2013-14 Wingspan Issue 2

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wingspan

TEENAGERS BEING OVER PRESCRIBED Prescription drugs prove to be more popular among American teenagers

COLOR PROFILING

Racism still present in today’s society

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11

WRITTEN IN INK Students choose to express themselves and remember lost loved ones with tattoos

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west henderson high school | 3600 haywood road | hendersonville, n.c. 28791 | february 2014 | volume 32 | issue 2

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features, con.

16 joy johnston

6 - 7 editors’ columns

17 heath wines

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ontents check us out on wingspanonline.net

opinion 5 staff editorial

Should zeros be eliminated from teachers’ gradebooks?

Find out what the staff thinks

a&e 19 tatt’s my story

Edward Snowden: Hero or villain?

news 9 zero tolerance

Increasing number of students get tattoos

Wake County School Board finds zeros to be too punitive

11racial profiling Analysis of discrimination in the modern world

Growing number of teens in America are overmedicated

15 hear no evil

07

Senior chooses alternative path after high school

8 pro/con

features 12 - 13 overdose

Auditions for ‘The Voice’ call senior to Nashville

sports 20 - 21 wrap-ups

Winter sports teams push through the end of the season

events 22 snow, sweet snow

Student pictures in the snow along with a cookie quiz

23 food finds

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23

11

Find the perfect combination of toppings and yogurt

Hit music references drugs

staff EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Suzanne English Lauren Stepp Anna Yarbrough EDITORS-IN-CHIEF (WEB) Austin Downing Katie Miller MANAGING EDITOR Austin Woodard

FEATURE EDITOR Shannon Miller ASSISTANT FEATURE EDITORS Alex Ginn Kayla Petri ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Caroline Ward ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Carlie Gillespie

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JUNIOR EDITOR Sarah Wentzel

wingspan

DESIGN EDITOR Sierra Fender SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Murray ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Amy Turlington TECH CREW Patrick Martin

STAFF WRITERS Josh Conner Katlyne Featherstone Charlotte Grush Samuel Littauer Sofia Molina Leah Murphy Anali Nielsen Bobby Slagle Sarah Stertzbach

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photo used with | permission from Lifetouch

PHOTO EDITOR Sarah Littauer

WEB EDITORS Joel Fennimore Jacob Hensley

The student forum of West Henderson High School is published four times each year by the newspaper journalism class. The purpose of Wingspan is to convey school and community news to the students, faculty, administration and community. Wingspan content is determined by an

editorial board of student editors. Wingspan is a Southern Interscholastic Press Association All-Southern, National Scholastic Press Association All-American, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Medalist and N.C. Scholastic Media Association All-North Carolina and Tar

Heel Award publication. Staff editorials express the opinion of the editorial board. Columns reflect the opinions of the writer. Circulation is 2,000. Printed by Target Printing & Distribution of Fayetteville, N.C. 28273. Contact the staff at wingspan@henderson.k12.nc.us.

contents | 03

04 | advertisements | wingspan | february 2014

Staff opinion:

Failure to submit work should result in zero grade Highlights uThe

average high school senior should spend 120 minutes doing homework nightly, according to the NEA u44

percent of Wake County graduates maintain less than a “B” average in college uThe

seriousness of deadlines in advanced education and in the workplace would be disregarded in school board decision

J

ohnny’s eyes burned as he rolled into bed. It had been a long day, and he was ready to turn in. After watching the midnight premiere of an action movie with his friends, he decided to forgo completing his statistics homework and studying for a history exam scheduled for the next morning.

After all, he could always turn the worksheet in late for full credit. Even if he got a zero on the exam, the instructor would change the grade to a 50 or let him retake it. A sense of calm filled him as he drifted into sleep — no consequences he couldn’t deal with.

Though this situation is hypothetical, the Wake County School Board in Cary, N.C. recently considered a policy that would ban teachers from recording zeros in their gradebooks when a student fails to turn in an assignment or cannot correctly answer any questions on a test. The superintendent of the Wake County schools believes a zero is too punitive on a 100-point grading scale because students cannot recover from such a grade.

In their discussions, school board members argued that students do not learn from failing assignments; rather failures caused by zeros simply discourage the student from even trying to pull up their grade in a course.

Not only is this argument flawed, it is unfair to the students of Wake County schools. If students do not recognize the seriousness and importance of deadlines now, when will they?

These individuals will not be accustomed to the rigidity of due dates in college or on a job, influencing their ability to find

success beyond the realm of high school.

And what about those who dedicated their time to studying or homework? Is this modification to the grading system fair to these individuals? According to the National Education Association, the average high school senior should spend 120 minutes on homework each night. Someone who focuses on the class material and turns assignments in on time should be angered by the fact that a less than punctual peer can achieve the same grade.

But perhaps the Wake County School Board is genuinely concerned about the quality of education its students are receiving. Making courses easier is not a means of improving the learning environment.

On the contrary, deadlines should become more rigid and grading more strict, as to encourage students to become serious about learning.

Johnny will return to class with only minor repercussions for his inattentive behavior if the Wake County school board adopts a no-zero policy. Beyond the county lines, students will not be offered any slack. According to www.newsobserver. com, 44 percent of the 3,454 freshmen in UNC system schools from this area had a grade point average below 3.0 in the fall semester of 2011.

So, the conclusion? Classrooms should be teaching that zeros do actually exist, that failure is an inevitable part of the learning process. The students of Wake County deserve a better education and thus, a better future.

opinion | 05

Education needed to end prejudice against mental illness by | Katie Miller

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ore than four years ago I met a new friend at my church. Let’s call her Jen. Jen had been home schooled all of her life up until her senior year when she attended Hendersonville High School.

She struggled the first few months not only to keep her grades up, but also to fit in and feel accepted.

She took out her frustrations on herself, slipping into depression and practicing selfharm. One night Jen attempted suicide, eventually ending up in Three West, the mental health ward of Pardee Hospital.

If her life wasn’t already spiraling out of control, she then learned that she had bipolar disorder.

This mental illness causes unusual swings in

mood, energy and activity level. Everything — from brushing your teeth to finishing homework — is a painful process.

Despite her struggle and the shock that resulted from the attempted suicide, onlookers had the audacity to say that it all made sense – that they saw something strange in her all along. But many do not understand mental illness in America, even though it is a common problem.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 20 percent of teenagers experience severe mental illness in a given year including forms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.

Yet many Americans act as if they are blind to all of this. Perhaps this is because those who have mental illnesses are seen as “crazy.” But this should be seen as an opportunity to embrace our lack of knowledge and reform our views of those with mental illnesses and disorders.

We tend to isolate those with mental illness because we have trouble accepting them. However, there has never been a contagious mental disorder,

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06 | opinion | wingspan | february 2014

so why do we separate ourselves? There is no reason to do so.

With other sicknesses, everyone is willing to help. However, with mental illness people tend to shy. Many inhabitants of the Hendersonville community may have participated in a Relay for Life or run a 5K for a cause, but not many people in this area have even heard of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization that hosts walks and informs people about mental illness.

There needs to be more awareness nationwide about mental illness and how to respond to it. We could all better ourselves if we took the time to research and understand mental illness and how it is affecting our communities.

Until we address our preconceived notions concerning mental illness, Americans will continue on in ignorance. Individuals will be judged and discriminated against because of factors beyond their control.

More than four years ago I met a new friend at my church. Jen opened my eyes to the real injustice in America — mental illness.

Spanish Lesson |Senior

Sierra Fender snaps a quick picture of her mission trip with Biltmore Baptist Church in Guatemala. | Children of the village Los Chilitos gather around to offer Fender a farewell and many thanks for her work. | A very sunburned Fender teaches the group the song, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” with hand motions.

Design editor’s Spanish translations transform village by | Sierra Fender

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ierra! We need you, come over here!” a couple of my friends called erratically.

I rose once again from my post among the children surrounding me and responded to the cry for help as I had done consistently for three days of this mission trip.

As I approached the scene, I saw my friends clumsily squatting in front of a few small Guatemalan girls who were looking at them quizzically.

“We want to teach them some songs, but we can’t say the words in Spanish,” one of my friends said.

“What songs did you have in mind?” I asked.

I embarked on my journey to Guatemala last summer, determined to work hard with my friends to build a school for a small village.

I hoped for a leadership position on the team, given my experience with the people of Guatemala, but I never would have guessed how much of a leader I would really become on this two-week venture.

Rather than spending my time lifting rocks and passing them down an assembly line as I had expected, I spent it running from person to person to help with translations.

It was on this trip that I learned what it really meant to lead by serving. I was looked to for guidance and helped the team learn what they needed to be able to speak to the villagers.

I learned many things about leadership, but more than anything, I discovered the power of people who care. Over the duration of the two weeks I saw people who cared enough to use their Spanish to English cheat-sheets to study and quiz one another over breakfast.

Translation after translation, the work that had seemed to be nothing but class work to earn high school credit in foreign language transformed into a way to show the villagers that we cared about what they had to say.

“Eyes and ears and mouth,” I sang for the thousandth time, now surrounded by every child in the village. I had discovered that this crowd was one that would not be satisfied until every one of them could successfully list all of the body parts in English.

As I paused to take a breath, the children continued to sing, “and nose. Head, shoulders, knees and,” as all the children reached to touch their toes, I smiled when I heard the youngest of them proudly shout from the back of the crowd, “knees and nose!” Knees and nose!”

It was on this trip that I learned that a true leader is defined by the attitude of their followers and through their hard work. My hastily scribbled notes and Spanish knowledge was turned into a beautiful manifestation of love and hard work.

opinion | 07

Edward Snowden’s actions seen as heroic by | Sarah Wentzel

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dward Snowden, an American computer specialist, former Central Intelligence Agency employee and former National Security Agency contractor who disclosed a large number of top secret National Security Agency (NSA) documents to the media has been called a hero, a whistleblower, a dissident, a traitor and a patriot.

Because Snowden had the courage to shine a light on the NSA’s efforts to spy on American citizens, hero is the appropriate word. He has done the public a great service by uncovering the massive scale of the U.S. government’s surveillance on American citizens and others around the world.

He has not done any real damage to the NSA’s ability to do its job and keep America safe. The NSA was using technology to keep American citizens safe, relying on machines rather than people.

Snowden has exposed critical information, not causing any harm to the national security of the country.

It rings an alarm when companies intentionally keep information from the public about questionable activities they have been taking part in. Snowden played a valuable role which should be weighed against the potential harm that could have taken place.

By revealing that our government was spying, Snowden leaked valuable information to other countries. This caused some of our allies to lose trust in the United States. However, the leaked information is insignificant when compared to the service Snowden did for our country.

Snowden has carried out a great public service by unearthing the gap between government practices and American beliefs.

Citizens should be looking to him as a hero for bringing light to illegal government activities.

Contractor’s decisions put Americans in danger and basic liberties for people around the world with this massive surveillance machine they’re secretly ormer National Security building,” Snowden said.

Agency contractor Edward As noble as this may sound, he Snowden has successfully failed to mention that he betrayed sought asylum in Russia after a sworn oath to the United States. leaking top-secret government Rather than taking responsibility for documents about our nation’s his actions, he is taking asylum. security programs. Although In the eyes of some U.S. citizens, government officials deny ever Snowden is a hero. However, he allowing him to possess such jeopardized the safety of his home sensitive material, Snowden claims to have had access to these country. Additionally, the restriction documents through his position of U.S. government activities that occurs in response to public outrage as a government contractor. could deter the measures taken to The scandal has created outrage on both sides, and while protect the country from terrorist activities.

Snowden claims to be a patriot, Snowden is little more than others are crying treason. a traitorous individual who is Speaker of the House John willing to do whatever necessary Boehner, is among those. to protect himself and avoid taking “Americans are at risk. It responsibility for his actions. shows our adversaries what our capabilities are and it’s a giant violation of the law,” Boehner said of Snowden’s release of confidential government documents to the media.

In 2013 Snowden gave sensitive documents to The Guardian and The Washington Post before fleeing the country.

“I can’t in good conscience allow the U.S. government to destroy privacy, Internet freedom

by | Austin Woodard

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cartoon by | Carlie Gillespie

08 | pro/con| wingspan | february 2014

Wake County School Board considers prohibiting zeros “The zero knocks kids out of the box,” Wake County’s Superintendent Jim Merrill told the Ra’m a failure,” these words haunted her as the leigh News & Observer. “That is the dropout path.” red pen marks and dozens of corrections on The proposed policy would have allowed stuher paper stared back at her. The math concept dents to turn in late work for full credit and retake that the student didn’t underexams regardless of the original stand was going to ruin her grade.

I think zeros carry grade. A zero on an algebra test “Because zeros carry so would be difficult to explain or much weight, there needs to too much weight. It’s overcome. be an alternative way of doing too hard for stu Though this situation is hysome kind of assignment that pothetical, a “no zero” policy, forces the students to do somedents to climb out a national trend in education, thing,” Reedy said. “You don’t of a hole like that. was recently debated by the just give them a zero instead of There needs to be Wake County Board of Educaa 40 or a 50.” tion. After much debate, the A zero can significantly an alternative way of board failed to pass the policy. influence a student’s overall doing asignments.

“I think zeros carry too grade, sometimes even premuch weight,” Rugby venting him or her from passBill Reedy Middle School’s principal ing a course.

Rugby Middle School principal Bill Reedy recently told Without zeros in the gradebook, the Wingspan staff. “It’s too hard for students to students could feel more confident about their climb out of a hole like that.” academic accomplishments, Reedy said.

Zero grades have always been a threat teach “It’s an old saying that ‘Success breeds sucers used to encourage students to complete work cess,’” Reedy said. “If you’re successful with what or study harder, but what if zero grades were you’re doing you’ll feel better about it, and at the banned? Wake County teachers, principals and end of the day you’ll be better at it.” school board members debated that question.

The threat of a zero has proved to discourage

by | Sofia Molina

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rather than encourage students to work harder, some educators said. They argue that assigning a zero is like giving up on a student and that the goal of school has always been to learn, not to earn a grade.

“To me, banning zeros is not the right question,” Reedy said. “I think the question is how do we make kids do their work because taking a zero is the easy way out.”

The proposed Wake County policy would have allowed students to turn in their schoolwork late for full credit. Some school board members were worried that students would adopt a more relaxed attitude to their assignments.

“You shouldn’t be able to turn in work late for full credit,” a freshman who asked to remain anonymous said. “If students can get full credit, then they are just going to keep turning things in late, so then that’s a terrible habit they get into.”

The proposed Wake County policy set 50 as the minimum grade, and some teachers worried that their students would use that fact to avoid doing work.

“I think if you have a net, so to speak, a safety net for low grades, then you can give students a second chance to learn something.” Reedy said.

“However, I don’t think we should say that if you don’t do the work you don’t get a zero.”

news | 09

10 | advertisement | wingspan | february 2014

Racial profiling encountered by minority students by | Josh Connor

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winging from limb to limb in a neighbor’s tree, young Jacob Washington suddenly stopped as an older man approached him.

The man shook his fist in the air and shouted: “If I catch you on my property again, I’m going to hang you by the tree you’re playing on.”

Struck with fear, Washington dropped from the tree and ran home with tears running down his face. He had lots of questions, but no answers.

He was too young and couldn’t quite grasp the concept of racism.

“As people embrace the stereotypes, they influence them more and blame issues on certain races in general,” Washington, now a sophomore, said about his childhood experience. “I hear racial profiling every day, mostly in a joking matter, but it’s still there for sure.”

The Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis murder cases in Florida recently brought attention to the topic of racial profiling.

“I feel like I’m profiled every day being at a predominantly white school,” sophomore Tyreke Dunbar said. “One of the biggest examples is

playing football for an all-white team. People automatically place you as the black guy who is supposed to be really good.”

Fifty years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, some Americans are surprised that racism still exists, but West’s JROTC commander, Lt. Col. Randy Lytle, believes it does.

“A lot of innocent people are still misjudged, convicted or mistreated because of racial profiling,” Lytle said.

According to Dunbar, pop culture has influenced some stereotypes and contributes to racism. “I think it’s gotten worse because of rap music,” he said. “You hear every rapper in the gangster rap business use the n-word at least 250 times on every single one of their albums. Everyone wants to kind of talk about, ‘Oh, we go to the club, make money, spend money, buy cars, sell dope, sell drugs’ and it just kind of really impacts others who don’t do that stuff.”

According to U.S. News Online, the percentage of minorities at West is 15 percent, lower than some Henderson County schools, but Dunbar said he does not feel that going to a predominantly all-white school is a bad thing.

“It’s kind of cool. It’s got its pros and cons because you get to learn about other races and religions and how they act while you already know yours,” Dunbar said. “But there are cons because you never get to see many different ethnicities.”

Some people, like Washington, feel that there will be no end to racism in the near future.

“I’d have to say (racial profiling) has gotten worse. Obviously, there was the Trayvon Martin case and there have been several other cases where a police officer opened fire on subjects of color that didn’t have a weapon or anything to provoke them,” Washington said. “We don’t live in a perfect world, and it’s just something that we have to get along with in life.”

Dunbar feels that racial profiling and the racism behind it could be stopped.

“If everyone simply had a more civil idea about everyday life, if everyone had a fresh start and everyone got along, profiling could be stopped,” Dunbar said. “If someone does something wrong, then you put that person as doing something wrong. You don’t say someone else does something just because someone of their race does it.”

news |11

Growing number of teenagers medicated for ADHD

by | Charlotte Grush

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rustrated and confused, she stood in front of the televisions. With so many different displays, it was hard to concentrate on just one. The more she tried to focus, the more her brain shut down. It seemed impossible to turn her attention to one sound, to look at only one screen.

“When my medication is working, it is like a car running on all four cylinders,” biology teacher Leanna Racquer said. “When I don’t have it, it is like one of the cylinders is not working, so the others have to overcompensate for it. The more I try to think about something when I am not on my medicine, the more my brain shuts down. It will literally spin its wheels, and I can’t think of anything.”

In the United States alone, there are currently 5.2 million children under the age of 18 diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, more commonly known as ADHD. Around 12 percent of males in the United States between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with ADHD, while approximately 5 percent of females between the same ages have been diagnosed.

Racquer was diagnosed at the age of 35.

“You typically have more students with ADHD in elementary school,” school nurse Kim Berry said.

“These students are more likely to be diagnosed and on medication. It’s not that [high school] grades don’t have photo by | Suzanne English

12 | feature | wingspan | february 2014

it, it’s that we don’t know about it as much.”

According to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, between 7.5 and 9.4 percent of high school students have ADHD. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control reported that the percentage of children with ADHD has increased from 7.8 percent in 2003 to 11 percent in 2011.

“There are different surveys or scales that we can use to diagnose the disorder,“ local pediatrician John Paschall said. “The most common one we use is called the Vanderbilt Scale. These are tests or questionnaires that are about 40 or 50 questions long. The teacher does one and the parent does one.”

The most common way to help children focus in school is to give them medication.

“As a whole there are two types of medicines,” Paschall said. “The main differences are how they affect the different types of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that talk to the brain. Medicine is not just in a pill form. There are also capsules that can be opened and sprinkled, liquid medicines and a patch that you can put on the skin.”

Stimulants are the oldest and most widely used medications for ADHD. These medications help stimulate, or quicken, the way neurotransmitters connect with a person’s inhibition centers. Berry mentioned the most used stimulant medications are Focalin, Vyvanse and Ritalin.

Non-stimulant medications are newer and started to become more widely used. These me increase the amount of norepinephrine, a chem the brain, which boosts your attention span an impulsive behaviors. Strattera, Kapvay and Intu the most prescribed non-stimulant medication ADHD, Paschall said.

“Non-stimulant medications work through transmitters than stimulants,” Paschall said.

There is a wide range of side effects that occ taking any type of ADHD medication, including increase in blood pressure and headaches. Stim medications may become addictive while nonmedicines may cause drowsiness.

“The first medicine I took gave me very vivi dreams. Not bad, but very vivid and weird,” Rac said. “ I was on one medication that really upse stomach. Stimulant medicines can sometimes down the hunger regions of your body.”

Although there is no cure, as many people g older they learn how to cope.

“A common question I get from parents is, ‘ can we stop the medicine?’ A lot of the time it is the patient knows how their brain is working,” P said. “Once someone has the knowledge of how work, then I think they really don’t need the me anymore because they know how to play the ga according to the new rules.”

Accutane’s side effects pose threat by | Sarah Stertzbach

Top 5 prescription drugs abused by teens

1.Oxycontin

OxyContin is the drug most commonly abused by young Americans. Used to treat moderate to severe pain, Oxycontin has twice the potency of morphine.

2. Vicodin

Vicodin is also used to treat pain. This central nervous system depressant can be deadly when paired with alcohol or other medications.

3. Adderall

have edications mical in nd reduces univ are ns to treat different

cur from g nausea, mulant -stimulant

id cquer et my shut

grow

‘When s when Paschall w they edicine ame

Adderall is prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Many teenagers abuse this drug hoping to improve their concentration, but the side effects can include anxiety, heart failure or even sudden death.

4. Xanax

This medication is prescribed to treat anxiety disorders. If Xanax is taken with alcohol, death may result.

5. Valium

Valium is prescribed to treat anxiety and panic attacks. It is also used as a muscle relaxer and a sedative. Abuse of this drug may result in seizures.

(Information provided from an i-lawsuit.com article, “The Top 5 Prescription Drugs Abused by Teenagers”)

drying your skin and scarring your face.”

Despite these physical factors, Accutane is he young high school student stared at also known for influencing the mental disposition his reflection in the mirror. Inflamed acne of patients. Depression and suicidal thoughts are covered his cheeks and forehead. It had an uncommon, but serious side effect for 10 to 15 been a month since he started the medication percent of teenagers using Accutane, according to Accutane, and if anything, his breakouts were local dermatologist Justin Sigmon. becoming worse.

“Depression, in general, is feeling down all the Though all the adults in his life had told him time, tired and bad about yourself for the most appearance was “only skin deep” and not who part. A lot of times depression happens from a he really was, he was unhappy with what he saw. situation, like a parent passing away,” school For more than 80 percent of teenagers acne is a nurse Kim Berry said. “However, depression can reality. also result from a chemical imbalance.”

“Suffering from acne is a major problem in This chemical imbalance can prove deadly today’s society for teens. Kids are made fun of as suicides by patients taking Accutane have on a daily basis for something that they can’t been reported. Thus, prior to prescribing this fully control,” a student who medication, doctors must has asked the Wingspan staff screen the patient for Suffering from acne not to publish his name, said. any signs of developing “They go home every day depression while taking is a major problem feeling depressed by how they Accutane. Blood tests are in today’s society for were treated because of their also very common when acne, and it causes them to lose prescribing Accutane to teens. Kids are made confidence.” make sure complications fun of on a daily Accutane, a prescription do not occur. basis for something medication, is known as the

“Major side effects “nuclear option” in treating such as depression and that they can’t fully acne. Acne is the most common suicide are extremely control. skin disorder in the United rare,” Sigmon said. “They States, affecting 40 to 50 can be avoided if patients Anonymous student million Americans, according are properly screened to the American Academy of beforehand.”

Dermatology.

Patients must be reliable in Accutane is only used when the acne does understanding and carrying out instructions not improve with over-the-counter remedies. in using this medication. Individuals must also Nevertheless, recent reports show that it is now sign documents stating that they know and being used more often for less serious cases. understand the dangers of using Accutane.

“Accutane doesn’t have to only be prescribed “I think Accutane can be helpful to many kids, for severe acne,” Dr. Rueckl on lakesdermatology. but at the same time it can have many side effects com said. “But the total milligrams of the that can harm you,” the student said. “It helped medication you take does depend on the severity my acne, but it also had a mental and emotional of the acne.” effect on me.”

Near to complete clearance of the acne was Permanent side effects occur in less than 1 true for 95 percent of patients who completed percent of patients, according to acne.org, so a cycle of Accutane, according to acne.org. many patients continue to use it.

Nevertheless, this does not come without a price.

“People use Accutane because it works Side effects range from dry skin and nose bleeds very well, most tolerate it fine and the benefits to vision impairments and skeletal problems. outweigh the risks,” Sigmon said. “I think Most teens simply struggle with dry lips and skin patients are more likely to suffer depression from while taking the medication. bad acne than from Accutane. The benefits of “But accutane has more mental side effects,” preventing lifelong scars from moderate to severe the student said. “It can affect you physically by acne far outweigh the risks associated with it.”

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feature | 13

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www.blueridge.edu 14 | advertisements | wingspan | february 2014

Music causes teen listeners to question their beliefs by | Katlyne Featherstone

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yrics pumped through the smoke-filled air as roughly 100 underage high school students milled about the back yard at a recent party in the area. Alcohol and drugs were everywhere.

One student who attended the party and asked the Wingspan staff not to use her name, said she spent much of the evening questioning whether or not she should get involved.

The music, filled with lyrics about doing drugs and getting drunk, didn’t help when faced with all the temptations.

“Somebody said, ‘The cops are here’ and the next thing I knew there are 15 people going over the fence at one time,” the student said.

“People were trying to hide in the house when we weren’t even allowed to go inside. It felt like a nightmare.”

Global Post recently published an article titled, “Can Music Be a Bad Influence on Kids

and Teens” that discussed the effects of music.

According to the writers, destructive themes are becoming more and more prevalent in modern music and some psychologists believe the music affects the attitudes of the listeners.

“It depends on the individual and their perception. For many teens, music glamorizes drug use and diminishes the pervasive, negative effects of drugs and addiction,” therapist Sally Ann Williamson said. “Unfortunately, the reality of addiction is often misrepresented.

For some teens, this translates into underestimating the harmful effects of drug experimentation.”

With music being a prevalent part of modern culture, these influences often times cannot be avoided.

“Popular music is present almost everywhere,” The American Academy of Pediatrics stated in a report on the impact of music on teens. “It is easily available through the radio, various recordings, the Internet and new

technologies, allowing adolescents to hear it in diverse settings and situations, alone or shared with friends.”

The British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology reported that adolescents use music in their process of identity formation.

Music preference also provides them a means to achieve group identity and integration into the youth culture.

“What you listen to starts to affect you,” the student said. “It can either be in good ways or it can affect you in horrible ways.”

A Wingspan survey showed that 45 percent of West students say the music they listen to includes drug references. Rap and hip-hop music have intense profanity and references to illegal drugs.

“They glorify drugs, especially rap,” the student said. “Basically every other word is a curse word, and they are always talking about taking drugs, smoking weed, taking molly and popping pills.”

Q & A with sophomore Julianna Goode

Student reflects on the influences of today’s hit music Q: What kind of music do you normally listen to?

A: I like to listen to country or dance music.

Before I go to sleep or in the mornings when I’m getting ready, I like to have music playing.

Q: How do you usually stream your music?

A: I listen to my music on my phone. I have the Pandora app and then my music that is already on my phone.

Q: Does any of the music you listen to talk about drug use or underage drinking?

A: Yes. I’d say less than half of the music I listen to would be considered bad. It’s not that I like the drug refrences, but I like to dance and I like the beat. It’s catchy, and when you hear it on the radio it just stays in your head.

Q: Has this influenced your decisions in high school?

A: My mom says that listening to that kind of music will influence me to do those things, but it doesn’t.

Q: Do you think that music can influence teens?

A: Yes. If you see and hear artists referencing or promoting drug use, you’re going to want to do it.

Artists can make it look glamorous.

Q: How have you been able to refrain from being influenced by music?

A: I was brought up in church and taught the right things to do. I know my limits, and I know that I want to stick to what I believe in.

Q: How do you think teens make decisions when they are in uncomfortable situations?

A: A lot of teens want to fit in, so they don’t think about the decisions they make before they have already made them and are facing the consequences.

Q: Have any of your friends been influenced by the music they listen to?

A: Not that I know of. I try to surround myself with people that make good decisions and care about their future.

Q: Why do you think artists make so many references to drugs?

A: They think that it will become popular and if they sing about it, then they will be considered inspirational.

entertainment | 15

Johnston auditions for NBC’S ‘The Voice’ by | Alex Ginn

A

s another hopeful singer belted out her high note on NBC’s “The Voice,” a hit reality singing competition, senior Joy Johnston was filled with interest. It was two years ago when she first tuned into the show and now, at 17, she might be able to capture the attention of millions.

“The first time I watched ‘The Voice’ I was with my grandparents. My first thought was that I wanted to be on that show one day,” Johnston said. “I enjoy seeing what the talent is like. I love hearing the different types of voices on

the show.”

Johnston went to Nashville, Tenn. in February to audition.

“Mrs. (Teresa) Davis is actually the one who told me about the auditions,” Johnston said. “She showed me the website and all of the information.”

After signing up for the audition online, she traveled to Nashville with her family and friends to participate in the extensive audition process.

“Basically, I just got myself ready by singing,” Johnston said. “Since I also have several college auditions for a singing team at Liberty University, it’s all I could really do.”

ON KEY | As a child, Johnston plays a song on the piano at Stone

Mountain Baptist Church. | At a bluegrass music festival in Cades Cove, a young Johnston listens to Ricky Scaggs. | Playing her guitar, Johnston practices the chords of “Why Wait,” an original song.

16 | features | wingspan | february 2014

Johnston used preparation to help her avoid any anxiety before the audition.

“I just thought about the song and the audition and prepared myself for it,” Johnston said. “ If I know that I’m really prepared, then I’m not as nervous.”

Between singing in church and other competitions, Johnston knows how to deal with those pre-show jitters.

“I was just singing solos in church, and then I decided I wanted to become well-known. I started thinking, how am I going to get known? Then, an amazing opportunity popped up with this audition,” Johnston said.

blazeatrail

Senior plans alternative path

town and do something I want to do. I’m also looking for somewhere to live evenn his daily life, senior Heath Wines tually at some point in my life,” Wines plays many roles – from hiker in the said. “I’m slightly scared to leave my famlocal mountains to actor at the Flat ily considering my parents are going to Rock Playhouse. As many students head have to deal without me.” off to college in the fall, Wines will be Despite this excitement, preparation adding another role to his list – world for the trip is necessary. This involves traveler. buying supplies such as backpacks, “If I were to go to college now it would stoves, tents and other gear. Wines and be a waste of time. I have no idea what Chet will be traveling in a Subaru OutI want to do. I don’t feel like spending back, which will act as an occasional thousands of dollars on something that home.

I haven’t decided The adventure will on,” Wines said. “A also benefit Wine’s I am so excited to get lot of people have future career deciaway from this town said that I will figure sions. From a young it out when I get age, he has dreamed and do something through school, but of becoming a sucI want to do. I’m I’m not the school cessful actor. Howtype of person.” ever, after being paid also looking for Wines became a minimal amounts for somewhere to live baker four years ago previous acting jobs, eventually at some at the Underground reality began to set in.

Bakery Co., mixWines believes his trip point in my life. ing up organic will give him an opHeath Wines chocolate chip portunity to discover senior cookies and other a location to pursue a pastries. At this professional acting career. after-school job, he met co-worker Ryan “Following my dream is exactly what Chet. The two decided to open a joint I’m doing. Whether it’s successful or not, bank account, saving their tips and salaI’m going to do it eventually,” he said. ries to eventually accumulate enough Despite the teen’s confidence, many money to travel. are skeptical of his decisions. Wines re After graduating, Wines and Chet will ports that family members and even cotravel by car down south to Florida, make workers have attempted to dissuade him their way to Utah and up to Canada. Ulfrom beginning the journey. timately, they will end up in Alaska and “I have to go. I have to get out. I have stay there for about three months. Time to do my own thing. I have to live a little will then be spent skiing, mountain bikand then maybe I’ll go back to school,” ing and hiking. Wines views going to Alas- Wines said. “Maybe I’ll find something ka as a way to get away from everything. better than acting and I will stick with “I am so excited to get away from this that. But for now, I might as well try.”

by | Sarah Wentzel

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“

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features | 17

Students turn to alternative form of self-expression

by | Amy Turlington

A

fter the death of her grandmother, senior Caitlyn Corl decided to go beyond keeping momentos to remember her loved one. For Corl, body art seemed more appropriate.

Senior Trevor Coe will also pay tribute to a late family member in July when he gets his first tattoo. For Coe, this tattoo will represent an important part of his identity, while paying respect to the strength and perseverance shown by those who fight cancer.

“I am planning on getting a tattoo when I turn 18,” Coe said. “It is going to be an orange cancer ribbon. This will be important to me because it will be a physical representation of myself and everyone I have known who has struggled with cancer.”

For Coe, the orange cancer ribbon will symbolize the courage shown by himself, his family and his friends in a difficult battle against leukemia.

“I have actually had cancer,” Coe said.

“I had leukemia, so my tattoo will be very personal to me. I know a lot of people who have had leukemia, so my tattoo will represent

“

My dad had a version of this tattoo on his shoulder blade. This tattoo is a modified design of my dad’s. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s similar.

”

the struggle everyone has gone through.”

Senior Marianne Hoppe has already gotten a tattoo and has plans for more. Her tattoo has personal significance and symbolizes her life.

“I got my tattoo the day I turned 18. I have been planning it for a while. It is a dove with a rainbow background,” Hoppe said. “I wanted the tattoo because it symbolizes who I am.

The dove represents peace while the rainbow colors represent the acceptance of everyone.

It reminds me to be proud of who I am and to treat everyone as I want to be treated.”

Hoppe’s tattoo also symbolizes the struggle her father endured while going through multiple illnesses and medical troubles.

“I got my tattoo in commemoration of my dad because he went through surgery and almost died,” Hoppe said. “My next tattoo is going to be one matching with my dad. We are planning on getting it next year.”

While some students have a story behind their body art, senior Tracy Bodenhammer said she got a tattoo because she appreciates the artistic component of tattoos.

“The main reason I got a tattoo is because it is cool,” Bodenhammer said. “I got the phrase, ‘Be here now,’ on my 18th birthday

“

Ian Tench, senior

18 | entertainment | wingspan | february 2014

My tattoo for my greatgrandfather who passed away is a symbol of protection — when someone dies, someone looks over you.

”

Levi Drake, senior

because it’s a saying that I like to live by. I like the saying because I try not to think too much about the past or the future, but live for today.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

Bodenhammer plans to continue expressing herself through tattoos in the future.

“I’m already planning on getting three more tattoos,” Bodenhammer said. “I want a Marilyn Monroe statement on my arm and the saying, ‘Remember who you are.’ I definitely want one on my foot as well.”

Recently, tattoos have exploded in popularity. According to a study conducted by Harris Interactive Inc., 30 percent of people between the ages of 25 and 29 have tattoos compared to 11 percent of people between the ages of 50 and 64 who have done the same.

Nevertheless, some high school students are not as appreciative of the popularization of body art.

“I think little tattoos that have a meaning are OK,” senior Emily Pruitt said, “but I don’t really like the huge tattoos that are all over.

I might would get a tattoo when I’m older. It would definitely be a small one that means something.”

“

My grandma was basically my second mom.

When she passed away, I took it really hard. I wanted something to remember her by.

”

Caitlyn Corl, senior

Men’s swim team makes a big splash at regionals by | Andrew Murray

C

onnor Courtney raced down the length of the pool in the last race of the men’s swim team’s regular season at Waynesville.

The senior swimmer was finishing off a recordsetting campaign that saw him qualify for the regional meet in all of the events he competed in and in the state meet in three of his events.

Courtney was just one of the vital members of the swim teams. He was also part of a strong class of seniors that have impacted the team as a whole both in and out of the pool, including seniors Suzanne English, Robert Decker and Kiley Wooten.

“I’m really proud of our seniors because we got to set an example for the rest of the team,”

Courtney said. “We got to be there for them and also got them pumped up for the meets.”

Courtney and the swim team competed at the regional meet in Huntersville on Feb. 4.

Courtney placed third in two events, the 100yard breaststroke and butterfly races.

Freshman Jake Johnson took bronze and broke a school record in the 100-yard backstroke. The men’s 400-yard freestyle relay team, including Johnson, Courtney, freshman George Tsakalos and sophomore Andrew Guffey finished high enough to qualify for the state meet on Feb. 8-9.

At the state meet, Johnson finished 16th in the freestyle and 14th in the breaststroke, and Courtney finished 19th in the butterfly.

Courtney said he had been sick for the

week leading up to and during the state meet.

Wanting to save his energy for the relay event, the swimmer was forced to forgo competing in some of the events he qualified in.

Despite this upset, Courtney fulfilled some of his goals for his senior season as he broke the school record in the 100-yard butterfly at the regional meet. This means that the 2014 team finished the year with two school records broken, proving that the team pushed past all the obstacles faced during the season.

“As far as expectations for myself, I really want to break the record for the 100 fly and the 100 breast this year,” Courtney said. “Only the top eight qualified for state this year so it was harder, but we worked hard and got the job done and performed well, I believe.”

Final Stretch | Freshman George Tsakalos swims in practice for the men’s swim team. Though just in his first year on the team, Tsakalos has stood out as a promising performer.

sports | 19

Basketball team ends 15-9 season by | Ari Sen

T

he Dirty Birds went crazy at the close of the home game against Franklin as senior Adam Witte hit a buzzer beater to finish off the Panthers, 54-53, on senior night.

The varsity men’s basketball team finished third in the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference and runner-up in the conference tournament. The team was eliminated in the first round of the state playoffs by Jesse C. Carson, 54-72.

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve been relevant (in basketball). They just don’t want to lose,” Coach Billy Phillips said in an interview with Times News. “They’re playing their best.”

The recent Franklin victory was a high point for the team. Senior Josh VanWingerden scored 20 points while senior Nick Ours scored 18. They were both named to the WNCAC alltournament team.

VanWingerden said he was pleased with his senior season.

“The win felt really good because I could see improvement,” VanWingerden said. “Some of these teams have been beating up on us but our hard work paid off.”

The team finished 15-9 overall, 10-4 in the WNCAC.

Indoor track soars past the finish line by | Shannon Miller

S

From the Arc | As he lines up from the three-point line, senior Nick Ours takes a shot in a game against county rival Hendersonville. West dispatched the Bearcats early, routing them 69-46.

20 | sports | wingspan | february 2014

photo used with | permission of Lifetouch

ophomore Olivia Hogan raced down the track on her last 100-meter stretch at Polk County. She soared past the finish line, beating the 1 minute, 31 second school record for the 500-meter.

“I didn’t know that I broke the record until I asked Coach (Walt) Fletcher what time I had to beat at practice one day,” Hogan said. “He told me that I had broken it at the last meet.”

Members of both the men’s and women’s indoor teams competed at the state meet in Winston-Salem in early February.

The women’s 4 x 800-meter relay team consisting of juniors Amy Turlington, Kara Kilby, Katie Kennedy and sophomore Olivia Hogan.

They finished 10th out of 13 teams, cutting 16 seconds off their time.

The men’s 4 x 800 team consisting of seniors Michael Tang and Joe Chapman, junior Graham Galloway and freshman Dylan Shamburger finished second overall.

Earn Victory | To claim victory in the 113

Young women’s team makes playoffs

photo used with | permission of Lifetouch

lb. weight class in wrestling, sophomore Colby Sousa (below) competes against his Madison opponent. | Senior Jenna Sharrits focuses in for a lay-up for the women’s basketball team against Hendersonville that The Lady Falcons won the game, 40-31. | Driving to the basket, sophomore Shar’e Harrison takes shot in a game against Hendersonville. | In the middle of a struggle for the match, junior Josh Bandy vies for a win against Polk.

by | Patrick Martin

A

photo used with | permission of Lifetouch

head in the game and confident, sophomore guard Kendall Gilliam moved toward the basket. Sweat poured down her face as she turned for a jump shot. The ball tipped over the rim for a Lady Falcon basket.

The varsity women’s basketball team would go on to win the game and finish the season with a 10-14 overall record and a 7-7 conference record. The Lady Falcons lost in the first round of the state playoffs to top-seeded Hickory, 35-80.

“We saw a lot of players leave, but we did well as a team,” Head Coach Robbie Lowrance said.

“They’ve all shown great potential on the court.

There’s no star or anybody bringing us down.”

Sophomore Caroline Ward said the team showed improvement during the season.

“We’ve definitely been improving every week,” Ward said. “We were in the top half of the conference, which was very good. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I’m proud of how we played.”

The season saw the return of Cathy Corliss to the team as the assistant coach.

“The first day I stepped back on the court with the team would have to be my favorite moment of this season,” Corliss said. “This has been a good season for us.”

Wrestling team faces challenges

T photo used with | permission of Lifetouch

he wrestlers recently wrapped up their season finishing in third place in the Western North Carolina Athletic Conference regular season.

Eight wrestlers competed in the regional tournament

They included freshman Cole Galloway, 106 lbs. (0-2); sophomore Colby Sousa, 113 lbs. (1-2); junior Nathan Steffanic, 132 lbs. (2-2); sophomore Drew Corn, 145 lbs. (0-2); senior Seth Page, (1-2); senior Michael Musser, 170 lbs. (1-2); senior Chris Maggert, 195 lbs. (1-2); and junior Josh Bandy, 220 lbs. (1-2).

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of illnesses on our team,” Head Coach Jeff Smith said.

“We’ve had physical injuries, such as concussions. We’ve even had athletes with shingles and staph infections. We’ve had all kinds of things we’ve had to struggle through and fight through throughout the season.”

Men’s Basketball

15 - 9

Women’s Basketball

10 -14 sports | 21

Students enjoy snow ‘vacay’ by | Suzanne English

F

Freeze Out |During the snow days in February, senior Graham

Duncan (top left) hangs out in a hammock that he set up. | West students Olivia Slagle, Jordan Guilliams, Trevor Coe, Jessica Parce, Cavan Stanaway, Polly Phillips and Maggie Conner enjoy some fun on a snow day. | Seniors Tiffany McCall and Rachel Hyatt take advantage of the winter weather. “I enjoyed being out of school,” Hyatt said. “I like to play in the snow. Going over to Tiffany’s was the first time I was able to get out of the house.”

rosty air drifted though the snow covered streets as students celebrated the first “real” snow day in several years. Students were surprised to have almost a week off from school for what would be called the “snowpocalypse” of 2014.

“I was so excited,” senior Jennie Battle said. “I felt like a little kid again, reverting to my childhood. I spent at least three hours playing outside. We even built a snowman.

I gave her little tiny sticks as eyelashes, she was so cute.”

On Feb. 10, students were released during second period when the snow started. As the snow continued to accumulate, what was supposed to be a two-hour delay on Tuesday turned into a week of no school.

Students could not celebrate their fun for long.

On Feb. 24, the Henderson County Board of Public Education met to discuss extending the end of school from June 6 to June 13.

Peanut Butter Sandwich (mostly A’s) You are a quiet and reserved individual. At times you can be timid; however, you are someone who your friends can confide in and ask for advice.

Which Girl Scout cookie are you? A Caramel DeLite? Or a Thin Mint?

Be sure to record your responses to each question. Then simply look to the right to discover your super-sweet identity.

1. How would you describe yourself?

A. quiet and reserved B. cool and collected C. fun and outgoing D. dependable and strong 2. Do you like to. . .

A. study and read B. volunteer and help out C. dance and party D. kayak and hike

3. What sort of music do you listen to?

A. classical B. reggae C. the hottest hits D. indie rock 4. How do you spend your Friday night?

A. reading a book in a coffee shop B. eating a simple dinner out C. hitting the latest clubs D. watching reruns of “The Office”

22 | extras | wingspan | february 2014

Thin Mints (mostly B’s) You are a cool kid who is friendly to everyone you meet. Despite your popularity, you can be a little arrogant every now and then.

Caramel DeLites (mostly C’s) Partying and dancing are hobbies of yours.

You like to have fun but, sometimes you can come across as being self-absorbed.

Peanut Butter Patties (mostly D’s) Rivers and mountains test your limits as soon as there is good weather (and even sometimes in the bad). At times you can seem apathetic toward class.

Staff members get the scoop on yogurt by | Anna Yarbrough

Y

ogurt fanatics and ice cream lovers should be sure to check out Yogurt World in downtown Hendersonville. Located beside Hot Dog World, Yogurt World is the perfect spot to grab a delicious and unique yogurt concoction custom-created.

Wingspan staff members traveled to Yogurt World to create their own perfect treat. Combining personal tastes, the staff perfected the “Falcon Freeze.”

“The vanilla yogurt was a nice compliment to the variety of favors,” editor-in-chief Lauren Stepp said.

“My favorite topping was the gummy bears because they added a different texture to the yogurt.”

On top of plain vanilla yogurt, the staffers added gummy bears, crushed Reese’s Cups, cherries and cookie dough bites.

“Being able to choose different toppings and not having to pay for each one individually makes eating frozen yogurt even more exciting,” online editor-inchief Austin Downing said.

Although the staff only chose to add four toppings, the number of toppings that can be added is not limited. The choices range from fresh fruit to baklava, a pastry treat. Prices vary by the ounce.

“When I go, I really like to get minimal yogurt and try all of the toppings,” editor-in-chief Anna Yarbrough said. “I tend to experiment with different flavors and make new combinations that I’ve never tried before.”

extras | 23

24 | advertisement | february 2014 | wingspan