NEWS
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Be a Kung Flu Fighter
by Ivan Vallejo This year, the influenza has been tormenting and inflamed. David Branham, principal of North Central High School, had several experiences with the flu this fall. All his family members had the flu, but they have been able to continue without getting the flu since then. The total number of documented cases of the flu at North Central High School was around eighteen percent of the student body. Mr. Branham thinks when it’s cold people stay inside more. Therefore, they are closer to one another, and he believes, unfortunately, that sometimes students come back to school before they should. He certainly wants the students to be in school, but if they have a fever, the rule is to stay home until the fever stops without taking tylenol or motrin. The fever may stop one evening and then come the next morning, so that's not really 24 hours. They will need to stay home another extra day because the students are still contagious. Mr. Branham believes that in order to avoid getting the flu, students should wash their hands constantly and use hand sanitizer. Even when you are around your loved ones, if they or you have the flu, you should minimize contact. Also, you should limit the handshaking and hugging. When you shake hands, you could spread germs; then you could bite your nails without realizing it and catch the flu. Branham states, “If you are running a fever stay home! If you have internet access at home, check your school work. If you don't have internet access, have your parents call the school.” He wants his students to be at school, but he wants them to rest and to not fall behind. Try to do your school work at home. Come back when you get better, so you don't get anybody else sick. |
Olivia Walsh staying germ free!
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FEATURE
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Power Down Cyberbullying
by Olivia Walsh Cyberbullying: a term that almost every teenager and young adult in America is familiar with. In fact, according to dosomething.org, 43% of students have reported experiencing cyberbullying, and one in four claims that it has happened more than once. Since the rise in usage of social media, reports of cyberbullying have also increased. Social media has given bullies a mask to hide behind so that they can avoid face-to-face confrontation. Although social media can be a fun means to share pictures, videos, and stories, it has become an easy way for teenagers to say mean things about one another with no repercussions. Pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults are by far the most prevalent age group on social media; unsurprisingly, they also have the lowest level of self confidence. Pewinternet.org reports that 86% of people, ages 18-29, use at least one form of social media. Having cellphones readily available at all times has given teenagers the power to take a picture, video, or make a post whenever they want to. This has made it much more convenient to be a cyberbully, since anyone can easily share a degrading picture or video of someone else. Mrs. Montgomery states, “I think that social media allows people who would never before have been a bully to become one. They can hide behind the computer. It used to be that bullying was so easy to identify and handle because it looked like what we were used to seeing.” Despite the fact that cyberbullying happens so frequently, only one in ten victims will ever report experiencing it. Students are worried that they will cause more problems and be known as a “snitch” or a “tattle-tale”. Not only that, but most teenagers who witness cyberbullying do not do anything about it in fear of upsetting their friends. Since the majority of cyberbullying does not happen during school hours, on the rare occasions that it is reported, the sheriff’s department has to get involved. If it happened during school, administration can deal with it, but that is not usually the case. “The thing about cyberbullying is that most of the cyberbullying happens after school. So many times, we have to reach out to the sheriff’s department because it’s not happening on school grounds,” says Mrs. Montgomery. Finally, how can students help stop cyberbullying? Mrs. Montgomery suggests, “If something is happening, you have to let an adult know before it is too late and it gets out of hand. Then, as people who are on social media, you also have a responsibility not to ‘like’ something that is mean or derogatory.” Even though bullying is virtually impossible to eliminate completely, students can help reduce rates of cyberbullying by reporting the bullies and only promoting positive posts on social media. Instead of trying to drag each other down, students should be empowering their peers. Middle school and high school are difficult times for everyone, but cyberbullying can truly have a negative impact on a student’s middle/high school experience. If all teenagers report cyberbullying and support their friends and classmates, cyberbullying could become a thing of the past. |
Students Rhashade McCollum, Ivan Vallejo, and Presley Springfield using their devices.
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SPORTS
Jumping out of the Gym
by Rhashade McCollum
The basketball team at North Central High School is very determined to make sure that they win games. It is vital that they keep their mindsets optimistic. Last year, under the leadership of Coach Kerry Hayes, the team was able to do what was needed in order to make it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they were not able to win the whole bracket. The players all have different attributes that allow them to work together in cooperation. It is important that the players remember that it is a team effort. One can’t just win an entire basketball game by himself. When a player feels that his skills are worth more to the team than everyone else’s, it causes the chemistry of the team and the game to diminish. A team effort, in most cases, is much more effective. It is a lot easier to get things done when players have teammates around them that share a similar, if not the same, goal.
Leadership is also a very vital part of this game. There is a great difference between leadership and arrogance. Whenever someone from the team loses sight of the fact that they must collaborate with the rest of the team, it makes it virtually impossible for the team as a whole to move progressively. In the past, there have been incidents in which it would make sense for a player to take control over a game. This happens simply because the communication, chemistry, patience, and cooperation is distorted. Leadership, in itself, is a really large role being played during any team sport. There cannot be progression without some type of guidance applied by a leader.
During an interview that was orchestrated with Jamel Jones, the starting power forward, he stated, “we have to work better together and play the next game in order to win games. We can’t get our heads down”. He also said, “The coaching staff is great. They put us in a great position in order to win these games”. Jones showed that he was not only having faith in himself, but also in the people around him.
Coach Kerry Hayes, the head coach for the basketball team, commented, “I tell my players to stay focused and play the next play”. When asked for elaboration, it boiled down to keeping the mind clear in order to perform at the rate required. He said that during the last seconds of the game, he trusts all of his players equally to get the job done. “It’s whoever is open at the time,” Coach Hayes said, meaning that his players all have the ability to score with ease, and make great plays. Above leadership, this team displays cooperation and the true definition of teamwork.
by Rhashade McCollum
The basketball team at North Central High School is very determined to make sure that they win games. It is vital that they keep their mindsets optimistic. Last year, under the leadership of Coach Kerry Hayes, the team was able to do what was needed in order to make it to the playoffs. Unfortunately, they were not able to win the whole bracket. The players all have different attributes that allow them to work together in cooperation. It is important that the players remember that it is a team effort. One can’t just win an entire basketball game by himself. When a player feels that his skills are worth more to the team than everyone else’s, it causes the chemistry of the team and the game to diminish. A team effort, in most cases, is much more effective. It is a lot easier to get things done when players have teammates around them that share a similar, if not the same, goal.
Leadership is also a very vital part of this game. There is a great difference between leadership and arrogance. Whenever someone from the team loses sight of the fact that they must collaborate with the rest of the team, it makes it virtually impossible for the team as a whole to move progressively. In the past, there have been incidents in which it would make sense for a player to take control over a game. This happens simply because the communication, chemistry, patience, and cooperation is distorted. Leadership, in itself, is a really large role being played during any team sport. There cannot be progression without some type of guidance applied by a leader.
During an interview that was orchestrated with Jamel Jones, the starting power forward, he stated, “we have to work better together and play the next game in order to win games. We can’t get our heads down”. He also said, “The coaching staff is great. They put us in a great position in order to win these games”. Jones showed that he was not only having faith in himself, but also in the people around him.
Coach Kerry Hayes, the head coach for the basketball team, commented, “I tell my players to stay focused and play the next play”. When asked for elaboration, it boiled down to keeping the mind clear in order to perform at the rate required. He said that during the last seconds of the game, he trusts all of his players equally to get the job done. “It’s whoever is open at the time,” Coach Hayes said, meaning that his players all have the ability to score with ease, and make great plays. Above leadership, this team displays cooperation and the true definition of teamwork.
EDITORIAL
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Beef with School Lunch
by Presley Springfield BBQ sliders, french fries, cole slaw, and chilled peaches. This is a school lunch containing roughly 730 calories. According to livestrong.com, 730 calories is 32.4 % of an average teenager’s necessary calorie intake of 2,250. To some, that is labeled as an “inadequate” meal. Therefore, the small portions causes students to lash out on school lunches. Little do students know that these meal plans are made by Kershaw County School District based on the meals’ nutritional values. The school district also has to account for many allergies and sensitivities when making the meal plans. With all of this taken into account, it is possible to lose some of the flavor or downsize portions, compared to what most people are commonly used to. “I wish I could make the lunches better, but that would be risking my job,” said Former Cafeteria staff member, Deborah Branham. Speaking of portions, many will look at a lunch tray and argue that a piece of pizza is not a meal. Truth be told, it isn’t. What they are leaving out is the fact that along with that piece of pizza students are also required to have a fruit or a vegetable, therefore, increasing the value of your “just a piece of pizza.” The thing is, you can’t just get the fruit and vegetable on your tray and then throw it away. You actually have to eat them to get the nutrients. Deborah Branham says, “I would be willing to bet that more than half of our produce ends up in the trash.” Now, I’m not going to lie, I can eat everything on that tray some days, and still be hungry. However, I am also aware that I can eat an entire pizza and still have dessert. This demonstrates that I probably shouldn’t eat as much as I regularly do, and the school meals do normally fit my nutritional needs. This goes for many others as well. Notice I say normally. I say this because one thing I will personally argue is most schools, including our own, does not offer a truly vegetarian option, leaving students that are vegetarian going off of an apple and/or carrots. This is because a lot of the salads include meat in a way where it is nearly impossible to get rid of it all. I feel like this is something that needs to be acted upon, since I am a vegetarian who struggles with this, and I know many others as well. All in all, school lunches aren’t the best. They never have been nor will they ever be. The school lunches do not deserve all the hate they receive and nor do the lunch ladies. Whether you believe it or not, they want it to be flavorful. However, that cannot always be the case, because they are told what spices and seasonings they can and cannot use, limiting the taste factor. BUT WAIT, there is a way you can help. If you have a serious problem, there are people you can contact at the district office. Including the Coordinator for Nutrition & School Food Service, Misha Lawyer. Otherwise, if you don’t like the school lunch, don’t complain. Pack your own. |
BBQ sliders: They may Look unappetizing, but at least they're filling.
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