Cinnamon Challenge page 8
Tennis page 11
http://northridgereporter.wordpress.com Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
May 10, 2012 • Volume 9 • Issue 8
school schedule changes again
Seven period schedule provides shorter classes for shorter attention spans Raiha Bajwa Opinion Editor The Tuscaloosa City School Board announced a new schedule for the 2012-2013 school year consisting of seven periods, as well as a thirty-six minute skinny block. Beth Allaway, biology teacher, was on the committee to discuss a schedule for the next school year. “In our committee everyone was with the four block,” Allaway said. “But the big problem with the four block is that the board wanted students to be in math and English classes all year instead of just a semester.” Isaac Espy, principal, said there were flaws in the previous four block schedule. “There has been a level of dissatisfaction with the block schedule for years,” he said. “Some of the common complaints include lengthy classes, and a seven month gap in math instruction.”
Espy said the seven period day is a traditional schedule, and one that is used in most high schools. “It is not innovative, exploratory or a novel idea,” he said. “It is a common schedule among many if not most high schools in Alabama, and I am optimistic that it will be progressive and a positive component of our instructional program.” Allaway said she hopes the change will not be too stressful. “I imagine that there will be some rough patches that we will have to work through,” she said. “I don’t think that anything can be worse than the schedule this year. The grades are horrible compared to what they have been.” Elizabeth Tiley, guidance counselor, said she does not think the changes will be that bad. “Everyone will have to learn to adjust,”
she said. “Students will have to learn to adjust their schedule to their workload, just like teachers will have to change teaching styles.” The new schedule will make it harder for students to retake classes they have failed. “Failures will be harder to deal with,” Tiley said. “You won’t be able to make up classes the way you used to be able to.” But Espy said available credit recovery courses should solve the problem. “Credit recovery resources will make repeating entire classes almost obsolete,” he said. Allaway said there should be some pros to the new schedule. “The people who like the seven period schedule like it because kids don’t pay attention for that long anyway,” she said. Taylor Goodall, junior, said he likes the schedule for that reason. “I think that it’s
better because my attention span is definitely not an hour and thirty minutes long,” Goodall said. Goodall said even though he’ll have to sign up for more classes, he does not expect it to be too stressful. “It’s not like I’m going to be taking seven academic courses,” he said. “There should be at least three classes that are electives that I don’t have to stress about.” The incoming freshman class will only need 24 credits and will need to have taken Algebra II as a math to graduate. Graduation exams will become obsolete and all juniors will take the ACT. “The state of Alabama is going to have end of course examinations,” Espy said. “The ACT test will help school officials monitor student achievement, as well as provide students with a free opportunity to take this important assessment.”
Class times affect HOSA Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief
Information supplied by: Lesley Bruinton Designed by: Alex Hauser Information compiled by: Jah'meka Baxter
AP foreign languages hindered by all-year classes Jane Yu Entertainment Editor The A/B block schedule affected foreign language honor societies because fewer students were able to finish the required courses by the end of their first semester. Barbara Beemer, French teacher, said French Honor Society had only a handful of students this year compared to almost twenty students in previous years.
The foreign language department will be affected even more by the new seven period schedule. Unless students take foreign language classes in middle school, they will not be able to reach an AP foreign language. Julie Kim, senior, said she feels bad for those who cannot take AP foreign language. “In Spanish I, II, III and IV, you just do vocabulary, but in AP Spanish you put all
knowledge together, comprehend Spanish thoroughly and get to be really immersed into Hispanic culture,” Kim said. Isaac Espy, principal, said the new schedule will affect foreign language classes and limit the number of double-ups. “The school system will plan to increase opportunities to earn foreign language credits for middle school students,” Espy said.
Even with the extended four period block schedule, students taking classes at Tuscaloosa Center for Technology (TCT) are rushed when traveling back and forth, so they can have as much time in their classes as possible. The shortened class time that will be in effect next year will hurt HOSA students because they won’t have enough time for class and clinicals. Sally Latham, HOSA teacher, said that she prefers the traditional 4x4 block schedule because it offers the best opportunity for the health science class. “[The 4x4 block schedule] allows maximum time for hands-on learning which is what health science is all about,” Latham said. “[But] I always want to remain flexible enough to have as many students taking health science classes as possible. If that means changing to a seven period schedule then we will certainly make the most of what we have to work with.” Juniors taking Foundations of Health Science will take the class in a two period, one semester course, meaning they will have to find two half-credit classes for the other semester. If they aren’t able to find classes, they will be unable to take HOSA. The senior level course will be a two period block class all year. There will be two classes: first and second, and third and fourth, using the bonus advisory period for extra time. This will give students enough time to complete their clinicals as well as other in-classroom activities. Elise Tucker, junior, is currently taking the junior level Foundations of Health Science so she can participate in HOSA next year. “I’ve been waiting to take HOSA since freshman year,” she said. “With the new schedule, I’m not sure how it’s going to work out. My schedule is really full, and it’s going to be difficult scheduling around HOSA.”
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Opinion
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Art by Trent Clanton
Our Thoughts Sudden violence catches attention
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his April, there has been a tangible tension among a portion of students because of a pair of headphones allegedly stolen at a track meet. The day after the theft, April 23, a brawl broke out in the gym before school. Twelve students were arrested. As bad as this was, it didn’t stop there. The next day, a student was assaulted in the hallways with a metal chair. This sudden rise in violence among students has caught a lot of attention outside of school and has been in the media, shedding a bad light on Northridge, inaccurately depicting the majority of the student body. And after yet another fight on a bus, parents are beginning to be outraged by the violence. Such behavior not only catches the eye of the media, but causes them to only reflect on the negative aspects of the school. With high ACT scores, award winning art and publications students, and sports teams with winning seasons, the school has so much more to offer than flying chairs and tantrums. The Northridge Reporter believes that regardless of race, age orgrade no student should resort to physical violence as a means of solving issues. Conflicts like stolen properties need to be handled in a more sensible manner, like talking to an administrator of teacher. Students want to be treated as adults, but for this to happen we need to behave like adults first. (See related story on Thefts on page 12)
agree (14) disagree (3)
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Editor-in-Chief: Opinion Editor: Feature Editor: Entertainment Editor: News Editor: Sports Editor: Business Manager: Photographers: Copy Editor: Art Editor: Artists: Infographic Editor: Web Master:
Alex Hauser* Raiha Bajwa* Renu Pandit* Jane Yu* Trent Clanton* Alexandra Stewart* Raiha Bajwa* Nick Motz*, Emma Jackson* Sara Beth Hartley, Renu Pandit* Trent Clanton* Jane Yu* Ja’’h'meka Baxter* Rand Schille*
Marilyn Monroe leaves behind everlasting impression Jane Yu Entertainment Editor
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She had it all: short curly blond hair emphasizing her shoulder line; red lips like ripe cherries; a voluptuous body seemingly waiting for a touch; and alluring eyes along with her attractive spot right above her lips. Yes, Marilyn Monroe was beloved by Americans. Her pin-up posters grabbed men’s hearts easily, and Monroe soon emerged as the perfect example of a female sex symbol. Her popularity skyrocketed, and her fans demanded more and more of her. That was the beginning. Ever since Monroe, actresses and singers have started to appeal to their audiences sexually through their clothes and their behaviors. Female actresses’ and singers’ clothes resemble garments that cavemen used to wear or tight stockings, not on legs, but on bodies. They are too small and too tight. Teenagers have started to follow the same dress. Teenagers, who want to be called hot and sexy like popular celebrities, demand lower shirts, shorter pants and tighter skirts. The market makes what consumers demand: lower shirts, shorter pants and tighter skirts. And this trend of making smaller clothes has gone so far that nowadays it is hard to find “school-appropriate shorts” unless the shorts come down to one’s knee. The behavior of celebrities, especially their private lives, has also affected the
behavior of teenagers. For celebrities, divorce is so common that it is nothing. For celebrities, discussion about sexual intercourse is common. At first, people were shocked about such discussions. But celebrities are “cool.” So, producers started to show those celebrities’ shallow actions as common behaviors among “cool” main characters on shows. In comedy, fantasy, thrillers, acYu tion films, science fiction, mysteries… almost all kinds of movies or dramas, including those seen by teenagers or younger children, they have sex over and over again. Of course, teenagers mimic the same behavior. As a result, teen pregnancy rates have increased rapidly, and people have grown to accept it. No, those pregnant girls should not be ostracized like Hester Prynne, but people have become too open. Immature teenagers who do not care about their pregnancy and fail to see their near future define themselves as “cool” after having sex. “Cool” parent’s response to a baby is, “Well it happened, so we cannot do anything about it.” Marilyn Monroe’s appeal to people’s sexuality was thought to be a passing sensation. It was not.
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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.
7 Period Schedule
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Adviser: Susan Newell* *Denotes state, regional and national award winners
A/B Schedule
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Staff Writers: Sarah Katherine Barnes*, Parker Evans*, Sara Beth Hartley*, Ebony Hughuley, Emma Jackson*, Maddie Mayfield, Nick Motz*, Cece Partlow, Tyesha Pinnock, Brianna Shaw, Keith Spencer, Aasiayah Sullivan*, Marcellus Taylor, Reagan Walker, KeamBria Washington, Candace Wiggins
4 Block Schedule
Art by R aiha Bajw a
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
seniors move on
Opinion
Words of advice for future seniors Nick Pappas Guest Writer Listen up, juniors: senior year is everything you have heard it is. It is stressful. It is relaxed. It is fun. It is exhausting. It is everything. With registration approaching and the frightening and uncertain future of the 7-period day looming over next year, I am certain juniors and the other underclassmen must be worried about next year. The process will be different for each you, but if there is one piece of universal advice I can offer, it is: DO NOT OVERLOAD YOURSELF. In my circle of friends, I am a notorious yes-man who will agree to do anything he is asked to do. Three AP classes in a semester? Sure, sounds great. Editor of the school’s yearbook? Awesome! Be an officer in six honor societies? Why not?
End world hunger and establish world peace? Sign me up. Don’t get me wrong, at this point in time, now, that I am almost finished with everything required Pappa of me, I have no regrets. s However, I think I could have found a little more sanity in some of my darker times if I had taken a step back from things and said, “Hold up, this might be too much to put on my plate at one time.” For the truly ambitious few, I understand how taking a million AP classes sounds like a great idea, but I am just asking that you stop and think before you end up in way over your head when you might rather have a relaxing afternoon off sometimes. Listen to me or don’t, I wish you the best for next year and the years to come. And if you do end up overwhelmed, just remind yourself you’ll be preparing to walk for your diploma like I am right now soon enough, and everything in life is only for now.
Student misses grandfather at graduation Aasiayah Sullivan Staff Writer Sometimes, hearing a phone ring late at night is not a good thing. That news can be that a family member has passed away. Once the news that a close relative has passed away starts to sink in, it hurts more than anything. I know this from experience. I lost my grandfather before my senior year began. When my cousin told me that he passed away, so many emotions and thoughts ran through my head. I was so afraid because he was such an important person in my life. My grandfather was the only man that had always been there for me. From the time I was young, we would sit and talk about me graduating. He would tell me that he was going to be proud to see his only granddaughter graduate. When he first got sick, I thought he was going to pull through and be there for me like always, but
things took a turn for the worse, and he had to stay in the hospital up until the point of his death. I didn’t want him to leave me; he was all that I had. My grandfather was the father figure that I always wanted as a child. He was the person that gave me advice about life. SullivaInthought about how him passing away would affect me during my last year as a high school student. When I started school this fall, I was an emotional wreck. I thought that I wasn’t going to make it. My grandfather was the only person that understood me, and to not have him to talk to when I needed him was something I couldn’t get over. As the school year progressed, I realized that I had to be strong. I had to make him proud. Losing a loved one can be really hard. It was hard for me because my grandfather watched me grow as a teenager, and I wanted him to see what all I had accomplished. That is why graduating is so important to me. I want him to look down on me, and say that I still make him proud.
Your Thoughts
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Foul language disturbs teacher Dear Editor, I am writing to you to complain about the foul language I hear from students in my classroom and in the hall ways of NHS. I am shocked when I hear kids curse, call each other foul names, and use racial epitaphs to solicit laughs and approval from other students. I have been a teacher for fifteen years, which is the average age of students here at NHS, and in all those years the language our students have been using has been steadily getting worse. Our first president George Washington once said, “The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.” Why do we accept this beNowell havior? I think students who curse should be suspended immediately from school and then made to apologize in front of the entire class for using language that is inappropriate for school. “When a man uses profanity to support an argument, it indicates that either the man or the argument is weak - probably both” It is true that some teachers, faculty and administration have been known to let a foul word escape their lips from time to time. In most cases, they are so ashamed of themselves for this slip; they immediately apologize to the room at large. I have accidentally had this happen myself. But, I do not take pleasure in calling people by racial slurs or telling them to go do something obscene to themselves, which is physically impossible. Cursing and calling kids the “N” word is a sign of weak minds and undereducated children. We need to put a stop to this. We need not stand by and let these students walk away unpunished and uneducated.
Interested in joing The Northridge Reporter staff? Fill out an application in Room 109 for next year.
Senior reminisces childhood, bittersweet about leaving Alexandra Stewart Sports Editor As I picked up my graduation invitations, I realized that it was finally almost here. All of the hard work is finally about to pay off. I took everything out on the kitchen counter with my mom and her best friend, Amy, and it just all seemed surreal. We pulled out invitations, envelopes, name cards and stickers; my mom put it together to see what it would look like. The second we put the invitation together, the tears started pouring from both my mom and Amy. “When did this happen,” Amy blubbered. “I met you when you were in second grade!” She looked at my mom, watching her cry as she looked at the invitations. “It’s been just me and you for such a long time now,” my mom said, looking at me, with sincerity in her eyes.
As I stood there, in the kitchen, watching them cry, I thought about all the time that’s gone by. It just seems unreal to me how Stewar fast it all flies by. It seems t as though, one minute you’re a child, learning something new every day, playing pretend and coloring, and the next minute, you’re all grown up, about to graduate high school, wishing, you could go back and tell yourself everything you know now, wishing you could tell yourself, “Slow down!” or “Don’t rush growing up.” I read somewhere, “If your 8-yearold self met you, would they be proud?” That, to me, is something very important to reflect on. Life is made up of a million different moments. Some of those are big, and some of those are small. But all of these moments impact our lives in some way or another.
People always say, “If there was one thing about your life, that you could go back and change, what would it be?” But do we ever think that maybe we shouldn’t go back and change that one thing? Going back on a moment in my life, and changing it, could completely change the person that I am. Each of these moments that make up my life are a tiny part of who I am today. Each decision that I make, will affect my life and ultimately, the person who I become. I think that what most people regret when they look back at their lives is the things that they wish they had done and what they wish they had said. I hope that I am able to think about if my 8-year-old self would be proud, and never, ever, let a moment of my life slip away from me, because before I know it, all of these moments will be gone. I am going to make something of who I am. And start today.
Photo by Selena Stewart
Stewart holding hands with her best friend, Sara Beth Hartley, at Melodrama camp at age seven.
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Entertainment
Videogameholics speak loudly when it comes to game consoles
Photo from geeksofdom.com
Dark Knight Rises, brings final threat to Batman
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he final installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman saga, The Dark Knight Rises, is shrouded in speculation. Most of what is known about it comes from the trailers, interviews, Internet rumors and guesswork based on the Batman comics. Director Christopher Nolan has returned for what is the third and definitely the final film of the series. That in and of itself is a good thing. After the success of The Dark Knight, Nolan said that he would only come back for a third film if he thought he could outdo himself, and here he is. The hyper-realistic world that Nolan has created for Batman in the first two films has turned the idea of a guy dressing up as a bat and fighting crime into a plausible, grounded story. Nolan, so far, has chosen villains that have in-depth origins and present believable threats; the Scarecrow’s weaponized hallucinogen, Ra al Ghul’s plan to raze Gotham to the ground from the inside, the Joker’s sadistic terrorist acts, and now we have Bane. Bane will be the primary antagonist in the upcoming film. If he’s anything like the comic book version, Bane will be the biggest threat Batman has faced yet. Why? Because when he was first introduced in the Knightfall storyline, Bane snapped Batman’s back and left him paralyzed, becoming one of the only villains to ever defeat Batman. How? Because he has brawn and brains. He has a genius level intellect in addition to a strength surpassing Batman’s own. In Knightfall, Bane releases all the inmates from Arkham Asylum, forcing Batman to spend weeks cleaning them up.
May 10, 2012
Xbox vs. PS3
First peek at last Batman Parker Evans Staff Writer
The Northridge Reporter
By the time Batman finally secured them all behind bars, Bane deduced Batman’s true identity, broke into the Batcave, and confronted the exhausted Batman, ultimately breaking his back. So why would Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay, bring in the villain famous for beating Batman if he weren’t going to take advantage of him? Nolan said of the villain: “With Bane we are looking to give Batman a physical challenge he hasn’t had before. He’s a great sort of movie monster, but with an incredible brain.” The storyline of the movie is set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight. Nolan, who is notoriously secretive about his projects, said the movie “is really all about finishing Batman and Bruce Wayne’s story. We left him in a very precarious place…he’s not in a great state.” Maybe because of a broken back? But it’s not just Bane who is stirring up questions. Anne Hathaway has been cast as Catwoman, and from her lines in the trailer, there are signs of conflict between the upper and lower social classes, especially when she whispers to Bruce Wayne, “There’s a storm coming Mr. Wayne. You and your friends better batten down the hatches, ‘cause when it hits, you’re going to wonder how you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.” That sounds familiar. Maybe Nolan is incorporating a little bit of an Occupy Wall Street theme? Whatever he’s doing, there are only a handful of people that actually know how it all will end. Nolan did not write the ending on the script that he gave out to the actors. He gathered the lead cast together to tell them in person how the trilogy ends. Whatever he has planned, it is going to be huge. There’s a storm coming.
Marcellus Taylor Staff Writer Competition between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3) continues within the majority of teenage males. Ezerick Wilson, freshman, said he plays his PS3 two to four hours every day. “I play it so much because I feel that it’s one of the best systems out,” Wilson said. Wilson said that PS3 games are better than Xbox 360 games. “The only game I’d like to see on PS3 from Xbox 360 is Halo,” he said. “That’s the only reason I would get an Xbox.” Marcus Wallace, senior, plays Xbox and said he would only get a PS3 if God of War 4 came out. “Overall Xbox 360 has better games than PS3,” Wallace said. Wallace said he plays his Xbox 360 after
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school about three to four hours. Jaquinn Byrd, freshman, said he has had his game console for four years and prefers PS3 over Xbox. “I love the games that the PlayStation 3 has,” he said. “That’s why I wouldn’t purchase an Xbox.” He said there are some advantages that Xbox has over PS3. For example, X box can set up parties during games. “I wish PS3 could set up parties without leaving games,” Byrd said. Keshaun Byrd, sophomore, said the Xbox was his first console. “I’ve had it for three years,” he said. Keshaun said he plays his game about two hours every day because playing games online with new people is fun. “I would not ever get a PS3,” he said. “PS3s are cheap.”
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Entertainment
Photo by Jane Yu
Neilann Thomas, librarian, and Jennifer Lowry, senior, discuss Lowry’s upcoming book Dear Miss Adams.
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Photo from dearmissadams.com
Dear Miss Adams is now available in the NHS library.
Dream comes true: becoming author at young age
Current senior publishes book with Mom Jane Yu Entertainment Editor Jennifer Lowry, senior, published a book called Dear Miss Adams. “It started as a ninth grade history project,” Lowry said. “It was supposed to be a historical fiction.” She said she had always liked writing but never saw herself as a writer. However, when she got a 98 on her history writing project (two points were taken
off due to not numbering pages), her mom, Karen Lowry, helped her turn her history project into a book. “My mom took my book to a writers’ conference in Chicago and got the book reviewed,” Lowry said. She said she is really excited about her book being published. “Somebody said yesterday ‘Jennifer, you did not tell me you were a writer,’ and I just said, ‘Well, it came as a shock to me too!’”
She said she is just blessed to have such a talented mother, who is a co-author. “I am excited about where this book will takes us, and what the future holds,” Lowry said. Zoë Bakker, junior, said she was really surprised. “A year ago, she [Jennifer] told me she wrote a book, but I did not hear anything about it,” Bakker said. “Then BAM! Book published.”
Neilann Thomas, librarian, said she was amazed at Lowry’s accomplishment. “What an experience. What an opportunity to go through the [publishing] process at a young age,” Thomas said. Dear Miss Adams is a story about girls from Chambers County, AL, writing letters to their teacher, Ms. Adams, during World War II and is available now in book stores and online. The book is also in the school library.
Band One Direction begins on X Factor Brianna Shaw Staff Writer
Photo from onedirectionmusic.com Famous British boy band will be on tour in USA.
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Five boys, five stages of competition, one incredible dream that came true. Liam Payne (18), Harry Styles (18), Zayn (Zain) Malik (19), Niall Horan (18), and Louis Tomlinson (20) all started as individual solo contestants on the X Factor UK in 2010. Unfortunately, they were told in boot camp that they would not make it to the second stage of the competition, the Judges House where the contestants perform two songs with their respective judge. Simon Cowell did not want the boys’ talent to be wasted and decided to become their mentor. The five boys were called back and told that they would continue on if they would form a band. One of the band members, Harry Styles, sent a text to the other members of the band
and suggested their band name to be “One Direction.” Week after week, the band performances on the X Factor impressed judges and audiences, and they gained an army of fans. One Direction made it to the grand finale of the X Factor, finishing up in 3rd. However, Cowell signed One Direction up to his own music label, Syco. One Direction is now sitting on the top of the US album charts with their album “Up All Night.” From 28 to the Hot 100, One Direction has passed Adele, another popular British artist. One Direction has been on tour since 2011, traveling from London to Australia, the United States and Canada. They were on tour in the United States from Feb. 24 to March 9 with Big Time Rush. They will tour again in the United States from May 24 in Fairfax, Va. until July 1 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.
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Feature
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012 Resources for Teen Moms Teen Moms program see Counselor J. Renee Colvin for information “The organization Teen Moms came to all the city school and told us about government assistance. They also gave us cribs for our babies,” -Chassade McGown, senior
Parenting class taught by Kathleen Oatts “[The parenting class covers] the internal and external pressures of pregnancy; the effects of teen pregnancy on the teen, child and family, such as medical, financial, educational, emotional and social aspects,” -Kathleen Oatts, parenting teacher
Photos by: Susan Newell
Parenting books from the library (check out or purchase books like:)
left: Two-year-old Tristen gazes timidly around the journalism classroom in the arms of his mother, senior Reagan Walker. “"I had him right at the beginning of my sophomore year,” Reagan said. “It’s amazing to see him grow everyday." Walker said.” right: Walker checks Tristen’s nose to clean it. I’m a single teenage mom that takes care of and raises her son to the best of her ability with What to Expect When You’re a lot of help from my grandmother. It may not be the traditional way, but it’s not supposed to be; this is the situation God gave me, so I’m Expecting through What to Expect during the Toddler going to tackle it the best way I know how,"” Walker said. Years
Support system provides aid, resources
Teen mom program seeks to educate, prepare young parents
Regan Walker Staff Writer
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aking a test to learn that you are about to become solely responsible for the life of a human being can leave even the most responsible adult feeling unprepared, let alone a teen. The Teen Mom program, a small group for pregnant or already parenting teens who would like to learn about parenting skills, decision making, goal setting, relationships and responsibility, can help teen moms cope. J. Renee Colvin, guidance counselor, said the Teen Mom program benefits moms in many ways. “[The program] is a support system for teen moms. It is designed to assist teenage mothers with parenting skills as well as relationship building skills,” Colvin said. “The social network Facebook allows teen moms to schedule outings together and share current issues.” Colvin said another benefit of the Teen Mom program is The Youth for Christ organization provides teen moms with mommy bucks. “The mommy bucks allow teen moms to purchase personal care items, clothing and other essential items,” Colvin said.
Colvin said teens usually hear about the Teen Mom program through the school nurse. “Teen moms who have already delivered usually find out by word of mouth from other teen moms. The nurse will pass the information on to me, and I will speak with the expectant mother about the Teen Mom program and from there I will contact their parent,” Colvin said. She said there is not a program for teen dads, but if there were it would provide the same support that the teen mom program does. “I have discussed possibly implementing a program for teen dads with Audrey Ellis, Coordinator of Social Work Services,” Colvin said. “The teen dad program should stress the importance of joint responsibility, and the importance of being a positive influence in their child’s life.” Colvin said planning ahead is very important. “The local library is a resource; an expecting parent can check out books on parenting from their local library or purchase the series of books on What to Expect When You’re Expecting through What to Expect during the Toddler Years. [A parent] may also want to become acquainted with coupon clipping and clothes swapping with others that have a child close to the age of their child.”
Colvin said planning ahead also requires knowledge of what is available to you. “Once you know that you are expecting, get in contact with agencies and programs that provide services for teen moms,” Colvin said. “It is also important to use the wealth of knowledge around you, through parents, teachers and programs such as Teen Moms for support and guidance.” Kathleen Oatts, parenting teacher, said her parenting class covers the basics of teen pregnancy. “[The parenting class covers] the internal and external pressures of pregnancy; the effects of teen pregnancy on the teen, child and family, such as medical, financial, educational, emotional and social aspects,” Oatts said. Oatts said having a child at any age is very difficult. “Being a teen parent can be even more of a challenge. That is why I think it is important to have support groups in place for these teen parents,” Oatts said. She said teens should be realistic about how much their life is going to change once they have a child. “[Teens that are about to have a baby should] find out what they can do before the baby comes to
prepare for having a child. Make sure to ask for help and accept help when it is offered,” Oatts said. “If the teen could talk with other teen parents to learn from their experiences, they will have someone to share their concerns with as well as have an opportunity to learn from people that have been through a similar situation.” Oatts said she doesn’t think that the rise in teen pregnancy can be stopped altogether, but she does think it can decrease. “More people talking about the realistic risks of having sex would be a great step to decrease the rise in teen pregnancy,” Oatts said. “A lot of teens don’t feel comfortable talking to adults about sex and all the possible results that can occur when making the choice to have sex. Parents, as well as other important adults in teens’ lives need to make sure they are available to the teens if they want to talk.” Oatts said that the media has a huge influence on teens today. “I think the message the media tries to present to teens will sometimes include realistic consequences of having sex and teen pregnancy, but at the same time will sometimes brush over the true struggles most teen parents are faced with on a daily basis,” Oatts said.
Personal resources clip coupons and swap clothes with other moms as children grow
Government Assistance “Teenage mothers are eligible for assistance through the funds made available by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Bureau. It gives states wide flexibility in running their programs, so benefits vary from state to state,” -Livestrong.com “One federal program that provides food and health assistance is the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. WIC aids families by providing money for food from WIC-authorized vendors, as well as education about nutrition. WIC will help participants, including teenage mothers, find health care and other community services. WIC participants must be pregnant women or new mothers with infants or children under age 5; there are income guidelines as well,” -Livestrong.com
Compiled by Jah'’meka Baxter and Renu Pandit.
Feature
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
7
Parenthood- (n) the state of being a parent. Parent-(n) a protector or guardian. Mother-(n) A woman in relation to a child or children to whom she has given birth. Father- (n) a man who exercises paternal care over others.
Mom & Dad
Teen dads
The other side of the story Teen dads share feelings about parenthood Keambria Washington Staff Writer
T
een moms are usually the topic of discussion, but some teen dads think they need to share more insight on their sides of the story. Teen dads have the same responsibility as the mother. Some fail to meet that responsibility, while others realize they need to be in their child’s life. Demarcus France, sophomore and teen dad, has a two-year-old son who he spends time with every weekend and financially takes care of with the little money that he gets from his family. “I’m very involved in my child’s life, and I take care of my child because that’s my responsibility,” France said. France doesn’t experience staying up all night because he only has his son on the weekends.
“We would have spent the whole day out, so we would just go home and straight to sleep. But the hardest thing is putting him to sleep,” France said. Opinions about teen dads can be hurtful because some people think most teen dads don’t take responsibility for their child. Colby Mitchell, sophomore and expecting father, said he is ready to take care of his child and plans on being in his/her life. “I don’t think this is going to affect my life. My mom supports me, and I am going to stick by the mother of my child’s side no matter what and take care of my responsibilities,” Mitchell said. Jaquail Robinson, freshman, said he has his own opinion about teen dads. “Most of them do not take responsibility [for their children] and are never a man about the sit-
Do you know any teen parents?
uation. Anybody can have a baby, but it takes a man to raise one. For a certain amount of time they take care of the child, but when it gets hard, they kind of start slacking,” Robinson said. One dad who’s a senior said being a teen dad helps you grow up, make smarter decisions and be more responsible. “When my parent’s found out that I was going to have a child, they were telling me that it was time for me to be a man. It’s kind of hard, but I know I have to take care of her because she didn’t ask to be here,” the senior said. The senior dad gives advice to other expecting fathers. “Do all you can to be in your child’s life and don’t let anything bring you down. Don’t be a failure like some of these deadbeat dads who don’t take care of their child,” he said.
=5
Compiled by Jah’ ' meka Baxter. Designed by Renu Pandit. Photos from MCT Campus.
=2 Compiled by Jah'’ m eka Baxter. Designed by Renu Pandit. Photos from MCT Campus.
TV shows impact teen pregnancy; display daily struggles
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No
None
Power of the media Alexandra Stewart Sports Editor
Yes
Who do you think plays a larger role in parenting?
et up, feed the baby, change diapers, and stay home taking care of the baby all day long; this is what Alice Remmert, would-be junior student does every day. Remmert had to drop out of school when she became pregnant. “It’s all about the baby now, my schedule is to pretty much feed and take care of her all hours day and night,” she said, “I can see my friends sometimes, but it’s changed. It’s not all about me doing what I want to do,” she said. On July 1, 2008, Secret Life of the American Teenager was first aired on ABC Family, and following after that was MTV’s Sixteen and Pregnant on June 11, 2009. Since then, it seems that teens getting pregnant has become a regular occurrence and more accepted. Remmert said she thinks teen pregnancy is trending more from the broadcasting of it through the media. “It [the media] shows how things really are, but at the same time every one handles it differently,” she said.
Junior Emma Walsh, who is Alice’s friend, said she agrees that the media is influencing teen pregnancy. “I think it has some impact, showing that it’s okay to get pregnant at a young age, but it also shows the hard and difficult part of it,” she said. “It does show viewers what it’s like, but at the same time, they don’t even show half of what it’s actually like to have a child,” she said. Walsh said a lot has changed since Remmert became pregnant. “I couldn’t believe it at first, but when I saw the ultrasound pictures, it really hit me. I was supportive when a lot of people kind of shut her down,” she said. “It was pretty difficult. She couldn’t do as much and needed to go to sleep earlier than I did. I was with her the entire summer helping her, and I would limit the things I usually did, such as laying out and swimming, just to make her feel better,” she said. Through the pregnancy, Remmert and Walsh became closer friends. “I supported her all the way. I went to the hospital when there were false alarms of the baby coming, and I went to doctor’s appointments with her,” Walsh said.
“I was in the delivery room helping her when she was having her baby, and I helped her while she was sick.” Pediatrician Cynthia Walker said she thinks the media seems to be broadcasting teen pregnancy more. “I think that there are definitely more shows about [teen pregnancy], and they are trying to make it like ‘everyone is getting pregnant,’” she said. “I think they are trying to display people’s opinions in a bad way.” Walker said that pregnant teens should take certain healthy precautions. “They need to be on vitamins and checked for STDs because they can cause birth defects that can both defect and harm the baby,” she said. “They need to go to the doctor regularly. It’s a mess if they do not go to the doctor.” Walker said she thinks there are several factors involving teen pregnancy. “It’s a risk to have a baby at any age. The child is not fully matured, and it’s basically like a child taking care of a child,” she said. “It [health risks] depends on the maturity of the teen. For the most part teenagers are healthy, so they are probably healthier than some older mothers,” she said.
8
News
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
In The News ¤Cinnamon challenge¤ becomes teen fad’ Ebony Hughuley Staff Writer
Down with the sickness
Photo by Trent Clanton Photo Illustration by Trent Clanton
Seniors grow restless as school year draws to close Mock disease called senioritis starts to set in Trent Clanton News Editor As the remaining days of the school year begin to dwindle away, some students grow restless to get out of school. These students, usually seniors, develop a lack of enthusiasm about the remainder of their high school career. This general attitude has jokingly been made into a fictional medical condition named “senioritis.” Senior McCall Robinson said she thought symptoms of seniorities included severe procrastination, inability to complete schoolwork and constant fatigue. Alex Stella, senior, said he has senioritis and believes it is “when you feel like you’ve put up with this school long enough and don’t want to do anything.” Stella said he believed his “condition” has gotten worse over the course of the semester.
J O B
“I’m going downhill [in regards to my interest towards school]. It’s like I just tripped at the top of the hill sometime this year, and now I’ve just started tumbling down,” he said. Trina Busby, AP Literature and Composition teacher, said seniors don’t exactly develop a lack of care so much as they begin to focus more on what comes after graduation than completing the tasks currently in front of them. “Now that they [the seniors] are on the home stretch, especially after spring break, I really begin to see it kind of coming out in some of them. But usually when report cards come out and they see some disappointing grades, they’ll snap back into shape. That improvement might only last a couple weeks, though,” Busby said. Some students start to take their focus off of school earlier than their last year of high school, like senior Parker Shields, who said he’s had senioritis since the third day of his
S E A R C H
freshman year. Kaleb Farmer, senior, said he hasn’t wanted to do anything school-related since the first hour of the 2011-2012 year. “I think senioritis is a great idea. Everyone should do it,” Farmer said, laughing. Busby said she tries to motivate her students to get through the last bit of the year. “In an AP class it’s easier to get students focused because of the AP exams, but in other classes it’s more difficult, because there’s not anything to rein them back in with, like a final test at the end of the year that they have to pass,” she said. Amanda Talantis, Spanish teacher, said being lackadaisical in school won’t help students. “I think, with high school, you’re going to miss it when it’s gone, and so you need to make the most of it. That means everything from making great grades to planning your future to being motivated,” she said.
:
Mary Poppins once used a spoonful of sugar to help take her medicine. Now some students are taking a spoonful of cinnamon, which may not have the same result. The cinnamon challenge is a growing phenomenon. The challenger attempts to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon without drinking anything. The effects can be dangerous. According to The Mother Nature Network health website, cinnamaldehyde, an organic compound that gives the spice its distinctive flavor, is used as a pesticide and fungicide. The German federal institute for risk assessment warned against consuming large amounts of cinnamon because burning may be so severe from swelling of the mouth or throat that it could block access to air and potentially lead to death. Sophomore Kiel Pierce attempted the punishing challenge. “When you put the teaspoon of cinnamon in your mouth it has a very dry and spicy taste,” Pierce said. “Then your mouth starts to dry out, and your throat starts to hurt. Your eyes start to water, and you have no choice but to cough it up.” A middle school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania banned many types of boots in January in an attempt to combat cinnamon smuggling into the classroom, according to the Mercury Reports. Health teacher Don McNabb agrees that the challenge isn’t a risk worth taking. “When you deprive yourself from water there’s a risk of choking,” McNabb said. “Anything that’s going to harm a teen needs to be addressed.” Information compiled by Jah’®meka Baxter Infographic by Trent Clanton
Have you tried the cinnamon challenge?
35
Students
25
Students
Yes
Poll out of 60 students
No
S O L V E D
Co-Op class provides hands-on learning, experience in the professional world Regan Walker Staff Writer Some students go to school and then have to go directly to work, while other students take advantage of Cooperative Education, which allows them to leave school early to go to a job. Katherine Adams, Co-Op teacher, said that Cooperative Education is a structured component of the Career and Technical Education that integrates classroom instruction with productive, work-based experiences in fields related to students’ career objectives. “Content is planned for students through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employer as a part of work-based learning,” Adams said. “The purpose of cooperative education is to provide paid work-based experiences in an occupational setting that typically can’t be obtained in the classroom.” Adams said that one prerequisite for a student to join Cooperative Education is that the
student must obtain a concentrator status prior to enrollment in Cooperative Education. “[The Concentrator status is] two courses within a Career Technical Education program,” Adams said. “Students who have not obtained concentrator status must have successfully completed a minimum of one CTE credit and be taking the second course required for concentrator status.” Adams said that the students must also follow an application process. “Each student must complete an application and secure three recommendations,” Adams said. Successful applicants must have good attendance, good discipline and at least a “C” in all courses. Adams said to earn one credit; students must work a minimum of 270 hours per semester. “[Students] must average 15 hours per week,” Adams said. Adams said the jobs of students in Co-Op range from dental hygienist, doctor assistant,
and receptionist to cashier and dishwasher. “Benefits of Co-Op include receiving specific school-based and work-based training in a chosen career while attending high school,” Adams said. “Additionally, Co-Op WorkBased learning students earn income and become financially literate in some experiences, reinforce and apply academic competencies, develop, demonstrate and refine safe work habits and demonstrate responsibility, maturity, job competency and decision-making skills.” “Students are reminded weekly in the required Cooperative Education Seminar class that school comes first, and if they do not come to school they can’t go to work that day,” Adams said. MeeKaahaila Dunn, senior, said she works at Sonic Drive-In, and that joining Co-Op allows her to work around 30 hours a week. “[Co-Op] has helped me better prepare for work because the work that we do in our seminar class asks questions about different sce-
narios that we can be presented with at work. Then we are tested on how we would handle the situation,” she said. Dunn said she feels Co-Op has prepared her for life in the work force. “Even though we go to school, we are allowed to get out early to work, so that prepares you for what it will be like when you start a job that you have to work long hours for,” Dunn said. Dunn said that even though she has a CoOp job that doesn’t interfere with her academic career. “I am doing great in all of my classes,” she said. “Since I go in to work early, I’m able to get off earlier, so that allows me to have time to focus on school.” Dunn said she recommends students try to take Co-Op because it is a very educational class. “My advice is to stay focused, be ready to work and be ready for the seminar class,” she said.
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Safety while tanning prevents cancer, skin problems Alexandra Stewart Sports Editor Lying out in the sun, soaking up the rays, and getting a little ‘R&R’ [Rest and Relaxation] can sound so innocent yet can have such a deadly consequence. Amber Box, junior, said she tans on a regular basis. “I tan in the sunlight now, but I used to tan every other day in a tanning bed,” she said. “But I don’t have the money to go to the tanning bed every day.” Box said she was too young to remember when she started tanning. “I use tanning lotion though to prevent skin cancer and wrinkles,” she said. Natalia Aranda, junior, said she started tanning her freshman year. “I never got obsessed with it; I just did it. I tan in the summer, but it’s not to get darker, it’s for the fun of it. Sometimes I get farmer’s tan, so I want to fix that,” she said. Aranda and Box both said they like tanning because it is relaxing. “I relax when I tan; it does give you color, so that’s extra. I like to just relax by the pool or read a book,” she said. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with more than 3.5 million skin cancers in two million people diagnosed annually. It is estimated that 2.3 million teens visit a tanning salon at least once a year, according to www.skincancer.org. Aranda said she has trouble protecting her skin when in the sun. “I do try to use sunscreen, but it’s really hard to remind myself to reapply,” she said. Traci Watson, English teacher, said she once had a skin cancer scare. “I was just brushing my hair one day, and when the brush went over the spot, it felt uncomfortable. I tried to pull my hair over to see it, and I thought it was just a spot, but I went to the dermatologist, and he did a biopsy, and it was skin cancer, and I did tan in a tanning bed,” she said. “It was one of those things that was just freaky. I wasn’t looking for it; it was just there.” Watson said she was frightened when she found out it was skin cancer.
News
“It was scary. I thought it would never happen to me,” she said. “It was surgically removed, and I had some medicine that I had to apply to the area once a month. Now when I’m in the sun, I have to wear a hat.” She said she thinks precautions should be used when you are in the sun. “Don’t tan and use sunscreen. If you’re going to be outside, wear a hat, and if you want to tan, use the self tanning products. It’s not worth losing your life for a bronze glow,” she said. Watson said she has learned a lot through her skin cancer scare. “I wish I had not been so concerned with appearance and used better judgment when tanning. When I was a teenager, that’s all I did; I baked,” she said. Cynthia Walker, Pediatrician, said she does not recommend tanning in a tanning bed. “It’s not good for you and can expose you to cancer, and then if you’re out in the sun later, it can be really bad. It can make you more prone to being sunburned when you go out into the actual sun,” Walker said. “You have to also make sure that the tanning place is licensed because they could just fry you. A good one wouldn’t put you in there for a long period of time; it would just be gradual. I’m not in favor of them. Nothing is good about them, unless you have a certain kind of skin disease where it is recommended for your skin; otherwise, I wouldn’t recommend it,” Walker said. Walker said tanning in a tanning bed increases your chance of getting skin cancer proportionately. “You should look for a change in the pigment of your skin, if it’s painful or a raised spot, a skin mole, and just any kind of change in appearance,” she said. “A lot of times it’s something simple that you can have frozen off by a skin doctor. But sometimes it has to be surgically removed and checked to see if it spread into your lymph nodes,” she said. Watson said she thinks it’s [skin cancer] something you don’t think will happen to you. “I never expected to have skin cancer, so I don’t think I would have changed anything. But that’s part of the problem. We always think ‘it’s going to happen to someone else, it’s not going to happen to me,’” she said.
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Illustration by Trent Clanton
University of Alabama C o m mun i t y Mu sic S c ho ol Classes, Camps, and Private Lessons! Summer String Ensemble
Introductory Group Classes
For students who play violin, viola, cello, and bass
Explore the violin or cello this summer in an encouraging small group setting
Keep your skills sharp this summer! Focus on building strong reading and ensemble skills. Option 1: Ensemble Only - $30.00 Option 2: Ensemble-Plus - $75.00 6 week session, Tuesdays, June 5-July 10 One year of playing experience required, as well as note reading ability.
Beginning Level Camps
These one-week camps focus on musicianship skills and beginning instruction with a selected instrument. -Piano, drums, electric or acoustic guitar (must have own guitar or drum sticks) -$85 Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM- Noon June 18-22 OR July 9-13.
June 5-28 Tuesdays and Thursdays Times depend on different instruments and age groups -$85
Children’s Musical
-Disney’s Aristocats KIDS
Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM- Noon July 16-27 -$150 Offered at Moody Music Building, UA Campus. Camp culminates with full performance including songs, dance numbers, costumes, staging, and accompaniment. Practice CD included.
Private Lessons Open to all ages and abilities! Lessons available on piano, band and orchestra instruments, guitar, organ, ukulele, voice, and foreign languages. Fee based on number of lessons, lesson length, and teacher’s experience
For more information, call us at (205)-348-6741 or e-mail us at jweigel@music.ua.edu
10 Home Run Sports
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Baseball team wins Area Nine Championshi p own,” he said. Outfielder Austin Atkins, junior, said practice makes perfect, but team chemistry The baseball team has the ball rolling, or is another factor that has contributed to the flying, rather, this season as they’ve climbed baseball program’s success this year. “Everybody is working toward the same all the way to the Area Nine Championship for 6A schools and won it for the first time goal, and we’ve all really accepted our roles in the team. in school hisNo one is worried tory. Everybody is working toward about playing time Travis Garner, the same goal, and we’ve all or anything, we’re head baseball really accepted our roles in all just focused on coach, said the winning,” Atkins the team. team has really said. over-achieved Garner said he this year. has also seen the “After losing team’s unity. 14 seniors (five “They’re a really a tight-knit group; of which were college signees) last year, a lot of people were thinking we would there’s no jealousy involved. Everyone struggle, but we ended up winning the area pulls for each other,” he said. Freshman Kyle Stuart, pitcher, said the championship,” he said. Garner said the team works hard to make seniors have played a big part in the team. “They know a lot and have been around sure they are in shape to play. “We started practicing the first day we a little bit, so they give really good advice. got back to school in January. Our guys They lead by action,” Stuart said. After one of their best seasons in school practice from 2:00 to 6:00 basically every day, except for Sunday, and that’s not even history, the baseball team will start playcounting the work they might do on their offs on April 20. Trent Clanton News Editor
“
”
-Austin Atkins, junior
Photo by: Blake Benson
Getting ready for the baseball game against Hillcrest High School on April 10, the team huddles together for some encouragement from their teammates. “They’'re just a really tight-knit group; there’’s no jealousy involved. Everyone pulls for each other, “”Baseball coach Travis Garner said.
Outstanding Athlete
Dedication brings success to senior favorite part of softball would probably have to be hitting,” she said. “It’s like I’m in a zone where all I think about is executCaemin Acker, senior, doesn’t just play ing. I love stepping into the box and trying to help my team.” softball—she lives it. Acker said softball is a time-consuming Acker said she has always been competisport. tive. “I spend countless “I’ve always hours on softball,” had a passion for I feel like softball was she said. “I also play sports,” she said. year-round, and with “I feel like softball just my calling. I'’m a that, comes giving was just my calling. competitor, and I love up things and making I’m a competitor, sacrifices, but you’ve the hype of the game. and I love the hype got to do that if you of the game.” want to reach the next Ann Tyler Corlevel.” win, senior, one Corwin said softof Acker’s best ball takes up most of friends, said she alAcker’s time. ways motivates Acker. “She always has practice, it seems like,” “Even though she gets worn down a lot with it because it’s a tiring [sport] to take she said. “Even when they aren’t having part in, and it consumes her life, I can tell games, she’s always doing something for softball and is always making sure she’s she still has a heart for it,” Corwin said. Acker said she enjoys everything about prepared for it.” Corwin said Acker does a great job presoftball. “I enjoy all aspects of the game, but my paring herself. Sara Beth Hartley Copy Editor
“
-Caemin Acker, senior
”
“She constantly stays hydrated and everything,” she said. “Some people give up on that when their sport is not in season, but she makes sure she keeps a good, healthy diet.” Acker said she has difficulties with the mentality of the game. “My weakness is the mental aspects of the game,” she said. “Softball is about being not just physically but also mentally prepared. It’s a game of failure, and how you handle it really shows the type of athlete and person you are.” Acker said she owes a lot of her success to her grandparents. “My motivation would definitely have to be my grandparents,” she said. “Without their sacrifices and support, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.” Corwin said she has seen Acker get down on herself. “She’s been doing this for a really long time, so I’ve seen her get frustrated with it,” she said. “I just try to motivate her Photo by: Blake Benson and remind her that she’s been working so long to get where she is now, and that she Caemin Acker, senior, prepares to pitch in the shouldn’t give up.” Senior Night softball game. Acker will play at
Wallace State next year.
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Sports
The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Former student achieves success in Alabama Football Aasiyah Sullivan Staff Reporter
Vinnie Sunseri, 2011 alumni, has become a prime candidate to play safety for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide this upcoming football season. Sunseri said working to take Mark Barron’s spot as safety is challenging, and he still has to work hard. Barron was injured l a s t season a n d w i l l not return to play. “A lot of t h e other players on the team are working towards having Barron’s spot. It isn’t certain that I will get it, but I still can prove myself worthy to the coaches,” Sunseri said. He said that being moti-
vated while practicing and playing is key if anyone plays a sport like football. “The thing that motivates me is the desire to be the greatest ever. Being average scares me, and I can’t be satisfied with being average,” Sunseri said. Ashlyn Sunseri, senior, said she can see why getting this position and why playing football has became so important to her brother. “Playing football is important to Vinnie because football has become his life, and he has been surrounded by football since he was little, so he loves the sport,” Sunseri said. She said her father coached at the University of Alabama for three seasons and has involved Vinnie in football since he was
younger. “My dad always had Vinnie involved in a football team when he was little. My dad always encouraged him to do the best he could,” Sunseri said. She said it will be different this season because their dad is the defensive coordinator at Tennessee, and Vinnie still plays for the U of A, so it will be awkward when they [the U of A] have to play Tennessee. “I think Vinnie misses our dad coaching him because he was always his support system when it came to playing football, and now our dad will be on the other side of the field,” Sunseri said. She said that since Vinnie has started playing for the Crimson Tide, his football skills have improved a lot. “The things that I have seen him improve on since last year is that he can read any offense, and he can also read the quarterback extremely well,” Sunseri said
Ace
11
Tennis team performs well Tyesha Pinnock Staff Writer
Photo by: Alex Hauser
Thomas Arnold, senior, jumps up to hit the ball at sectionals against Thompson High School on April 18.
The girls tennis team won second place out of 16 teams in the Austin High School Tournament on March 30-31. Becci Hauser, head girls tennis coach, said she was very proud of the team. “The team did very well for their number of players,” she said. Hauser said there were less experienced girls filling in for injured players. She said she was impressed with the girls who played doubles together that had never played before. Maani Kamal, senior, had a hip injury that occurred while doing a back swing in December during practice. “It really hurt. I just pulled back, and the cartilage in my leg tore,” she said. Kamal said she hated not playing tennis for so long. Even though she was out most of the season and couldn’t play, Kamal attended every home game. “I was very proud of my team; they’re doing a very good job,” she said. According to Hauser, Kamal was able to return on April 16 to play in sectionals. The tennis team won first place. As a result of their placement, the girls went to play the State competition in Mobile on April 26. They earned 5th place out of 16 teams.
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Kennedy Buettner, sophomore, hits a serve at sectionals against Hillcrest High School on April 18.
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The Northridge Reporter May 10, 2012
Beat 12
Photos by Susan Newell The drama department puts on the musical Once Upon A Mattress on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28. Seniors McCall Robinson, Alex Stella, Nick Pappas, along with juniors Craig First, Lane Russell, SaVanna McLaughlin, Nick Motz, and Colt Wrobel, among other cast and crew members, lent their time and talent to put on the show.
Final curtain call
the show. “I think it was probably one of the best plays we’ve done,” he said. “I’m going to miss performing with the seniors that are leaving this year.” McCall Robinson, senior, played Princess Winnifred. “It was a wonderful show, and I had a great time doing it,” she said. “It was great to end my senior year with such a good show.” Robinson has been doing theatre since her freshman year. She said the theatre has become a major part of her life for four years, and it’s sad that it’s coming to an end.
Elise Tucker, junior, performed as a ladyin-waiting for her first role in a musical. “The play went well for the time we had,” she said. “I was really disappointed about the turnout because we put a lot of hard work into the play,” Tucker said. Beth McGuire, choir teacher, co-directed the play, and said she thinks it was a very good show to end with. “We’ll miss the seniors, but the underclassmen will fill the hole they have left,” she said. As for the production of the play, McGuire said, “The students worked very hard. I wish more people could have seen it.
Once Upon A Mattress brings bittersweet end to drama year Parker Evans Staff Writer
T
he final play of the year, Once Upon A Mattress, was an adaptation of the well-known fairy-tale The Princess and the Pea. Senior Mary Catherine Vail, who attended the play, said the play was done very well. She said it was funny and entertaining. “The actors played the characters very well,” she said. “My favorite character was either the king or the queen. Their relationship was hilarious.” Craig First, junior, played the minstrel in
Theft reported frequently at school, items rarely returned
“
-Isaac Espy, principal
”
Sarah Katherine Barnes Maya Morrissette, freshman, said she had $20. stolen from her. Staff Writer “(The money) was in my backpack, in a wallet, so you know somebody went through all of my stuff before they found it,” she said. At least once a week, something is reported stolen at school. Deja Bush said she had about $70 stolen from her. She said she was Only about 20 percent of these stolen items dressing out in P.E. when she realized it was gone. There are people who will steal are returned, according to Principal Isaac “Somebody must have found it, but never gave it your purse if you turn your Espy. back to me and kept it for themselves,” she said. back...There are others, however, SkiTaisha Sweet, sophomore, said she had a Espy said there are some people at school who who will chase you down to return the twenty you dropped. pair of ear buds stolen from her last semester genuinely care about doing the right thing. in Michelle Fuller’s BTA class. He said he dropped a checkbook in the park“I had been listening to music in class, and ing lot his first year here and had it returned, unMrs. Fuller took them up and put them in a touched. cabinet. At the end of class she was going to give them back, but when “Northridge High School is like a Wal-Mart. When you go to Walshe went to the cabinet to get them they were gone,” Sweet said. Mart, there are people who will steal your purse if you turn your back,” Sweet said Fuller called security and had everyone searched, but the Espy said. “There are others, however, who will chase you down to ear buds were never found. return $20. you dropped.”
Illustration by: Alex Hauser
May 10, 2012 Volume 9 Issue 8
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