Hillcrest game page 7 Breast Cancer awareness Page 8
Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
October 2011 • Volume 9 • Issue 2
Advisory raises ACT scores Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief
Students meeting ACT benchmark scores StateNational-
English Benchmark Score-18
Students Meeting all 4 Reading Math Science ACT Benchmark Scores Benchmark score- 21 Benchmark Score-22 Benchmark Score-24
Exam Testing Tips
Every year, hard-working students can be seen bustling through the halls holding numerous ACT practice books of different varieties. They study endlessly for the exam that could make or break their college choices. Last year, our administrators created an advisory class to help students do better on the ACT exam. Scores of 30 and higher rose by 68%. Mary Caitlyn Wilhite, junior, made a 32 after just a few weeks of taking the advisory class. “[The advisory class] definitely helped. Having the time to go through the book every day is great,” she said. This year the program was modified to assist students even more. The new ACT Prep Advisory is scheduled to meet sixteen times before the December ACT test. Students will rotate through four teachers that specialize in the different subjects. “The students were divided into four groups based on currently scheduled math classes. The groups meet with each teacher four times as they prepare them for the math, English, science and reading portions,” Elizabeth Tiley, counselor, said. The advisory schedule is based upon the advisory schedule that the administrators studied from Oak Mountain High School and Carver. “Our school and students will be helped by providing a well-rounded and intense program for ACT preparation that ends two days before the December test,” Isaac Espy, principal said. “We will do it again in January prior to the February test.” Jori Smith, junior, said she likes the new advisory because it gave her time to study during school. “I’m so thankful for this advisory class because I have more time to study. Plus, the teachers who are preparing you will not
let you bomb this test. They understand the seriousness of it, and the fact that getting a high score can open up many doors as far as college goes, so that’s a good thing,” she said. Tiley said she hopes
the advisory gives students the edge they need to be successful on the December ACT. “A few study sessions will not make a huge difference, but if everyone takes what they learn and applies it on the test, and studies on their own time, I think individuals will see a difference in their scores,” she said. “The tools for success are being distributed to our students. It’s up to them to use them.” The goal for the prep class is to serve as a review for students and more adequately prepare them for the test. It appeals to students on every education level. “Some students are being exposed to test material for the first time. This prep class serves to calm fears and give pointers. Others are working on increasing their score whether it is to meet admission or scholarship requirements for universities or post-secondary institutions,” Tiley said. Hillcrest, who recently just passed the national ACT average, has a 9-week ACT prep class. The class is a full length period, and they take a test each day to prepare, as well as go over test-taking tactics. Hillcrest senior, Warner House said that the class helped him achieve his current score of 30 and helped him gain experience and confidence when he walked into the test room. “Having someone there to constantly push you, even if you had reached your goal, is what made the class. You were expected to do better and better until you made a 36,” he said. “And it wasn’t completely about making a 36. It was getting
your goal so you could have options for your own future instead of being forced to go somewhere you didn’t want to go. It made the test more of an advantage than an obstacle.” But, Walter Hall, junior, said that he liked our program as compared to the others. “Ours probably isn’t better, per se. [But] if Hillcrest students want to spend an hour and a half every day taking a prep ACT, go ahead. But we at Northridge will be taking real AP classes that actually prepare you for college level courses,” he said. Although being considered being a high performing school is a great feat, Espy said, the average wasn’t the most important thing to try to raise. “I do not really think that a school’s ACT average is particularly relevant, unless all students take the test, and their scores are averaged. I would like to see our average score drop by about a half a point. That would indicate that more underclassmen are taking the test, learning about their deficiencies and correcting them. I believe that a more relevant indicator of school success is by how many students score 30 or above,” he said. Espy encourages students to start taking the ACT early and often. “Take the test the first time with no pressure. You will learn where your strengths and weaknesses are. If your score hurts our school’s ACT average, then you know I won’t give a rip. What I will give a rip about is putting you in a position to crush the test during your junior year,” he said. Last year we had 32 students score a 30 or above, which was the highest number in West Alabama. We currently have 21 students who have scored above 30. They are all part of the All-Academic team. “[They] wear red shirts with an armadillo on the back. We will add to this prestigious group from the October, December, February, April and June tests,” Espy said. “That’s what I call Smash Mouth testing. Go Jags, baby.”
Espy’ s All-academic team increases in number James Roberts Beat Editor In the middle of the 2010-2011 year, Isaac Espy fashioned the All-Academic Team with the purpose of recognizing students who achieved at least a 30 on the ACT, and it has grown since then by approximately sixty-eight percent. “At the end of the last school year, we had thirty-two students. We now have a total of fifty-two
students.” Members of the team wear an armadillo on their T-shirts. Espy said, the armadillo is “hard on the outside, yet soft and meaty on the inside.”
All Academic Team are Addison Upton, senior, and Steven Givhan, senior. Givan said, the rewards for becoming a member of the team include “a gift of Dr. Espy’s choice,
He said he could not divulge the purpose of the armadillo on the T-shirts because you have to be a member of the team to know. Two students who are on the
some good food, a cool Tshirt and a sense of satisfaction in your heart.” Upton said, whenever ACT scores come back, the All-Academic Team throws parties to in-
duct the new members. “We have cupcakes and refreshments,” Upton said. Upton said she is happy to be a member of the team. “It gives an incentive for people to score a 30 or higher on the ACT. I hope [the team] continues to grow.” Jackie Hudgins, counselor, is one of the four assistants whose job is to set up the meetings after scores arrive. She said finds it ex-
citing when students do well on the ACT. “It shows that we have hard working students, parents and teachers at Northridge who all contribute to our students’ success. We always hope to have more membership on the All-Academic Team.” “We have a number of students with a 29 who will be wearing a red shirt [All Academic Team shirt] soon. Don’t give up,” Espy said. Ti ps compiled by: Alex Hauser Information from: MCT Campus
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Opinion
The Northridge Reporter October 28 2011
Our Thoughts
Texting, driving, dangerous combo
I
n 2008 alone, nearly 6,000 teens were torn away from their family and friends by a fatal car crash caused by texting and driving. Accompanying these fatalities, over half a million drivers were injured by otherwise distracted drivers. These statistics provide irrefutable evidence that texting and driving is a deadly duo. As picking a CD and driving can be difficult enough, some overachievers wish to also carry on a virtual conversation, on top of driving. And according to what one might see in the Northridge parking lot after school, driving seems complex enough for most students. The Northridge Reporter does not condone texting and driving under any circumstances. If someone has something that important to say, it seems logical to call the driver. In which case, you could pull over and answer the phone. For every texting and driving death, it probably just seems like a distant statistic, but how soon will it be until someone you know or love is dead without warning?
Art by Jane Yu
Your Thoughts Lunchroom does not cater to vegetarians
agree (19) disagree (0)
Look for Rand’s weekly rant at our website. Visit us on Facebook and check out our website at Northridgereporter.wordpress.com Northridge High School 2901 Northridge Road Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 (205) 759-3734 ext. 235 website: http://northridgereporter. wordpress.com NSPA 5th Place Best of Show 2008 • NSPA 8th Place Best of Show 2008 NSPA 9th Place Best of Show 2006 • CSPA Silver Medalist (2003, 2004) CSPA Gold Medalist (2005-2010) • SIPA All-Southern (2003, 2005–2010) ASPA All-Alabama (2003–2010) • All-American (2004, 2008, 2011) • Best SIPA Newspaper in Alabama (2003–2007) NSPA News Story of the Year ( 2005) • SIPA First Place News Story (2007) SIPA First Place Review (2009) • Rick Bragg Award for Feature Writing (2009)
Alex Hauser* Raiha Bajwa* Renu Pandit Jane Yu Trent Clanton* Alexandra Stewart Raiha Bajwa* Nick Motz, Tyesha Pinnock, Sarah Katherine Barnes, Rand Schille, Candace Wiggins Renu Pandit Trent Clanton* Nick Motz, Jane Yu, Parker Evans Jah’meka Baxter Rand Schille Staff Writers: Sarah Barnes, Parker Evans, Ebony Hughuley, Emma Jackson, Nick Motz, Tyesha Pinnock, Brianna Shaw, Aasiayah Sullivan, KeamBria Washington, Candace Wiggins, Rand Schille
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:
Adviser: Susan Newell*
*Denotes state, regional and national award winners 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.
Eating like a rabbit is not how a vegetarian necessarily eats, and it is definitely not as hard to do as many people perceive it to be. The diet is considerably healthier if it is done right, and it makes you feel good about yourself. The school’s cafeteria on the other hand makes it problematic for those who want to eat healthier. If it is difficult for those individuals, then you know it is hard for vegetarians. It is understandable that it is a hassle for the school to get better tasting food along with ‘health’ food because of the small budget. All the school can do is get food that gives students the average dietary needs; yet, last semester the school invested in ‘chef’s salads’ which was popular for many people. The salads were pre-packaged and had a favorable amount of lettuce that did not look skimpy. In separate nice piles there was cheese, ham pieces, a half of an egg, carrots, a packet of dressing, and maybe a few other things. Vegetarians would just have to push the ham to the side. Not only did the salads give people who were always surrounded by unhealthy food choices something better to eat, but people actually liked them. So why were the salads taken away? Were they so popular that the other food went to waste, or
was it not within the budget to continue getting them? Other schools have salad bars, why can’t we at least have a pre-packaged salad that people like? If a vegetarian had to get school lunches, all they could eat is rolls on days they had them along with the alternating selection of veggie items. The veggie items are not enough to support dietary needs, plus if someone got enough of it to fill their stomach they would be charged extra for portioning out ‘too much’. At home a vegetarian can still eat pizza, cheese, spaghetti without the meat, the large variety of veggie burgers offered in the Boca and Morning star brands, and veggie chicken nuggets which taste exactly like school or McDonald’s chicken nuggets in some brands. Another food that vegetarians and healthy eaters can eat is Tofu, which can be very good if it is made Guenther in a delicious way. In the morning we still can eat scrambled eggs, french toast, pancakes, etc. It is actually easy to be healthy or to be a vegetarian and still get enough protein. Most vegetarians bring their own lunch, like me; yet, it would help school lunch buyers of any diet type to have at least the chef’s salad back in play.
School policies continue to be ignored by students Dear Editor, By the time this letter runs in the next edition of the Reporter, our administrative team would have added yet another policy that most students will choose to ignore and that some faculty and staff will choose not to enforce – Identification Badges. Terrific! We can add this to our list of policies and rules that very few follow and even fewer enforce. It can be like the policy, “shirts and blouses should be tucked into pants and/or skirts” or “students are required to use clear book bags.” Or how about the one, “students are not allowed to wear or carry caps or hats. Or the classic, “cell phones must remain in the power off position at school and on campus is 5 mph.” Have you been in the student parking lot at 3:22? Thank goodness the citizenry of Tuscaloosa are (for the most part) not like our students body. They
realize that rules and laws are created for the greater good and, like them or not, they are inclined to follow and obey them. Imagine how unsafe the community would be if the citizens showed the same disregard for the rule of law as our students show for school rules. ANARCHY! Also we are quite fortunate that local law enforcement (again, for the most part) do not pick and choose which laws they want to enforce and which laws they choose to ignore like some of our faculty and staff seem to do. Chances are if you run a stop sign with a cop, a sheriff, or a trooper sitting there, you will be pulled over and punished for your oversight. I believe students would be hard-pressed to break the rules if every adult in the building was equally hell-bent on enforcing them. -C.S Johnson
The Northridge Reporter October 28, 2011
Entertainment
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ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd phenomenal James Roberts Beat Editor I’ve been listening to ZZ Top ever since I was a baby, thanks to my dad. So when I heard about the upcoming concert they were having Oct. 16 with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, I thought two things: “Hooray! ZZ Top is coming to town!” and “Lynyrd Skynyrd? Hmmm… They’ve got a few pretty good songs, but they’re not my favorite band in the world. Oh well, I guess I could put up with them.” And so, on that Sunday night, I went to the show with my folks and a few friends of theirs. The opening act was singer/ songwriter/album Tom Hambridge with his two-man band, The Rattlesnakes. He stood at center stage while playing a snare drum and cymbal (and occasionally the microphone stand) while
singing at the same time, so he earns some credit for that. Also, he sang a “happy blues song,” a creative ditty that discussed the positive things about not having a girlfriend. Overall, he was decent but not spectacular. Lynyrd Skynyrd came next. They’re not really my style of music, but, man, were they INCREDIBLE!! All the members kept moving without signs of tiring and interacted with the audience pretty well by motioning to us that we keep yelling till our lungs were broken and then some. I also was amused by the antics of guitarist Rickey Medlocke, such as sticking his tongue out in a Gene Simmons fashion and flipping off the people he was singing about (The latter amused me because it didn’t apply to the audience.) And on a final note, they dedicated their 11-minute, 36-second epic “Free Bird” to all
who died in the April 27 tornado. Given the band’s history, with the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, the band’s remaining and new members know something about dedicating songs to tragedy victims. ZZ Top was the grand finale, and it was not a let down at all. After 40 years of playing together, those three guys still have a spring in their step. They still play like gods, and their sense of humor is still present. They stopped the show to bring two children on stage and autograph a copy of “ZZ Top’s First Album.” They played fuzzy guitars, brought out a lovely woman to put a blues hat on guitarist Billy Gibbons, and still had fancy dance steps while random images never stopped swirling on their video screens. The mostly full amphitheater definitely had a good time, whether screaming “Roll Tide
Photo from MCT Campus ZZ Top opens for headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on an impressive bill. Roll” as if at Bryant Denny Stadium when “Sweet Home Alabama,” putting on their “Cheap Sunglasses,” enjoying ZZ Top’s tribute to the great Jimi Hendrix
Les Mis lives up to expectation Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief Anyone who knows me knows I’m completely obsessed with the Broadway play Les Misérables. I got hooked on Les Mis when I was eight. My mom got the soundtrack for Christmas, and I heard it around the house. Les Misérables went off Broadway and ended their U.S. tour in 2002. So for the past nine years, I’ve only had my two concert DVDs and three soundtracks to hold me over. For the 25th anniversary of the show, a new Les Mis production began touring the U.S. After I found out about the tour, I checked the Broadway Across America web site for show locations at least twice a day for months. Then my cousin informed me that Les Mis was coming to Birmingham. I listened to only Les Miserables for weeks. It consumed me. Touring casts aren’t usually the best, but I was going to be very nit-picky and critical when it came to Les Mis. I refused to look up the cast on Youtube, so I wouln’t have any preconceived views, but when I read that the cast was performing their Act 1 Finale, “One Day More” on America’s Got Talent, I couldn’t resist. I had to watch it. It was phenomenal, and I
sobbed. None of the cast bugged me too much, which is a great because I’m extremely critical. The performance day finally came on Sept. 24. I didn’t sleep the night before. I was bouncing all morning. I stocked up on all the paraphernalia before the show. I am now a proud owner of a Les Mis tour shirt, a key chain, and a full color souvenir program with pictures from over 10 different productions. I started crying the second I heard the Overture. It was so powerful that it kept me entranced the whole show. For the revival, the orchestration was changed, but it was brilliant and flowed quite beautifully, and was very similar to the original, which I appreciated. The cast was brilliant, which is saying a lot for a touring cast. The main character, Jean Valjean, played by J. Mark Mcvey, sang all of the high notes beautifully and with ease. He had great emotion and portrayed Valjean perfectly. My favorite character, Javert, was played by Andrew Varela. Javert is the antagonist of Les Miserables, and is very misunderstood in my eyes. His character enthralls me, and I was going to be extremely critical of all of his songs. I was blown away by his performance and had a breakdown during my favorite song,
“Javert’s Suicide.” There was so much feeling. I have very few complaints about any of the characters.Betsy Morgan’s inability to say her ‘S’s, which at first was really disturbing, was easily ignored the second she started singing “I Dreamed a Dream,” even though the lyrics came out “He schlept a shummer by my shide.” The set was amazing. It featured a giant video screen as the backdrop and portrayed the scenes in Les Miserables’ author Victor Hugo’s painting style. It was so symbolic and the moving paintings looked surreal and moved the story flawlessly. The only thing missed from the original set design was the famous turntable during “One Day More.” It brought the characters to life during the act one finale, and it would have been great to have been able to witness it live. When it was over, I sat in awe for a few minutes. I went home in bliss, and it was the only thing on my mind for a couple of days. I didn’t want it to end, and after nine years of waiting to see it, I felt almost empty in an amazing way. You can see the touring production of Le Mis at the gorgeous Fox Theatre in Atlanta from April 24 -29. Tickets go on sale on Dec, 1. Do not miss this incredible event. It may not come back for years.
with “Hey Joe,” or shaking their groove things to “Tush.” Overall, the concert earns an A-, if only because of the slow start by the opening act.
E-READERS GET MIXED REVIEWS Parker Evans Staff Writer You can’t walk into Barnes & Noble or Best Buy without seeing them. You can’t get on the Internet without seeing the advertisements. And maybe, in the future, you won’t be able to read a book without them. E-Readers; Are they the future of reading or a technological craze? Will they make the book obsolete? Andrew Latter, senior, has a Nook e-reader that he installed an Android operating system on, so that it operates like a tablet. He can use it just like an iPad or a Samsung Galaxy tablet. The Nook has already proved itself useful through its size. Latter was unable to carry all of his books on the plane he was boarding from Canada, but he was able to upload them to his Nook and take it as a carry-on. Lattner said “a huge plus is that college textbooks can be bought
on the Nook for 60% off.” Not all book-lovers like the idea of reading on a device, however. Elise Tucker, junior, is a reading purist. “I like having a book in my hand,” Tucker said. Tucker does not own an e-reader, but has used a Kindle before. According to Tucker, the ereader is just one more manifestation of the tech craze, and that people buy them because they’re “cool, not for the love of reading.” While students seem to be divided, many teachers seem to be of the same opinion. Anna Schwartz (science) said that using e-readers in schools would be “wonderful.” “With the ability to use wi-fi on the e-readers, students would be able to compare opinions of different authors instantly and make connections in the lesson,” Schwartz said. Also, “students would be more prone to reading assignments.”
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Feature
n r a e l e l Peop
The Northridge Reporter October 28, 2011
r e t s a s i d er t f a e v i l to
of the perience x e e r ti en that the fe. He said li he said. is h erious,” anged s h c e r o o d a m n tor ing n be left e everyth pen, and you ca d a t m r t a I “ p ra Stew could ha Alexand or nything A what it “ it d t t back to ing.” h th g do tha Sports E o u a n o n r h th to it e w e red, as h d as th es approached He shive the tornado. s roare v ecause I d li in w ’s ople school b fter e a The p to e e k y e li n m a s o a c w was ther ffect m ’t want to om,” he said. “I f those n o would a . t, id u d e o n I “ o lp e m sa , was ings to h re of help my th to t Tuscaloo ne, sophomore d n e te r n e a f a c if w li ning d I did d house and taking , ten Chris C cted. st is liste o for her, an o ra e m o s five ff f s a r k e s o b le wh ing lo were age mem p e lp who wa o r o e h e e h p w h e t r e k a te li th wh rs and sis oken and He said dly, y brothe . being br m id e s a s u , pretty ba o e e y h h r. il id e ,” ts m v n u a o e f o c to his e r his ed and fifte together. affected is family morning I walk in my y closer id that it e helped h il a r e ld s e n m e a o th f H r e is le b p th ou wou “I remem re all these peo helped me to it brough as something y “But it t a th t u e b y e w rnado w he said. “It reall and ther ings “The to he said. erience,” p .” ,” x e e d r r , ’t take th a a o n to y s d a d ld t n n u n r o a ie h r to w front f s e I e never lize that ncing th o my tru . me to rea r experie learn wh d d te te e f n a a lp t r e a g h th for d. He said atching ing else for grante home w ke anyth t a ta s ’t a n w o r, io he w n avis, ju it. tching Xavier D en the tornado h ooms wa her h r t w n n e r io e f is tell in dif telev room to ody was g more “Everyb nt to my mom’s id the tornado verythin could e e d a e s a w I ey “It m nything TV, and really windy. Th er went out,” he said. “A be left with s e w a h o p w ,” e it s that and th seriou ou can Central, , and y line n o e p p m was by p a a tr h the .” do blew said. nothing the torna s e down. a e d tr e n a te d y s e m li k c t e o u H d kn door, b house an bathroom as so strong e th over the n e is, Junior v a ind w to op w D d r e ie r te th f tr e i d A I [ n v “ re, a -Xa aid. “ as in the or,” he s e was n o brother w not open the do y r e v y that e uld that I co ] I was just happ o d the torna ut a lot. helped o house, h c r .” u y h a c is ok omeone’s id that h Davis sa y let us stay at s to find a new the y mom “At first helped m y e th n and the he said. house,”
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saw the secand when Kennedy shocked. ond house she was g left,” Kenth “There was no in Tuscae came back When the tornado hit dy said. “When w ne ny busitire back half loosa in April 2011 ma the next day the en . It was just Kathleen the house was gone nesses were affected. of rtment had o rental hes.The fire depa Kennedy’s family had tw as trying to nd two in the houses and now they are seen the fire arou out.” sell both properties. morning and put it y the hit en told them o em nad fir Right after the tor She said the the second s. e tree that was on looked at their two house th ndows e neighbor ’s “One house had the wi use had pierced th ho wn off, blown out and the door blo gas tank. ucturstr motor of the s wa it In the night, the but other than that and caught r had overheated ally fine,” Kennedy said. ca similar along with the The other house had the tanks on fire ough the the Kennedy’s damage but had a tree thr tree and half of middle. use. e back ho The next day they cam
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Emma Jackson Staff writer
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October 28, 2011
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Feature
The Northridge Reporter
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Stormy weather reminds st
Sarah Katherine Barnes Staff Writer
udent of tornado
school as a “goofy, fu nny” guy. Jasmine Wilkerson, sophomore, recalls Thomas as be The often loosely used ph ing a former rase ‘it bo yfriend, with whom sh has taken me by storm e dated for ’ became a nearly ten months. terrifyingly literal reality for fifteen “I hate rainy days,” sh year old would-be freshm e said. “The an, Justin sk y is dark like the sk Le’Eric Thomas, this yea y was April r in April. 27…and I lost a fri Thomas was a victim of end that day,” the E4 sh e said in reference to tornado that hit Tusca Thomas. “I loosa this miss him very much.” spring and is remembered by many. In bitter nostalgia, W During the storm at his aun ilkerson said t’s home sh e “got up on the mo in Rosedale, Thomas we rning of his nt outside funeral, [May 7] go to move a car into the dri t dressed, and veway. He almost got out the do was flown from the car and or…” before killed. sh e began to cry. Wilk Jacqail Robinson, freshm erson stayed an, was ho me that day. close friends with Thom as. In fact, Wilkerson said she wi he described their relati ll never foronship as ge t Thomas, but said sh being “like brothers.” e knows she Robinson has to move on. remembers his friend sin ce middle
their home Family rebuilds together after storm wrecks all summer; rebuilding Parker Evans Staff Writer
April 27th was the day I heard a freight train on top of my house. It was the day I said goodbye to my family without ever leaving them. It was the day I went into our basement as one person and came out as another person. It was the day that a tornado wreaked havoc on the city of Tuscaloosa. I remember that when I stepped out of the front door, everything was especially green and damp. All four trees that were in our yard had fallen, missing the house, and they covered the backyard in broken branches and pinesap. The tree house that Dad built for me when I was five was crushed, and part of the fence that he had built was smashed. The patio was broken where the tree roots had ripped it up and all of our cars had broken windows. And from out of nowhere, a commercial-sized air conditioner had lodged itself in our roof. It was overwhelming to say the least. In the following weeks, saints and angels all around the city revealed themselves to my family and me. Some of them came with chainsaws, and some of them came with hot grills
and hamburger meat.Some of them gave us shelter, and some of them simply gave us a good hug. But they all made a difference. Northridge’s very own tennis team came to our house with gloves and water coolers, ready to work. They raked, cut up logs, delivered food, and even babysat. Within two days, they cleared away branches and shingles and gutted our attic, so that we could take out the attic floorboards and remove the air conditioner from our roof. They kept a steady supply of good, home-cooked Southern food coming to our house that nearly fed the whole neighborhood and was much appreciated. Because of the valiant efforts of the team, our wrecked house slowly started to become a home again. After several weeks though, the work slowed down, but not the huge flatbed trucks that came through our neighborhood, picking up stumps and stirring up dust. Eventually, that’s what going outside this summer came to mean: dust, and heat, and bright sunlight. The sparse rains we got were very welcome. Remaining inside was not an option, however. Work still had to be done. Dad and I worked on
the yard the fence and making it bigger and better, spreading dirt around to keep the ground level, moving the shed from one end of the yard to the other, helping our neighbors when they needed it, raking debris into piles, and other similar operations. It was a kind of rebirth. Now our house is completely livable (if you don’t mind two five-year-olds.) hyperactive We’ve settled back into our routine, although it’s a little less shaded than it used to be, and there are still minor adjustment’s to be made around the house, but you can call it normality. We’ve come a long way to be right back where we were.
Parker Ev ans’’’s hom e after th hit it. e tornado
Photos by: Irene Evans
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News
The Northridge Reporter October 28, 2011
Marching band hosts Crimson Cavalcade exhibition
Photo illustration by Trent Clanton
Trent Clanton News Editor
Bad habits, worse consequences
Teens continue to text, drive Aasiyah Sullivan Staff Writer
Students who text and drive can hurt other people without even meaning to. Not only can they hurt the people who are driving their cars, they can also hurt their families by texting and driving. Taylor Goodall, junior, said that he knows someone close to him who texts and drives and has been in a wreck. “Texting and driving is important to know about because the consequences can be just as bad as someone that is drinking and driving,” Goodall said. Goodall said students should ask their peers if they know anyone who texts and drives, so they can know what types of punishments there are to texting and driving. “Peers shouldn’t text and drive because it isn’t safe, and someone can get hurt really bad,” he said. Goodall said texting and driving should be taken seriously by everyone. “When I see students that text and drive I think that they are very irresponsible, and they should stop and be
a responsible driver,” Goodall said. Kathleen Oatts, food and nutrition teacher, said that texting and driving is something that students shouldn’t do. “Texting and driving affects the students in the school because it is a distraction to the people driving and to the others that are on the road driving as well,” Oatts said. Oatts said peers try to give each other advice about texting and driving. Many students take the advice, but others don’t. “Some advice to give to the students about texting and driving is that you shouldn’t have any distractions on the road that can risk your life and others, so be careful when you drive,” she said. Oatts said texting and driving in the United States is something that everyone should be aware of. “Students should be aware of texting and driving because many students don’t actually think about the consequences of texting and driving,” Oatts said. “So when they think about wanting to text and drive, they should think about who they can possibly hurt or kill and that they can possibly kill themselves,” she said.
Steve Jobs leaves legacy for next generation Jane Yu Entertainment Editor The founder of Apple, Steve Jobs passed away on Oct. 5. Teresa Meissner, BTA teacher, said there was no computer when she was in high school. “First time I used a personalized computer was in the mid 80s,” Meissner said. “I worked with Gulf States Paper Corporation.” Meissner recalls the time that she had to go to lab to do any computer work. “I remember thinking the first apple computer was the coolest thing ever as a child,” Meissner said. Meissner said on the first computer, they had to know a command key for everything, and mere clicking was a revolution. Steve Jobs was a “hands-on executive” leader who was really “involved,” Meissner said. “He was a genius,” Meissner said. “He made everything driven by us-
ers, and entertained them and made money by doing so.” “Apple was always leading the path that others followed,” Meissner said. Julie Kim, senior, too, said Jobs is pure genius. “As a user of Mac book, iPod touch, iPad and possibly iPhone, I am amazed at Job‘s amazing advanced development,” Kim said. “He definitely brought incredible transformation.” Kim said she did not want to believe the death of Jobs when she
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watched it on TV. “He gave people opportunity to dream big,” Kim said. She said Jobs brought “better relationships” through “revolutionized social networking.” “I never imagined myself lying on a bed getting on Facebook,” Kim said. “Apps [have] made our life so much easier.” Jobs said before his death, “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
The school marching band held a band exhibition on Oct. 3, called the Crimson Cavalcade. John Cain, band director, said 11 schools came out to compete. Cain said a lot of work goes into hosting an exhibition like this one. “The band prepares, but the most work is done by the boosters. The boosters [parent support group] put in a lot of extra work, and there’s a lot of parent support,” he said. Band member Marcus Clark, junior, said the band makes sure they are ready. “We work hard for these competitions,” he said. Clark said his favorite thing is getting to see all the bands perform. “I like getting to see other schools’ halftime shows. You don’t usually get to see all that,” Clark said. Cain said there was a special treat for all the bands to watch at the Cavalcade. “The Million Dollar Band for the University of Alabama performed at the end,” he said. With so many bands in the area, some bands have rival bands. “Northridge’s rival band is without a doubt Bryant’s band,” Clark said. There will be another band competition in Gordo, Alabama on Oct. 29.
Verner Elementary students build butterfly garden Emma Jackson Staff Writer Verner Elementary students teamed up with the Key Club and the SGA to turn an old and unused courtyard into a beautiful butterfly garden and an outdoor classroom. The old courtyard had a small pond in a corner but had no use to the school. At least, not until now. Now it is filled with flowers, modern art, stepping stones and all sorts of creatures. Derrick Johnson, senior SGA member, said he thought the garden “would be a good thing for the kids,” so they could be “outside in the fresh air.” SGA students moved stone to make walls and stepping places, amended soil for the plants, etc.. Nini Jobson, an enrichment teacher at Verner, said, “I like the student and parent involvement. The results of all the work is wonderful.”
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Jobson said it has touched all types of students at her school and has gotten so much community excitement. Now that it is open and running, students at Verner have had classes and many learning experiences in their new butterfly garden. They have taken pictures of flowers and creatures in their garden. They also have painted water color paintings. On Sept. 21 they had their very own art gallery. Each picture and painting was sold for $10, and the money is going towards the outdoors enrichment project. Laurie Rienwald, a parent helper of the project said, “I think it’s a wonderful way to get out of the classroom and learn in a different way. Learning is spontaneous. They have to use their problem-solving skills, and they need to think things through.”
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Sports
The Northridge Reporter October 28, 2011
Season ends
7
Volleyball wins despite injuries, new coach Rand Schille Web Master
Photo by: Kalyn-Wright Davis Antonio Easterwood gets tackled by Hillcrest. The Jaguars played the Patriots on Oct. 21, losing 35-14.
The girls volleyball team has a new coach and suffered a couple of injuries. They were victorious in the Central, and Midsouth tournaments. Amanda Talantis, Spanish Teacher, has become the head coach. David Akins, Athletic Director, said Talantis “came in and took over a team that lost three senior starters, and she’s doing a tremendous job.” Earlier in the season Talantis said, “We’ll have a winning season and establish ourselves amongst the Birmingham teams.”
They have dominated most teams they encountered, as they did against Hillcrest, 3-0, and Tuscaloosa County, 3-1. Ashlyn Sunseri said that, “The new seniors bring a lot to the team. They bring the team together, and we play better together.” Injuries have plagued the team. Cammie Cook was out for much of the season due to an injury. As co-captain this was a significant blow to the team. There are six senior players: Cammie Cook, Ashlyn Sunseri, Faith Lancaster, Sarah Stuart, Brenae Walton, and Tori Morgan, making it an older, more experienced team.
Hillcrest football game brings loss, injury Parker Evans Staff Writer
The football team went into the game against Hillcrest undefeated for eight games but lost 35-14. In the first quarter, running back Bo Scarborough, sophomore, tore his anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) in his left knee, which kept him out the rest of the game. “I wasn’t there to do my part,” Scarborough said. “I wish I was there. I think we would have won [if I had played].” Natalie Patton, cheerleader, said that when Bo got injured, “they hit him on his shoulder. People said Hillcrest was playing to hurt Bo, but I think it was a accident.”
“It was a big game, and I think we played well,” Patton said. Mike Smith compared the football game to a game of chess. “Once we lost Bo, it was like losing the queen. If you take the queen out of the game, you lose your best piece. You can still win, but you have to be smart,” Smith said. “I don’t mind losing when we play well. And we didn’t play well. We tried to slow them down, and we did move the ball.” “What bothers me is when we don’t do the things we were taught,” Smith said. “We have to realize that if we do it the way it’s supposed to be done, we can win.” Thursday, Oct. 27 the football team shut out Bryant 50-0.
Photo by: Blake Bensen The varsity volleyball team shows their team spirit as they prepare for the Northridge vs. Holt game. The game was on Oct. 6, and it was Senior Night. The team had a 24-18 season.
Go Jaguars!
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The Northridge Reporter October 28, 2011
Breast Cancer Awareness
A cool breeze flows through the October air as the sun sets and the sky grows dark. Sounds of children echo through the streets as ghosts and goblins go door to door. Some of these monsters and movie characters aren’t exactly children anymore. Samantha Burroughs, freshman, said she still trick-or-treats. Tyra Figgers, senior, said she goes trick-or-treating at the mall. Wil Ledbetter, senior, said trick-ortreating is something people shouldn’t grow out of. “Dressing up is fun, and you get like five pounds of free candy,” he said. Ledbetter said one of his favorite costumes was a white-suited ninja. Kailyn Mills, sophomore, said one of her favorite memories was when she and her friends got chased by someone in a giant monster costume. Some students prefer alternatives to trick-or-treating. Maia Wade, junior, said she likes going to the Fright Factory for Halloween. “I usually dress up in zombie makeup,” she said. Kofi Ulzen, sophomore, said he doesn’t trick-or-treat anymore. “I think after a while people think it’s kiddy,” he said.
Trent Clanton News Editor
High schoolers still enjoy trick or treating
Beat 8
with breast cancer. “I was diagnosed with early breast cancer in the summer of 2000,” Lowery said. Some women get that feeling that they have breast cancer, and they will immediately go to the doctor and get checked, Lowery said. “The hardest thing that I had to go through during and after surgery is that I didn’t have chemotherapy. I just had eight weeks of radiation. I was teaching at Central High School at the time. I would leave every day for eight weeks and go to the hospital and receive radiation. After I would get off of work, I would lay on the couch every day to conserve my energy,” Lowery said. After chemotherapy or radiation, many women become tired and worn out. They aren’t able to do many of the things that they would do on an everyday basis, she said. “Some physical things that I had to encounter would be that I have a scar from surgery under my chest and across my arm. If I sleep the wrong way, my arm starts to tense up, and I will start to get sharp pains in my chest,” Lowery said. The pains after surgery can change the person emotionally and physically, Lowery said. “Some advice that I would give younger and older women would be that you need to do selfexaminations and get yearly mammograms. Be aware because it can happen at any age. Early detection is a big key,” Lowery said. Rachel Tubbs, senior, said that breast cancer is something that every woman should know about. Teenagers that go and get their yearly physicals don’t think that they could ever get breast cancer, Tubbs said. “I think that it is important for women to know about breast cancer because it may be hereditary, and it can happen to anyone,” she said.
Teachers share their personal stories Aasiyah Sullivan Staff Reporter October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is important because we know people who have had it and have survived. Teachers like drama teacher Donna Wright and math teacher Patsy Lowery. Many women that have breast cancer think their life is over. A lot of them say that after that, they don’t do the things that they used to do, Wright said. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 when I was 39,” she said. Surgery for many women when they find out that they have breast cancer is really hard. “The hardest thing that I had to go through during and after surgery was that feeling like my body was slowing down and not being able to feel like being myself physically,” Wright said Breast cancer is just like any other cancer because it has four stages, and the worst stage is the last stage, which is stage four, Wright said. “After I had my breast removed, I suddenly felt lop-sided, and I had to have a catheter in order to give blood and to have chemotherapy,” she said. Chemotherapy is the hardest thing any person that has cancer has to go through after they have surgery, she said. The most shocking side effects of chemotherapy is loss of appetite and lowered resistance to any infections, she said. “Don’t assume that it can’t be you. Trust your instincts,” Wright said. She said that women that have had breast cancer have the best advice for anyone that hasn’t had breast cancer. They know what to do and what not to do. Patsy Lowery, math teacher, has also dealt
Derrick Johnson, senior, is crowned homecoming king by Joe Hollingsworth.
Look for the homecoming story on the website Northridgereporter. wordpress.com
During the homecoming football game, Kaleb Farmer, senior, tries to escape a tackle from a Jackson Olin player.
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Sarah Hayes, senior, looks at the new homecoming king, Derrick Johnson, senior, after she was crowned homecoming queen.
October 2011 Volume 9 Issue 2
Synteria Pearson,junior,dances with the danceline during halftime.
Sarah Hayes, senior, is crowned homecoming queen during halftime.
Photos by: Dan Meissner