Feature
NEW LOCATION, NEW ADMINISTRATION
by Abel Mota
Here at North Central High School, although this semester started off differently, the Knight family has been introduced to our temporary home. In the midst of the tragedy of the tornado, Tabitha Strickland, the new assistant principal, stepped in to help when the job became available.
Strickland is enrolled at the University of South Carolina, and she is on the way to get her doctorate in Special Education Leadership with a focus on advocacy and legislative. She completed her undergrad and majored in Psychology and Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. She later went on to get her master’s degree in school administration at the University of North Carolina of Pembroke.
Her previous job was at South Carolina’s department of education where she was the Implementation Support Coordinator in the office of special education services.
She says that the stars aligned for her next step in life, and it was clear. When the position opened, Strickland says, “the family-oriented and small culture of the school” is what made her pursue this job. She enjoys this school because of the students and staff being so friendly and welcoming. Strickland wants to help North Central achieve our goals with her, “love first, lead second, and the team-oriented approach to reaching goals,” leadership style.
As students who have faced so much in the last month, we should continue to accept the new adjustments to the knight family because there will be many more changes. Strickland is only the start of many additions, so we should welcome and introduce ourselves to Mrs. Strickland and show her the Knight way.
by Abel Mota
Here at North Central High School, although this semester started off differently, the Knight family has been introduced to our temporary home. In the midst of the tragedy of the tornado, Tabitha Strickland, the new assistant principal, stepped in to help when the job became available.
Strickland is enrolled at the University of South Carolina, and she is on the way to get her doctorate in Special Education Leadership with a focus on advocacy and legislative. She completed her undergrad and majored in Psychology and Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. She later went on to get her master’s degree in school administration at the University of North Carolina of Pembroke.
Her previous job was at South Carolina’s department of education where she was the Implementation Support Coordinator in the office of special education services.
She says that the stars aligned for her next step in life, and it was clear. When the position opened, Strickland says, “the family-oriented and small culture of the school” is what made her pursue this job. She enjoys this school because of the students and staff being so friendly and welcoming. Strickland wants to help North Central achieve our goals with her, “love first, lead second, and the team-oriented approach to reaching goals,” leadership style.
As students who have faced so much in the last month, we should continue to accept the new adjustments to the knight family because there will be many more changes. Strickland is only the start of many additions, so we should welcome and introduce ourselves to Mrs. Strickland and show her the Knight way.
Editorial
CAN A VIDEO GAME BE A WORK OF ART?
by Michaela Long
You wouldn’t think to compare Pablo Picasso to Chris Sawyer, but their work is more connected than one may realize. One would think these two would have nothing in common; however, that is far from the case. Video games are works of art, too.
As North Central High School’s art teacher, Jill Sorrells, mentioned in an interview, “Video games don’t just materialize out of thin air.” Everything in a video game is created by someone. It is original or based on something else, and it was made with creativity and style. Sorrells also stated, “Every character, every setting, every object and menu, even the way the sun rises, sets, and creates light and shadows in the game had to be thought up and created by somebody.” It takes a team of designers and artists to make a game. The way in which video games are created is what makes them art.
Bambi Ferrer, North Central High School’s AP computer science teacher, also agrees that video games are to be considered works of art. When asked the question, “Can a video game be a work of art,” she stated, “Absolutely!” She began to mention her students and the things she teaches them. She stated how “user and visual standpoints are affected by the design of game.” This shows that each design or piece of art affects how people perceive the game and the experiences they get from the game just as one would with art. Art depicts and makes the viewer feel emotions.
Whether it is a simple swiping game or a full on warzone, each piece is made up of small creations to add into one huge slideshow for people of all ages. Every video game has the potential to be as emotionally challenging or intricate as any painting or picture. Video games are works of art.
by Michaela Long
You wouldn’t think to compare Pablo Picasso to Chris Sawyer, but their work is more connected than one may realize. One would think these two would have nothing in common; however, that is far from the case. Video games are works of art, too.
As North Central High School’s art teacher, Jill Sorrells, mentioned in an interview, “Video games don’t just materialize out of thin air.” Everything in a video game is created by someone. It is original or based on something else, and it was made with creativity and style. Sorrells also stated, “Every character, every setting, every object and menu, even the way the sun rises, sets, and creates light and shadows in the game had to be thought up and created by somebody.” It takes a team of designers and artists to make a game. The way in which video games are created is what makes them art.
Bambi Ferrer, North Central High School’s AP computer science teacher, also agrees that video games are to be considered works of art. When asked the question, “Can a video game be a work of art,” she stated, “Absolutely!” She began to mention her students and the things she teaches them. She stated how “user and visual standpoints are affected by the design of game.” This shows that each design or piece of art affects how people perceive the game and the experiences they get from the game just as one would with art. Art depicts and makes the viewer feel emotions.
Whether it is a simple swiping game or a full on warzone, each piece is made up of small creations to add into one huge slideshow for people of all ages. Every video game has the potential to be as emotionally challenging or intricate as any painting or picture. Video games are works of art.
Editorial
WHY COVERING CELEBRITY DEATHS IS IMMORAL
by Tyler Phillips
The United Nations World Population Prospects report shows that, in the United States alone, approximately 7,452 people die every day. That means 7,452 funerals to plan. That means 7,452 families mourning a loved one. However, how many of these deaths are covered by tabloids or in the news? Very few. And to what group do those very few who are covered find themselves belonging to? That of the celebrity, of the famous.
These incidents of high profile mortality are plastered and seeded throughout the consciousness of the masses. Not to say that fame is necessarily undeserved, but why should a celebrity death be held as more important than anybody else’s? Further, why should the families of these people, these people of fame, not be afforded their due time to mourn? Why do tabloid, vulture-journalists prey on these headlines as if they were a shark shredding apart a fat seal? Recently, this question has likely risen to greater prominence with the passing of celebrity basketball star, Kobe Bryant.
After consulting student-athlete, Ryan Greene, and coach and athletic director, Tyronne Drakeford, and posing the question, “How do you feel about the tabloid, or otherwise, coverage of celebrity deaths,” Greene and Drakeford responded similarly. Essentially, both agreed that it was not very moral of tabloids and journalists to cover the story in such a rapacious manner, without allowing even an hour of mourning to the family. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, described the experience as, “Extremely disrespectful.”
Once posed with the question, “Do you think those who cover the passing of celebrities do so ethically and with dignity,” both Greene and Drakeford answered with congruent responses; both saying something to the effect of finding the coverage, at least to some degree, to be at the expense of the integrity of those who reported it. These journalists are quite vulture-esk, as has been displayed in their coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death. They lurk, waiting for a death that is in any way notable, then they latch onto it and dig their talons in.
It is to be said that the coverage of Bryant’s death is not the only death which has been covered to such a degree of immorality; one could say that most of, if not all, celebrities who pass have some mode of indignant journalism published about them only days, or even just hours, after their deaths. Such a thing is to be considered irreverent and highly disrespectful to the passed individual; remember, in Vanessa Bryant’s own words, she describes her experience as such. If the family cannot mourn then why should this practice receive any praise?
by Tyler Phillips
The United Nations World Population Prospects report shows that, in the United States alone, approximately 7,452 people die every day. That means 7,452 funerals to plan. That means 7,452 families mourning a loved one. However, how many of these deaths are covered by tabloids or in the news? Very few. And to what group do those very few who are covered find themselves belonging to? That of the celebrity, of the famous.
These incidents of high profile mortality are plastered and seeded throughout the consciousness of the masses. Not to say that fame is necessarily undeserved, but why should a celebrity death be held as more important than anybody else’s? Further, why should the families of these people, these people of fame, not be afforded their due time to mourn? Why do tabloid, vulture-journalists prey on these headlines as if they were a shark shredding apart a fat seal? Recently, this question has likely risen to greater prominence with the passing of celebrity basketball star, Kobe Bryant.
After consulting student-athlete, Ryan Greene, and coach and athletic director, Tyronne Drakeford, and posing the question, “How do you feel about the tabloid, or otherwise, coverage of celebrity deaths,” Greene and Drakeford responded similarly. Essentially, both agreed that it was not very moral of tabloids and journalists to cover the story in such a rapacious manner, without allowing even an hour of mourning to the family. Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, described the experience as, “Extremely disrespectful.”
Once posed with the question, “Do you think those who cover the passing of celebrities do so ethically and with dignity,” both Greene and Drakeford answered with congruent responses; both saying something to the effect of finding the coverage, at least to some degree, to be at the expense of the integrity of those who reported it. These journalists are quite vulture-esk, as has been displayed in their coverage of Kobe Bryant’s death. They lurk, waiting for a death that is in any way notable, then they latch onto it and dig their talons in.
It is to be said that the coverage of Bryant’s death is not the only death which has been covered to such a degree of immorality; one could say that most of, if not all, celebrities who pass have some mode of indignant journalism published about them only days, or even just hours, after their deaths. Such a thing is to be considered irreverent and highly disrespectful to the passed individual; remember, in Vanessa Bryant’s own words, she describes her experience as such. If the family cannot mourn then why should this practice receive any praise?
News
RECOVERED ARTWORK
by Ana Lucena-Chavez
Many of North Central’s students presented their artwork in this year’s Celebration of the Arts program on February 27. These students include: Samantha Lucas, Honesty Wrobel, Sophia Watford, Yahir Vera, Kara Aten, Collin Price, Trinity Oxendine, Ani Ochenduszko, Jacob Montgomery, Trinity Martin, and Niah Laureano.The students’ pieces were partly destroyed in an EF2 tornado that occurred in January. Many of these aspiring artists struggled with accepting this tragedy. Celebration of the Arts is a program held at Lugoff-Elgin High School that highlights many artistically gifted students of Kershaw County. This celebration recognizes dance, theater, choral/instrumental, and visual art pieces.
Damaged works from North Central students are still being shown because of art teacher Jill Sorrells. Mrs. Sorrells, North Central’s third-year art teacher, collected the students’ artwork and made the choice to present them to the program despite their damage.
She said, “I want to show them because of what they went through. I think it’s amazing how these pieces of art managed to stand up to an EF2 tornado in a classroom that was roofless and had been rained on for a couple of days. It was miraculous that this one pile of art kept by the window was saved.” The tornado hit through many of North Central’s classrooms, including the art room, leaving the school greatly damaged.
With any tragedy there are ways to work with it instead of against it. According to Mrs. Sorrells, she took about an hour cleaning up glass and tar that fell on the artwork. Most of the pieces needed heavy dusting while others experienced water damage. Samantha Lucas, a junior artist, explains how her piece experienced water damage and took off much of the color. She said, “I made this piece using primary colored markers. It took me about two and a half weeks to finish. After the tornado and rain, there were a lot of color splotches on my piece.”
Every art piece has a unique story. Some symbolize struggle and hardship, while others may symbolize growth and success. This tragedy has become an upturn to many artists’ portfolios at North Central. The damage has definitely created more meaning to the art pieces.
by Ana Lucena-Chavez
Many of North Central’s students presented their artwork in this year’s Celebration of the Arts program on February 27. These students include: Samantha Lucas, Honesty Wrobel, Sophia Watford, Yahir Vera, Kara Aten, Collin Price, Trinity Oxendine, Ani Ochenduszko, Jacob Montgomery, Trinity Martin, and Niah Laureano.The students’ pieces were partly destroyed in an EF2 tornado that occurred in January. Many of these aspiring artists struggled with accepting this tragedy. Celebration of the Arts is a program held at Lugoff-Elgin High School that highlights many artistically gifted students of Kershaw County. This celebration recognizes dance, theater, choral/instrumental, and visual art pieces.
Damaged works from North Central students are still being shown because of art teacher Jill Sorrells. Mrs. Sorrells, North Central’s third-year art teacher, collected the students’ artwork and made the choice to present them to the program despite their damage.
She said, “I want to show them because of what they went through. I think it’s amazing how these pieces of art managed to stand up to an EF2 tornado in a classroom that was roofless and had been rained on for a couple of days. It was miraculous that this one pile of art kept by the window was saved.” The tornado hit through many of North Central’s classrooms, including the art room, leaving the school greatly damaged.
With any tragedy there are ways to work with it instead of against it. According to Mrs. Sorrells, she took about an hour cleaning up glass and tar that fell on the artwork. Most of the pieces needed heavy dusting while others experienced water damage. Samantha Lucas, a junior artist, explains how her piece experienced water damage and took off much of the color. She said, “I made this piece using primary colored markers. It took me about two and a half weeks to finish. After the tornado and rain, there were a lot of color splotches on my piece.”
Every art piece has a unique story. Some symbolize struggle and hardship, while others may symbolize growth and success. This tragedy has become an upturn to many artists’ portfolios at North Central. The damage has definitely created more meaning to the art pieces.
Sports
A BATTER'S JOURNEY
by Star Shaw
With so many changes going on around the campus, seniors are still preparing to take off to college and they are deciding what they are going to do in life. While preparing for this journey to leave high school, student-athletes are making the decision to play a sport in college or not.
Being a mentor for so many athletes, physical education teacher, junior varsity volleyball coach, and assistant varsity softball coach, Christy Holley mentions how she has seen senior Julianne Outlaw grow over the years as a student-athlete. Julianne Outlaw is the only known athlete to sign from North Central from the 2020 senior class to play a sport in college. Outlaw will go on to play softball at Converse College with her older sister, Abbigale Outlaw.
Holley has watched Julianne play softball for a long time and says, “Over the years, I have seen her mature into a great player. She has really worked hard to be a solid player both offensively and defensively.”
Julianne has been playing travel ball for nine years, which has prepared her for the next level in college. Also showing her dedication as a student-athlete and showing her love for the sport, Julianne teaches batting lessons at the Batters Box in Camden, South Carolina. This shows how hard Julianne works on and off the field preparing not only herself for the future she holds, but others as well who love the sport and want to meet the best of their abilities as Julianne has.
Being the student-athlete Christy Holley believes Julianne is, Holley says, “Julianne knows the game and is willing to do whatever it takes to be the best she can be. I have no doubt that she will succeed in college.” Being a student-athlete takes dedication and hard work on and off the field. Julianne has all of these qualities, she has only scratched the surface of her potential as an athlete, and she will pursue to keep meeting her goals as she plays softball in college.
by Star Shaw
With so many changes going on around the campus, seniors are still preparing to take off to college and they are deciding what they are going to do in life. While preparing for this journey to leave high school, student-athletes are making the decision to play a sport in college or not.
Being a mentor for so many athletes, physical education teacher, junior varsity volleyball coach, and assistant varsity softball coach, Christy Holley mentions how she has seen senior Julianne Outlaw grow over the years as a student-athlete. Julianne Outlaw is the only known athlete to sign from North Central from the 2020 senior class to play a sport in college. Outlaw will go on to play softball at Converse College with her older sister, Abbigale Outlaw.
Holley has watched Julianne play softball for a long time and says, “Over the years, I have seen her mature into a great player. She has really worked hard to be a solid player both offensively and defensively.”
Julianne has been playing travel ball for nine years, which has prepared her for the next level in college. Also showing her dedication as a student-athlete and showing her love for the sport, Julianne teaches batting lessons at the Batters Box in Camden, South Carolina. This shows how hard Julianne works on and off the field preparing not only herself for the future she holds, but others as well who love the sport and want to meet the best of their abilities as Julianne has.
Being the student-athlete Christy Holley believes Julianne is, Holley says, “Julianne knows the game and is willing to do whatever it takes to be the best she can be. I have no doubt that she will succeed in college.” Being a student-athlete takes dedication and hard work on and off the field. Julianne has all of these qualities, she has only scratched the surface of her potential as an athlete, and she will pursue to keep meeting her goals as she plays softball in college.