The Blade Volume 116, Issue 1

Woodward Academy | Vol. 118 | Issue 1

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DIGITAL DIVE-IN

AN ODE TO THE GIRLS IN PANTS

PRO(TEST)S AND CONS pg. 10

To conclude the 2018 homecoming pep rally, Cross Patton ‘19 and Tahj Gary ‘19 announce their football committments to the University of Oregon and Virginia Tech respectively. Photo by Mansi Patel ‘20.

Editors

Staff Writers

Editor in Chief - Kyndall Dunn ‘19 Editor in Chief - Jayden Khatib ‘19 Editor in Chief - Linda Shi ‘19 Social Media Editor - Kira Green ‘19

Sarah Olatidoye ‘19 Aspen Andrews ‘20 Naomi Censullo ‘20 Anna Landgraff ‘20

Josie Pickett ‘20 Jack Pressgrove ‘20 Grace Ross ‘21

On the Cover: The majority of girls wear skirts, but Nia Burton ‘19 has chosen to wear pants for the past two years. Cover designed by Jayden Khatib.

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The Blade is the student news publication of Woodward Academy.

Volume 118 Issue 1 Woodward Academy 1662 Rugby Ave College Park, GA 30337

The Cut

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An Ode to the Girls in Pants - Linda Shi Hear the stories of the few girls who wear uniform pants.

Digital Dive-In - Kira Green Step into the digital world to get an inside look at what it takes to be a social media influencer.

Pro(test)s and Cons - Jayden Khatib What are your rights as a private school student?

Culture

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Ask Eddie: Advice on Your Life Students ask for (anonymous) advice on topics ranging from their love lives to their family conflicts.

The Shades of Our Screen - Sarah Olatidoye Has Hollywood truly cleaned up its act and added more colors to the shades of our screen?

Paws for a Cause - Aspen Andrews Take a look into the lives of animals inside of Georgia’s animal shelters, and learn what you can do to help our furry friends.

Spotlight

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A Tale of Two Counselors - Kyndall Dunn Get to know these new counselors who can help you with anything from college application stress to emotional overload.

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EDITORS’ WORD T

he last year and a half has been a wild ride for students. The nation has been politically charged, and both liberals and conservatives hold strong opinions on issues ranging from gun control to women’s rights.

Inevitably, the political climate trickled down to students. From the Women’s March to the numerous free speech rallies to the March For Our Lives, students have gotten involved in high-profile protests from Washington D.C. to downtown Atlanta.

Our last school year marked a growth period for student activism. Between the National School Walkout and the counterprotest in support of gun rights, the school had more involvement and political polarization.

In response to such activity, we bring you “Pro(tests) & Cons,” a feature that highlights the lack of knowledge about our protest rights as private school students.

As the cold weather hits, we expect to see colorful scarves and gloves wrapped around frozen students as they hurry from classroom to classroom. However, a large majority of girls still remain in skorts as we edge closer to the winter season. “An Ode to the Girls in Pants” tackles this puzzling phenomenon and features the testimonies of girls who regularly don uniform pants.

On a lighter note, we are continuously digging for newsworthy content from our most mundane or mindless habits. Whether we’re spending our free time scrolling through Instagram or clicking on random YouTube videos, it’s almost impossible to ignore the

How to send a

LETTER to THE EDITOR

onslaught of advertisement and sponsorships from social media influencers. “Digital DiveIn” investigates exactly what it takes for an influencer to make a living on the internet.

The Blade has always been a magazine that aims to spotlight relevant stories within the community. In this issue, we investigated the issue of overcrowded pet shelters and the ways students can help solve the problem (“Paws for a Cause”). Though The Blade remains a student publication at a high school, we want to encourage our readers to think about how local issues affect our school community.

Our goal is to present articles that both address the state of our society while including lighthearted pieces. We hope to spark discussion amongst campus about a diverse range of topics. As the new editors-in-chief of The Blade, we welcome you to flip through our latest issue.

- “Jaylindall” (Jayden Khatib, Linda Shi, Kyndall Dunn)

One of the missions of The Blade is to cover pressing issues confronting our community. We try our best to include a diverse array of perspectives in our coverage. However, we realize that as a staff of only eleven people, it is impossible for us to represent the voice of every student and faculty member.

We have decided to introduce a Letter to the Editor section in each of our issues. A Letter to the Editor is a letter that a student or faculty member sends in stating any additions, issues or concerns they have with an article or general opinions about a school-related issue.

If the letter follows the established guidelines, it may be published in the next issue of the magazine. Letters will not be rejected based on editorial preference, only if guidelines are not met or too many letters are received.

Guidelines: Limit to 200 words If applicable, state the article of concern, and keep the focus on your concern/issue/addition with the article End the letter with your name and grade level. Note: Anonymous letters cannot and will not be published.

If relevant, introduce any background information about you or your issue in the letter.

Check your school email for a verification email. If you would like, leave a phone number for verification instead.

Methods: Google Form (tinyurl.com/BladeLetter) Drop off in Room W113 Email to wastpress@gmail.com

Julia D u

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An Ode to the Girls in Pants

By Linda Shi Cover art by Mia Chan ‘19 Illustrations by Linda Shi

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A

s an unusually cold, bitter winter took Atlanta by surprise last year, students tried their best to fend off frostbite as they returned to campus from winter break. Along with their winter uniforms, students combated the cold with a wide array of accessories. It was impossible not to spot colorful scarves, blankets and sweatpants on hurried students bustling throughout campus. However, the majority of girls continued to shiver with bare legs rather than put on uniform pants, the very garment designed to protect their legs in the cold.

But a few girls had the courage to don pants. These few girls in pants share their reasons and the wide array of experiences they’ve faced as a result.

Nia Burton ‘19 decided to begin wearing pants regularly at the beginning of 2018, inspired by one of her friends.

She believes that the design of these pants

go to extreme measures to stay in their skirts.

“I have known girls whose parents have sewn pockets into their skirts just because they didn’t want to wear the pants,” said Faiza Mohammed ‘20. “I figured if you want pockets, just wear the pants. They are stylish. They’re not that bad. They’re just regular khakis.”

Mohammed wears uniform pants regularly. She thinks the the lack of girls in pants stems from their fear of leaving the majority who wear skirts.

“They’re afraid of being the only ones and being judged for it,” said Mohammed. “[I] think the stigma is that though there is feminism going on in society right now, people are still afraid to be unique because they’re afraid of [defying] societal standards.”

When her skirt severely limited her ability to run in kindergarten, Sileo

the look for girls since [they] usually wear skirts. It is as if you’re weird if you don’t wear a skirt.”

Merritt Snider ‘21 started donning uniform pants routinely this past year.

They noticed the effects that widely accepted stereotypes have on the number of girls who want to wear pants.

“It’s not that they can’t or don’t want to.

I have several female friends who [say], ‘I wish I could wear pants,’” said Snider.

“But they just don’t want people to assume that they’re gay.”

A few girls do not think their sexuality or appearances clash with their gender identity. They are certain that a piece of hemmed fabric does not have enough power to dictate their femininity.

“I’ve always been tomboy-ish,” said Mohammed. “I don’t like doing those other things like the skirts [or] the makeup.

I can be myself, and I can still be a girl at

“I don’t want to say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m wearing pants to help people,’ because it makes me feel I’m too self-important. But if me wearing pants happens to help some girl [think], ‘Hey, I want to wear pants.’

That’d be cool.” - Merritt Snider ‘21 might not be universally flattering.

“The ones they sell at the store aren’t made for females,” said Burton. “They are really boxy, and girls don’t really want to look boxy. They don’t fit the waist, hips and legs. It just doesn’t work.”

A couple of girls disclosed that they choose not to purchase and wear the unisex pants from the official Mills uniform store. Instead, they opt for the female-cut khakis at places like Old Navy and Nordstrom.

Besides the issue of comfort and fit, pants could be considered unsuitable for all four seasons. If one is trying to save a bit of money, investing in skirts might equal less money in the long run. Only the extreme cold requires pants.

“You wear skirts normally during the summer and spring, but [during the] winter you only have to wear [pants] for so many days,” said Lucy Sileo ‘19. “[Girls] don’t want to pay for skirts and pants at the same time.”

The popularity of skirts goes deeper than a simple preference. Sometimes girls 6

immediately switched to wearing pants and continued to do so throughout middle and high school. She thinks that girls turn to the skirts for an expressive outlet.

“I think it may just be [that] they want to feel more feminine,” said Sileo.

“They feel like pants are a little bit more masculine and bulky and not needed.”

With a rich history as a widely recognizable gender identifier, the skirt still holds notions of femininity. Though popular culture is moving forward from a strict baseball-cap-versus-bows dichotomy, progress can still be made.

Mohammed said skirts are a feminine symbol because only women have been wearing them for a long time while people associate pants with men.

“Women are afraid to step out of their comfort zone and put on a pair of pants,” said Mohammed.

Others expanded further on the stigma attached to girls who choose to wear pants. “[The stigma is that] girls [who] wear pants are either more masculine, or they are lesbians,” said Burton. “It’s just not

the same time.”

To a certain degree, both male and female students recognize the unspoken yet tangible belief that girls should wear skirts to school. The girls who choose to wear pants are a very noticeable minority in the hallways and sometimes have to deal with negative reactions to their personal choices.

“One of my guy friends, when he saw me, he [said], ‘You’re wearing pants?’” said Burton. “I don’t really know if it was [in] a joking way because he looked really surprised.”

The girls who faced similar comments indicated that it mostly comes from classmates who do not always realize their words are hurtful. These reactions can even be borderline homophobic and transphobic.

“I know that a lot of girls [who] wear pants get made fun of for it,” said Snider.

[People say], ‘Oh, are you trying to be a boy?’”

Mohammed is confused as to why these reactions would even occur in the

first place.

“It’s not like I’m going against the Woodward regulations,” said Mohammed. “I’m wearing Woodward pants. Those uniforms [are] actually [sold] as girl pants.”

The shock that comes from a simple fashion preference seems nonsensical at its surface. Even the girls who have been wearing pants for a long time still face questioning about their choices on a regular basis.

“Sometimes [my friends] ask, ‘Are you ever going to wear a skirt?’” said Mohammed. “And I [say], ‘Well, that’s my business if I choose to.’”

The girls in pants find that people have an urge to comment on their choice to wear pants, almost as if the pants are an invitation for attention. However, they find that the reasons they wear pants are very straightforward. Some pointed to dropping temperatures

“The pockets are useful,” said Mohammed. “Keep your phone.

Keep your key. Your student ID. You won’t lose it. And you can stay warm. Don’t freeze your legs off when it’s below thirty degrees.”

Several girls pointed to the importance of eliminating the fear of being in the minority. Sometimes, all it takes is a single person’s actions to normalize a once frowned upon situation. According to Snider, seeing someone else wearing pants can serve as a huge encouragement. They were able to convince their parents that they wanted to wear pants by pointing to a best friend who began to do so before them.

“I don’t want to say, ‘Oh yeah, I’m wearing pants to help people,’ because it makes me feel I’m too self-important,” said Snider. “But if me wearing pants happens to help some girl [think], ‘Hey, I want to wear pants.’ That’d be cool.”

while others indicated it was simply the desire to do so.

While they did not feel the need to defend their fashion choices, these girls have plenty of reasons for liking pants.

“I found [that] when I was wearing a skirt, it was really hard to maneuver as easily as I wanted to,” said Sileo. “With pants, it doesn’t really constrict you as much as you think. Function over fashion.”

Likewise, Mohammed favors the practicality of uniform pants and advocates for their functionality.

The girls in pants have a clear understanding of the saying be yourself. They have sincere advice for the girls who are hesitant to wear pants because of possible peer pressure. “[The girl who was scared of wearing pants] was me,” said Burton. “Just do it. You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say about you because at the end of the day, you’re the only one that can make yourself happy, sad, scared or self-conscious. Do what you want because nobody can change the way you are.”

“[The stigma is that] girls [who] wear pants are either more masculine, or they are lesbians.”

- Nia Burton ‘19

“You shouldn’t care what anybody has to say about you because at the end of the day, you’re the only one that can make yourself happy, sad, scared or self-conscious.”

- Nia Burton ‘19

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L A T I G N I I D DIVEn ree Mia G a s by Kir By tration Illus

“W “I have the opportunity to help others get their brands out there while also making money.”

- Tajiah Gary

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hat’s your Instagram?” A question that would have been meaningless 10 years ago is now perfectly woven into our daily social interactions. Nearly 2.5 billion people use Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat or some other form of social media, and people have quickly learned to take advantage of the millions of people who use these platforms in order to turn a profit. While social media started out as a creative outlet for users to post and share content about their daily lives, it has quickly turned into a breeding ground for ads and sponsored posts.

“When I first got Instagram, there were no ads,” said former YouTuber Mercer Roberts ‘20. “When [the ads] came, they used to annoy me [because] I would accidently like them, so they would keep showing up.”

Companies and promoters take responsibility for this “ad-pocalypse” by paying influencers to promote and build their brands. Social media users use the power of persuasion on their large online following to sell products, earning the title of “social media influencer.”

“I would consider myself a social media influencer,” said Tajiah Gary ‘19, who has an Instagram following of over 200,000 people.

Whenever free from track practice or schoolwork, Gary uses her large platform as a marketing tool to promote items, including skin care products, clothing and other beauty merchandise.

“I have the opportunity to help others

n Cha

‘19

get their brands out there while also making money,” said Gary.

By using the strategy of reaching out to people who are “Insta-famous,” (which according to Instagram means they have a social media following of at least 10,000) brands do not need big marketing budgets or expensive celebrity endorsements to make their businesses more popular. Any company willing to pay a small fee can have a sponsored Instagram post.

Influencers typically attract more internet traffic, or clicks, because they are relatable to social media’s primary users: teenagers.

People perceive them as “regular” people, and many teens may know a social media influencer personally.

“Even if you know it’s an ad, you feel like you can relate to them because it is harder to relate to bigger celebrities,” said Owen Walker ‘21.

The proliferation of such posts has increased massively in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. Instagram garnered 4.1 billion dollars in ad revenue in 2017, and they expect the number to double in 2019, according to eMarketer.

“I think if [advertising] continues on its [current] path, then it will take over [social media],” said Roberts.

Advertisements on social media can vary based on the type of content an influencer produces.

Video editor Zachary Canepa ‘19 promotes a video making app because he produces that

type of content on platforms such as Instagram and YouTube.

“I got invited to do a partnership for a company to advertise their app for making memes (video memes), and they pay me $35 dollars a video,” said Canepa.

Influencers typically work with companies that make products or services that they would use themselves. Therefore, the responsibility of advertising those products or services becomes more of a hobby that they enjoy rather than a job.

“I don’t feel like [advertising] is a job,” said Canepa.

Keeping up a relevant media presence in order to meet standards set by companies who collaborate with influencers on sponsorships or paid partnerships takes up a lot of time.

“People can make a living off of [social media],” said Laney Bunce ‘19, former YouTuber. “[We] live in a society today where you can literally have your job just be posting on social media, which most people do for fun.”

Exclusive coupon codes are a popular method brands use to market through social media influencers, aside from paid partnerships. Companies provide specialized discount codes to influencers for them to share with their audience to use for online purchases. In many cases, the company sends products for an influencer to showcase on social media and show their followers a taste of what they could buy.

“I think coupon codes make the promotion a lot more authentic, and it encourages my followers to buy the product because they can get it at a discount,” said Gary.

Being a social media influencer is not just easy, quick cash. Being so public about the mundane details of their lives, down to what clothing they wear and what video games they play, can put them in a vulnerable position.

Because influencers remain in the limelight of social media, some may feel pressured to exaggerate their media appearance so that their lives seem perfect, adventurous and glamorous. Some struggle to justify media influencers’ fame because they may create outrageous posts strictly for views, likes, and shares.

“You can tell when someone is doing [social media] for the money and not for [the enjoyment of] the viewers,” said Roberts.

The money making potential of social media platforms lead to more sensationalized content, or clickbait, that some consider controversial.

“The value of creating content for fun has been lost,” said Walker. “It’s really annoying when it’s very obvious that [social media influencers] don’t care about what they’re making.”

Considering how ubiquitous social media influencers have become, the likelihood of seeing fewer sponsored posts and advertisements is slim.

“Just about every other post is sponsored now,” said Walker.

Though influencers have utilized these money-making tactics to make a living, some feel that such promotions suck the enjoyment out of their favorite social media apps.

“It’s kind of annoying. If they are driven by money, it takes the fun out of [social media],” said Bunce.

However, not all social media influencers solely want to make easy money. Canepa is an example of a media presence, driven by his passion, who uses platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to share the content he enjoys creating.

Canepa started up his Instagram account in September of 2017, and it currently entertains over 70,000 followers.

“I never thought [my videos] would go this far,” said Canepa.

Inspired by content he viewed on social media and wanting to

get in on the action, Canepa started to build his own social media platform.

“When I made my first video edit, it was terrible,” said Canepa.

“Nobody liked it.”

Canepa reached out to more established editors in the online community, via Instagram direct messages, in search for some advice on how to produce content that social media users would enjoy.

Canepa has made a name for himself in the online community of video editing, as new and inexperienced editors take to his Instagram DMs to ask for tips on starting their careers.

“I’ve become somewhat of an idol in the community, so people that are just starting out asked me for help,” said Canepa.

Pressure to stay relevant presents itself when gaining a certain level of online clout. Other online media influencers set a standard that those who are just beginning to build an online brand find hard to meet.

“It’s hard to establish yourself [in the community], and it is hard to keep that position,” said Canepa. “If you [post once] a week then start slacking and start making one video every two weeks, then you lose your position in the community. You have to stay consistent with your content.”

Although it may seem like a lot of responsibility, Gary and Canepa are models of how ordinary people can turn an app typically used to pass time into a launchpad for their careers.

People are noticing that the scope of social media and the ways people consume media are changing. Brands and influencers turned apps such as Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat into platforms where self-expression breeds revenue.

“If you know that you have an audience, you should be able to use it,” said Walker.

950

850

927.9

*Number of Instagram users in the millions

863.8

789.1

750 689.7

650 593.7

550 428.1

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Data courtesy of eMarketer.

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Pro(Test)s 2 & Cons

By Jayden Khatib Illustrations by Jayden Khatib

JUSTICE FOR STEPHON

I AM THE PRO-LIFE GENERATION

017 and 2018 were years of protests.

Activists marched to protest racial injustice, police violence, gender discrimination and abortion while professional athletes kneeled during the National Anthem to protest police brutality. The nation-wide controversy over how and when it is appropriate to protest trickle down to school communities, where administrators have to decide what issues are too political for school.

On September. 29, 2017, the Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) planned for a football game’s theme to be rainbow in honor of the end of Ally Week, a nationwide student-led movement encouraging students to take a stand against the harrassment of their LGBTQ peers.

However, the school canceled the theme after a member of the administration decided that the rainbow theme was too political. The sudden cancellation combined with students’ lack of knowledge about their protest rights led to confusion and anger, and the miscommunication between students’ and the administration over the game itself only made the situation worse.

“We were supposed to have [the game theme]. [Alex Potts ‘18] talked to the athletic director, and she talked to the head cheer coach. Everything was going smoothly.

Then the week before, they said it was canceled because it was too political,” said Josh Armstrong ‘18.

Students decided to wear rainbow colored gear to the game anyway in protest of the decision to cancel the theme, and Armstrong began a social media campaign to spread the word, creating the #rainbowisago hashtag.

“I wasn’t anticipating it to spread. I posted [it] on my finsta,” said Armstrong. “I just wanted to get it out there. Being an LGBT member and being an athlete, those things usually don’t go together.

I felt like I needed to do something.”

Students felt even more strongly about the canceled theme because many opposed the idea that supporting the LGBTQ community is too political.

THE FUTURE IS NASTY

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The rainbow game then turned into a protest action as students turned out to show their support for the theme and the cause behind it.

“Of course, if someone says that anything that supports the LGBTQ community is too political, people are going to be [mad] at that,” said Potts.

“Josh took it into his own hands to try to get everyone to still do it. I think [the movement] was just being tired of being held back. We should be able to raise our voice for issues that aren’t harmful in any way, since Woodward calls itself unapologetically inclusive.

If they really are that, then they should have been fine with us having a football theme of rainbow.”

According to Athletic Director Dr. Jose Fernandez, the rainbow game’s cancellation was about avoiding politics in general, not opposing the specific rainbow theme.

“We didn’t want to introduce anything that had to do with politics or that was controversial because we didn’t want to take away from what Friday night football is. The spotlight is on the student athletes that are playing football.” said Fernandez. “What if it were a Young Republicans theme or a Young Democrats theme? [The problem] wasn’t the message that was being portrayed. It was the fact that we were trying to stay away from anything that could be viewed as controversial or potentially divisive.”

Roughly 84 percent of the 376 students who answered a Blade survey said they are not aware of what their protest rights are at school. The school does not have an explicit written policy on how, when and why students can protest or what topics it considers to be too political. Students must first ask school officials about any political or protest action.

“The policy would be that students don’t have a right to protest any time, anywhere. What we ask is that if there’s a question, concern or a cause that students [want to protest] about that they involve the administration in a conversation about that,” said Principal Dr. Jonathan Merrill. “What we’re trying to balance is keeping the school day productive and free from disruptions or controversial activities that may distract from classes with students’ ability to express themselves

about issues that they’re passionate about.”

The First Amendment prohibits the United States government from limiting people’s freedom of speech. In the Supreme Court cases Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District (1969) and Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), the Supreme Court ruled that public school students do have a right to freedom of speech in school; although, schools are allowed to limit students’ self-expression in order to maintain peace in school sponsored activities.

While public schools are allowed to sometimes limit students’ freedom of speech, private schools are never required to grant students’ any freedom of speech. The First Amendment applies to the federal government, not private institutions. As a result, private school students’ First Amendment right to freedom of expression hangs in limbo. Some private institutions guarantee students some degree of freedom of speech, while others do not.

While the Woodward Way values diversity and inclusivity, students’ right to express themselves about issues and ideas that affect them is not absolute.

“You have a right to express yourself and your beliefs. I think [the fact that it’s inclusive is] what makes this institution so special. But that doesn’t mean that we have to do every single thing that the students desire,” said Fernandez. “I hope [that students] understand there’s a give and take.”

While the school is not required to grant students freedom of speech or craft a specific policy regarding student’s rights, the current system can create confusing situations. After hearing that the student section would still be allowed to wear rainbow gear to the game, members of the marching band decided to wear rainbow glitter and pin rainbow ribbons onto their uniforms in support of the theme.

“We all wore [the rainbow glitter and pins], and we were all getting together and supporting everybody, but then our band director told us that we weren’t allowed to. I don’t know exactly who made the call, but he said that he got a call about it,” said Tashfia Rahman ‘18. “I think that Woodward, as an institution, wasn’t allowed to support or take a stance on the issue, so

we had to wash all of our glitter off and take our ribbons off.”

It might be too much for students to expect full First Amendment protections, but the grey area surrounding what is and is not too political can muddle the school’s commitment to inclusivity.

“Since there isn’t that line that says that this is too political [and] this isn’t, there’s a lack of communication. There’s also [a sense of] ‘Hey, you can be whoever you want to be, but [only in certain cases].’ So what is acceptable? What are the ground-rules?” said Armstrong. “I believe that since we do have an Equality Alliance, and since in our handbook, it does say that we are undeniably inclusive, we should at least have that choice. Having that choice taken away from us because it’s ‘too political’ is not what Woodward says that they stand for.”

#letmilospeak

SCIENCE IS REAL

THINK WHILE ITS LEGAL

REFUGEES GO HOME

LET DREAMERS DREAM

G G

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Illustrations by Naomi Censullo

Advice on Your Life

“I have a thing with a guy and wanna know what’s up and what we are. Should I ask straight up or wait for it to play out?”

Love, Clueless Romantic Dear Cluessless Romantic, I suggest that you talk to him about these feelings because avoiding the conversation will lead to confusion between the two of you. If you are honest, it will be easier for you to get on the same page. If you wait for it play out, you might end up disappointed if things do not go your way. You should take control of the situation and initiate the talk. Have you been talking for a while? If so, he may think that you two are strictly friends. If you want to be more, it is imperative you talk about your status. Is he involved with another girl? If yes, this does not necessarily mean he does not want to be with you, but he might not know how you feel. Also, make sure to talk in person so the message you are trying to get across does not get misinterpreted. Good luck!

Love, Eddie

“Whenever I hang out with boys everyone finds out, what should I do?”

Love, Frustrated Flirt Dear Frustrated Flirt, This might be difficult, especially in high school. People will always gossip. If the gossip bothers you, you might want to evaluate why. Also, have a talk with the boys you are hanging out with. Are they the ones spreading the news? If so, tell them beforehand that you do not want others to know. If they do not respect that, maybe they are not the best choice to hang out with. When dealing with gossip, try not to let it overwhelm you. Right now, what people say may make you feel like the world is ending, but just think, how memorable will this gossip be in a week? A month? A year? In the future, you and everyone else will not even remember the unimportant gossip being spread around now. Do not start spreading rumors about other people to take the attention off of yourself, but rise above the drama. Keep your head up!

Love, Eddie

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“My best friend is in harder classes than me and ditched me for all the smart kids! What do I do?”

Love, Lonely Student Dear Lonely Student, Bring up the topic with your friend. If they respond with an open mind and seem willing to work on the friendship, it is worth the time investment. Keep in mind that both of you have to make an effort because you do not see each other as often in school.

If your friend brushes you off, maybe the friendship is not worth it. People gravitate towards people in their classes due to the amount of time they spend with them. Branch out and make new friends in your classes as well. Put yourself out there and make new friends in addition to your old friends. All the best.

Love, Eddie

“My dad just started dating my old babysitter, and she’s really influenced my life. Now I can’t see her in the same way. What should I do?”

Love, Conflicted Kid

Dear Conflicted Kid, I understand how awkward this situation might be for you. We recommend talking to your dad. If your dad does not respond well, at least he will be aware of how you feel. This is probably uncomfortable for him as well.

If you have talked to your dad already, bring it up again so he knows you are serious. Another thing that can help is talking to a friend to get it off your chest. After talking with your dad, talk to your babysitter about the role you want her to play in your life. You got this.

Love, Eddie

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f o s e d a The Sh s n e e r c S Our Lissandra Li

‘20

An Opinion by Sarah Olatidoye Illustrations by Lissandra Li ‘20 and Mia Chan ‘19

W

hen I was a kid, T.V. was more than just a box of colorful images. T.V. was a magical device that transported me to different realities with the touch of a button, and it was a window into the wonders of popular culture. Looking back, I’ve realized that this culture was sadly whitewashed and lacking in diversity. That was over 10 years ago, and sadly, not much has changed.

Modern-day media caters to a larger, more diverse audience than ever before. In the age of HBO, Netflix and Hulu, creators are pumping out content that appeals to a broader variety of tastes, including diverse characters and narratives. Just ask Google. A simple search for “Best Movies of 2017” reveals a list of films with prominent female and minority leads such as “Moana,” “Hidden Figures” and “Wonder Woman.” Television networks have also included diverse experiences through minority-led shows like “Atlanta,” “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Blackish.” Not to mention, streaming services like Netflix have produced hits like “Master of None” and “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” shedding light on minorities with less stereotypical narratives and more enriching, relatable storylines.

Yet, Hollywood has still not met its mark. UCLA’s “Hollywood Diversity Report 2018” examined diversity both in and outside of 14

the production studios, revealing startling statistics concerning the industry from 2015-2016. Minorities made up only 13.9 percent of all film leads, 12.8 percent of directors and 8.1 percent of writers.

While female representation increased minimally, women are still outnumbered seven to one when it comes to directing. These low percentages do not reflect American audiences’ growing want to see diversity on screen and non-stereotypical representations of minorities.

Instead of creating narratives that shed a positive light on minorities, writers and directors run the risk of reinforcing stereotypes such as the smart Asian and black sidekick. While these stereotypes are not always negative, they limit the roles minorities can play and ultimately impact the audience’s view of the group.

Viewers could assume the worst about an individual because of a stereotype associated with their background.

Movies like “Black Panther” prove that minority-lead casts in positions of power can make a huge impact on their audience.

Marvel’s first African superhero movie was a box office hit, garnering more than 700 million dollars in less than two weeks.

“Crazy Rich Asians,” the first American film to feature an all-Asian cast since the 90s, is now the highest grossing romantic comedy of this decade. These two movies prove that diverse representation

means dollar signs. However, Hollywood has still been slow to catch on to the trend of inclusion.

The lack of diversity on screens doesn’t go unnoticed by students. A survey of 403 students revealed only 14 percent agree that Hollywood portrays minorities in an accurate light, while 45 percent somewhat agreed. When asked if they thought minorities were well-represented in the media, a mere 22 percent of respondents agreed. Even when representation is on the table, some students view it as deceptive. “[Hollywood is] taking advantage of marginalized people to claim that they’re being more representative when in actuality, they’re behind the times of representation,” said Addison Wood ‘19, co-president of Film Club.

“I want to live in a time where film [characters] are not specific to a certain stereotype.”

- Anandi Bien-Amie

Whether Hollywood will eventually catch up to the demands of its audience is a matter of money and more people of color earning a seat at the table in the writing room and behind the camera. Not only would this increase diversity, but it would allow for representation of minorities to transcend stereotypes, a dream shared by students.

“I want to live in a time where film [characters] are not specific to a certain stereotype,” said copresident of Film Club Anandi Bien-Aime ‘20.

Television is more than just a screen – it is a looking glass that gives us a chance to see a perspective of the world that we never would have discovered otherwise. Mass media allows us to think, feel and act as a global community, so the type of images we perceive matter. Whether you are seven-years-old or seventy-years-old, the shades of our screen are just as powerful in forming our impressions of others.

Outstanding Great Movies with Diverse Narratives Diverse Narratives ........

On My Block

A funny show about Hispanic and black teens navigating high school and life in their rough LA neighbohood. Their strong friendship is put to the test as they face the challenges of adolescence.

Jane the Virgin

This rom-com drama centers around a young Latinx woman whose life becomes a dramatic telenovela when she miraculously becomes pregnant.

One Day at a Time

This hilarious sitcom follows a Cuban-American single mother and Army veteran who raises her two kids with the help of her mother as they tackle the issues of adolescence, immigration and identity.

The Good Place

When Eleanor Shellstop dies, she doesn’t know how she ended up in the Good Place, but she does know that she doesn’t belong there. She and a diverse cast embark on a comical adventure to discover what it means to be ‘good.’

M

ia

Ch an

‘19

Black-ish

Andre Johnson, his wife Rainbow, and their five kids navigate life as an affluent black family in modernday America. With a mixture of comedy and serious topics, this show displays a new take on the black experience.

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PAWS FOR A CAUSE

By Aspen Andrews Illustrations by Aspen Andrews

adoption fast facts

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only 2% lost of cats and 15% of dogs are returned to their homes.

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5-9 million

According to American Humane, Petfinder and ASPCA. 16

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lmost everyone has seen the tragic faces of dogs and cats in overcrowded shelters starving, desperate for a permanent home. Of course, many people are not able to adopt a shelter pet due to the time and money involved, but there are still many ways people can help these shelters save a furry friend’s life.

Animal shelters work to keep dogs and cats from starving or freezing by providing them with temporary homes. Despite their attempts to save the lives of many animals, shelters are often forced to euthanize, or kill, animals simply because they lack the room to care for all the pets.

FurKids is a shelter that strives to ensure that every animal has a place to live, whether in their shelter or in a forever home. The shelter has locations in Alpharetta and Doraville. Samantha Shelton, CEO and founder of FurKids, works to save these animals from neglect.

“All of the shelters are trying their best, and no shelter wants to have to euthanize animals,” said Shelton. “The sad reality is [that] there are just too many homeless animals out there and not enough resources or space to care for all of them.”

Different from private shelters like FurKids, municipal laws require government-run shelters like Atlanta Humane Society and LifeLine to adopt every animal that comes to them. These shelters quickly run out of space, forcing them to resort to euthanization. When these shelters overflow with homeless pets, FurKids comes in to ensure that no animal has to be put down. Even with their help, countless animals remain in need of homes.

“If we don’t have room for more animals at our shelters, the first thing we do is look for fosters who can keep a dog or cat in their own home until the animal can find a permanent home,” said Shelton. “We also step up our marketing and run promotions on adoption fees and reach out to the media to help spread the story that we

have a need. We never put animals down because we are out of space.”

Dog and cat mills, which breed animals for the sole purpose of making money, are largely at fault for the growing overpopulation problem. The business of mills is similar to regular breeders, but the conditions for the animals are typically much worse.

Animals in puppy and cat mills are treated poorly. They are often starved, overbred and clustered in small spaces.

assisted by feeding, walking and socializing the animals. Socializing animals involves petting and playing with the animals to get them accustomed to human companionship.

“It was really rewarding to be with animals for that long.”

Another way people can help is by fostering a dog or cat. Fostering pets frees up space inside of shelters, allowing even more animals to find homes. Each shelter has a different policy for fostering animals, but almost every shelter searches for people who will foster.

“With a small bit of effort, you can make [the] difference between life or death for an animal in need.”

- Lexi Needle ‘20 In Georgia, regulations exist to prevent these dogs and cats from suffering from overpopulation and euthanization, but it is hard to catch every mill.

Despite existing legislation and news coverage on animal mills, many people are not aware of the abundance of stray animals. Many organizations provide opportunities for people to help animals without adopting. English teacher Ms. Jennifer Green periodically takes a group of students to volunteer at Paws Atlanta, a shelter in Decatur, Georgia.

“It is really hard to find animal shelters that let students under 18 volunteer,” said Green. “Some [students] have tried through the Humane Society, but there are very strict rules about age limits. Paws Atlanta was the first shelter that we found that allowed students under 18 with adult supervision to come in to volunteer.”

Angelica Mugg ‘20 and Elyse Hesskamp ‘20 both volunteered with Green. Avid animal lovers, this opportunity provided them with a chance to make an impact on the lives of neglected animals. They

“We never euthanize a healthy, adoptable animal just because we don’t have the space.

We also spay or neuter all of our animals before they are adopted, which will help with the pet overpopulation problem,” said Shelton. “We are still limited with space and resources and cannot take in every dog and cat that needs a home.”

Any help is appreciated at animal shelters. Volunteering, fostering or donating your time can save a puppy or kitten’s life with little energy spared.

“Seeing is believing, and I encourage everyone to take time to visit to one of the Atlanta shelters,” said Lexi Needle ‘20. “Some animals have been in these shelters for months without being shown one second of love.

Donate, volunteer and adopt. With a small bit of effort, you can make [the] difference between life or death for an animal in need.”

Cat cafes are another type of animal shelter where each animal is taken care of within the vicinity of the cafe. People sit, drink, eat and work while cats roam around and play. Each cat at the cat cafe is available for adoption, and they live at the cafe until they are adopted by a customer. Happy Tabby Cat Cafe is located at Irwin St NE in Atlanta, Georgia. It opened in the summer of 2017.

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A Tale of Two Counselors

By Kyndall Dunn Illustrations by Darby Cornelius ‘20

Dr. Chato Hendrix 11th grade counselor Kyndall Dunn: What got you into counseling?

Dr. Hendrix: My high school counselor. We had a very good relationship. I saw the impact that she made, not only in my life, but in the other students’ lives. When I graduated from college, I called her, and we talked about [how I enjoyed] watching her work with students. I thought that was something I’d be interested in. So, I went graduate school for school counseling.

KD: What led you to Woodward Academy?

H: I have spent almost 20 years in the counseling field, and I wanted to try something different. I wanted to work with kids with different needs, so I decided I would try the private sector.

KD: What is your favorite part of counseling?

H: I see the counselor as a cheerleader. I think that as a counselor, you cheer kids on to be their very best, to go for their goals and to encourage and inspire them to do anything they put their minds to.

There’s nothing that with hard work and being steady and consistent that you can’t achieve.

KD: What is your favorite food?

H: Seafood and chocolate. I’m from South Florida, so I just love a good seafood meal. Chocolate is amazing.

KD: What is your favorite color?

H: Red. KD: What are your favorite things to do?

H: I enjoy making others laugh. I like being with family and friends.

KD: How have your first few months been at Woodward?

H: Cheer-mazing.

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Ms. Yolanda Coleman College counselor Kyndall Dunn: How did you get into college counseling?

Ms. Coleman: I worked in college admissions and for merit scholarships before coming to Woodward.

Being at schools and meeting students got me interested in college counseling.

KD: What led you to Woodward Academy?

C: I had worked with Ms. [Jodi] Hester for the Coca-Cola Scholars [Foundation], and that’s how I initially heard of Woodward.

KD: Why was becoming a college counselor important to you?

C: I was a first-generation college student, and I attended a public high school that didn’t really have the resources to help students apply for college. I navigated much of the process on my own, and while it worked out well for me, I know that’s not always the case. I believe this work is important, and as I’ve always enjoyed working with students, becoming a college counselor felt like a natural fit.

KD: What is your favorite color?

C: Red. KD: What is your favorite food?

C: Hush puppies.

KD: What is your favorite hobby?

C: I love ziplining. I have done it in Puerto Rico, in Utah and in Hawaii. Puerto Rico has one of the biggest ziplines, so that’s my favorite one.

KD: What is your favorite part about being a college counselor?

C: Working with students and getting to know them one-on-one. It’s been busy working with the seniors, but it’s been great so far.

KD: What are you looking forward to as a college counselor at Woodward?

C: Getting to know more of the students and other members of the community.

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