Summer snow helps out Page 8
Jaguars beat wildcats Page 7
website: http://northridgereporter.wordpress.com
Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Al• 35406
September 2011 • Volume 9 • Issue 1
New schedule creates hassle for AP Students
Yes
No
Compiled by Jah’meka Baxter Designed by Alex Hauser
Alex Hauser Editor-in-chief A new schedule was put in effect this year after the board of education received information on the effectiveness of the former 4 x 4 block schedule. The Director of Secondary Programs, Robert Coates said that the board requested an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Block Schedule due to the number of student dropouts, the high school graduation rates and the ability of our schools to make AYP under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. A committee was then formed in 2009-2010 to discuss and recommend a more effective schedule. “[After the board received the research data they] issued a directive to change the 4 X 4 Block Schedule,” Coates said. “The Alternating A/B 4 X 4 Block Schedule was the consensus of the high school principals, including TCT.”
Several other options were considered. The 5 x 5 and a 7 or 8 period day were the two top alternatives. “The challenges [of the 7 or 8 period day] of scheduling Career and Technical courses at TCT would have been adversely affected by 55 or 50-minute classes. [It’s] not enough transition time for students taking only one Career Technical course,” Coates said. The alternating A/B 4 X 4 Block Schedule offers flexibilities to add in extra minutes for an advisory or power period. Although the alternating schedule was considered the best, students are frustrated they can’t take all the classes they need to. “I had my junior and senior year all planned out, but the schedule disrupted it,” Sarah Cassel, junior, said. “I have to take more AP classes senior year, I was hoping on having it all balanced out.”
Coates said that the A+ College Ready Program Grant for AP Classes did not affect the decision on the schedule choice and that “courses required as year-long would have been included regardless of what schedule format was selected.” Cassel said that the schedule affected AP students a great deal. Cassel said she could not fit all of the classes she wanted to take into her schedule because “nothing fit.” “I’m kind of mad at the schedule because I was planning on taking a lighter AP load and get the harder classes done, and I was planning on taking more AP classes as a whole, but I’ve maxed out my senior year just for the requirements,” she said. “[The new schedule has] messed up me taking AP and non-AP classes together. It just doesn’t work.”
Continued on page 6 See schedule
New Schedule
Rationale
• The Core Curriculum is taught for the entire school year (Half credits earned at end of Semester 1). • Maintains the 4 x 4 Block Schedule resulting in 8 credits per academic year. • Provides opportunity for year-long courses in Advanced Placement (AP) and • International Baccalaureate (IB) in alignment with the A+ Initiative. • Provides opportunity for year-long courses in mathematics and other areas of concern. • There is no time required by counselors and school staff at mid-year for planning and implementing a new schedule for the spring. • There is more flexibility within school calendar . • Students will be attending Core classes during the administration of the AHSGE/EOC Exams, PLAN and ACT assessments. • Teachers retain the same amount of planning time. Information compiled by Alex Hauser
Large class sizes makes teaching difficult Trent Clanton News editor The student body count has increased slightly over the years, since the split of the three Tuscaloosa City high schools. Over time it has grown until now it is 447 students more than it was intended to be. Jackie Hudgins, guidance counselor, said the actual student body count has increased only slightly this year. “We have roughly 25 more stu-
dents than we did last year,” Hudgins said. “The total number of students is up to 1247.” However, that total number is very large, compared to the other city schools’ population. Each high school in the Tuscaloosa City School system was built to house 800 students. Now Northridge has the majority, with Bryant’s population at 881 students, and Central’s down to only 735. Hudgins said one reason the attendance is so high is because of
Photo by Nick Motz
Class size has increased. Trina Busby’’s AP Language class (pictured) has 27 students.
the school’s prestige. “We have grown due to student transfers from both the public and private schools. Northridge has a phenomenal academic and athletic reputation and many students have chosen our school to increase their opportunities,” Hudgins said. Mallie Humber, history teacher, has 38 students in one of her classes. “One of my AP U.S. History classes started out at 38 students, and now it’s back down to 30. But my other one started at 44 students and is now at 38,” Humber said. One of the most difficult things with a large AP class, Humber said, is grading. “It’s hard to grade a large AP class because little of the work is multiple choice. It’s mostly writing and short answer, which takes a lot longer to grade,” Humber said. She said with larger classes, she isn’t able to assign as many activities and essays as she would like.
“It’s harder to do group activities, and I feel the quality of instruction isn’t quite where I want it to be. Also, [as with any large class], with so many bodies it’s hard to transition between activities without excessive talking,” Humber said. She said she was glad that she had good classes, though. “Even if my classes are large, they’re a very well behaved group of students. It will be difficult, but they’ll be prepared for the AP Exam when the year is over,” Humber said. Beth Gabriel, junior, said her classes are crowded. “The hallways are a lot more crowded and so is the lunchroom. My classes have a lot more people than last year,” Gabriel said. “I personally like smaller classes because you have more individual attention from your teacher.”
Continued on page 6 See Class size
Average class sizes
Number of students
Number of Students
Do you like the new schedule?
Average Average largest smallest class size class size Compiled by Jah’meka Baxter Designed by Alex Hauser
2
Opinion
Our Thoughts Schedule is good compromise
The new schedule the school system introduced this school year was put in place to fill the terms of the new AP grant the school system has received. Keeping the roots of the previous four block system, it allows four classes a day, but six classes a semester by alternating the same first and second periods all year round. The change allows for students enrolled in single semester AP courses to stay enrolled year round as opposed to just one semester, therefore ensuring needed review before the exam in May. Although it has received some bad reviews from the students who have had to drop a few of their preferred classes, the schedule is a fair compromise between a traditional four block system, and one in which all classes alternate all year. Although there are issues with remembering what materials to bring on certain days and teachers giving two days worth of homework, the schedule allows students to double up in certain subjects if needed, and classes such as sports will not be stretched out through the entire year. The Northridge Reporter staff believes that even though all changes need some getting used to, not all changes are bad, some are for the better. The new schedule may have some kinks to figure out, but overall it’s a change for the better.
Staff opinion agree: 12 disagree: 4 neutral: 1
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)
The Northridge Reporter September 23, 2011
ep ’t ke ll n a c a I ying carr kids! e thes
Art by Trent Clanton
Parking failure: Student witnesses car accident at Subway Nick Motz Staff Writer Like any other Friday night, I was working, while all of my friends were out having a great time, on Aug. 13, at around 7:00 p.m. However, this evening is not one I will soon forget. As I was notified I had a meal break, I eagerly awaited the sandwich I would order at Subway. But as I stepped about a foot into the building, something went horribly wrong. I heard a loud thud. I turned to see what was the matter, and I saw a Ford F150 advancing toward the window at about 30 miles per hour. Panic set in. I dashed toward the back of the room behind the drink machine. I heard a loud crash and saw a hail of glass shards. If you have never seen an industrial sized truck drive through the wall of a Subway, count your lucky stars. I was shaking and in shock as I really didn’t know what to say about all this. Workers from Subway and the neighboring gas station came rushing to the scene. The driver and a
passenger, an older gentleman and a younger woman, stepped out on the verge of tears. Motz I was wondering if it had been a dream. But it was very real. Realizing I only had about four minutes left on my meal break, I decided to snap a quick picture on my phone to justify my surreal story of why I was going to need a few more minutes to eat. All in all, make sure you watch your back. Even in a place like Subway.
Photo by Nick Motz A truck runs through Subway on Rice Mine Road on Aug. 18. The store was forced to shut down for about five weeks.
Your Thoughts
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.
Junior disagrees with senior courtyard policy
Dear Editor, It has come to my attention that a small portion of our junior class has become disgruntled with the apparent ageism inherent in the administration of our outstanding institution. The issue at hand would be the “seniors only” policy pertaining to the outdoor eating area adjacent to the lunch room. Thus, I asked myself why does this rule stand? What is it that so elevates a senior above an underclassman? Is it his luck of being born on a particular day? Is it his abundance of maturity? Is it, perhaps, academic performance? I cannot help but ask myself, as should you fellow students, why a mantle of deference is thrust upon certain students for no apparent reason save that they are older. No man possessed the free will to determine his year of birth and no one could possibly hold that seniors
is no longer shaped, in all aspects, by objective standards such as academic performance (such would be a rational standard set for students to achieve). Yet the rule books have dropped nearly all standards in favor of a type of tribalism that teaches a student to declare his ingroup superiority over any student who is, by chance, of a younger age than him. Due to this glaring injustice, I sympathize with my fellow students and offer their cries of apology for not being born on a suitable date to the administration.
Lotfi
are invariably of a higher maturity level than their underclassmen peers when there are freshmen in existence here at NHS who carry within them twice the drive to learn and succeed than some seniors. It is lamentable that school policy
The Northridge Reporter September 23, 2011
Entertainment
3
New Planet of the Apes movie proves to be surprisingly good James Roberts Beat Editor This summer brought us the latest installment of the Planet of the Apes franchise Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Of all the science fiction films
Art by Jane Yu
I’ve seen, I think that the Planet of the Apes franchise as a whole has one of the better concepts. It takes place in a future where we humans have become animalistic and are no longer the most dominant of all of God’s creations, and simians have assumed our former role. To me that is one of the most creative concepts for a film. But it takes more than a great concept to make a spectacular film. It has to be well-acted, well directed and produced, well written, and have excellent special effects. The original 1968 Planet of the Apes and this summer’s installment in the franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, have this going for them, but the 2001 Tim Burton remake (that you may have seen when you were a kid) pretty much doesn’t. If you don’t believe me, let me compare these three motion pictures. The original’s make-up was quite convincing (even by today’s standards.) The cast did a superb job of acting, although Charlton Heston kind of overacted from time to time, but it was still convincing. The characters were developed. The writing was great, seeing as it came from a beloved novella by Pierre Boulle. The story was quite thought provoking and philosophical, and the plot twist at the end was thrilling. To sum it up, it’s about as near perfect as a film can get. The ill-famed remake by Burton (that somehow grossed $180,011,740, despite its problems) doesn’t exactly deserve all of the infamy it received, but it’s beyond doubt not as good as the original or Rise. Some of the simian characters were actually pretty well acted, and I kind of liked the stylish special effects, but I
didn’t think that the special effects exactly worked with the story and were sort of goofy. Those few positive factors didn’t make up for the shortcomings in logic: The “animalistic humans” can talk, the “superior” simians act more like simians than in the original, and so on. The Burton remake also had cardboard cut out human characters, bad writing, a weak climax, and a sloppy “twist” ending that made no sense. If it weren’t for the stylish special effects, it would probably be down there with Battle: Los Angeles, a summer 2011 film built on special effects that did poorly in theaters. The recently made reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, made up for the damage of Burton’s remake. I will admit that at first, I thought it was going to be horrible, and that I wasn’t too happy that the simians were now CGI (Computer Generated Images,) as opposed to the convincing make-up of the earlier films, but I was happily surprised with it. It wasn’t as thought-provoking as the original and the pacing was a little faster than I would’ve liked, but the writing was better than expected, the characters were developed and well-acted, the CGI simians looked somewhat realistic, and the climax was splendid. Overall, it was excellently made entertainment and pretty much the second best film in the entire franchise. Rise is rumored to be the first film of an entirely new Planet of the Apes film series. Will the new films be good? Let’s wait and see.
Matt Nathanson, Maroon 5 and Train perform and seize fan’s heart Alex Hauser Editor-in-Chief
It was that kind of show that keeps getting better as it goes on. Three great performers Matt Nathanson, Maroon 5 and Train appeared on a Thursday night in September in Atlanta. It was a show that was worth the four hour drive and the wait through Atlanta’s rush hour. It was so good, I belted all the songs the whole four hours it took to get back. Matt Nathanson was the opening act. And, like most opening acts, he isn’t nearly as well known. He sings “Come On Get Higher” for all of the Top 40 listeners. Although he’s newer to fame, he had great stage presence and entranced the audience. Definitely on my list of artists to listen to. His last song “Faster” was catchy and was in my head until Maroon 5 started playing. Adam Levine, lead singer of Maroon 5, started off with his new hit “Moves Like Jagger.” I was hoping for Christina to show up to sing it with him, but it was phenomenal nonetheless. It was an unexpected start and got the audience pumped up for more. He sang his classic hits such as “Misery,” “This Love,” “If I Never See You Again,” “Stutter” and “Sunday Morning.” Maroon 5’s performing style focuses more on the music. Besides the pretty lights, there were few special effects, in contrast to Train, effectively bringing all of the atten-
dance and sing. He called them the “Trainettes” and most of them got T-shirts saying the name. One younger girl, a cancer survivor, got to stand up on one of the speakers and show off her dance moves, and sing with him. It truly was an experience well-made for the girl, and it tugged on all of our hearts. Monahan interacted with the audience tremendously, autographing beach balls and throwing them out to the crowd, and even meandered through the stands whilst singing “Marry Me”. The typically overplayed song “Hey, Soul Sister” was brought back. Hearing it live brought back the memories of first hearing the catchy rhythm, completely erasing my usual annoyance of it. Train came back for an encore singing their main hit “Drops of Jupiter.” The faPhoto by Robb D. Cohen miliar piano was compelling, Monahan’s Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train, sings one of the crowd’s favorites at the September 1 voice is to die for. Not to mention Monahan’s ability to do acrobatics while singconcert in Atlanta. ing. It put the recording to shame, although tion to the lyrics and rhythm of the songs. A train whistle announced Train’s en- seemingly impossible. They ended with “She Will Be Loved.” trance. The curtain rose, and they started They ended the concert singing “This Levine stopped in the middle of the song off with “Parachute” and “If It’s Love,” the Ain’t Goodbye” and announced that they to provide comic relief, asking his guitarist latter being one of my favorites. were going to release a new album next if he had boogers in his nose, saying it was They mostly sang songs from their newer year, and will be back to Atlanta, a concert bothering him and he felt self-conscious. album Save Me San Francisco, but also I will not easily miss. I’ve been to several He ended the song by setting up a two-part brought back some of the classics including concerts, and this was one of my favorite, harmony in the audience. “Calling All Angels” and “She’s on Fire.” certainly one of the few I would go back and After Maroon 5’s performance, I was During “She’s On Fire” Pat Monahan let see again. It was fabulously performed and doubtful it could get better. I was wrong. several girls come up on stage with him to left me wanting more.
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TOP PERFORMANCE CLUSTER
4
Feature
The Northridge Reporter September 23 2011
a
harry
pottermore opens at the close Renu Pandit Feature Editor
Fear not, Harry Potter fans, The Boy Who Lived lives on. Pottermore, a unique online experience based around the Harry Potter books, was created by author J.K. Rowling to ensure that the saga would continue. Rowling, in a video introducing the site, said, “I’m thrilled to say I am now in the position to give you something unique, an online experience unlike any other.” She said she would be revealing additional information about the world of Harry Potter that she had been “hoarding for years.” The site is free, and will be open to everyone in October. However, it was possible to register early during a “Magic Quill” contest that ran from July 31 to Aug. 6. The seven-day contest corresponded with the fact that there are seven books in the series. Each day, a riddle (or “clue”) from the books was posted on the Pottermore home page, starting with harder clues and becoming easier as more days passed. Once the user solved the riddle, they could add it to the Pottermore URL, directing them to a website where the Magic Quill could be found. Once they clicked on it, they could register early for the site. Irum Syed, senior, solved the riddle on the first day of the contest. “My question was ‘How many owls are on the Eyelops Owl Emporium sign? Multiply by 49.’ My answer was 5 x 49 = 245,” she said. “The magic quill was easy to find, because although it was surrounded by other quills, it was illuminated.” Syed said that although she was able to register for the site, she is not currently able to access it. “I won’t be able to until October,” she said. Shea Mills, English teacher, hasn’t registered on Pottermore but will as soon as it opens in October. “I think it’s great that’s she’s continuing
this with her fans, and it’s great for the new generation,” Mills said. Mills said she considers herself a big Harry Potter fan. “I’ve read all the books multiple times, and seen all the movies multiple times. I went to Harry Potter World over the summer. I got a wand and Gryffindor memorabilia,” Mills said. Lauren Curtner-Smith, sophomore, became a member on Aug. 2, which was the third contest day, at around 5:30 a.m. “The website was running on a British time zone, so trying to solve the clues in time was tricky,” she said. Curtner-Smith said the magic quill was a significant part of the book series. “The magical quill is a feather that writes down every child with magic in a huge book,” Curtner-Smith said. “Once the child turns eleven, the quill writes them a Hogwarts acceptance letter.” She said she considers herself a big Harry Potter fan. “I’ve read all the books and watched all the movies several times,” Curtner-Smith said. “I saw both parts of the seventh movie on premiere night, and I actually saw Part 2 seven times in theaters.” Curtner-Smith said she is intrigued with the idea of Pottermore. “Now that all the books and movies are out, it’s a way for Rowling to keep the Harry Potter world fresh and new,” she said. She said her favorite part about the site so far is the artwork and graphic design. “The background images are scenes from the books, and they’re exactly how I imagined them,” Curtner-Smith said. “It’s…magical!” She said she cannot wait to read the new material on Harry Potter’s life. “There’s something hypnotizing about the whole Harry Potter world for me,” Curtner-Smith said. “Every time I get a glimpse of it, I soak it up!”
when worlds collide Parker Evans Staff Writer Now that Harry Potter has reached the end, countless bouts of nerd-wars will continue around the globe over which fantasy series will rule them all. Be it Rowling or Tolkein, Lewis or Paolini, sides will be taken, books scoured for details and plotholes, and vicious, endless debates will rage the world over. The question of the best has reached students here, as they hold whispered discussions in the back of chemistry and behind computers in BTA. Elise Tucker, junior, sides with J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. “It blows Harry Potter out of the water,” Tucker said. “You can’t compare anything to Lord of the Rings. All other [fantasy] stories have elements of it.” However, Anna Poist, senior, said she loves the way Rowling writes, from her prose to the creative lengths she goes to with characters’ and objects’ names. “As for other series like Lord of the Rings, they’re more complex, while Harry is a joy for all ages.” Jared Lotfi, junior, goes with Lord of the Rings as his favorite classic. He said that The Inheritance Cycle and the
Ranger’s Apprentice series are great examples of fantasy “in a more recent sense.” As for Harry, it will always be “a unique legend,” Lotfi said. Colin Reinwald is another Lord of the Rings fan. He said it is “an epic story, and the basis for many other stories.” Reinwald points out that it has deep roots in mythology and takes place in a detailed creation that even has its own languages. “Tolkein creates an entire world,” he said. Julie Potts, sophomore, sides with Harry. “The plot is intricate and Rowling does a great job with character development,” she said. Potts’s favorite fantasies include Twilight and The Hunger Games. She said she reads fantasy because “it’s a way to lose yourself in another world.” Kathleen Kennedy, sophomore, is a definite Harry fan. She has been to Harry Potter world twice and has seven wands. “Bellatrix is my favorite character. She’s the best character in the whole entire series,” Kennedy said. As for other series, Kennedy loves The Hunger Games, but said, “I hate Twilight!”
Feature
The Northridge Reporter September 23, 2011
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n o i t a u t i s
growing up harry the boy who lived and just won’t die Opinion Parker Evans Staff Writer It was great at first, fairly amazing as it progressed, it ended with a bang and now it just needs to go away. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone came out in 1997, the year after I was born, so it’s fair to say that I have never known life without Harry Potter I started reading the The Sorcerer’s Stone the night before my eighth birthday, and I was hooked. I continued reading each installment as it came out and eagerly awaited my owl from Hogwarts on my eleventh birthday. I was quite disappointed when I didn’t receive it, but I forgave the wizarding postal service for this mishap and continued reading the series. I began watching the movies too, and for me, Harry Potter became more than words on a page; it became a community that I was a part of. All was well for a while; there was always a book or a movie to look forward to; new twists in J.K. Rowling’s intricate plot. Even when I wasn’t reading the series, it was a backdrop for my mind. And then it began to reach the climax. The Deathly Hallows, the final book in the series, came out. Snape shocked me with his love of Lily, every-
one in the book got married and Neville became a professor. It was a stunning finish to the series. But wait! I still had the movies to look forward to! The Deathly Hallows, with much controversy, came out in two parts, and I was there to witness the very end. I waited in line for hours like hundreds of other fans, and felt their companionship like I never had before. After hours of waiting, the theatre went dark, and the movie began. When the lights came back on, I was amazed; the movie had stunned me. I was stupefied, overwhelmed and nostalgic. Overall, I felt a sense of finality because, like all good things, Harry Potter must come to an end. People will continue to enjoy the books, movies and the theme park, but it’s all over, right? Apparently, it’s not. I was prepared to let it go, but now it will be extended by a website known as Pottermore. And who knows what marketing techniques Warner Brothers has ready to squeeze a little more cash out of the fans? I understand that it’s one of the biggest franchises in history, but no matter how many pieces its soul is split into, the series can’t live forever. The Boy Who Lived will continue to live in our imagination, but the story needs to die.
Jane Yu Entertainment Editor Magic started in 2001. Ten years have passed since the Harry Potter saga began. During those ten years, the popularity of Harry Potter’s actors and actress has soared, and some Harry Potter fans favor a certain actor or actress. Anna Marie Poist, senior, who has never missed a movie, said she loves Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley). “Ron Weasley is a comical character who can lighten the mood at any point during the movie, and Rupert Grint was just perfect for him,” Poist said. Poist also said Grint is the actor who grew out the best. “He started out as a squeaky voiced little red head,” Poist said. “But turned out to be a rather masculine and mature adult at the end.” Ashley Alexander-Lee, junior, voted for Harry’s best friend, Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) as her favorite. “I really like Emma Watson because she totally embraces Hermione’s character,” Alexander-Lee said. However, Hannah Johnson, junior, who said she delved into the Harry Potter books and movie, expressed her affection toward Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom). “His character grew so much throughout the movie and also in the books,” Johnson said. “He is just awesome,” Johnson said.
Lane Russell, junior, said she likes Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) because Lynch is “totally adorable” due to Lynch’s “cute and ditsy” acts. On the other hand, Shuwen Yue, senior, said she was more impressed with Death Eaters than “good guys.” She said she loved Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), “the perfect bad guy.” “He portrayed the Draco Malfoy I imagined from reading,” Yue said. Elise Tucker, junior, is a fan of Alan Rickman (Sevrus Snape). “Alan Rickman portrays Severus Snape perfectly,” she said. Katie Plott, senior, who said she devoured the Harry Potter series, also said Rickman is the best actor. “Alan Rickman pulled off eight films with great talent. He has also stated that he has never read the books for filming movies which I admire tremendously. Only a great actor can play a main character without reading the seven monumental books of the century,” Plott said. However, Plott said if she had to choose her role model from the movie, it will be Emma Watson. “I admire Emma Watson for pursuing her college degree at Brown University,” Plott said. “It is something that most million dollar actresses would not even consider.” Plott showed sadness when saying goodbye to Harry Potter characters. “I will never get over the fact that Harry Potter is over,” Plott said. “I feel like these parts were written for these actors and actresses,” Plott said.
Artwork by Renu Pandit
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News
The Northridge Reporter September 23, 2011
Graphic by Trent Clanton
Fire in the sky Nation recalls September 11th tragedy on 10th anniversary Alexandra Stewart Staff Writer Shock and terror filled people’s lives, as smoke filled the World Trade Centers in New York City on September 11, 2001. The first twin tower was attacked at 8:46 a.m. and the second at 9:02 a.m. Students and teachers remember this as a day of panic and shock. Teresa Meisner, BTA teacher, was working at Hunt Refinery when the attack occurred. “Someone came to my office and said that there had just been a plane crash into the trade center in New York. We went into the conference center,” she said. “I actually watched the second plane crash on the Today Show. I knew then, that it was not an accident and was intention. It was basically just a shock,” she said. Nancy Reed, social studies teacher, was teaching 11th grade U.S. history in Kentucky when she found out [about the attack] through the special education aides running to her room and turning on the TV. “I remember the shock and people running as the towers collapsed,” Reed said. “My dad was traveling that day, and I didn’t know where he was. He typically traveled to New York City, so I was a little panicked, but luckily he was traveling by car that particular day,” she said.
Schedule continued from page 1 The schedule was implemented for reasons involving teachers’ planning time, standardized tests such as the ACT and the Alabama High School Graduation Exam, and more flexibility in schedule planning according to Coates. “Teachers still teach three classes per day with one period dedicated as planning. The rotation is the major change not the structure itself,” Coates said. “We should have left it as it was because everyone’s schedules were messed up. It makes it less flexible because we have some classes all year round and some just a semester. I couldn’t take all the classes I wanted to, and I was put into a few I didn’t want to be in. The new schedule isn’t helping anything,” Elise Tucker, junior, said. “I liked the old schedule better,” Cassel said. “You learn stuff, and you don’t come back for two days and you have to reread the
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Students in Barbara Beemer’s French class tried to recall what happened that day; most of them were in first or second grade. They remember watching it in class on the TV. Katie Plott, senior, said she didn’t know what was going on. “The only thing I remember is people jumping out of the window,” she said. Plott said the only day she really remembered from second grade was the day of the attack. Erin Kendrick, senior, said it was difficult to understand what had happened. “We just couldn’t grasp it [the attack],” she said. Barbara Beemer, French teacher, said, “We were not used to being attacked. There was great fear and shock. Pearl Harbor was the only time we had been attacked.” Alison Fridley, senior, said she remembers seeing the buildings burn and people jumping out of the windows. “Oh my God, that was awful,” she said. She said she realized that the people watching the attack from the television could have known the people who were jumping out of the windows. The attack caused Sarah Cassell, junior, to fear flying. “I was afraid to get on planes for a while,” she said. “I still kind of am [afraid] when I’m going to big cities. I say ‘thank you God’ when we have landed in a big city,” she said.
We should have left it as it was because everyone’s schedules were messed up... The new schedule isn’t helping anything.
-Elise Tucker, Junior
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material and relearn it because you forgot it. It’s confusing, and it wastes time.” Professional Development in Teaching in a Block Schedule is an on-going course for teachers and began with a district-wide workshop on Aug, 8. Consultant, Dr. J. Allen Queen, who is credited with writing the first book on Block Scheduling, was in charge of the workshop. “Dr. Queen will conduct follow-up workshops at each high school in October with a possible follow-up evaluation in the spring,” Coates said. Coates said the Professional Development for faculty and staff was long over-due regardless of the schedule change and that the Alternating A/B 4 X 4 Block Schedule did not change the format from that of the traditional 4 X 4 Block Schedule used last year.
Beemer said that students should never forget September 11, 2001. “You want to hold on to those memories because most people [your age] don’t remember it,” Beemer said to her class.
I remember it like it was yesterday... Teachers, students reflect on the tragic day Irum Syed, senior
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I was in 2nd grade and didn’t really understand what had happened until school let out. People that didn’t know me started to not like me or even my parents [because of our appearance]. In a sense, it was a good thing because it kind of forced me to mature.
Wil Ledbetter, senior
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I was in 2nd grade in P.E. class, and we just sat on the floor watching the news. I thought the plane crash was just an accident. I was naive to terrorism. I didn’t understand why everything was so strict. I couldn’t even say certain things at airports.
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Shea Mills, English teacher
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The main thing that affected me was that for years we felt invincible, and I never realized something like that could happen. At the time, I was very worried because my husband was in Atlanta and couldn’t get home. Quotes and pictures compiled by Nick Motz Design by Trent Clanton
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Conner Woodruff, senior, rides the TCT bus during third block. “The buses are starting to get very clutcontinued from page 1 tered. There need to be more buses to run Hudgins said there could be advantages to between Northridge and TCT,” Woodruff having large numbers of students. said. “The positive impact is that students are Indiya Summerville, freshman, said she engaged in incredible opporwas a bit overIf we have huge gains in student enrollment tunities. This allows us the this year, we don’t get extra teachers until whelmed when next year. That makes for very full classopportunity to offer more she first came to rooms now. courses next year if enrollhigh school. -Jackie Hudgins, ment continues to increase,” “The hallways she said. are really crowdGuidance Counselor Hudgins said that crowded ed, and sometimes classrooms can also have negative effects. having large classes interferes with learn“Our teacher units are awarded based ing,” Summerville said. on last year’s enrollment. If we have huge Efforts have already been made to try to gains in student enrollment this year, we better the situation. Two TCT buses now run don’t get the extra teachers until next year. during third block to TCT; however, there is That makes for very full classrooms now,” still one cramped bus coming back. she said. Schedule changes have helped the numBuses running to and from the Tusca- bers in individual classes too, like Humber’s loosa Center for Technology are now tightly class. packed with students during some periods.
Class Size
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The Northridge Reporter September 23, 2011
Sports
7
Blood, sweat and tears
Photo by Brandi Horton Quarterback Brooks Burns (#11) and running back Antonio Easterwood (#10) execute a play during the NorthridgeCounty High football game on Sept. 2. The Jags win this game for the first time in school history, 35-21.
Jaguars take home big win Parker Evans Staff Writer
The varsity football team won against County High for the first time in the school’s nine year history. For seniors like Alex Stella, center, the hype had been building for a long time. “The County High game has been built up for me since freshman year,” Stella said. James Cox, junior, said that as the game progressed, “it began to click.” “[Winning the game] took everybody knowing their job. If you’re running right, you can’t be stopped,” Cox said. Mike Smith, head coach, said the win was long overdue. “I was more interested in the process. I’m only as confident as my players. There’s no giving in to adversity,” Smith said. Smith said no one knows what the rest of the season will bring. “One game doesn’t determine the season,” he said. Stella said the offense is the team’s strong point. “The defense is getting better fast, [though]. We practice like we play, and we practice hard.” For Anna Poist, senior, the game was a very Photo illustraexciting event. tion of Bo “It was the pinnacle of my high school life. To Scarborough, win [against County High] in my senior year is sophomore, by phenomenal,” Poist said. Trent Clanton The final score was 35-21.
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Former students succeed in next level sports Hard work pays off in the form of scholarships and helped the football team qualify for the State 6A Playoffs. Nura Hussein graduated in 2011. She had been running track since she was in Nura Hussein is one of nine seventh grade. Northridge athletes who got an athShe was offered a scholarship to Troy letic scholarship to college last year. for pole vaulting. She got her books and She and eight others were offered tuition paid for with her scholarship. scholarships to different schools in “Coach Sparks taught me everything five different sports. Overall, 48 stuI know about track and field. He is an dents have taken athletic scholarships amazing man and will do whatever it like these since the school began. takes to help you become a collegiate Some NHS alumni have even gone athlete if you are on to the pros, like Patton willing to put in Kizzire. He graduated in the blood, sweat 2004 and was a High and tears,” Hussein said. School All-AmerHussein is going to ican. He went school to be a dentist. to Auburn on “Right now I’m not worried a golf scholabout going [to the pros or arship and Olympics], getting an eduGraphic by Trent Clanton continued cation is very important to to be pro. me, and that’s what I’m here Veronica Parsons was the only one in Northridge history to get a scholar- to do, to get a degree. Maybe one day if I’m good enough I might decide to ship in rowing. In her freshman year at Alabama, compete,” Hussein said. Abby Hayes, junior, said she ran track she played on the varsity team. She with Hussein for years. was a level six gymnast and was state “I miss her so much; she is coming runner-up in 2005 for pole vault. down this weekend, and we are going Jared Palmer was wanted by reto go eat chocolate chip pancakes from cruiters from Alabama, Auburn, TenWaffle House,” Hayes said. nessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, UAB Justice Robinson said Hussein helped and Western Kentucky for a football her be a better high jumper. scholarship, but found himself at “She [is] a good pole vaulter; she and South Alabama. the other pole vaulters brought points In high school, he lettered in footand helped us win,” Robinson said. ball, basketball and track. During his “She encouraged others and when we senior year the basketball team finneeded help in other positions, like high ished with 26 wins and five losses. jump and running, she helped us,” she His junior year he played receiver said.
Emma Jackson Staff Writer
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The Northridge Reporter September 23 2011
Giving Back
Beat 8
10/14 Jackson Olin - Homecoming
10/6 Bessemer City - wear boxing clothing
9/30 Gardendale - wear rave clothing
Celebrate Football Upcoming Dress-up Days
“We play it by ear most of the time,” he said. They sell several hundreds of cups a day, but don’t know exactly how many because some people just want ice and others just want a cup of water. So, they can’t count the cups to know the exact number of snow cones sold. Foster Beck, sophomore, said, “Summer snow is amazing; there is nothing like it anywhere else.” Kathleen Kennedy, sophomore, said, “My life would be a big black whole of nothingness without Summer Snow.” When a tornado hit Tuscaloosa on April 27, Summer Snow was on the edge of one of the harder hit areas. It was not destroyed, but the awning was ripped off and the outside of the building had to be rebuilt. “One of the most shocking things was that none of the glasses [of syrup] inside broke. We had to redo about everything on the outside but the back door and the plumbing,” Sanders said. Part of the building got knocked off its foundation, and when they looked under the porch they found about $325 in change. “We are going to give it to a local charity, but we are stuck between two,” he said. Sanders said he would not change anything about Summer Snow. It’s so simple here. We have there cup sizes, 42 flavors, and I love the colors on the stand. I only changed the yellow because I couldn’t find the right yellow after the storms. There was never a question about reopening either, no question.”
Popular hangout helps after disaster Emma Jackson Staff Writer On a hot Friday afternoon you can often find a long line running off and wrapping around the porch of Summer Snow. People eagerly wait in line, wondering which of the forty-two flavor choices to put on their shaved ice. There are hundreds of combinations you can make up yourself. Sammy Sanders, the owner of Summer Snow, prefers strawberry, but will gladly make anything you want. He said that he has worked there ever since he and his dad bought it in 1989. A little boy asked Mr. Sanders for another spoon one afternoon in August. “What happened, did you swallow it?” he chuckled, as he gave the boy his second spoon. The boy smiled and quickly shoved another spoon full of flavored snow into his blueberrystained mouth. “The stand has been here since 1987, so about 25 years. My dad and I bought it two years later from the original owner and builder,” Sanders said. “I work here most of the time, I would say ninety percent of the time [on work days].” He said the stand usually opens in March and closes in September, but there is no exact date of when they will open for the summer and close for the winter.
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10/21 Hillcrest - wear all pink 10/27 Bryant - wear Halloween clothing
See pages 4 & 5
Art by Trent Clanton Design by Alex Hauser