating legally,” she said. “It’s just hard to find a place to go that isn’t a sketchy area.”

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The Northridge Reporter December 16, 2011

Beat 8

Christmas: season of nostalgia

Ashley Ray, senior, said that what she remembers most is singing songs around the piano as her mom played. She said she remembers waiting to open presents and the breakfast casserole that her mom makes on Christmas morning. “We all wait at the top of the stairs for mom and dad to “get coffee” and until they are ready for us to come down, and the whole family opens our presents at the same time. Afterwards, Dad reads the Christmas Story in the Bible, and we leave for Tennessee the next day,” Ray said.

she woke up on Christmas to find her sister, who was living in South Carolina and was not supposed to arrive until the next day, standing in her living room. She said she remembers the traditional memories as well. “[I remember] sitting on the side of my stairs, looking into the living room and trying to stay up to see Santa, and then finally going to bed when my mom told me to and waking up at the crack of dawn to see my presents,” Vail said. Wilhite said she also gets up early on Christmas to open presents.

Mary Catherine Vail said “I always remember my actually took us to Disney she remembers one year when brothers and sister waking World,” she said. me up at the crack of dawn to open presents that would still be there in three more hours. I wanted to sleep,” Wilhite said. With all the traditional Christmas memories, also come the memories unique to our families. “Every year my husband cooks some different, unique, strange kind of meat. He has cooked goose, duck and cornish hen. It’s always something different, and we have people over for it,” Mills said. Teresa Meissner, BTA teachPhoto by Nick Motz er, said that when her children and grandchildren come over, Seniors Amy Kathryn Reddoch, Courtney Plott and Ashlyn Sunseri she likes to have a non-tradihelp decorate SGA sponsor Angela Shaw’’’ s door. tional Christmas meal. “Since we are all tired of Christmas meals, we have a Christmas meal to get over Christmas meals. I usually try to make something Italian, like pasta,” she said. She said that her favorite thing about Christmas is the stockings. “My favorite part [about Christmas] is that I love making the Christmas stockings. I start shopping early because I love to get different, unique things to put in them. One year, I even had a stocking for my grand pup,” Meissner said.

Memories of students, teachers reflected upon alexandra stewart sports editor As the wind blows cold with wishes for snow, and Christmas decorations are put up, students and teachers reminisce on their favorite holiday memories. Shea Mills, English teacher, said she remembers going to her grandparent’s house every year on Christmas morning. “[I remember] getting up at about five in the morning and opening our presents and then driving to my grandparents, who lived out of state, for lunch and seeing all my cousins. My mom had 12 brothers and sisters, and we would all get together and exchange gifts,” Mills said. “I remember getting my first cabbage patch doll,” she said. Mills smiled as she remembered her favorite present. “Last year, my husband gave me an autographed copy of a series of books that I like to read,” she said. “He drove all the way and stood in line to get this author to sign the book for me. Mary Caitlyn Wilhite, junior, said that she remembers her favorite present being a surprise. “One year, my parents surprised us by telling us that we were going to see our Great Aunt and Uncle, and then they

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December 16, 2011 Volume 9 Issue 4

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