Issue 1 2020

Wingspan WEST HENDERSON HIGH SCHOOL

3600 HAYWOOD RD HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791

NOVEMBER 2020 n VOLUME 41 n ISSUE 1

CAST YOUR VOTE n CRISIS RESPONSE n A TIME FOR HEALING

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ADS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THE COVER:

04 – OPINION SECTION 08 – NEWS SECTION 14 – FEATURE SECTION 24 – ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SECTION 29 – SPORTS SECTION

A protestor holds a sign encouraging people to vote in the upcoming election. (Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy)

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n CRISIS RESPONSE National, state and local responses to the global pandemic

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CAST YOUR VOTE

By Johnathan Austin Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy

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November elections pin polarizing candidates against each other

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n A TIME FOR HEALING Asheville begins work to make reparations

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n THERE’S AN IMPOSTER Students hooked on free mobile game

Wingspan News Magazine NOVEMBER 2020 The student forum of West Henderson High School is published three 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 surrounding communities. 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 North

VOLUME 42, ISSUE 1 Carolina 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 individual writers. Circulation is 1,200.

Printed by Mullen Publications at 9629 Old Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28273.

The Wingspan staff also publishes online at www.wingspanonline.net and can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @westwingspan.

Readers may contact the staff at wingspan@ hcpsnc.org.

PRINT EDITORS-INCHIEF Sarah Monoson Zoya Zalevskiy ONLINE EDITOR-INCHIEF Emily Chambliss MANAGING EDITORS Margaret-Ann Littauer Claire Parker

SPORTS EDITOR Carson Godwin

OPINION EDITOR Jackson Futch

A&E EDITOR Max Portugal

FEATURE WRITERS Marissa Detwiler Lauren Harron Talyor Lyles Ashley Mullis Devon West Amanda Jane Whiting

NEWS EDITOR Johnathan Austin FEATURE EDITOR Allison Caskey

PHOTOGRAPHERS Max Decker Max Portugal Amanda Jane Whiting Zoya Zalevskiy ADVISER Jason Livingston

TABLE OF CONTENTS n November 2020

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s protesters and politicians all over the country call out and hold signs that read “defund the police,” many wonder the exact reasons. Wouldn’t we devolve into chaos and anarchy without them? Shouldn’t we be putting more funding into the police if we want better trained cops? Do we even pay cops enough as is? These are all very valid questions that have a simple answer.

“Defund the police” isn’t about taking money out of the hands of police. Reallocation is truly the better word choice, but it would never spark a response and get the coverage that this topic so truly deserves. We need to reallocate funds in the police departments to help underprivileged communities, show fiscal responsibility and limit crime.

To better understand the need to reallocate funds in the police departments, we need to first understand where this movement is coming from. The recent explosion of protests and lashing out in response to the deaths of Black Americans over their skin color might seem like a new phenomenon, but it’s something that has always been prevalent in the American climate. It started with the anger over lynchings and murders going unprosecuted, like the highly publicized deaths of Emmett Till and Hattie Carrol in Mississippi. The anger soon turned toward police killings. There is no better place to look at this than the 1992 LA riots that sprung out after the trial of Rodney King, where the 14 police officers that brutally beat him on video were all released without charges, except one who never received any punishment over his charge.

But times have changed, we’ve gotten better through the Civil Rights Movement, why talk about this now? The system is still inherently rigged against minorities and is still in favor of letting bad cops get away with blatant abuse of power. It’s a problem that many of this article’s readers have never had to face, judging by West Henderson’s and Western North Carolina’s demographics, but it is a problem nonetheless. According to multiple studies compiled by The Washington Post, Black people are more likely to be stopped and even more likely to be searched while driving over their white peers.

This is in spite of the fact that white motorists are more likely to have illicit drugs on them, and at night, when race is harder to tell, this disparity shrinks. Additionally, the stop-and-frisk policy leads to an abuse of policing powers that disproportionately target minority groups, with physical force being used during half of these altercations.

All of this abuse barely put up a 10% effective rate on catching any kind of illegal substance and was more effective at finding something on a white citizen. All of this is hardly scratching the surface of the issue.

To fix this epidemic of corruption and racism, we need to first change the flow of money. If the goal is to truly stop crime, then we need to look at

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OPINION

Defund o Should we cut

the overwhelming amount of literature that points in the direction of funding impoverished communities. When we can give people hope and a path out of lives that it seems like the system forces them into, then we can stop crime. If we give funding to help improve schools instead of militarizing cops, we can help children have brighter futures.

If we create a better work infrastructure, the poor and destitute would not be forced into crime. To stop crime, we need to extend a hand to those that are in need, not put a cop’s boot on their neck.

Every person reading this article should be able to see the benefit from a defunding the police just on the basis of being a taxpayer. The city of Asheville was able to cut back $770,000 — only 3% — from their police department’s total budget. This was done almost entirely by reducing the number of assistants for administrators from two to one and clearing extraneous positions through little utilized and non-emergency departments. Defunding doesn’t mean that the law and order would be lost, it means that an over-bloated system can be leaned out and made into a more perfect version of itself.

We shouldn’t pour so much money into such an ineffective form of societal enforcement. Just looking at the statistics of crimes solved by the police can help illustrate how little we get out of sinking so much money into the system. 38% of murders, 66% of rapes, 70% of robberies, and 47% of aggravated assaults go unsolved each year by police departments around the nation (UCR FBI). Those are pitiful numbers, given the billions of our communities dollars we give to them. On top of this, cops aren’t even trained to handle the situations they’re thrust into. Nine out of 10 calls to police are nonviolent, excluding any situation where the police themselves escalate the situation to violence.

Despite this fact, the majority of police training is still focused on the use of force tactics and worstcase scenarios with little time used to show them how to actually deal with citizens. If we could move funds away from the police departments themselves then we could start to move to a point where

PRO By n Jackson Futch n Opinion Editor an armed and violently trained officer doesn’t have to respond to a mental health crisis. Instead, we could have a properly trained professional provide real help to their community.

We live in a country with a broken system that disproportionately targets minorities while hurting the communities they are charged to protect. We need to take action and show, through our votes and our voices, that we have had enough. We need to show that we can stand up for those that have been beaten down. We need to stand against corruption and abuse of power. This is what the “defund the police” movement is about. It’s about making us better as a people.

r Defend? police funding?

CON By n Johnathan Austin n News Editor

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o anyone who might have questioned whether defunding the police would be all that bad, I believe they have found their answer in cities such as Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington, which have been the epicenters for Black Lives Matter and anti-police protests since the death of George Floyd in May. Let’s not fool ourselves about what is taking place in these cities, in which police no longer have control. We are not witnessing the benevolent and peaceful society which the post-police communities were promised to be. Rather, we have watched as rioters have led countless nights of violence, looted and burned businesses, leaving families to

mourn those who lost their lives in this chaos.

And for what? To prove to the citizens of the United States that defunding the police across the country will lead to a more just society? If anything, this shows us that we often take our security, and those who provide it, for granted.

In May, George Floyd died while in police custody and the details of the arrest have all been captured and documented. The videos sparked a nationwide outrage, the wrath of which is still being felt today. Floyd’s death reignited calls to defund or dismantle police departments. In the United States though, our rule of law is one of the main reasons we remain the envy of the world.

Fully funded and well-trained police departments are integral to our success in upholding the rule of law. That’s not to say that there is no room for reforms. But, given the tensions surrounding this most recent incident, many federal and state legislators have called for deeper cuts to police departments than necessary, even calling into question their need in society.

Common sense reforms to law enforcement would include reducing the union presence in police departments in order to weed out bad officers, rather than protect them on the basis of their tenure. Mandatory use of body cameras would also be a constructive reform, as it would present a clearer picture of police encounters, and allow justice to be served in contentious situations.

It is no secret that in communities of color, police departments are biased against them. The more common belief now is that the entire criminal justice system discriminates against minorities.

Those firmly held beliefs limit the ability of law enforcement to provide protection to law abiding citizens, putting everyone in a dangerous place.

When considering how to combat this problem, we must first establish that there is not a unified criminal justice system. Most crimes in the country’s 3,141 counties are handled by elected prosecutors, who represent the citizens of their designated county.

Similarly, there isn’t one nationwide police de-

partment. Just as there are prosecutors to represent an area, the same is true with police departments which are made up of more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers. The complexity of the law enforcement system makes it difficult to prescribe solutions with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Secondly, law enforcement plays a larger role than what is ever shown on the news or in television shows. Law enforcement officers manage roughly 350 million civilian encounters each year, the content of which range from helping stranded motorists to mediating domestic abuse situations and even to dealing with armed shootouts. Policing is no easy task, yet the police enter the field on a daily basis to conquer these challenges.

Of those encounters, a small percentage turn into violent altercations. In 2019, for instance, police officers fatally shot 1,003 individuals, 235 of which were African-American. Of the 235 individuals, only 14 were unarmed, which is down from 38 in 2015 under the Obama administration.

Sadly, one of the things that these statistics show is that African-Americans are in more danger of being killed by other African-American assailants than by a police officer, about 18.5 times more likely. This is to say that the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as the anti-police movement are barking up the wrong tree. According to the FBI, in 2016, there were 2,870 murders in the African-American community, 2,570 of those were committed by other African-Americans.

Law-abiding citizens have found themselves caught in the crossfire of the national debate in recent months. In New York City, for example, the New York Police Department found that August saw 242 shootings citywide, a 166% increase compared to August 2019. Similarly, murders rose by 47% from 36 to 53 in the month of August.

The losers in the debate between defunding and funding the police are law-abiding citizens who have lost their security against violent individuals. When the police lack proper funding, criminals are able to expand their domain, and do not fear repercussions for their actions. Those who abide by the laws of this country deserve to reap the benefits of having a police force that has the ability to protect and defend when the time comes.

At best, the defunding of the police movement is a knee-jerk, emotionally-charged reaction to a statistically small number of injustices against African-Americans. Those who have tested this new form of policing have done it to the demise of their citizenry and cities.

If America is to remain the safe country that it has always been, law enforcement is a central part of that equation, and those who take the oath to protect and defend deserve the respect of the people they serve.

OPINION n November 2020

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Crisis Response National and local actions fail to lessen the effect of the pandemic By n Zoya Zalevskiy n Editor-in-Chief

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he coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. in early March 2020, and now, eight months later, we are still living through it. Across the country, millions are still unemployed, have lost their homes, are fighting for their lives in hospitals

Jan. 20 First case of COVID-19 identified in the United states

that are understaffed and overrun and millions are risking their lives to keep society running. Internationally, the United States has become a model of exactly what not to do in response to a deadly worldwide disease.

Jan. 22 First COVID case is reported to the CDC

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OPINION

March 3 First case of COVID-19 identified in North Carolina

There have been over 8.5 million cases of coronavirus in the U.S. alone, more than any other country in the world. We also lead the charts with the most deaths from the virus with over 225,000 deaths as of Oct. 25. The United States government

March 11 The coronavirus declared a pandemic by the WHO

March 10 North Carolina declares a state of emergency to prevent a rise in cases

March 27 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (stimulus package) passed

March 14 K-12 schools are closed

March 27 Stay at Home Order issued through April 29, later extended through May 8

has been notoriously misleading when discussing the details of the response to this crisis. The rumors of a vaccine have been circulating in the political sphere for months, a promise that has yet to be fulfilled as cases continue to rise across the country. A second stimulus package, the first of which helped many now unemployed people stay afloat, was denied. People are continuing to suffer at the hands of our national government, who don’t seem determind to do anything to help.

The unpreparedness of our nation has caused fear to sweep across the country. Ongoing battles of health care disputes have taken the stage at presidential debates and supreme court hearings as there is talk of cutting health care to many individuals in the midst of a pandemic. Hospitals continue to be overrun and understaffed and thousands of immunocompromised individuals struggle to afford life saving medication and avoid contact with the virus.

In comparison to the nation, North Carolina is a different story. While we have had our share of catastrophic events, like the outbreaks at UNCChapel Hill and NC State that forced most colleges in the state to close, send students home and resort to online classes; or like the continuingly rising

May 8 U.S. unemployment rate drops to lowest since the Great Depres sion (14.7%)

May 20 North Carolina enters Phase 2 of reopening plan

May 28 U.S. death toll surpasses 100,000

June 4 North Carolina reaches 1,000 deaths from covid-19

cases at Appalachian State, which is the largest North Carolina university that remains open with full student attendance as they refuse to close their campus for the safety of their students. We have had unmasked rallies in support of political candidates, the breaking of social distancing rules in Pisgah National Forest as people crowd the trails, or even the relaxing of precautions after months of a protective stay at home order as former and current West students hold parties of 10 or more people in packed houses.

The Republican National Convention was forced to pull out of Charlotte over safety regulations in June, much to the dismay of the president and other republican politicians. The convention, which was to host over 2,000 people, was reduced to just about 300 delegates to perform the official RNC nomination of President Trump for the 2020 election.

North Carolina’s Gov. Roy Cooper has been a positive force in the state in response to the pandemic. Early on, Cooper instituted a stay at home order that worked to keep people out of public areas unless strictly necessary, enforced social distancing and aimed to lower hospitalization and death rates statewide through education and precaution. His administration served as an ex-

July 22 4 million active COVID cases in the U.S.

Aug. 13 Unemployment claims rise to 1 million for the first time since March

July 14 Governor Roy Cooper announes individual counties have the option to reopen schools under Plan B or C

ample by wearing masks whenever they were seen in public, unless speaking at a podium. Cooper’s administration also closed schools in the middle of March, and later turned the decision over to the individual counties to make the decision of whether or not to return to in person classes at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.

The lack of human decency, however, remains a prevalent issue both nationally and locally as some still refuse to take the pandemic seriously.

Masks are not being worn in public spaces and social distancing guidelines are being disregarded as science and facts are now seen as controversial topics and personal feelings take precedent over the health and safety of living people. It is impossible to know the exact effects of the irresponsibility of a few on the general public health, but the rampant miseducation and ignorance can be seen in every aspect of our lives as we look forward.

The statewide precautions that have been put in place have saved many lives. The pandemic is not going away anytime soon, and it will only be longer if we continue to ignore the science surrounding it. Diseases don’t disappear in a day, so it is important that we all do our part to stay safe and keep others safe as well.

Sep. 28 Global COVID deaths surpass 1 million

Aug. 20 Unemployment rises to over 350,000 in NC, highest since March

Oct. 2 President Donald Trump tests positive for COVID and is flown to Walter Reed hospital for treatment

Sep. 30 Phase 3 of reopening is approved

Oct. 25 COVID-19 deaths rise to 225,000 in the U.S.

Oct. 25 There have been over 258,000 cases in NC, with almost 4,200 deaths. Cases are still on the rise statewide OPINION n November 2020

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Behind The Screen

Teachers and students adapt to new school year under coronavirus restrictions By n Taylor Lyles and Lauren Harron n Feature Writers

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n July 14, governor Roy Cooper first announced Plan-B for returning to school, which is a mix of online and in-person learning.

Despite safety measures and protocols put in place, many parents were unsure about this plan.

Governor Cooper left it up to the county school boards to decide if Plan-B was feasible. After a decision the Henderson County School Board made at their meeting on July 20th, students were to begin the school year fully virtual on Plan-C for the first six weeks.

On Sep. 8, students were approved to return to school under Plan-B, with entry staggered by grade level, starting Sep. 20th With this plan, students in grades preschool to grade 2 attend class on campus every day, with traditional in-person learning from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students in grades 3-12 were split into two groups (Group A and Group B) by last name. These groups alternate between meeting on campus for in-person learning from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. two days per week while having virtual learning all the other days.

The afternoon period being used for enrichment.

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NEWS

Group A is on campus for in-person learning on Mondays and Thursdays, and Group B is on campus Tuesdays and Fridays. All students attend virtual learning on Wednesdays. This plan is approved to last through Oct. 21.

This hybrid-style module helps maintain social distancing and keep the health of students and staff the number one priority.

The school day looks different for everyone, whether students are staying remote or returning for faceto-face instruction. For one, students have much smaller classes than they would have under normal circumstances. Additional regulations have been enforced including daily temperature checks, social distancing within the school building and mandatory masks.

So much change has occurred since March that many students wanted to return to the structure that in-person school provides.

“I chose to go back because I wanted some normalcy back in my life, as well as needing more social interaction with people,” junior Mason Cathey said.

Some feel that learning and com-

prehending the material has been more difficult via Google Meet and online textbooks.

“Being back in a classroom has made learning easier for me because I can interact with my teachers and classmates better,” Cathey said.

Although many have been excited to get back to school for in person instruction, students like sophomore Anna Featherstone prefer virtual instruction.

“Sometimes things come off a little confusing when virtual, but I think everything being online helps me keep track of all my assignments and grades,” Featherstone said. “I also like being at home in a comfortable setting.”

Students who decided to stay remote have a similar day to what they had been doing for Plan-C. Featherstone is one of the students who has chosen to stay on Plan-C and have online instruction for the remainder of the first semester. For the most part, she describes the transition from Plan-C to Plan-B as going well for the students and understands how the transition may have been rougher for teachers.

“I think it’s not as difficult for the

kids as it is for the teachers,” Featherstone said. “It’s more difficult for them to try and find a way to teach both virtual and in-person students.”

Students aren’t the only ones who have had to adapt to the changes, teachers have had to adjust to teaching a combination of online and inperson students. One of which being English and AP Seminar teacher, Tom King.

“It’s a lot of experimenting,” King said, “Lots of trying things out to see what works and what doesn’t.”

While King has been able to overcome the challenges that come with Plan-B, he believes that it would be better to stay on Plan-C until it is safe enough to return to Plan-A. “I love having my kids in my classroom,” King said. “But if it’s not safe enough to come to school without wearing a mask and having temperatures taken and cleaning desks, it would be better just to wait until there’s a viable vaccine.”

While the transition from Plan-C to Plan-B was a new and unusual situation for everyone, both teachers and students have found ways to adapt and overcome the challenges that come with it.

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A Time for Healing Asheville begins work to make reparations By n Sarah Monoson

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Editor-in-Chief

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hen Americans hear the word “reparations,” many imagine the government writing checks to Black individuals to apologize for the institution of slavery.

However, the nearby city of Asheville has taken an unorthodox approach to this concept of repentance and regrowth. Instead of making direct payments, the Asheville City Council has vowed to begin researching efficient ways to invest in its Black community, with the aim of creating generational wealth and increasing economic mobility and opportunity.

On July 14, the Asheville City Council unanimously passed a resolution that acknowledged the discrimination its Black citizens have faced over the decades, including inequality in housing, education, policing and healthcare. The resolution noted and apologized for the local government’s participation in slavery, segregation and a 1970s urban renewal program that has been detrimental to Asheville’s Black community.

The resolution also instructed the City Manager and a currently nonexistent commission of locals to determine the best approach to

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reparations. The Buncombe County Commissioners passed a similar resolution on Aug. 4.

Keith Young, one of two Black members of the Asheville City Council, heavily advocated for the resolution to pass.

“When you look deeper into the systemic issues that we deal with, we need generations to be made whole through systemic action,” Young said. “The systemic actions that got us here have to have a solution set up in the same manner. The hundreds of years that Black Americans have suffered in this country through systemic oppression are not going to be taken away with a single one-time payment.”

The move for reparations is not without controversy. Many consider reparations to be unnecessary — atoning for a sin committed by and against the ancestors of modern Americans.

Those who are critical of the concept argue that since no one alive today was a slave-owner or a slave, reparations are a discussion of the past. However, as Asheville’s reparations address segregation and urban renewal, there are people still alive who were affected by these slights against the Black community.

Urban renewal, in particular, is a program that now serves as an example of a time where the local government hurt its citizens. The project intended to improve low-income communities but resulted in many Black residents losing their homes, churches, schools and businesses.

Their property was either seized by the government or willingly sold to the city with the promise that the residents would be able to buy land at a cheaper price. This promise was not kept, and as a result, numerous Black citizens ended up in public housing with little opportunity for mobility because of discriminatory housing and banking practices.

“One of the losses of urban renewal is that generational wealth has not been accumulated by Black residents in this city,” Professor Sarah Judson said. Judson teaches history and Africana studies at the University of North Carolina Asheville. “The loss of capital to the community is really significant. In this community, real estate is gold.”

As one of the main goals of Asheville’s reparations is to help establish generational wealth in the Black community, acknowledging the adverse effect of urban renewal is fundamental.

NEWS (Photo fromWLOS. Photo illustration by Max Decker)

Another issue that some people have with reparations, in general, is the question of where the money would come from. There is an unwillingness from some citizens to pay for it, thus being held accountable for actions that they did not take.

The Asheville City Council has made no mention of where the funds for investing in the Black community would come from since the current resolution just calls for an investigation into what the investments should entail.

A criticism specifically for Asheville’s reparations resolution is that its wording is too vague and doesn’t ensure actual, effective change.

“If my constituents had any opposition to it, it’s because they don’t trust the government to make this type of step in the right direction,” Sheneika Smith, the other Black member of the Asheville City Council, said. “It might’ve triggered some trauma of promises not met in the past, especially with my older, Black constituents.”

In the months since July 14 when the resolution was passed, this fear of ineffectuality is still present. The city has yet to form the Community Reparations Commission that is called for in the resolution.

Rob Thomas, the liason for the Racial Justice Coalition, said that a group of Asheville residents had reached out to the city about creating a reparations commission, but no action was taken by the government.

The City Manager, Debra Campbell, has said that she was focusing on the budget for the Asheville Police Department, and since that budget — which cut $770,000 from the APD — has been voted on, she will shift her focus to fulfilling the prom-

ises made in the resolution.

Even with the critiques against reparations as a whole and reparations in Asheville, many think that it is a step in the right direction toward undoing the effects of the systemic racism outlined in the resolution.

Melinda Lowrance, President of Henderson County’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter for 11 years and District Director for three, agrees that the reparations can be beneficial if done correctly.

“It depends on how these reparations are presented to the community as a way of lifting it up,” Lowrance said. “I believe that the intended approach is better than (direct payments). We all would like to have a hand up and not a handout.”

In addition to vowing to make strides toward reparative community investments, Asheville and Buncombe County also created a task force to make recommendations on remov-

“

We all would like to have a hand up and not a handout. n Melinda

”

Lowrance, President of Henderson County’s NAACP

ing or repurposing the city’s Vance Monument.

The obelisk, located in Asheville’s Pack Square, memorializes Zebulon Baird Vance, a Buncombe County native. Vance served as North Carolina’s governor during the Civil War and later as a senator. The controversy surrounding the monument lies with Vance’s beliefs and practices: He was a Confederate officer and a slave owner. He used his positions of power to advocate for the subjugation of the Black community.

Debate about Confederate monuments, like

(Photo fromAsheville Area Arts Council)

discussion around reparations, is an old and polarizing topic. There have been attempts throughout the past six years to address the Vance Monument’s problematic nature, but no concrete action has been taken by the local government until recently. The city and county’s joint task force will present a final plan of action to the public on Nov. 19 after three months of deliberations.

The suggestions from the task force and the public have tended to favor repurposing the monument rather than removing it. For instance, some have recommended changing the plaque on the obelisk or adding something to the display that honors the Black community.

“The Vance Memorial, or any Confederate monument, should not be destroyed, but (rather) located in an area that will allow us to not forget the past and teach the next generation about slavery,” Lowrance said. “The truth should be included on the monuments. Too often we hide the truth.”

In the meantime, the city paid $18,500 to place a shroud around the Vance Monument, obscuring it from sight. However, after the shroud was blown off by a strong wind in September, the city elected not to replace it but left its scaffolding in place.

The city of Asheville and Buncombe County now seem to be more dedicated to empowering the Black community more than ever before. Even though the local government is very early into the reparations process, the resolution has been regarded as a historic move toward racial equality.

“It is just the first step,” Asheville City Councilmember Julie Mayfield said. “But we have to take this first step if we are to begin to undo the centuries of wrongs that have been perpetuated on our Black neighbors, and friends, and communities.”

NEWS n November 2020 (Photo fromWLOS)

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FEELING

ISOLATED

Students reflect on mental health By n Marissa Detwiler n Feature Writer The girl stared at the glowing computer in front of her. She finally mustered up enough energy to complete her latest online school assignment.

The transition from in-person to online school was already a struggle, without this overwhelming whirlwind of thoughts inside of her head.

Alongside the obvious changes in students day-to-day lives, as a result of COVID-19, many individuals have also been facing internal battles.

Mental illness is fairly common for Americans under normal circumstances. Therefore, social isolation from friends and family has caused many individuals to experience new characteristics of mental illness or the worsening of a current mental illness.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an estimated 53% of adults in the United States have reported that their mental health has been negatively affected during the time of coronavirus.

These chemical changes inside the brain have made it difficult for many students, like senior Trinity Luce, to adapt to the new online and inperson school environments.

“At first, starting school was really difficult for me. Everything seemed so hopeless and I thought my entire senior year would be spent on a Chromebook” Luce said, “I honestly thought I wouldn’t get to participate in any of those final milestones and traditions that generations before me enjoyed, and that really upset me.”

Luce was one of many Americans that experienced a decline in mental health during quarantine. After being diagnosed with depression at the beginning of quarantine, Luce decided to seek treatment.

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NEWS

“I went to a lady biweekly for my depression, and she helped me learn techniques to start getting better. I started meditating and journaling a lot. I have learned to be in the moment, take things step by step, and not think about the future too much,” Luce said. “I really try to ground myself multiple times throughout the day to remind myself that the feelings in the moment are temporary.”

Luce is not the only student who has faced internal battles with mental health. Junior Jackson Carrington also recalls the decline of his mental state following the implementation of social isolation and school closures.

“In the beginning stages of quarantine, it was extremely helpful and had a positive impact on my mental health. It kind of functioned as a much needed ´pause button´ on life. It was a break from stressful things, likes school, sports, etc. and allowed for more personal development,” Carrington said. “However, I think this effect has worn off more recently. Every day is beginning to feel much more repetitive. Most of the things I enjoyed having paused are now the things I want back the most.”

According to Carrington, coping mechanisms have been much more difficult for him to acquire, as a result of his new lifestyle in the midst of a global pandemic.

“It has been especially hard to find coping mechanisms because ones that would normally be used, like speaking to friends, have been almost entirely removed due to quarantine,” Carrington said. “However, I have still found ways to implement this through talking to my friends on the phone and things like that. Also, since the outdoors

are safe, going on walks has been a great way to relieve stress and self reflect.”

Carrington is hopeful that returning to “normal” will have a more positive effect on his mental state. However, Luce is not convinced.

“I believe that the word normal is fluid. For example, right now, normal for me is going to school twice a week and not seeing many friends when I do,” Luce said. “Dwelling on the past and dreams I had for my senior year do not seem to make me happy at all. Instead, I am trying not to think about returning to normal. I am too afraid I will be let down again, so I am making the best of what we have right now.”

To his fellow classmates struggling with their own mental health, Carrington recommends the following: “Whenever stress or any other mental health issue becomes too overwhelming, try and confront it. This often seems counterintuitive because one´s first instinct is often to run away from it,” Carrington said. “But I think the best thing you can do is figure out what is making you feel the way you do. If you determine the source of the problem, the solution becomes much more realistic and easier to reach.”

Guidence councelor Aimee Nichols shares similar advice to struggling students.

“If you are struggling right now, you can call 411. It is the mental health resources number.

Under “parents” on the Henderson County web page there is a crisis resource list where you can find different numbers for all kinds of situations,” Nichols said.

Watch & Learn

Henderson County Sheriff ’s Office to implement body cameras

(Photo by Max Portugal and photo illustration by Max Decker)

By n Emily Chambliss n Web Editor-in-Chief

T

he Black Lives Matter movement and its supporters have called for reform in the police system following increased violent interactions between police and Black people in the United States. Accountability and trust is more important now than ever, but the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has always valued transparency between the police and the public.

“As a part of Sheriff Lowell Griffin’s campaign early on, he wanted body cameras on all of his officers doing enforcement work,” Major Frank Stout said. “He’s been very adamant, has worked hard and used drug forfeiture money to actually purchase the cameras.”

The Sheriff’s Office plans to use the footage from the cameras to provide additional evidence in court and handle disputes in a fair and honest manner. They plan to be honest, objective and reliable when it comes to their work and the use of the footage.

“If we’re wrong, we will say we’re wrong. We’re not going to use these cameras for anything other than what’s right and what’s honorable, because that’s what we are about,” Stout said. “We may be wrong, we may get punched in the nose, we may do something or we may say something we shouldn’t. We have accountability measures in place, and we’ll deal with it. We’re not going to want to try to hide behind anything when it comes to being open and honest with our community.”

Body-worn cameras are small and can be worn as a headset or clipped onto an officer’s uniform.

Officers can collect footage when they search property, make an arrest and all of the other jobs

they perform.

“The cameras go on at the beginning of shift.

At the end of shift the data from the camera is uploaded to the cloud. Then it is available for review,” Stout said. “We prepare a lot of our court cases go-

(Photo by Max Portugal and photo illustration by Max Decker) ing forward with our body camera footage.”

Following the death of George Floyd in May, police brutality protests calling for accountability and justice erupted across the country. According to Stout, the plan for body cameras had been

in place long before the protests began, and that mutual trust between police and the people of Henderson County is highly important.

“The demonstrations and protests had absolutely nothing to do with us getting body-worn cameras. The sheriff, ever since his campaign, has been a proponent. This has been several years in the making before we could get funding to do it,” Stout said. “Anything that holds us accountable to our community and our constituents is important to us. But also anything that protects our officers that are in the line of duty, even including the loss of an officer, it just helps us all so it is very important to us that we have access to that.”

According to Stout, body-worn cameras are a necessary asset for police officers in the world today.

“We felt we had to purchase the cameras just because of the way society is today,” Stout said.

“That is not only to hold us accountable, but the public accountable as well.”

It is important to the Sheriff’s Office that the police and the public are up-front and sincere with each other. They hope to diminish friction and the opportunity for contention, while encouraging courtesy and civility.

“We do try to operate with the utmost integrity.

We want to be respectful. We want to treat people fairly, and make sure that everybody is safe when it comes to a police or a public interaction,” Stout said. “And we just hope that this will take away things that may cause conflict between us and the public. We don’t want conflict, we want open and honest dialogue.”

NEWS n November 2020

13

New Faces

SamE Places

West Henderson welcomes new administrators By n Allison Caskey n Feature Editor

T

his school year, as students walk into the main office, they may notice a few new faces. Two of the new hires at West Henderson include Principal Luke Manuel and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director John McDaris. As many know, Shannon Auten left earlier this year after 14 years at West — including four as principal — to be the principal at the Henderson County Early College and Henderson County Career Academy.

“Ms. Auten was well-loved by students and staff, and I know many felt a huge loss when she made the move to the Career Academy. I am confident that Mr. Manuel, along with Mrs. Ashbrook and Mr. McDaris, will continue to build upon her legacy of both supporting and challenging all of us to be lifelong learners, as well as productive and compassionate members of our community,” Kathleen Abraham, a science teacher at West, said.

“On a professional level, working with different administrators who bring new energy to the job motivates me to reexamine my own practices, attitudes and goals. It’s clear that this administrative team holds us all to high standards, while also providing the support and encouragement we need to continue to grow. I am excited to bring positive changes to my own classroom, and to see what other positive changes will happen in our school community.”

This may be Manuel’s first time as principal at West Henderson, but he is no stranger to the school. He graduated from West in 1995 after an

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outstanding three-sport athletic career, even being named 3A Male Athlete of the Year at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet during his senior year.

Manuel has spent over two decades serving four different Henderson County Public Schools as a teacher, coach and administrator, including acting as the assistant principal and athletic director at West in 2013.

“

On a professional level, working with different administrators who bring new energy to the job motivates me to reexamine my own practices, attitudes, and goals. It’s clear that this administrative team holds us all to high standards, while also providing the support and encouragement we need to continue to grow.

”

n Kathleen

Abraham Science Teacher

“I enjoy being here because of the great faculty and students we have. Even though it has been a while since I was last here as an assistant principal, it feels like home to me. It is a great school and community that I am proud to be a part of. Every-

one has made me feel super special and welcomed, and it has been great so far,” Manuel said.

After working at different schools within Henderson County, he has built lasting relationships and connections to those surrounding him.

“Mr. Manuel was one of the best principals I ever worked for in 37 years of teaching. He is humble, inspiring, genuine, encouraging, values team before self, is a gentle leader and always puts family first,” Katie Bolick, a teacher at Hendersonville Middle School said.

“My own experience with Mr. Manuel as an assistant principal was very positive. It was my first year at West, and he quickly became my go-to person for any issues. I knew I could rely on him to be fair, thorough, and respectful to all. In addition to having great leadership skills, he is also a Falcon at heart,” Abraham said.

When asked why teachers around the county have such a favorable view of him, he said that when decisions are being made, he always tries to put himself in the shoes of the classroom teachers.

Manuel said he remembers and values his time in the classroom, as it was a very special time for him.

He added that his time in the classroom truly made him respect the aspect of being a lifelong learner.

While McDaris may not have attended West Henderson or worked at the school previously, he is a Western North Carolina native, as he graduated from Brevard High School in 2006 and played football at Western Carolina University. He went

Principal Luke Manuel works at his desk. (Photo by Amanda Jane Whiting)

on to teach social studies and coach at his alma mater, and then served as both the athletic director and assistant principal at North Henderson High School before coming to West this year.

“I live in the West Henderson community and was excited at the opportunity to work at a great school with strong traditions. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone. I have a lot of passion for success in doing the right things. I have very high expectations for myself and our school and more than anything, I am very excited that I get to be a Falcon every day,” McDaris said.

The 2020-2021 Henderson County school year looks completely different compared to previous years. The coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the county has caused many students to stay partially or all online. This, coupled with maintaining social distancing, making connections to students and staff would presumably be difficult. However, Manuel says that while this has been a difficult year to navigate through, the school staff and students have been great to work with, and they are doing their best to get through and manage this as a team and they will continue to do so.

“I know that trust and relationships take time to build so I am doing my best to learn and fit in with the culture of our school and community. I want to prove my trust through being supportive and by my work ethic. For students who haven’t had the chance to meet me yet, I would want them to know that I am approachable and will always try my best to support our students. I want our school to be the best both inside and outside the classroom,” Manuel said.

McDaris has a lot on his plate when it comes to building relationships with students, especially student-athletes, since many students are choosing virtual-only learning and high school sports sched-

“

For students who haven’t had the chance to meet me yet, I would want them to know that I am approachable and will always try my best to support our students. I want our school to be the best both inside and outside the classroom

”

n Luke

Manuel

Principal

ules have been changed due to the pandemic.

“The biggest thing for me is time. I started here on March 1 and only got to spend 10 school days with students and staff here. I have been working to find time to connect with everyone one on one and learn ways to support them. The most substantial challenge has been getting to know everyone. I didn’t think I would still feel new by October, but I do,” McDaris said.

Addressing the concerns over the virus, Manuel said that the teachers at West Henderson are amazing and work hard each day to support the students. He also said that the administration wants them to know they can come to himself, Mr. McDaris, Whitney Ashbrook, or Emily Young, and they will support them in whatever way they can.

“I’m excited to have Mr. Manuel, who knows and loves this community, back here at West. He is on our wall of fame and has always been a Falcon at heart. The exciting part of that is knowing that when we create leaders in our classrooms that they return and give back to the community and to the school. I’m excited that he is continuing that legacy of creating and becoming the leaders we need,” Ashbrook said.

While 2020 has been a challenging year overall, one thing the students and staff at West Henderson have to look forward to is a couple of fresh, smiling faces to see on the way into the building every morning.

“Trying to be my best each day for our school is what motivates me. There have been a lot of good things that have been established here at West Henderson and I just want to be able to build upon those traditions and opportunities in order to make West the best school possible,” Manuel said.

Asistant Principal/Athletic Director John McDaris inputs information into PowerSchool. (Photo by Amanda Jane Whiting)

FEATURE n November 2020

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Photo b

by Zoya Zalevskiy

castyour

vote

Upcoming local and national elections spark conversation by n Johnathan Austin n News Editor

P

resident Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden are engaged in one of the most contentious and heated election battles in this nation’s history. The two are in the home stretch for election day on Nov. 3 when the American public will make their decision. The consequences of this election have prompted many young people to become involved in politics like never before.

This election cycle has faced the outbreak of a pandemic and the rise in racial tensions across the nation. This has led to more individuals taking a stand for the issues that they are most passionate about.

Social media has become full of posts supporting political causes that students and youth find important to them. Even those who will not be able to cast a vote in this election have found themselves involved in the process. This involvement has led to politicians addressing younger voices, and taking on the issues that young people find important.

Many of West Henderson High School’s own have

made their voices heard through activism on social media, volunteering for political campaigns or attending in-person protests that have taken place in the community.

West Henderson senior Raine Wong Chong has made her voice heard about the current political debate over the past couple of months. Wong Chong has attended many of the local protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Wong Chong will be of voting age this election cycle and feels that it is very important to make her voice heard in the form of a vote.

“I feel as though this election will be one of the most important ones we’ve had in a very long time.

This will be a turning point in history,” Wong Chong said. “ If you don’t take advantage of your ability to vote in this election you need to open your eyes to everything that is happening in the world right now.”

Wong Chong went on to say that her experience with protesting was a positive experience and has left a lasting impact on her.

FEATURE n November 2020

17

Protesters line the streets on Aug. 24 (Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy) “When we got there people were gathered in front of the Vance Monument. Not everyone had a sign, but everyone had a voice that they all wanted to share in the same way,” Wong Chong said.

“Though the circumstances weren’t great, just seeing so many people out there craving change was definitely a life-changing experience. Everyone was gathered there for a good bit of time saying chants, singing, holding up their signs, and helping those around them as much as needed.”

The political races across Western North Carolina and Henderson County have a special connection to young voters and their values. The race to represent District 11, which includes Henderson County and most of Western North Carolina, in the House of Representatives is being fought between Democrat Moe Davis, and Republican Madison Cawthorn. Cawthorn, if elected, would be the youngest congressman in history, and would be a

“

Revolutions in this country start at the ballot box, and that’s what young people hopefully will realize this year. Go vote.

”

n Brian

Caskey NC State Senate Candidate voice for a younger generation of leaders.

When asked how he would use his unique perspective as a young person in congress, Cawthorn said that he would be a fresh voice for an unequally represented group.

“The House of Representatives is supposed to represent all Americans, to be an accurate cross-section of America,” Cawthorn said.

“However, young Americans like myself have little representation in D.C. I understand the needs and desires of young Americans, I understand just how

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fed up we are with the establishment on both sides.

The fact is everyone in government is to blame, not just one party or another. It’s time for a new brand of representative who puts people over party.”

Cawthorn went on to say that he would be a voice against those who have been in power for far too long.

“I am sick and tired of establishment politicians, many of which have been in power since before I was born,” Cawthorn said. “It’s time to pass term limits and get self-serving career politicians out of Congress. We can protest, but that can’t guarantee change. What will guarantee change is electing our generation to represent us.”

His opponent for the House of Representatives, Moe Davis, has a unique perspective as well. Davis served in the United States Air Force and rose to the rank of colonel. He went on to serve as the Chief Prosecutor of the guantanamo military commissions, taught as an associate professor at Howard University School of Law and most recently served as an administrative law judge for the Department of Labor.

When asked about the future job market in Western North Carolina, Davis said that he would like to see more investment in the future of our students and to modernize the more rural counties.

“We are locally behind in broadband coverage here in Western North Carolina,” Davis said.

“92% of Americans have access to broadband, and we have counties out here that are less than 50%.

And that’s an issue that has impacts across the spectrum. For education, when COVID-19 hit, and a lot of schools sent students home with laptops, if you’re in one of those counties where less than half the people have access to broadband, that laptop is a paperweight.”

Davis added that the expansion of broadband would have wide-reaching implications for the economy in Western North Carolina.

“ We can’t recruit good-paying jobs without broadband,” Davis said. “In today’s economy, broadband is like water and electricity; it’s an essential utility, and those good-paying jobs aren’t coming if we don’t have broadband.”

When asked about the social activism that has taken place across the district, Davis said that he attended a couple of the local events in support of Black Lives Matter as well as events supporting the police.

“I attended a number of the Black Lives Matter marches, including over in Hendersonville,” Davis said. “ So I had folks on the right ask, ‘Why would you go and march with those people?’

I also participated in Back the Blue events, and I had people on the left say, ‘Why would you go and march with those people?’ The answer is, if you represent the district, you represent the entire district, not just the people that like you and vote for you, but everybody. I wish that the label had

President Donald Trump visits Mills River on Aug. 24 (Photo by Johnathan Austin) been reimagining law enforcement, rather than defunding the police, because I think there are some roles and missions that we have given to law enforcement, like dealing with the mental health crises, dealing with alcoholism and dealing with drug addiction that ought to be treated as health care issues and not criminal justice issues.”

Similarly, Cawthorn, advocates for more common-sense reforms to criminal justice in the United States.

“I truly believe that Black lives matter, however, I do not support the BLM organization.

I believe that the answer to fixing racial tensions does not lie in calls to defund our law enforcement.

Rather, I believe that common-sense policies that promote community involvement, body camera usage and threat resolution training will help resolve policing issues. My fiancé is biracial, and I am committed to crafting a world in which my

“

Young people have more at stake than any of the rest of us. Young people will bear the consequences or enjoy the rewards of the decisions we are making today.

”

n Chuck

Edwards NC State Senator

children will be able to live without fear.”

West Henderson High School has a special connection with this election cycle. Mills River Town Councilman, Brian Caskey, is the father to senior Allison Caskey. He is running against incumbent Republican Chuck Edwards for North Carolina State Senate in District 48. Brian, a democrat, looks to use his experience in local politics as a way to affect change at the state level.

“My experience on the Mills River Town Council allows me to bring a bipartisan approach

to the State Senate,” Brian said. “ I know how to work with Republicans and Democrats in order to get things done. I get phone calls all the time from council members in other cities asking how we do it. ‘How did you get those solar panels approved? How did you get people to agree with your greenway plans?’ The answer is simple — we drop our party affiliation when we walk into the Council chambers and we work for what’s best for our town.”

Brian hopes that young voters will understand the influence that their vote can have over the results of an election.

“I’d love for young people to know that there are politicians out there that really care what they think,” Brain said. “Voting is a superpower. By using it, young people literally could throw out every single incumbent politician and put people into office that care about saving the environment and care about equity and equality. Revolutions in this country start at the ballot box, and that’s what young people hopefully will realize this year. Go vote. It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll feel good for doing it.”

His opponent, incumbent Senator Chuck Edwards, is running to extend his tenure in the state legislature, and plans to use his experience as a way to win over voters.

“My most proud achievement is the reputation I have earned in Raleigh and by my constituents as being a workhorse, not a show horse.,” Edwards said. “A reputation of a willingness to tackle tough issues, and to challenge the status quo even when it costs me political capital. A reputation that insists on governmental accountability to the people, and a respect for their hard earned money that we collect.

Edwards also urged young voters to become involved and dig deeper into the candidates for public office.

“I urge all young people to become fully engaged in what’s taking place in politics on the local,

“

[For President Trump] to come through Mills River kind of puts our little town on the map.

”

n Sawyer

Hall Senior

Protesters line the streets on Aug. 24 (Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy)

state and federal level,” Edwards said. “Study us.

Ask us questions. Work to understand what makes us tick, and why we support the actions we take.

Young people have more at stake than any of the rest of us. Young people will bear the consequences or enjoy the rewards of the decisions we are making today.”

Additionally, Western North Carolina, and Henderson county in specific, have caught the eye of presidential candidates, and their vice presidential running mates. On Aug. 24, President Donald Trump visited the Flavor First Growers and Packers facility in Mills River. The trip was to thank Flavor First for their contributions to the Farmers to Families food box program.

Trump addressed a crowd of employees and owners at the event, and thanked them for their hard work since the beginning of the pandemic.

Senior Sawyer Hall was one of the many individuals who lined the roads to wait for the president’s arrival.

“Politics aside, it was very cool to have the President of the United States that close to me,” Hall said. “(It was) a once in a lifetime opportunity. I don’t know the next time that I’m going to see the President of the United States, and for him to come through Mills River kind of puts our little town on the map.”

On Wednesday Oct. 21, Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris visited an early vote launch in Asheville. To an audience of 25 people, Harris discussed the importance of voting in this election, the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court of the United States and women’s reproductive rights, which she believes are in jeopardy in this election cycle.

This election will be one for the history books, and no matter the outcome, young voters can firmly say that they made their voice heard, made the decision to vote or forged their path for the future of this country.

FEATURE n November 2020

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Workin’ 9 to 5

Essential workers struggle and persevere through pandemic By n Amanda Jane Whiting n Feature Writer

I

n March 2020, the world as we knew it began to change. Everyone was advised to stay at home and if they had to go out, they had to wear a mask and socially distance from one another. America was plunged into an unemployment crisis as millions lost their jobs.

However, new heros emerged from the shadows of the pandemic: essential workers. Individuals such as grocery store employees, healthcare professionals, fast food workers, and teachers were now depended upon by everyone. These essential workers were still expected to show up to work, as their jobs were vital to helping society continue to function, all while having to face the dangers the pandemic brought. One of these essential workers is Bre Dobbins.

Dobbins is attending Blue Ridge Community College to become a nurse while working night shifts as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), at Pardee Hospital. Dobbins aids the nurses by taking vitals, making sure patients have used the bathroom, and getting them ready for bed from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Dobbins earned her CNA certification during the summer of 2019, but she had been working

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CNA Bre Dobbins at her work. (Photo by Bre Dobbins)

as the Girls Ministry Director at Grace Community Church, in Mills River. She did not begin her job as a CNA until the coronavirus pandemic spread to the United States.

“In March, when COVID-19 hit the United States and healthcare workers seem(ed) to be in short supply and extra taxed, I decided now would be the perfect time to step in and begin working at the hospital,” Dobbins said. “After all, if I could start working at the hospital and enjoy my job during a pandemic, I (could) handle the normal hustle and bustle of being a nurse.”

However, working at a hospital during a pandemic means major precautions must be taken, especially when dealing with immunocompromised patients. Although Dobbins does not typically work in the COVID-19 unit, ordinary patient care is much different than it has been in the past.

“Every worker involved in patient care must wear a mask and either a face shield or goggles,” Dobbins said. “We take our temperatures before every shift and if we come in contact with a patient who is positive, we monitor symptoms for the next 14 days and report to management.”

Working at a hospital means that Dobbins is exposed to more germs than most people.

Therefore, aside from the temperature checks and masks for twelve hours straight, Dobbins has taken extra precautions in her personal life to make sure that she, her friends and her family continue to stay safe. She has moved all social interactions outside and wears a mask if she is within six feet of other people.

“I do miss hanging out with friends and family. I’ve seen how this pandemic has not only affected myself but also others in healthcare,” Dobbins said. “There is burnout, uncertainty and fear to overcome. but it gives me hope to see how people have come together to help and care for others.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced everyone to adapt and adjust. It has caused struggle, fear and isolation. For Dobbins, working as an essential worker has caused her to learn the importance of connection in a different way.

“I’ve learned that people need connection,” Dobbins said. “You don’t realize how much you need community until it’s taken away. Until you’re told you can’t see and be with the people who matter the most to you.”

Many of our own West Henderson students havebalso played a crucial role in the community during these trying times. The most important place to remain open in any disaster is the grocery store. Juniors Addison Russell and Jazzie Blankenship have been essential workers at the Mills River Ingles during the Henderson County “Stay at Home” order.

Russell worked at Ingles from January through the end of May. Ingles workers began to wear masks and sanitize even before it became mandatory in North Carolina. In mid-March when the Coronavirus pandemic became widespread across the United States, people began to raid grocery stores to get supplies. For weeks toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bread, and canned items were hard to come buy.

“Seeing the customers buy tons of food and supplies made it set in that this pandemic was really serious. And seeing people go as far as wearing heavy duty painters masks showed how scared people were,” Russell said. “Everything was such a mystery. Nobody had ever experienced anything like this, and they did not know

how to react.”

Blankenship began working at Ingles at the end of May and often works the closing shift.

She describes some of the other precautions that have been enforced.

“If someone has their own grocery bags we

“

There is burnout, uncertainty and fear to overcome. but it gives me hope to see how people have come together to help and care for others n Bre

”

Dobbins

Certified Nursing Assistant

Junior Jazzie Blankenship working the register at the Mills River Ingles. (Photo by Jazzie Blankenship) are not allowed to bag them; they have to do that themselves,” Blankenship said. “We are not allowing returns on anything other than food at the moment, and we have to deep clean registers every thirty minutes and before we close.”

However, the stress of the pandemic also

brought out the worst in some people. The stress and uncertainty, not everyone was gracious to essential workers in the beginning.

“We were often treated really terribly during the pandemic,” Russell said. “It felt good to be working and helping out in the community but when customers were rude to us for no given reason, it made working there no longer enjoyable.”

Blankenship says that working through the stress of a pandemic can often be tiring and demanding, but has still been rewarding.

“Being an essential worker, I am glad to do what I do,” Blankenship said. “Whenever I get a customer I try and give my best service possible; I get things done fast, especially during these tough times. Sometimes it can get exhausting but I always push through it.”

Working through the uncertainty of a pandemic has helped teach Blankenship valuable skills.

“I’ve learned patience being an essential worker,” Blankenship said. “Especially during the holidays when people bring massive carts to my register and self check out. I try and practice patience and understand people need essentials in these hard times. I’ve done the best I could through all of this.”

Russell has also learned something from working during a pandemic, even with all the hardships.

“Even though I was only there for a short period of time, I learned that some things are greater than yourself,” Russell said. “I could have easily gotten sick and given Covid-19 to my whole family, but even with the risks I decided to stay and help out our community.”

Healthcare and other essential jobs have been shown the utmost support and love by communities across the world. Dobbins believes that this pandemic has given the opportunity for jobs that might have typically been in the background to be appreciated for the important services they provide.

“Right now, I know I am needed and I appreciate the fact that essential workers are being celebrated,” Dobbins said. “But I also think it’s bringing into light the fact that so many ‘lesser paying’ jobs are actually essential. It has shown that many deserve higher pay and praise for the silent work that they do day in and day out.”

FEATURE n November 2020

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With Justice For All Ginsburg’s death leaves empty seat By n Zoya Zalevskiy n Editor-in-Chief

S

upreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on Sept. 18, and filling her vacant seat has become a point of controversy.

Ginsburg was an advocate for women and other marginalized groups throughout her entire career and headed many critical cases during her time on the Supreme Court She worked on many landmark cases: Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states; Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, which fought against racial discrimination with voting; Olmstead v. LC in 1999, which worked to give more rights to disabled people; and Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt in 2016, which struck down an oppressive bill that aimed to ban abortions.

Now, many of the people that Ginsburg advocated for are scared their rights will be revoked in light of President Donald Trump’s appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice eight days before the 2020 presidential election.

Junior Sophie Gordon is worried for the safety and security of their rights under this change on the court.

“Her death is a setback in representation and the equal rights movement,” Gordon said. “It’ll possibly cause a lack of movement towards complete equality unless we have someone who is equal to her beliefs in equality take her place.”

The sitting president has the power to nominate a candidate for an empty seat on the Supreme Court.

That candidate then moves on to be confirmed by the Senate.

In 2016, the Senate set a precedent when former President Barack Obama moved to fill an empty seat on the Supreme Court with Chief Judge Merrick Garland. The nomination never proceeded in the Senate on the basis that the American

was confirmed without a single vote people should have a voice on who from the minority party in the senate. will fill the lifelong position, and no Barrett’s confirmation will largely such motion should be moved during affect future legislation because jusa presidential election year. tice terms are for life. The Supreme After the creation of this precedent by the Republican-majority Sen- Court now holds a Republican majority, which upsets the ate, Trump’s actions to fill Ginsburg’s now-empty seat came as a surprise to balance normally maintained to keep the court many. The nomination came a little impartial. With this majomore than a month before the Nov. 3 rity, landmark cases like Election Day, which is eight months the ones Ginsburg worked less than what was left in Obama’s on could be reversed, term when his move to nominate and minority rights Garland was rejected. could be taken away.

Trump’s nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, stands as an adversary to the legacy Ginsburg left behind.

She opposes pro-choice legislation, same-sex marriage and socialized healthcare, which are all things that Ginsburg was notorious for supporting.

Barrett’s Senate hearings were also the cause of frustration for many people. She avoided questions, leaving her stance on polarizing subjects a mystery. Barrett also could not name the five rights guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution — a generally wellknown set of rights. It left many wondering how a person who doesn’t seem to recall the Bill of Rights will do serving in a position where their job is to interpret the Constitution.

Barrett was confirmed onto the Supreme Court on Oct. 26, a little more than five weeks after her nomination and just eight days before the presidential election, with a 52-48 vote in the Senate. She will serve as Trump’s third appointment to the court and the first justice in 151 years that (Photo illustration by Max Decker)

Although Barrett’s confirmation upset Gordon, she said she is trying to focus on remembering Ginsburg’s spirit and the impact it had on America.

“Because of her I’ve learned how to be a strong and confident person,” Gordon said. “She left behind a legacy of equality and power, showing the country that women are strong and deserve equality.”

FEATURE n November 2020

23

Pick

Me

UP

Staff reviews best takeout n

24 Wingspan

By n Max Portugal n A&E Editor Sarah Monoson and Zoya Zalevskiy n Editors-in-Chief

Eating out can be scary with the risk of being close to people while we are still in the middle of a pandemic. A good alternative to this is to use takeout options, so we went to three local •Hendersonville, restaurants that are exclusively NC take out and do not have indoor dining. When reviewing these restaurants, we took into consideration the price, quality of the food, and how they are handling the COVID situation. The restaurants we went to varied greatly in their menus, but all proved to be be conscientious and delicious. n

A&E (Photo by Max Portugal)

Champa •Fletcher, NC

Many restaurants on Hendersonville’s Main Street have adapted to the pandemic by adding curbside pick-up, but Champa, a phenomenal East Asian eatery, has always had a takeout option. We ordered online on our phones, which was painless but required making an account with the service BeyondMenu. Fairly soon after, a friendly waitress brought our food to the front entrance. Champa was very serious about social distancing, not even allowing anyone into the restaurant. The food itself is amazing and affordable. We ordered the Eel Avocado roll, the Boston roll, the Philadelphia roll, the Spicy Tuna roll and the Godzilla roll, the last of which is a chef’s special. The regular rolls ranged from $5 to $6, and the special roll was $9. All of the rolls were full of flavor, especially the Eel Avocado and Godzilla, which each had a unique sauce that tied the dish together. Sushi, in general, has a reputation for being expensive, but as long as customers stick to ordering two rolls per person, it’s quite manageable. Overall, Champa is an efficient and safety-conscious restaurant with an appetizing array of food. We give it a 10/10.

(Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy)

•Hendersonville, NC

China Dynasty China Dynasty, located in Horse Shoe, is a favorite of mine and my family. This restaurant is perfect for when you have a craving for Americanized Chinese food. The value at China Dynasty is good, with all lunch specials being $5.75 before tax. They also give you a lot of food; my family always has leftovers for the next few days after we eat there.

The food is like I said: perfect Americanized Chinese food, with all the sauces being slightly sweet and most items being fried. There are plenty of options for every type of person. During the craziness of the pandemic, China Dynasty is only takeout, with one entrance and one exit to avoid social interactions. They are taking everything seriously, providing customers with hand sanitizer and making everyone wear masks. My usual order is boneless BBQ spare ribs, fried rice, and an egg roll. The ribs are always that neon red color that you expect, the egg roll is always perfectly crisped and the fried rice is onpar with every other fried rice, but those are all the things that make it so good and dependable. Overall, China Dynasty delivers a product that you can rely on and is perfect when you need a good meal with definite leftovers. I am going to give them 8.5/10.

(Photo by Max Portugal)

•Arden, NC Manicomio Manicomio , located in Asheville on Biltmore Ave., is a pizza restaurant with the perfect value and quality. They have a new way of ordering, because of COVID-19, where you order at a window and, when your food comes out, they put it on a table where you can then get it. They also offer outdoor seating where the tables are spread apart and there is plenty of room to sit comfortably and safely. When I ordered, it was a pleasant experience and the man behind the counter was friendly and wearing a mask, as was everyone inside.

I ordered the $3.21 slice of amazing cheese pizza. The pizza was perfect: it had just the right amount of grease that drips down your hand; the cheese had just the right amount of stretch and didn’t tear the crust with it when you took a bite; the sauce wasn’t too sweet either. The pizza reminds me of what a real New York slice tastes like; it was spot on. Overall, with the price and quality of the pizza, I would 100% recommend them if you have five dollars in your pocket and want a slice of pizza. I will happily give them a 10/10.

(Photo by Max Portugal)

A&E n November 2020

25

Tik Tok

On The Clock

Trump Administration deems popular app a security risk By n Devon West n Feature Writer any things come to mind when when one thinks of TikTok: dancers, memes and cosplayers, to name a few, but probably not a threat to national security. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has stated that TikTok is “a trojan horse for Chinese Intelligence.” Now one may question how the fun video sharing platform that almost everyone knows and loves become a hot topic in the United States’ already heightened political field.

The popular app, previously known as Musical. ly, was made in 2014 but became the app people know today when ByteDance purchased it in 2017.

TikTok started to gain ground in the U.S. in late 2018 and rose to be one of the most popular apps among Gen Z in the two years since. When the quarantine of 2020 hit the United States, people became desperate to pass the time in their homes.

So, those who didn’t already have the app gave into temptation. The app’s active users then skyrocketed through the spring and summer, causing the app to gain some attention from the Trump administration.

Trump stated on July 31, “As far as TikTok is concerned, we’re banning them from the United States.” When you download the app, it requires

M

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A&E

certain information from you, as well as permission to access certain parts of your phone. ByteDance says that these permissions are to simply run the app, and the information it collects is to personalize the app for your convenience. The collected data will give you personalized ads and suggest accounts and videos you might enjoy.

However, the Trump administration believes that ByteDance sells the user data to the Chinese Government. TikTok denied these claims, saying that user data from the United States is stored in the the country with a backup being in Singapore.

The U.S. Department Of Commerce announced that all downloads and updates of the app would be suspended in the United States starting Sept. 20. But, a deal was reached before before the ban could take place. The computer software company Oracle purchased 12.5% of what is now known as TikTok Global. Walmart said they will purchase 7.5% of the company. ByteDance still owns around 80% of the company, but since 40% of ByteDance itself is owned by U.S. investors, this now makes TikTok a mostly U.S. owned company.

The Trump administration has, as of now, pushed banning TikTok to Nov. 12, giving the administration more time to investigate whether the app is

(Photo by Zoya Zalevskiy)

safe enough to continue operating in the United States.

So, while it seems that the fate of Gen Z’s beloved app still hangs in the balance, we still have time to enjoy the app before it is possibly gone forever.

“I would say that I enjoy TikTok maybe a little too much.” sophomore Cassidy Bowen said. “The app gives everyone a chance to express themselves in a new way.”

Bowen has a TikTok video that has 7.3 million views and an account with 46.8 thousand followers.

However, not everyone enjoys the app. In fact, some wouldn’t care to see it go.

“I definitely don’t like it. It has a lot of weird stuff on there.” junior Luke Gilsdorf said. “I don’t really pay attention to TikTok, I just know that there are some really weird posts.”

Whether people hate the app or love it, there is no denying that it has made a major impact on the culture at school and across the United States. TikTok has become a trademark for Gen Z. It has been a central hub of trends, events and memories that this generation will hold onto, despite the alleged danger of the app and the company it’s owned by.

There’s an impostor...

“Among Us” game allows users to play with friends for free By n Marissa Detwiler n Feature Writer

T

he cyan astronaut walks down the cold metal halls.

Turning the corner, he grows closer to his next task. Some wires have fallen out of place, causing the ship to lose electricity. The lights flicker as he reconnects the bright copper wires. He gasps. Footsteps are heard behind him. He quickly turns around, but it’s too late. The yellow astronaut stands before him, brandishing a knife. Now fresh with blood, yellow disappears into the ventilation, leaving a cyan ghost to roam the ship as he witnesses his crewmates taken down one by one, until the yellow impostor declares victory.

teenage population.

“Among Us” is as a murder-mystery game, utilizing teamwork and strategy. Participants play as different colored astronauts, who they can customize with different colored suits and fun accessories. Additionally, the game offers purchasable add-ons, like pets, who are miniature versions of the playable characters that follow the player around, and seasonal hats or masks. The game offers the option of joining local servers — to play with friends nearby — or the option to join an online server, which can be anywhere in the world. Players can create their

nior Jacob Hirshberg lists out the pros and cons of being a crewmate and being an imposter.

“When I am a crewmate, the game appeals to me because I enjoy trying to find out when my friends are lying and also putting pieces of a puzzle together to deduce an impostor while convincing others as well,” Hirshberg said.

“When I am an impostor, I find the game fun because I get to fool my friends and inspire fun little rivalries and alliances while trying to smoothly murder my friends.”

The game provides a chat bar for players to discuss during emergency meetings, but many players enjoy

DEAD BODY REPORTED Over quarantine, high schoolers have discovered many new, innovative ways to ease their boredom. Some activities, like video games, have remained a go-to for students and adults across the globe. One game in particular has grabbed an excessive amount of attention in recent months.

“Among Us” is an indie computer game that has been recently converted to a mobile format and can be downloaded and played for free. Although the game was initially released in 2018, it has only recently garnered attention, due to popularity within gaming influencers on TikTok. Now, however, “Among Us” has spread to the masses, having found its target demographic within the

own games, either privately, which requires a password to enter, or publicly.

Once the game begins players find themselves on a map, playing one of two roles: the crewmate or the imposter. The goal of the crewmate is to complete their individual tasks that are assigned at the start of the game, fix malfunctions on the ship, and vote off the imposters.

On the other hand, the goal of the imposter is to sabotage the efforts of the crewmates, cause malfunctions on the ship, and kill off the crewmates, all while remaining undetected. The game has three different maps that players can use: The Skeld, Mira HQ, and Polus. Each player has their preferences as to which role they would like to play. Ju-

R om o fr t o Ph

using outside forms of vocal communication to further immerse themselves in the game.

Some students at West have created large groups of friends to play the game together, often while communicating via phone, video chat or text. The game has served as a distraction to ease the minds of anxious high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also an alternative form of socialization at a time when in person connection is virtually impossible.

“For me, at least, ‘Among Us’ has kept my mind off of other troubling matters and has connected me with my friends,” Hirshberg said. “ The game has brought some good laughs in a time of sadness and isolation.”

A&E n November 2020

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edd

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28 Wingspan

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Playing It SAFE A football player runs during team workouts. (Photo by Max Decker)

SPORTS n November 2020

29

Sports seasons delayed due to safety precautions By n Carson Godwin n Sports Editor

A

s the entire country fights COVID-19, every aspect of life has been affected; high school sports were no exception. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) was forced to make the tough decision on how to approach the 2020 season. No matter what the NCHSAA decided to do, they knew they were going to face criticism. “ You have a lot of different entities who are looking at the decisions, and people tend to look at a decision with tunnel vision,” Que Tucker said, Commissioner of the NCHSAA. “It’s all about my sport, and what’s best for me. And if you don’t make a decision that is best for me, then I’m not going to like it and I don’t really care that it really is best for all 421 schools. So all you do is just try to do what you think is right, and then let the chips fall where they may.”

On Aug. 11 the NCHSAA postponed all sports until November due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were happy with this announcement, praising the NCHSAA for their commitment to let athletes participate.

“We have been doing off season workouts, and those have gone very well, so the expectation is that we will be able to start athletics in November as evident (with) what’s going on as far as individual workouts,” Henderson County Athletic Director Scott Rhode said. “The NCHSAA has just made decisions as best (as) possible, trying to keep (the) safety of the student athletes in mind. North Carolina is a big state and the infection rate is different in different areas, especially when we were looking into the summer months and making some of these big decisions. I do believe that they are decisions made in the best interest of all student athletes.”

However, some were sceptical of the NCHSAA plan. “(There’s) a lot of factors going into sports this year. I’m not sure if the precautions set up will be enough to last through an entire season.

Especially if someone on the team gets COVID right before an important

A basketball player gets his temperature checked before team workouts. (Photo by Max Decker)

game,” senior Parker Barnwel said.

For the first time, we will see sports outside of their normal seasons. Volleyball and cross country are scheduled to start on Nov. 3, and

“

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n

SPORTS

All of our coaches have

been keeping everyone in pods so that if one athlete does test positive we could contact trace and the health department could contact people who may or may not have been exposed. It will work very similarly in season.

”

n John McDaris Atheltic Director

football and wrestling will take place in the spring.

Although official practices don’t begin until later in the year, Henderson County and many other districts have started revised workouts. According to HighSchoolOT, 77.91% of

A basketball player dunks while at team workouts. (Photo by Max Decker)

all traditional schools in the NCHSAA, have resumed sports activity in one way or another. Rates of North Carolina schools participating in sports have increased by almost 12% since September. These workouts are different from what athletes are used to, including social distancing and strict rules on handling equipment.

“All of our coaches have been keeping everyone in pods so that if one athlete does test positive we could contact trace and the health department could contact people who may or may not have been exposed. It will work very similarly in season. We would contact those who may have been exposed,” West Henderson Athletic Director John McDaris said.

Coaches are having to change the way they practice because of these restrictions and they’re finding new ways to help develop the student athletes.

“We are glad that we’re still able to bond as a team and be in that family atmosphere. With everything going on, it’s nice to have (sports) back in a safe way. We’re still getting better and being safe. We’re looking forward to a successful season” West senior Sawyer Hall said.

This year students will see sports unlike they've ever seen them before: shorter seasons, less fans and more restrictions. The scheduling is dif-

Football players work out while socially distanced. (Photos by Max Decker)

Modified Sports Schedule n

n

n

Nov. 4 Volleyball Cross Country Nov. 23 Swimming & Diving

ferent with most teams playing less games. Most teams will only be playing in conference games, however football will be playing one non-conference game.

“The state put out some guidelines that said that in nine team conferences, the top three will go to the playoffs automatically. So, with a reduced playoff field, it’s really important if you want to make it (to the playoffs) to finish (in the) top three in your conference.” McDaris said.

This year, all Henderson County sports facilities will have a system called Pixalot, a high quality, video production system that will allow athletic events to be streamed and broadcasted for people to view from home.

“I definitely think playing games without or (with) less fans would be a lot different but I’m glad there will still be a way for my family to watch, and if it means people will stay safe, it’s what we have to do,” Hall said.

While it’s unclear how effective returning to sports will be, New Jersey started their high school football season recently and just 4 weeks into the season, over 23 teams have been shut down and 22 games have already been canceled.

“It’s a big fear of mine that we’ll get so close to the season that we’ve been working so hard to prepare for just to have it taken away from us.

We’re trying to remain as hopeful as possible that we’ll get through the season without any major setbacks,” Barnwel said.

Dec. 7 Basketball

“

We are glad that we’re still

able to bond as a team and be in that family atmosphere.

With everything going on, it’s nice to have (sports) back in a safe way. We’re still getting better and being safe. n

”

Sawyer Hall Senior

Jan. 11 Men’s Soccer Feb. 8 Football March 1 Golf Men’s Tennis Women’s Soccer Softball April 12 Baseball Women’s Basketball Track & Field Wrestling

SPORTS n November 2020

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