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Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
November 30 , 2012 • Volume 10 • Issue 3
Board visits to assist in better learning atmosphere Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief
During the first week in October, board members scoured the hallway, sat in on classes and talked to students and faculty. Isaac Espy, principal, said the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the school’s instructional program and to help the school do a better job of instruction based on specific recommendations resulting from the audit. “I contacted the superintendent last summer and requested that this audit take place in the fall. It is a very healthy practice, and our faculty and the central office are working together to improve the way we have school,” he said. Paul McKendrick, superintendent, said the visit was not to evaluate people, but processes within the school and that someone from the outside would have more of a “critical eye.” “You look at a process of how [you] solve the problems, [and] the ways that the school addresses organizational issues,” he said. Afterwards, McKendrick said, they look at what instructional program needs to be altered. “The idea is that you aren’t going into an audit saying we’re going into Mrs. Jones’ class because we heard she’s a wonderful teacher. But at the same time, you don’t say you’re going into Mr. Jones’ class because we heard he’s a horrible teacher,” he said. “Nor do you go back to the principal saying they’re a horrible teacher or perfect teacher because this is what we saw,” McKendrick said. Espy said teachers knew there would be walkthroughs. “[The school board] has no bearing other than the general snapshot of elements of instruction that were observed at that particular time,” he said. “In a walkthrough, the learning environment is assessed along with the format for instructional practices, strategies, teacher activities, grouping, student engagement and the level of student work required.” McKendrick said the board came into the audit without a prearranged idea of what the school was going to look like. They looked at data gathered through the observations, the records review and the conversations they had. “[We] try to give a portrait of what the school looks like,” he said. “If it’s something that [we’re] happy with or we think is good, then we say ‘yes, this is what the school is, and this is what the school looks like, and these are the kinds of things that we want in the school,’ [but] if the portrait shows you some blemishes that you really don’t want, then at that point, that becomes an issue.” The board interviewed several students about their view on the school, including Natalie Patton, senior. Patton said they asked her whether she thought the school was safe,
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and how the school could be improved. “I was glad that they were asking the questions, but I don’t think I gave them the answers they were looking for. I think they got mad when I spoke my mind about it,” she said. “I said things like get new textbooks and better security cameras.” Scott Johnson, math teacher, said the faculty was told that the purpose of the audit was to assist us in better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses, but the results were “disconcerting.” “Pre-audit, I think we were all on board, although The Classroom of no one really likes to be under a magnifying glass. [But] post-audit, much more was made of the school’s shortcomings than its strengths,” he said. During the audit, Dr. Paul McKendrick observed Johnson said the people who had the “largest several classes, and said he wished he could have hand” in the audit believe not enough is being done visited more. for students who struggle the most. “Because you see some wonderful people that “In their view, the successful students would probably be successful in spite of the teachers and are teaching, and you see children engaged, and curriculum. They tend to work hard regardless,” he you see children enjoying the classes they’re in,” said. “[The evaluators said] our primary concern he said. and direction should be with the students who are at risk of dropping out or graduation with their ‘cohorts.’ While many of us disagree with this pointof-view and believe instead there needs to be a balance of both. I was in [Shane Ashcraft’s] class, and I was Johnson said that, while most of the auditor’s betalking to a 9th grade English class. They haviors were “unobtrusive and professional,” there were discussing To Kill a Mockingbird. were some that I witnessed that were invasive, disI don’t think there was a student in there ruptive and very unprofessional. “Let teachers evaluate teachers. Some of these that did not comment. And they hit on some ‘experts’ wouldn’t last two days in a classroom. really tough questions. They had finished Take the evaluator who pointed out that six students reading the book, and they were discussing were chewing gum. So? Is that against some board policy? Don’t think so,” he said. overall themes, and he had a set number Beth Allaway, science teacher, said the examinof themes throughout that they were ers should have looked for “real teaching” and not discussing. so much for paper work like lesson plans and objectives on the board. “[They should have] stayed in the classrooms longer. That way they couldget an idea of how the See the story on Ashcraft on pg. 8 class flows. There were judgments made on our Behind has some flaws, the results that came from the test critiques that were incorrect because they hadn’t stayed long enough to know. Many of the people who were scores was a good indicator to which students were doing observing had no knowledge or experience in the subjects well, and which ones were doing poorly, and that “everyone supported [it].” they were observing,” she said. McKendrick said that remembering factors that students McKendrick said he thought the audit did what it was should be dealing is a key for educators. meant to do. “There are a lot of children that come [to school] that “I think it gave and will give Dr. Espy what he needs to make some changes. One of the incentives and reasons we have to resolve some kind of issues that are impacting why we went in is because the school did not make AYP,” their instruction,” he said. “And that’s a part of teaching and being an educator because those are issues we have to he said. McKendrick said, although the AYP and No Child Left solve right when they walk in their doors.”
Behind
the Scenes
Look
Shane Ashcraft
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Teachers receive monetary awards for test scores
Students who passed
Raiha Bajwa Managing Editor
AP Exams Marilyn
Stephens
AP Biology AP Chemistry
22 13
Patsy
Lowery
Calculus AB Calculus BC
29 2
Ria
Evans
Physics B
9
T
Scott
Johnson Statistics Trina
Busby
English Language English Literature Mary Ruffin
Moore
English Language
8 21 15 27
he AP grant that grants students a hundred dollars per passing score in any math, science or English class, also gives the teachers in those subjects a hundred dollars per student. Based on previous years passing rates, benchmarks are set for the teachers and if they surpass them one thousand dollar bonus is added. Patsy Lowry, math teacher, had 29 of her 31 AP Calculus students pass the exam, giving her a $3000 bonus, and a total of $5900.
Fame Page 4-5
Page 3 Of Mice and Men
Lowry said she cried when she got the scores because of how hard everyone worked. “I cried not just because of how many people passed, but passed with the highest score they could make,” she said. “Everyone went in and did the best they could, no one drew pictures.” Lowry said in her forty years of teaching that was about the best she’s ever gotten. She said she plans on using the money on a visit to England to see her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. “I’m really excited,” she said. “I don’t know if I could afford to go without it
[the AP money].” Lowry said she is concerned about her current AP Calculus class on the new schedule. “This year I’m having to do it in half the time,” she said. “It’s been very challenging for me and the students, but we’ll see how it goes.” Trina Busby, English teacher, said she was happy about receiving the money, but does not fully support the idea. “It’s a grey ethical issue for me; I would do my job the same way regardless,” she said. “Yes it’s a nice incentive, but at the same time it’s not why I want my students to pass.”
Ashcraft page 8
2 Opinion
The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2012
Our Thoughts
Art by: KanJalla Dancer
B
eing the head of a high school is not an easy task, but since Isaac Espy stepped into the position three years ago, he has done an outstanding job. You can spot him rolling the trash can around to tables in the lunchroom, playing the banjo in the school play or in your math class helping you with a lesson. Principal Dr. Isaac Espy is our modern day Renaissance man. Instead of sitting in his office every day, he likes to get out there with the students. He can be found interacting with his students in the hallway, holding doors open for students as they enter the school, wishing them happy birthday, and being there when they need help. He approaches students in a friendly manner instead of being intimidating, making it easy for them to talk to him and therefore gaining their respect. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time to personally sign each student’s report card and congratulate students on personal achievements they’ve accomplished. Espy has worked hard to promote an increase in students’ academic performance. His introduction of the bonus block helped give special attention to students needing tutoring for graduation exams or ACT prep during school hours. The idea of letting sophomores exempt all their semester exams if they passed their graduation exams was an effective way of giving students incentives to work hard. He recognizes when a student does well and celebrates it, a basis for his creating the All-Academic Team, an exclusive group for those who make a 30 or above on the ACT. Espy has made his dedication to the school apparent with the way he treats the students and faculty. The Northridge Reporter believes that any principal who is willing to walk around the student parking lot before and after school and pick up trash after students deserves a special place in heaven.
See story on the Northridge audit on page 1
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Bryant
Math more than boring requirement Kelly Caroline Burnham Copy Editor
Statistically speaking, most people hate math. And I do not even need stats to prove that. m This isn’t an ordinary hate, but one ha cultivated from years of plugging numbers into mundane functions so that they may spit out more numbers, a sickening array of formulas meant to be memorized and tedious graphs that end up looking more like a poorly constructed array of Tinker Toys. That is mathematics at its most basic, mind you. That stuff is bo-oring! Beyond all of those petty fractions lies a world of complex webs interlaced with math beyond your wildest dreams –or rather, nightmares. As you enter the world further, math begins to split into two parts: pure math and applied math. The former is dedicated to the abstract and beautiful side of math that becomes so complex that our mortal comprehension starts to deteriorate. The latter literally applies math to the real world. Bu rn
Principal deserves round of applause
Northridge
To understand math and to do well in math, you must appreciate the beauty of math, as Mr. Johnson says. There is something undeniably fascinating how the fanciest function can have numbers plugged in before spitting out a graph that has a spinning, undulating personality. The way the most enigmatic equation can be spliced apart and sliced away to reveal a perfect answer is almost mind boggling. And, of course, handling infinity within your paper’s blue lines is a thought-provoking concept. When I began to love mathematics, it hit like a truck. Between classes, my calculator was soon filled with graph plots that left me staring in wonder, amazed at the simplicity of something so complicated. Now I grin stupidly at any sort of higher level math I do not understand, transfixed upon things I cannot possibly solve yet. Higher math branches into specific portions varying from Chaos Theory, Vector Algebra, Formal Logic, Fractal Geometry and my favorite, Differential Equations –though it might just be the name!
Cultural experience: junior analyzes anatomy of a brown party Renu Pandit Feature Editor
Pa nd
Brown. For Indians, Middle Easterners and other such people, this word is both an adjective and a way of life. For starters, we refer to ourselves as “brown it people,” eat “brown food,” and perhaps most infamously, have “brown parties.” It is the latter that I, a survivor, shall tell of today. Let me begin by describing the setting of this strange gathering. It is seductively simple, disguising itself as a pretty and comfortable home. However, the observant explorer of this domain will see the horror lurking behind every corner. Guests will begin to arrive at the typical 7 o’clock party
at around 9, as per Indian Standard Time, or IST. Dressed to the nines in various uncomfortable garb and bedecked in all forms of torturously heavy jewelry, the women will stake a claim to various parts of the house and occupy every nook and cranny of it, making it impossible for a wandering soul to cross. The brave ones who attempt this feat usually do not make it out without being subjected to the women’s’ favorite form of cruel and unusual torture—being stuffed alive with enough food to feed three third world countries. They will leave the kitchen holding their bellies and groaning in pain, hoping to find solace in an empty, peaceful part of the house, but alas! They are confronted by a phenomenon that can only be described as The Uncles. As the women had previously done, the men too will claim
their domain, and it is often the entirety of the living room and porch. They pass the time by loudly debating every aspect of politics and cricket possible. Since being wrong, or accepting that someone else is right, is not an option for many of the men, these debates will last indefinitely. The wise guest will scurry through the heat of these fierce battles and retreat to the upstairs area, where they are met by strange, small brown beings. Described as being incredibly cute, they often lure unsuspecting guests into playing with them. The victim will be subjected to games such as Tornado and Catch Me, and will soon collapse from sheer exhaustion. After consuming more food than humanly possible, the guest will stumble out of the party after delivering a roughly two-hour goodbye speech to the host. Khaa (Eat), Mazaa (Have Fun), Rinse and Repeat. That is the Mantra of the Brown Party.
NSPA 5th Place Best of Show 2012 • NSPA 1st Place Best of Show 2011 • 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 (2005-2011) • SIPA All-Southern (2003, 2005–2011) • ASPA All-Alabama (2003–2011) • NSPA AllAmerican (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 Feature Writing Award (2009)
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Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 • (205) 759-3734 ext. 295 Editor-in-Chief *Alex Hauser Managing Editor *Raiha Bajwa Feature Editor *Renu Pandit News Editor *Sarah Katherine Barnes
Entertainment Editor *Raiha Bajwa Sports Editor Abby Allen Opinion Editor *Raiha Bajwa Beat Editor Morgan DeWitt
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. Letters must be submitted to Susan Newell in room 109 or emailed to northridgereporter@gmail.com.
Copy Editor Kelly Burnham, Rabisa Khan, Jared Lotfi Infographics Editor Jakailah Cooper Art Editor KanJalla Dancer Artists CheQuita Burrell, Katie Poore
*Denotes state, regional and national award winners
Business Manager Web Master *Raiha Bajwa Victoria Love Photographers Adviser Morgan DeWitt, Julia Hocutt, *Susan Newell Jared Lotfi Staff Jordan Hutchinson, Savren Nelson, Kayla Pate
The Northridge Reporter reserves the right to edit letters and verify allegations. The newspaper is distributed monthly. 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.
Advertising & 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. School population Students: 1238 Faculty and staff: 90
3
Entertainment
The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2012
Ice, ice, baby:
New ice skating rink opens for holidays
Julia Hocutt Staff Writer
Winter Village: The new ice rink opened at the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum on Nov. 26. “I think it’s awesome,” Hayden Murphy, junior, said. “I love ice-skating and can’t wait to go.”
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Photo by: Alex Hauser
an Ev
The Tuscaloosa City Council officially approved funding for an ice-skating rink on Jack Warner Parkway. The temporary “winter village” opened, just in time for the holidays, on Nov. 26 and closes on Jan. 9. Senior Associate City Attorney Glenda Bumpus, said she hopes the rink will appeal to all of the West Alabama area. Bumpus said, “We hope this becomes a holiday destination for West Alabama.” The 60-foot by 85-foot ice skating rink cost an estimat-
ed $157,000. The temporary rink will hold up to 152 skaters. City officials expect a large turnout from families as well as students and younger people. The project, “Holidays on the River,” is planned to be more than just an ice rink. Holiday movies, choir performances, a snow-blowing machine, as well as appearances by Santa Claus and North Pole elves are all scheduled events. Wendy Riggs, Tuscaloosa’s Public Projects Committee’s Director of Arts and Entertainment, said, “It’ll kind of be like a family one-stop holiday event.” Vendors who operate out of the River Market are planned to be there as well. Mallory Steiner, junior, said she was looking forward to going to the rink. “I think we should get a permanent one,” she said. “I’m really excited. I think it makes it feel more like Christmas time.” Hayden Buettner, senior, was not as excited about the rink. “Why would I ever want to go ice-skating?” he said.
What did you think of the new Bond movie?
It was as fulfilling as an action movie can be. As pure entertainment, it was great; the changes in setting kept everything fresh, and I cannot describe the action sequences without expletives. Parker Evans, Junior
Tending the rabbits
Drama department performs Of Mice and Men Savren Nelson Staff Writer
Action!: Senior Nick Motz plays Lennie in a scene. Sophomore Ben Wrightand junior James Roberts who played George and Curley, are in a fight scene. DeAnthony Mays, who played Crooks, said, “It was challenging [being in the play. Mrs. Wright [director] always said the actors make the play, not the lines.” Photos by: Beth Allaway
everything about his part he needed including a cast he put over his hand to make it look like just a stump.) The victim of racial injustice on the farm is Crooks, played by senior DeAnthony Mays. Crooks is the only black stable hand, and he is separated from the rest of the farm. Curley, played by junior James Roberts is the son of the boss and thinks he owns the men at the farm. Roberts played a man that was small but would pick a fight with anybody. He picked on everybody on the farm, including his wife. Curly’s wife was played by Savanna McLaughlin, junior. McLaughlin did a great job with this part and, she styled herself beautifully.
Sophomore Anna Beth Northington’s dog played the part of Candy’s dog. The play was enjoyable, and all cast members were strong. The production crew added details to the set that made the play even more believable. The set was so detailed that it had everything from pin up girls on the bed walls to bunk beds that were stable enough to hold the weight of the actors. Much time and thought was put into t h e production of this play.
Johnson
It even had the old theme music. Sean Connery is my favorite Bond character, though Daniel Craig would be my second favorite. Scott Johnson, Math Teacher Mo h t ba ab
John Steinbeck’s book and play Of Mice and Men tells the story of two men, Lennie and George, who try to find the American dream during the Depression. Of Mice and Men tells of the hidden lies in the American dream, the cruelty of reality and the friendships you can make during hardships. The drama department preformed the play Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10. Senior Nick Motz, played the role of Lennie Small, a man of incredible strength but with the brain of a four year old. Motz portrayed Lennie superbly. Motz’s portrayal included a nervous, laughing voice suitable for the character and random straightening of his clothes when he was not talking. Ben Wright, sophomore, played George, a level-
headed and responsible man. Even though Lennie puts George in difficult situations, George keeps Lennie, so he will not be lonely. Their main activity was looking for work. Wright’s role was difficult, but he played it with ease. As George and Lennie find work at a ranch a couple of miles from where they were staying, they stumble into a few friendships. Junior Parker Evans, played Slim, the respected leader of the working class on the ranch. Evans came off with a sense of compassion and insight throughout the play. Some of the other workers on the ranch are Candy, played by junior Daniel Gregory, and Carlson, played by sophomore Charles Lane. Gregory did a great job portraying emotion when tragedy struck him. He showed true feelings of worry. (Gregory had
It was amazing… [the film] wasn’t like other James Bond movies where he kills the bad guy and everything’s all happy; this one was more original than the others. Joseph Mohabbat, Sophomore Quotes compiled by: Kelly Burnham Photos by: Jared Lotfi
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Feature
The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2102
FAM
Alum dedicates fully to his passion Morgan DeWitt Staff Writer
Driven by his passion for music, Joseph Edwards, 2012 alum, opted to move to Nashville after graduating to pursue his dream. “I play in a band called New Culture, with band members Adam Naylor on bass and vocals, Andrew Lambeth on rhythm guitar and Kyle Goodin on lead guitar. Our style is alternative rock, and it derives from many different influences,” Edwards said. Edwards plays the drums and has been playing for a little under five years. He said many things inspired him to become a musician. “The most important was the ability to tell a story and making it sound exactly the way you want it to be heard,” Edwards said. Edwards said life in Nashville for a musician is rough but rewarding. “The music life is no cake
walk. I work two jobs, play gigs at night, travel for recordings, and [we’re] constantly trying to meet other bands and people to promote our music,” Edwards said. Practicing and hanging at venues are very important daily activities for New Culture. Edwards said when the band isn’t working or playing shows, they’re writing more music. A person’s style of music can open doors to meeting other people with similar musical tastes, and Edwards has made a lot of friends from his style of music. Natalie Patton, senior, said she got to know Edwards when she sat next to him in her AP Composition class. “We both liked the same type of music; kind of like indie-rock and alternative,” Patton said. Jenna Sherman, Tuscaloosa Academy senior, said her friendship with Edwards spawned from similar music tastes. “He’s really driven. Not in the way that most people are, but in the way that he knows exactly
what he wants out of life and knows exactly how to get there. I think that’s a really unique quality in a person,” Sherman said. As for his own favorite styles, Edwards said he’s “super open to music,” and some days he can range from acoustic music to metal. Some of his favorite bands include Radiohead, Dry the River, Two Door Cinema Club, My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses and Grizzly Bear. Edwards said the one thing he wants people to get from the diversity of music style is to “listen to the music you like. If someone disagrees and thinks you’re odd because of your taste, that’s their problem. It’s your dig.” With a label in the works and a few big names in music getting in touch with New Culture, Edwards said there are bright things coming in the future for the band. “We have become Nashville’s band of the month in the alternative rock scene. We have been contacted by a label and invited to play shows. We are starting to
create a fan base and reaching out to radio stations in order to get our songs heard,” Edwards said. New Culture’s goals consist of being placed on a label and going on tour in the next few months. “The move to Nashville has a lot to do with trying to meet contacts and people that can potentially help us spark our career,”
Edwards said. Edwards said he is happy where he is in life, and said he would rather be poor doing something he loves than rich doing something he hates. “A song always brings about a certain emotion to the listener, and allows them to relate to [it] on their own,” Edwards said.
Photo by: Reid Cifrino
Beat the drums: Joseph Edwards, alum, and New Culture members Adam Naylor, Andrew Lambeth and Kyle Goodwoon perform the song “Bells” at Five Spot in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 14. “When I see all the people that come to watch us perform, I tell myself ‘these people came to see a show, let’s give them one,’” Edwards said.
Tight end at Mississippi remembers his roots Renu Pandit Feature Editor
There comes a strange moment, when running down the field with the crowd cheering, that one becomes transported to previous times when things were simpler and the spotlight was not as bright. This oddity is often experienced by Malcolm Johnson, tight end for Mississippi State University and Northridge alum. “I started out playing little league for the Skyland Falcons,” Johnson said. “It was just for fun. I never thought it would lead me where I’m at now.” Johnson said playing at and attending Northridge helped him, as he was “given a great opportunity to pursue goals on the field and in the classroom” that he does not think he would have gotten anywhere else. “It helped me reach levels that I needed to reach in order to prepare for college,” Johnson said. Jared Smith, football coach, said he coached Johnson in 2008 and 2009.
“Malcolm played wide receiver mostly, but played a little safety as well on defense,” Smith said. “He always brought this sense of confidence and swagger to the team, and thought he was better than the guy he was going against. This rubbed off on the team as others gained confidence.” Smith said his most memorable moment of Johnson was when they “played Minor in pouring down rain.” “Malcolm took the game over single handedly,” Smith said. “The play I remember most is when Malcolm caught the ball and took off down the soaked field with two Minor defenders chasing him. He stopped on a dime in the rain and both Minor players went sliding by, while he cruised on in for a touchdown.” Smith said he watches Johnson play on TV whenever he can. “I also try to keep up with his stats. Malcolm made the SportsCenter Top 10 Plays with a one-handed catch for a touchdown against Tennessee,” Smith said.
“It’s always fun watching former players play on Saturday. It was especially exciting watching Malcolm and Vinnie Sunseri play against each other when Mississippi State played at Alabama.” Johnson often plays against past classmates, and said he enjoys it. “It makes the competition level go up just a little bit. Especially, when they’re a fellow student of the ‘Ridge like Vinnie Sunseri and Jared Palmer,” Johnson said.
He said he looks up to many people. “I’m always willing to take bits of advice,” Johnson said. Johnson said he looks to Scott Sallach, tight end coach for Mississippi State University, for support and guidance. Sallach said he has coached Johnson for two years, and said he sees him as “a very competitive person, an extremely hard worker and someone with a thirst for knowledge.” As part of the football staff, Sallach said he was part of the recruiting team that selected Johnson. “One of the biggest things that stuck out about Malcolm was when the football team came to Mississippi State for a 7 on 7 tournament. Malcolm was very competitive all day and made a lot of great catches in clutch situations,” Sallach said. “He excelled the entire day.” Sallach said there is a big difference between high school football and college football. “The game is faster, harder, and more intense. The level of importance and competitiveness is at
a whole different level than high school,” Sallach said. Despite the difference in the intensity of the sport, Sallach said his expectations for Johnson’s development as a player are only getting bigger. “As a tight end at Mississippi State, you really play wide receiver, running back and offensive line,” Sallach said. “You are the ultimate combination as a football player. I expect Malcolm to excel athletically, academically and as man.” Johnson said he hopes to continue his career in football after college. “Hopefully, I’ll be blessed to play in the NFL for a couple of years,” Johnson said. He said that signing at Mississippi State was a great accomplishment for him and his family. “It felt great knowing that all my hard work was paying off, and that I could take stress off my parents about college,” Johnson said. “Every time I go visit my parents, I’m reminded that I have the same opportunity as everyone else; to enjoy life if I keep God first, my head in my books and keep grinding on the field.”
Feature
The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2012
ME
Get your game face on
Blankenship reminisces over his past, anticipates new adventures
Raiha Bajwa Managing Editor
Jack Blankenship is a man of many faces. One in particular has received a lot attention. In January 2012, Blankenship, alumnus and sophomore at the University of Alabama (U. of A.), arrived at an Alabama basketball game with a giant cutout poster of his face. On Feb. 4, 2012, a picture of him with the face was posted on reddit.com, which instantly went viral. Blankenship originally came up with the face with his best friend Austin Jackson in the sixth grade. “From there, it grew to two of our other friends, Hank DeBell and David Burkhalter, and from there a bunch of other friends caught on with it,” he said. Blankenship said he came up with the idea after seeing people hold up cutouts of players at U. of A. basketball games. “I noticed there were cutouts of players, so I thought it would be funny if I made a cutout of my own head and brought it to the televised games for AJ, Hank and David to see on TV.” Blankenship said he was surprised at his rise to fame. “I was at the Tuscaloosa Public Library and looked down at my phone and noticed that I was getting twitter mentions left and right, people were wanting to interview me: it was crazy,” he said. “I was amazed at how quickly it spread.” Since the Face got out, Blankenship was invited to the Jimmy Fallon Show, the Today Show, a sketch for Funny or Die and commercials for activities related to the University of Alabama which can be found on YouTube. “It was weird getting so much attention,” he said. Trina Busby, English teacher, had Blankenship as a student in her American studies class. “It does not surprise me at all that he did that,” she said. Blankenship said he was shocked at how popular it got, but was absolutely glad that it did. “I remember walking into Madison Square Garden for the Knicks - Nets game and tons of people were asking for my picture. Many of the Knicks laughed at the sign. I got on the Madison Square Garden Jumbotron and had a killer time,” he said. “Heck, I even grabbed the attention of Jay-Z and Beyoncé and got them to do the face.” “I like to believe I made the Nets miss their first four free throws,” Blankenship said. Blankenship said his popularity has waned ever since, but the experience was amazing. “Never in my life would I think I would be able to do all of those things, and they all happened in a three week span,” he said. “It’s still cool to see people who know who I am,” Blankenship said. “I wouldn’t say they freak out, but they get really 2004
Feb. 4, 2012
Blankenship in- Picture of The Face vents The Face is uploaded onto Reddit. in sixth grade.
Feb. 14, 2012
Picture goes viral after bcoming most famous hit on Reddit.
excited,” he said. Blankenship said he still plans on bringing his Face to University of Alabama boys basketball games. “It’s a rather useful distraction during free throws, and that’s what it’s all been about, giving my team an advantage,” he said. Blankenship also hosts a radio show with his roommate, Brian Hoff, on the local college radio station, WVUA 90.7 FM, The Capstone. Their show, Reel Tracks Radio, comes on every Monday night at eight, and consists of the two hosts playing popular movie sound tracks and discussing how they feel about the movies. “Going into college, I knew I always wanted to do something on the radio,” Blankenship said. “And the fact that I am able to co-host a show with one of my best friends is awesome.” Though it has a small audience, Blankenship said he enjoys working the show all the same. “It airs on the local college station, so it can’t reach too many people, but it’s still fun,” he said. “It hasn’t really given me a reputation on campus, but I like it that way. I feel like I mess up entirely too much on the show.” Chris Cline, junior, who attends the same church as Blankenship, said he was inspired by Blankenship’s attitude. “He was a big influence to me at my church and my school,” he said. “He has taught me to be dedicated to my work and have a good attitude about it.” Cline said he was surprised at all the attention Blankenship got with the face. “I think he was just being a silly college kid, just being Jack, but it’s really cool that he got all that attention for it,” he said. “I’m a little jealous.” Blankenship said everything that has happened to him has been unexpected and at the end of the day, it was Northridge that shaped him to be the person he is today. “None of this would be possible without the leadership I saw in the principal’s office, many of the teacher’s classrooms, and various other places around the school,” he said. “It feels like just yesterday I was in Mrs. Reed’s class worrying about my media journal, trying to write a graduation speech, and trying to successfully help build a homecoming decoration. It is absolutely remarkable that less than two years later, my life has changed so radically, and I can’t help but to attribute it to the great students, teachers and faculty of Northridge High School,” he said.
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Sunseri ‘hungers’ for spotlight, awed by journey
Abby Allen Sports Editor
T
he hum of a 300 person crowd and the roar of a 90,000 person swarm makes all the difference for alum Vinnie Sunseri, defensive back of the University of Alabama football team. He went from playing 6A high school football to being part of the number one team in the nation. Sunseri said he had always dreamed of playing SEC football but never thought it would actually happen. While playing at Northridge, Sunseri had offers from both the University of Alabama and the University of Pittsburgh. He said his family helped him choose Alabama. “When I signed to Alabama, it was unbelievable,” Sunseri said. “It was a dream come true.” Along with their influence on his school choice, Sunseri said that his family impacts the way he plays as well. “My dad and brothers inspire me to work hard,” he said.
Being in the spotlight can make you hungry or complacent, and it has definitely made Vinnie hungrier. -Kirby Smart, defensive coordinator
While playing at Northridge, Sunseri said he pushed himself to work hard and gained the leadership qualities it took to become a great player. “I had to work harder than everyone else if I wanted to play,” he said. University of Alabama defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart, said Vinnie is a great contributor in all areas of the team in terms of being a leader and motivator. “Vinnie has accepted all kinds of challenges since he’s been here in terms of learning multiple positions on defense as well as all of his positions and assignments on special teams,” Smart said. “That is something you are not able to accomplish without a high level of motivation, determination and work ethic.” When other players see someone else putting in extra time on their own, they begin to do the same thing. Sunseri puts in extra work and affects people in a positive manner. “People feed off of his intensity, and he leads by example,” Smart said. Sunseri pushes himself to reach his potential on See northridgereporter.wordpress.com the field, in the weight room and in the classroom. He drives himself to continually improve in all for links to Blankenship on Youtube. facets of life, on and off the field. “Being in the spotlight can either make you Feb. 16, 2012 March 29, 2012 July 2012 hungry or complacent, and it has definitely made Picture becomes Blankenship cre- Blankenship takes Vinnie hungrier,” Smart said. featured on Yahoo Sports, ESPN, and in Hollywood gossip.
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The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2102
BCN-TV adjusts to changes KanJalla Dancer Art Editor
Photo by: Sarah Katherine Barnes
Twirl it!: Sophomores Sophia Lima and Heather Rabbit stretch during the day to prep for majorette tryouts.
Majorettes join marching band next year Kayla Pate Staff Writer
Majorettes will join the marching band next year in their half time shows. Nonmandatory clinics are held twice a month and will always be opened for anyone to come. Cathy Stephens, fourth grade teacher, has never been a majorette, but volunteered to be the faculty sponsor for the majorettes. Falon Evans, former Alabama Crimsonette, will choreograph the routines
and assist with tryouts. “The response has been great. We had about 25 girls at the interest meeting. Since that meeting we have held our first majorette clinic with 13 girls in attendance,” Stephens said. At the clinic Evens taught the girls basic twirls, dance and ribbon routines. Kathryn Versace, freshman, has been attending the non-mandatory clinics. “The clinics are fun and exciting,” Versace said. She has twirled before with the Bright Star Twirl-
ers in Orlando, Florida, and she is excited to do it again. “I think the majorette team will make the football games more exciting,” she said. Daijah Jackson, junior, has shown up at the interest meetings. She said she is excited about the majorette team because she said it is long overdue. “I did [twirling] when I was younger at Mary Jo’s Studio. I signed up because I wanted to get back into it,” Jackson said.
Commute out of parking lot takes too long Sarah Katherine Barnes News Editor The time it takes for students to exit the parking lot each day is “too long” and “inconvenient” according to Junior Jayce Bass. Bass said it takes her at least ten minutes to leave the campus after school due to traffic coming out of the parking lot. “There should be another entrance on the other side of the parking lot,” Bass said. “Or something like that. I don’t know I just
know it takes a really long time to leave school.” Isaac Espy, principal said there is nothing that can be done. “We can’t add any more outlets or inlets because there’s not a place for them. We created a lane just for buses, and that takes up the whole far side of the lot, so no exits can be put there. We can’t add one at the front of the parking lot because, well, I don’t think our traffic director could handle two exits on his own. There’s really nothing anyone can do,” Espy said.
BCN-TV has made adjustments to cope with changes. Wi-Fi and cable issues have affected their viewing rates. Christopher King, BCN-TV advisor, said, “The cable and Wi-Fi problems are hurting the viewership of BCN-TV and I have requested help from all three high school administrators to get the cable back into the budget for our program… It has been a slow and frustrating process for us.” Because of the new schedule set-up, one of the adjustments BCN-TV made was moving their weekly show from 8 a.m. to
10 a.m. Another change was adding a new show called “BCN-TV Daily with Alex and Harley.” The daily show is 10 minutes, and includes daily announcements, sports, weather, lunch menus and features. This show airs on cable and YouTube, along with the main show. Josh Thomas, senior, said that the WiFi problem was not really affecting their work. “Mr. King talked with the city board to get us the password for the city Wi-Fi,” Thomas said. Students can watch BCN-TV on their website www.bcntv.org, follow them on twitter and like them on Facebook. The weekly show airs every Friday at 10 a.m. on Comcast channel 21 and on YouTube.
Tuscaloosa City Schools implements HALT campaign Rabisa Khan Staff Writer
Nationwide, bullying has become a prominent issue. Tuscaloosa City Schools has created a program this year called HALT which focuses on bringing attention to bullying. HALT stands for Harassment Awareness ∙ Learning Together. This anti-bullying program has a city-wide committee that attended a convention in Auburn over the summer where many schools around the nation gathered to discuss their efforts to end bullying, Kelly Brown, the new guidance counselor, said. Brown is our representative in the HALT program. She said she was excited
about being a part of this program and made it clear that “HALT is unique to Tuscaloosa City Schools.” “I think anything we can implement that promotes a positive climate will have a long term effect,” Brown said. This anti-bullying program should not only bring awareness to bullying, but it is a “systematic way to report bullying as well,” she said.
Sara Diaz, sophomore, said she thinks otherwise. “I don’t think it helped because people started taking it as a joke, even though it’s something serious,” Diaz said. If any individual is being bullied or has witnessed an act of bullying, they can report it to their school either anonymously or face to face with a leader at the school. To report the incident anonymously, they can report it on the Tuscaloosa City School’s website or send an unsigned note or email to their school, Brown said. “If you are being bullied, take a stand and tell the bully to STOP,” Brown said. The HALT program will be in effect throughout the school year.
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The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2012
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Opinion Junior stands behind Chizik Kelly Caroline Burnham Copy Editor
Photos by: Beth Allaway
Bump, set, spike! Left: Alexie Blunt, senior, dives for a ball while Katrina Strutwolf, junior, watches in anticipation. Right: Denae Sisler, sophomore, bumps the ball. D’Aja Patrick, junior, prepares to help.
Volleyball team makes it to Super-Regionals Katie Poore Staff Writer
First-time attendees at the North SuperRegionals, the girls volleyball team made an entrance by defeating Oxford High School in the first game, winning all three matches. North Super-Regionals, a tournament that decides the state champions, hosted schools across the state. Also in attendance was Grissom High School, who beat the team and won all three matches of the game. Shirlyncia Moore, senior and middle
hitter on the team, said she is proud of the team’s performance. “I feel accomplished knowing that this season was our best season,” Moore said. “I’m definitely satisfied with what we’ve done.” Moore said the team prepared for SuperRegionals by practicing hard. “We practiced with more focus on skills, technique and diversity, which is switching up plays. Practice wasn’t for fun. It was serious,” Moore said. “We practiced from three until five-thirty almost every day.” Moore said she and the rest of the team
have had to overcome obstacles to make it to Super-Regionals. “I had to work on becoming more verbal because I’m kind of quiet,” she said. “Just thinking about State and seeing we had potential to go to State motivated me. And it’s my senior year, too.” Sophomore Katie McCray said she is happy “for her friends on the team.” “And it gives us something good to say about Northridge,” McCray said. “It makes me proud.” The team, coached by Vicky Miller, has completed its season with 22 wins and 15 losses.
Difficult living in Tuscaloosa for Auburn fans Kelly Caroline Burnham Copy Editor Auburn fans are well aware of the hardships that follow any loss, but a loss becomes significantly more painful when living among antagonizing enemies in the heart of the crimson-andwhite land. Charlie Gross, senior, said, it is difficult being an Auburn fan in Tuscaloosa “whether you win or lose.” “You’re not viewed any differently [win or lose], and it’s been especially hard this year because it’s been a terrible football season for Auburn.” Mercer Boatright, junior, said, Auburn fans are easily criticized for team’s performance at games. “Alabama fans usually get up in your face [when Auburn loses] and they tell you that your team sucks.”
He said that when Auburn won the 2010 national championship against the Oregon Ducks by a margin of 22-19, nothing changed. “Alabama fans considered the national championship to be all Cam Newton when we had a complete, all-around team that year,” Boatright said. Living in the heart of the Crimson Tide is certainly different from residing one hundred and twenty-five miles away in the city of oak trees and tigers. Anna Schwartz, science teacher, has Auburn’s national championship sticker on her car. Schwartz said, “The worst is when I’m driving on game days [with] the national championship sticker on my car. [Alabama fans] do obscene hand gestures to me, yell things and honk – it’s just not fair.”
Photo by: MCT Campus
Fair Game Nick Saban, University of Alabama football coach, shakes hands with Auburn’s coach, Gene Chizik, after the Alabama vs. Auburn football game on Nov. 24, 2012. The Crimson Tide defeated the Auburn tigers with a score of 49-0. “I was expecting Bama to win, but I was expecting points on both sides,” Will Poore, senior, said. Marilyn Stephens, AP science teacher, said, if Auburn is losing and not doing well it is easier to be an Auburn fan while living in Tuscaloosa. “It’s only when Auburn is
doing well that you are associated with a team that cheats.” “Since I have degrees from both places, I don’t have an animosity toward Alabama,” she said.
Bearing the brunt of the Crimson Tide’s 2011 national championship victory and countless gloats that imply a fifteenth trophy is in the works is enough to drive any Auburn fan to the brink of insanity. Of course, walking in a cesspool of crimson while donning navy and orange garb is enough to put your life in danger on football weekends. Fair-weather fans flit anxiously to the superior variety of the year, claiming their undying allegiance. We Tigers are in the midst of having our stripes peeled off, through football drama and a season that was less than stellar. Bloodthirsty warmongers cried for the firing of the head coach for the worst season in sixty years, and even this diehard fan will admit that it sure was an unbalanced ratio of losses. Personally, I remained standing behind Gene Chizik in whatever decision he made, and I do not believe that firing the head coach is the solution to everything. While the head coach is meant to bear the responsibilities of the team, it is grossly unfair to suggest that the root of all problems comes from the one who is pruning the branches. Auburn is still Auburn, the university ridiculed by the ‘other’ university in the west for being inferior. The people who berate Chizik for being a ‘loser’ disgust me. This is the man who we praised as the best coach in the SEC, the winner of multiple awards and the figurehead of the football program, flanked by his knowledgeable aides. Firing him has eliminated essentially anyone caught in the blast zone radius, from the assistant coach to the water boy, regardless of their talent. Since we fired Chizik, our team will not necessarily become stronger. Since we fired Chizik, the recruits are not going to be siphoned out from the corners of the country. Since we fired Chizik, the University of Alabama is not going to respect us any further than if we carried twenty crystal footballs. Since we fired Chizik, another Cameron Newton is not going to drop in from outer space. Since we fired Chizik, a 2013 national championship victory will not be written in blood. The only thing we gain is the loss of a man who led us through priceless victories without claiming a single one to himself, and Alabama fans will be correct in calling us the biggest losers in the nation.
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The Northridge Reporter November 30, 2012
Beat Photos by Jared Lotfi
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Teach it: Shane Ashcraft teaches To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee to 9th grade Pre-AP English students. “I like how we can have fun in his class but still learn things,” Abbey Burnham, freshman, said.
vironment. His new pupils, he said, are “quite lively.” Senior Vaughan Veillon took 11th grade English with Ashcraft. “He definitely wasn’t a traditional teacher,” Veillon said, “and had a more open teaching style that was stimulating.” Senior Jameson Hubbard had a similar experience, stating that Ashcraft was able to relate to his students extremely well and bring any concept down to earth. In the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break, Ashcraft let students sign up for after school one on one sessions with him for essay editing. “Most of my students really took advantage of the idea, and I’m looking forward to some great revisions,” he said, “I plan on continuing it in days to come.” Aside from teaching, Ashcraft served as a boys varsity soccer assistant coach
that you get what you need.” Freshman Anna Katherine Tucker said that she found the class too difficult, and, within the first nine weeks, switched to Ms. Tillman’s honors course. “I understand Ms. Tillman’s teaching a lot better,” she said, “She’s willing to stop and explain details of the pieces we’re working on, and I don’t think Mr. Ashcraft was as responsive a teacher.” No matter which English course a student takes, Ashcraft said that he or she must expect to cover the same literary content.
and the head coach of the junior varsity team during his first year at the school. Preston McCool, junior, played on the junior varsity team and had Ashcraft as his sophomore English teacher. “As a coach he wasn’t as hard on us as he was in the classroom,” he said. Ashcraft said he has an affinity for especially long road trips which has led to a number of excursions including a summer drive to Montana and participation in Spartan Sprint 2011, a four mile race featuring a plethora of obstacles and gallons of mud. “I did plenty of hiking in Montana along with some free climbing and bouldering,” he said. Ashcraft said he plans to compete in the Spartan Race again this year. When things are more tranquil, he said he enjoys reading Faulkner, Orwell and e.e. cummings.
English teacher starts out jobless, now receives praise
Jared Lotfi Staff Writer
S
hane Ashcraft, English teacher, could not be more optimistic about his second year. “I’m still thrilled to be here,” he said, “I’m fortunate to have found a job in a great environment that’s relatively close to home.” Ashcraft, a University of Alabama graduate, is originally from Montgomery, Ala. and moved to Tuscaloosa in 2004. “After graduating, I was without a teaching job for nine months. Those weren’t exactly the easiest months of my life,” Ashcraft said. He started out teaching only sophomores and juniors but began teaching pre-AP classes for incoming freshmen this year. Ashcraft said he was excited to increase the diversity of his teaching en-
The primary cause for his concern is that students who are capable of Pre-AP coursework may try to shy away from a challenge and attempt to find easier subject matter in lower level courses. “The problem is that those students who try to find an easier road are in for a rude awakening,” he said, “Although our standard may be higher than other classes, Ms. Tillman, Ms. Wright and any other [English teacher] will still require students to work hard and meet expectations. Switching to a lower level does not guarantee a free ride; our teachers ensure
Ninth graders look for easy road, leave Pre-AP class Jared Lotfi Staff Writer
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ince the beginning of the school year, five or six students have left Shane Ashcraft’s Pre-AP English 9 class, three of those left in the first week. Ashcraft said his students should desire or at least expect to perform at Pre-AP levels. “Simply being in a Pre-AP English class and doing the bare minimum hurts [students], and they probably would learn more in a regular or advanced class,” he said.
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November 30, 2012 Volume 10 Issue 3