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Club Spotlight: Model UN
By Kat Franklin How would you solve the North Korean nuclear crisis? How would you provide humanitarian relief for thirty million Sudanese facing starvation? How can the international community offset climate change? These are the kind of real-world problems the Model UN attempts to resolve. Model UN is a club devoted to students working together to build a better tomorrow. In the club, students solve world problems with resolutions, offering their own innovative ideas to make the world a better place. Model UN meets on Fridays, 2:30- 3:15. There are no fees or requirements to join the club. Mr. Martinez is the club sponsor and director. What is Model UN all about? Mr. Martinez: Students are members of the international community, trying to solve real world problems. What were your plans for the club when you started it? Mr. Martinez: My purpose was to raise awareness of international issues and foreign affairs. How does it make students better? Mr. Martinez: By developing their academic and public speaking skills. When was Model UN founded? Mr. Martinez: It started in 2017 What kind of activities are involved? Mr. Martinez: You explore the dynamics of geopolitics by assuming the roles of U.N. representatives. As their country’s spokesperson, delegates are presented with discussion tips and placed on committees where they conduct research, draft resolutions, and formulate positions that identify possible solutions while keeping with the country’s policy. Do you think Model UN will continue to be here in coming years? Mr. Martinez: Yes, because it’s a student centered club. Is it purely academic? Mr. Martinez: No, it’s fun. You learn about different cultures, different countries. You learn about the world and all the people around the world. Interview with Sarah Lange, Vice President Why did you join Model UN? Sarah Lange, Vice President: I wanted to learn more about the way my government works and how countries can come to peaceful resolutions. What do you do in Model UN? Sarah: We each have a country and we pick a topic for the week. We research the topic and write a resolution on it. A resolution is how we can come to a united, peaceful compromise that takes into account the values and priorities of all countries. What’s the best part of Model UN? Sarah: It’s a good way to learn more about the world. It’s informative and competitive, because you get to debate with other people and push for your resolution to pass. Why should students join it? Sarah: If they’re interested in being in an friendly environment, focused on learning more and getting involved in government. Celebrating Diversity By Rebecca Waddle and Siera Millard Currently, in today’s modern world, there are about 7.4 billion people. Though there are commonalities that unite people together, not a single one of those 7.4 billion people is the same. We are part of a world divided by religion, politics, and so many other conflict-causing issues. To some, these matters can be seen as separating factors that turn people against each other. However, instead of disparaging these differences, we should learn to embrace them. In 2004, America established April as Diversity Month, a time to advocate awareness about the importance of celebrating illnesses, races, or ethnicities - anything that makes us different. A great way to celebrate this is to support all the differences and similarities that surround us in the world. One effective way to appreciate the cultures that make up this world is to research about them. Talking with, and learning from, people of other backgrounds can increase awareness and bring others closer together. In the United States, this is especially applicable because there are so many unique cultures that make up the “mixing pot”. Taking a special interest in what makes individuals one of a kind can not only strengthen your own knowledge and understanding of how culture differs from person to person, but is can also make others feel welcome and more appreciative of their own heritage. It is important to show everyone that their personal culture makes everyone noteworthy, not isolated. Another way to celebrate this month of differences is to have a multicultural day at your school. This can be observed through a school-wide assembly, or through a cultural celebration in each individual class. Sharing food, music, traditions, or other practices can highlight the important similarities and differences between all 7.4 billion people in this world. Works Cited: https://www.diversitybestpractices.com/2017-diversity-holidays#april https://dignityandrespect.org/april-is-diversity-month/ Red Dahlia
Part 5 By Kat Franklin and Lynn Flaugh-Reynolds Sometimes, the rebellion had really bad timing and a nasty habit of leaving a big mess in the aftermath of their schemes, which left common folk like him to clean-up. Rutlet aggressively swept away the mud and dirt that marred the cobblestone walkways into a small bin for disposal. He glanced discreetly at the camera hanging from the lampost nearest to him. As he expected, but dreaded nonetheless, it was covered in streamers that had unwoven from the posts. He glanced warily toward the grass, where bits of rubble had tangled themselves in the turf. It was a pain to clean the grass, but the recycling police were very strict about the condition of the rare greenery. ... Origins of Easter
By Rebecca Waddle The origins of Easter is associated with Sunday, and like many holidays it has many different religions that follow similar origins. If you are Christian, Easter observes Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. However, the Germanic-pagan Easter origin is called Ēostre, which is named after the goddess of spring to celebrate the Spring Equinox. Ēostre is the beginning of the hare or bunny imagery, which symbolizes fertility, abundance, and spring. Although, there are some sources that claim that the origins of the Easter bunny can be found in German settlers in Pennsylvania, where they used an egg-laying hare as a symbol of the holiday. In the German tradition, children made nests so the egg-laying hare would lay decorated eggs that were sometimes filled with treasures and treats. Additionally, Easter is culturally observed by both Christians and non-Christians. These observations include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny, Easter gifts/ baskets and Easter parades. There are also a variety of foods associated with the celebration of Easter: Deviled Eggs, Pastiera Napoletana, Paska, Cheesecake, Lamb, Carrot Cake, and commercial candies (i.e. Peeps). Works Cited: http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ancient-pagan-origins-easter-001571 Sports: Baseball Preseason: Mar. 10 Dickson County 11:00 Regular Season: Mar. 12 Springfield* 4:30 Mar. 13 Springfield* 4:15/6:30 Mar. 15 Station Camp 4:00/7:00 Mar. 16 Brentwood 4:00/7:00 Mar. 19 Henry Co.* 4:15/6:30 Mar. 20 Henry Co.* (Teacher Appreciation) 4:15/6:30 Mar. 21 Beech (JV ONLY) 5:00/7:00 Mar. 23 Columbia 6:00 Mar. 24 Independence 11:00 Mar. 24 Spring Hill (JV ONLY) 1:45 Mar. 24 Spring Hill 2:00 Mar. 28 Grissom (AL) (@Hoover HS Field 2) 1:30 Mar. 28 Muscle Shoals (AL) (@Hoover HS Field 2) 3:45 Mar. 29 Springville (AL) (@Spain Park HS) 9:00am Mar. 29 Hoover (AL) (@Hoover HS Field 1) 6:00 Mar. 31 Mt. Juliet 3:00 Softball: Mar. 12 Springfield (JV) Away 4:30 Mar. 13 Northeast (JV) Home 5:30 Mar. 15 Clarksville Academy (JV) Away 4:30 Mar. 16 - 17 Commando Classic Hendersonville, TN TBA Mar. 19 West Creek (JV) Away 5:30 Mar. 20 Kenwood (JV) Home 5:30 Mar. 21 Montgomery Central (JV) Away 5:30 Mar. 22 Northwest (JV) Home 5:30 Mar. 23 - 24 Zaxby’s Tournament (JV) Clarksville, TN TBA Mar. 27 Henry County (JV) Home 4:00 Boy's Soccer: Mar. 6 Station Camp Home 5:30 & 7:00 Mar. 8 Hunters Lane Away 4:30 & 6:00 Mar. 12 Cookeville Home 5:00 & 7:00 Mar. 15-18 Gatlinburg Tournament Away TBA Mar. 20 Northwest Away 5:00 & 7:00 Mar. 22 Gallatin Home 5:00 & 7:00 Mar. 23 Mont. Central Home (JV only) 11:00 Mar. 24 Bartlett Home 1:00 Mar. 27 Hendersonville Away 7:00 Track: Mar. 10 Kenwood Jamboree @ Kenwood 9:00 Mar. 14 JV Meet @ Rossview 4:00 Mar. 17 Kenwood Classic @ Kenwood 9:00 Mar. 24 Saturday Early Bird Championship@ Riverdale Murfreesboro,TN 9:00 Boys' & Girls' Tennis: Mar. 12 Creek Wood Away Creek Wood HS 4:00 Mar. 15 Kenwood Home RHS 3:30 Mar. 19 Springfield Home RHS 3:30 Mar. 22 Bowling Green HS Away Bowling Green, KY 4:00 School Events:ACT March 20th through 1st - 5th (7:35 - 11:35) *Please see your teacher for information on testing locations and room changes. *Sack lunches will be served through your 5th period. Students will be called in by groups. Stay in your 5th period until you are called. U.S. History Field Test- March 22 Boys & Girls State Selection- March 22 Spring Pep Assembly- March 23 Important Dates:Spring Break March 27th - March 30th
 Come see Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and adapted for stage by Mark Frattaroli at Rossview High School
Play times are: March 1st @ 7:00 p.m. March 2nd @ 7:00 p.m. March 3rd @ 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 at the door. International Women’s Day By Siera Millard Photo by CESI  Throughout history, it is our differences that have defined us, and because of this the human race is plagued with inequality. Women have been considered domestic subordinates to men since the beginning of civilization and we continue to struggle from one generation to the next. In some countries it is worse than in others and in these places it is often harder to take steps toward equality, inequality being so ingrained as it is.
In order to succeed, all parts of the human existence must be given an equal chance to thrive. Malala Yousafzai said, “We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” Our differences are not what define us, but what we do in the face of those differences. International Women’s Day was first observed on February 28th, 1909 in the United states to honor women’s protests against working conditions. In 1975, the United Nations changed March 8th as the day. In fact, the charter of the United Nations “was the first international agreement to affirm the principle of equality between women and men. Since then, the UN has helped create a historic legacy of internationally-agreed strategies, standards, programmes and goals to advance the status of women worldwide.” (women). Every year there is a different “theme,” this year being Press for Progress, meaning that all people need to work together to make progress in the fight for equality. This is especially important amid movements focused on the gender wage gap, #MeToo, and #TimesUp. Women’s rights are not just about women. Feminism is not just for females. Louise Brealey, actress and writer, said, “I’d like every man who doesn’t call himself a feminist to explain to the women in his life why he doesn’t believe in equality for women.” Feminism is not a belief that women are better than men. It does not mean that you hate men or that you don’t believe in makeup and shaving your legs. It means that you believe in equality for all. It is the belief in the choice to wear makeup, the choice to show off your body or to cover it up - and to not be judged either way. This International Women’s day, think about those who are not as fortunate as you are to have the freedoms and opportunities that we often take for granted. This International Women’s day, remember that women’s rights are human rights. Sources “CESI.” CESI Womens Rights and Gender Equality Commission Comments, www.cesi.org/what-we-do/trade-councils-and-commissions/womens-rights-and-gender-equality-commission/. “#PressforProgress.” International Women's Day, www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme. “Women, women's day, gender, 8 March, equality.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml. Lent: Catholic Culture Versus Pop Culture
By: Rebecca Waddle Lent lasts for 40 days and is used to portray what was once Catholic beginnings into what pop culture has made it out to be. Also, Lent comes from an Anglo-Saxon term: Lencten-meaning Spring. In Catholic Culture lent starts on Ash Wednesday and goes until Easter (more on the days of lent later). Lent is done to let true, dedicated Christians imitate Jesus Christ’s last 40 days of fasting when he was stranded in the wilderness. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is a festival time before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is celebrated by both Catholics and non-Catholics. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the fasting and prayer, and it serves as a penance. During Ash Wednesday, the priest draws a cross on the person's forehead in ash and says: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Next, toward the end of Lent, Holy Thursday is when people celebrate the passover and share Jesus’ symbolic body and blood. Good Friday follows Holy Thursday. Good Friday is the end of Lent. Good Friday represents the death of Jesus, but he rises again on Easter Sunday. In Pop Culture Lent is more of a cleansing activity, where people can challenge themselves to give up something they are addicted to. Some people may give up smoking, drinking, chewing gum, drinking soda, etc. Also, the pop culture side of Lent still participates in Fat Tuesday, which is Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday is used on both sides as a reason to pig out one last time and rid your pantry and fridge of what you are giving up (basically unhealthy foods). Works Cited: https://rcg.org/articles/ttmol.html http://www.catholic.org/lent/ https://ylhsthewrangler.com/10663/features/lent-religious-commitment-or-pop-culture-fad/ The 2018 Winter Olympics and the Paralympics
By Sarah Lange The Olympic Games that we are currently familiar with started in Athens, Greece in 1896, based on those held in Olympia, Greece from 776 BC to 393 AD. Not surprisingly, the 1503 year gap spurred some important changes: international athletes were allowed to compete, the religious festival honoring Zeus was eliminated, and individual winners were crowned in each event- rather than only one overall victor. Further, as of 1900, women were allowed to compete, which was an unprecedented opportunity for equality on a global scale. The tradition of the Olympics has continued ever since, occuring every four years, with the exception of 1916, 1940, and 1944, when the Games were cancelled due to World War I and World War II. Originally held only during the summer, an idea was pitched to compete in events that involved colder temperatures. As a result, the Winter Olympic games were established in 1924, hosted in Chamonix, France. Since 1924, a total of 23 Winter Games have been held, with the exception of the 1940 and 1944 Games, called off because of World War II. South Korea lost their bid to host the Winter Olympics in both 2010 and 2014, but they were finally given the opportunity to organize the 2018 games; thus, the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics were scheduled. The torch relay began on October 24, 2017, starting in Olympia, Greece and lasting until February 9, 2018 at The Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium. This year’s Games featured 102 events in 15 sports, with over 90 countries competing. Action started right away in events such as snowboarding, curling, figure skating, and ice hockey. Viewers from every corner of the globe were able to watch and support their country through a variety of competitions and tournaments. Final standings for the Winter Olympics are as follows: Norway leads the pack with a whopping 14 gold medals, with 39 medals total; Germany, right on their tail, with 14 gold medals and 31 medals overall; and in third place is Canada with 11 gold medals and 29 medals overall. The closing ceremonies were held at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium on February 25, 2018, featuring popular modern artists and performing groups. At the ceremony, the countries shared a final celebration to honor the true intent of the Olympics: to promote world peace and unity through international community of athletes and competition. Ending with 9 gold medals and 23 medals overall, America finished in fourth place. Despite setbacks, such as athletes oversleeping or misplacing their coats on the day of competition, they still had tremendous success, with victories in men and women’s snowboarding, women’s alpine skiing, women’s cross-country skiing, men’s freestyle skiing, and women’s ice hockey. The American competitors included two of the youngest competitors that the Winter Olympics have ever seen: seventeen-year-old Chloe Kim, the youngest female to ever win gold, and seventeen-year-old Red Gerard, the youngest American man to win gold in over 90 years. The Winter Paralympic Games, a multi-event competition for athletes with handicaps and impairments, which will be hosted in Pyeongchang, South Korea and will take place from March 8th, 2018 to March 18th, 2018. This ten day event features sports such as snowboarding, alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, ice sledge hockey, and wheelchair curling. The Paralympic Games not only give disabled athletes the chance to prove how success and athleticism can be achieved at any physical state, but also provide a unique set of athlete role models that anyone can look up to for examples of those who demonstrate relentless determination and resolve. Just as the with Winter Olympics, the Paralympics are designed to bring together different countries throughout the world in a competition that empowers athletes from all cultures and promotes global cooperation between countries. Spring is Coming By Siera Millard  It’s said that April showers bring May flowers...but what does March bring? Usually it is filled with a copious storage of tissues for a nose that runs more than Usain Bolt, people who back away with looks of disgust from your sneezes as you try to tell them it is just allergies, and really just general misery. Anyone with allergies knows exactly what I am talking about. While the pollen count is on the rise, your bank account slowly depletes as you buy more and more allergy medicine.
Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever, are the bane of around three-million people’s existence. Characterized by congestion, redness, runny nose, sneezing and other intolerable symptoms, allergies make March the beginning of a few insufferable months. With spring just around the corner, there are a few things you can do to make this time just a tad easier.
So goodluck to all those with allergies this March, and may winter come early this year to rid you of your allergens! Fun fact: “In 2011 Knoxville, Tennessee was named the ‘Allergy Capital’ of the USA by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, based on pollen amounts, allergy prevalence, medicines consumed and number of allergists per patient.” (Triangle, 2016). Sources Triangle, The. “Hanover's Student-Run Newspaper The Triangle.” The Triangle, 27 Sept. 2016, blogs.hanover.edu/triangle/2016/09/27/did-you-know-fun-facts-about-allergies/. “The Eclipse” by Jenna Barney
The eclipse is dark, Yet bathed in light— The earth is highlighted by a silver ring. The sun will attempt to shed its light, But the moon disagrees-- It stands in the way. A spectacular sight, but do not gaze towards it The ring is inviting-- Your eyes will die. Suddenly the world is shrouded in black, They warned you intensely-- You did not listen. You are filled with regret, And now you are blind-- They cry for you. Do not cry for me, You were right; I am a fool-- And I paid the price. The eclipse is dark, Yet bathed in light-- The earth is highlighted by a silver ring.  Black History Month
By: Lynn Reynolds Image from: Biography.com Celebrated in the months of February and October, Black History Month is all about acknowledging and honoring the achievements of Americans who have an African ancestry. This celebration was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson and the ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History), and it became recognized as a month long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincolns’ on the 12th and Frederick Douglass’ on the 14th. At the time, when Black History Month began, African-Americans were largely left out of history. Schools did not incorporate any colored individuals when educating on important events or discoveries in American History. The purpose of Black History Month is to bring attention to influential African-American figures that have slipped through the cracks of history. It was dedicated to teaching future generations that Caucasian people weren’t the only ones to make a difference. This annual celebration was intended to bring these influential Americans back into the light and honor their achievements, sacrifices, and wisdom. Woodson wanted to show Americans of all races that there are other important figures in history that were not just white. This promoted racial representation and highlighted the many achievements of people of color. Nowadays, Black History Month serves to remind us of our ancestors and current African-American leaders. Our school textbooks now include a more racially diverse list of influential figures. Barack Obama, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Wilma Rudolph, Rosa Parks, and more; these are the names that should be most familiar to you from history class. Furthermore, You now hear about slavery, the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and other major events in a new light. However, there are some important historical figures that are still missing from our history classes. Where are the engineers like Walt Braithwaite, Robert R. Taylor, and Mary Jackson? What about military leaders like Maj. Martin Robison Delany, Harriet M. Waddy, and Col. Adele E. Hodges? There is more to Black History than the events we tend to hear the most about in class. It’s more than the stories of just a few select people. Black History Month is not just about honoring historical figures; it also honors our family members as well. Listen to their stories because the most important people in your history are right there. Ignore them and their achievements will slip through the cracks to be forgotten. Celebrate your history, learn from it, and be proud. This year’s theme: African Americans in Times of War marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI and honors the roles of African-Americans in warfare. Try asking around or researching your ancestors this month for any war heroes in your line; it might just surprise you. Club Spotlight: History Club
Kat Franklin Do you like history? Do you want to learn more about the weirdest and coolest things throughout the time periods? Have you won a game of risk? Then History Club is for you! History Club is a student-driven club that meets every Wednesday in Mr. Malone’s class, directly after school. The club attends a yearly History Day in Nashville, and it hosts fundraising events like the Retro Gaming Tournament. There are no requirements or fees to join the club. History Club was founded by students and will always work towards the interest of students. All topics of discussion are picked by the members. Of course, if you want to play an occasional game of Risk, no one’s objecting. . . Sponsor: Mr. Malone President: Josh Gramlick Vice President: Kenny Baseck Secretary/Treasurer: Sam Beals Mr. Tony Malone, Club Sponsor What’s the history club about? Mr. Malone: The students coming in and beginning to talk and study their favorite things in history. Students present a topic they’re passionate about so that everybody gets to share their interests. Sometimes we get off topic and play a game of risk. Occasionally, we play a sort of Jeopardy of history. History club is welcome to everybody. Even if they don’t come every time they can always stop by and listen. What were your plans for the club when you started it? Mr. Malone: It started with the students, they wanted it. It’s student-driven, and not like a history class. How does it make students better historians? Mr. Malone: They get to share what they’re passionate about. History classes only touch the surface and don’t cover everything. It lets them broaden their minds on things that they don’t learn in class. When was the history club founded? Mr. Malone: 2012 What periods do you cover? Mr. Malone: Whatever the students want to cover- ancient times to recent history; conflicts, social history, natural disasters. We’ve even covered a countess who liked to bathe in blood, believing it would make her more youthful. How many members do you have this year? Mr. Malone: A dozen constant members. We start out with a lot at the beginning, but senioritis and other commitments get in the way. Kenny Baseck, Club Vice President Josh Gramlick, Club President Sam Beals, Club Secretary/ Treasurer What's history club to you? Kenny: A place where anyone who has any sort of appreciation for history can meet up. It doesn't matter if you're an expert or barely know when our country was founded, you can be part of this group. Josh: History club is an embodiment of past and recent history. Sam:A bunch of cool people talking about something they like What's your favorite part of history club? Kenny: The closeness of the members. The club isn't very big, so we all know each other and everyone has a voice. Josh: Hanging out with all my friends. Sam: Having fun fun talking about different aspects of history What's your favorite time in history? Kenny: 20th century America. I’m also pretty good in Roman history. Josh: 1970s-1980s music history. Sam: American Revolutionary War Why should students join history club? Kenny: This club is one of the few really academic-based clubs. Anyone can join and learn from the other members. Everyone can come together and share a pool of information with each other. Josh: If you gain enjoyment from history, then you should join. It’s a place people can be themselves. We have a lot of really loud, really intense historical debates. Sam: If they like history and they like not taking themselves too seriously The Retro Gaming Tournament was a huge success, and plans are already being made for another one next year! The systems included in the tournament are listed below. Systems: Super Nintendo Nintendo Playstation 2 Wii Gamecube Hamilton: The Reinvention of The American Story
By Kat Franklin We’ve all heard of Hamilton, right? Even if you haven’t listened to it, you’ve heard someone singing the songs or complaining about the price of tickets. When Hamilton hit Broadway in 2015 it exploded into the thespian world, bringing history to life with a hip-hop soundtrack and diverse casting. The Great American Story was pretty much dead with the younger generation, nothing more than a unit in their U.S. History class and a test they had to pass. Yet, for the first year after Hamilton’s debut, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing a phrase or two from the soundtrack, many of them featuring lines from the Declaration Of Independence or accounts of historical events. Hamilton tells the story of young revolutionary Alexander Hamilton. The musical covers his life in its entirety, but it focuses mainly on his adult years in America. The musical consists of two acts: act one taking place before the revolutionary war and act two taking place after the war. The first displays a brief account of his childhood and his coming to America, followed by his part in the events leading up to the war and the war itself. This includes meeting his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, and learning he was going to be a father. The second act describes the making of our nation and his role in the politics of it, including his affair and the death of Hamilton and of his son. The story of Alexander Hamilton is a fascinating one, although it was relatively unknown to most Americans before the musical. When Hamilton first came out it was met with shock from many lifelong theater goers. Hamilton was the first hip-hop driven soundtrack to grace the stages of Broadway and that upset some people. They were used to more traditional numbers, songs with a Phantom Of The Opera-esque feel, not the fast-paced rap music that’s quickly leading the music industry. Nevertheless, Broadway knew that if it couldn’t keep up with culture, it would be left behind. Some others were offended by the casting of the musical. Hamilton features hispanic and african-american actors as well as caucasian ones. The actors who play George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Angelica Schuyler, Thomas Jefferson, John Laurens, and Aaron Burr are all african-american or hispanic. While not historically accurate, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator, said he wanted the casting of the musical to reflect the America of today: a nation of many ethnicities and ways of life. No matter how many complaints he gets, Miranda resolved to keep the cast of Hamilton diverse. The story of our nation is an important one. Often ignored or altogether discredited, we treat our history as useless or irrelevant. We forget the monarchies and dictatorships that necessitated our country’s birth. We disregard the tumultuous fight that led to our current rights and freedom. We fail to consider how far we’ve come and our reigning title as the world’s first modern democracy. Every great nation has an end and a beginning, and our beginning will always be important. Hamilton reminds us that history isn’t dead. Our nation struggles with a major issue of Alexander Hamilton’s time: immigration. An immigrant himself, Hamilton fought his way into the history books. Politically, he was an influential man and an incredible writer and speaker. He would have been an obvious candidate for president if not for the natural-born citizen clause, a clause stating that anyone running for president must meet the requirements for citizenship at birth. He or she must have been born on U.S. soil or have had a parent with U.S. citizenship. Since Hamilton had neither, he was never eligible to be more than the Secretary of the Treasury. In the musical, when he first arrives in America, he likens himself to the country as being “young, scrappy, and hungry.” Then, the nation was full of immigrants who had moved there for a better life. Now, people move here not just for a better life, but to escape the wars, terrorism, and corruption that plague them in their countries of origin. Many of our natural-born citizens would rather have them stay in their own countries, not realizing that immigrants are what make our country so great. They bring new ideas, fresh perspectives, and innovations that have our shaped history. Some American immigrants you might recognize from the label on your jeans (Levi Strauss) or a famous name in music (Bob Marley). If you’ve ever spent hours on Youtube, you have two more immigrants to thank: Steve Chen and Jawed Karim, the co-founders of Youtube. Of course, we never could have ended World War II as quickly without the help of German immigrant, Albert Einstein. RHS History teacher, Mr. Martinez, stated, “It takes a musical like Hamilton to remind us of our nation’s character.” Hamilton tells you just that- immigrants are not to be underestimated. George Washington once described our nation as: “Citizens by birth or choice of a common country.” So, while it’s understandable to frown on illegal immigration, it’s uneducated to believe that we can’t be benefited by the flow of new voices and faces. Our country often provides a better life for people, one where they can flourish. Thomas Jefferson said our immigrants were “born in other countries, yet believing [they] could be happy in this.” Hamilton reinvents history, making it once again relevant for the youth. It shows the resilience and strength of American immigrants, and it brings Broadway into the future with hip-hop and diversity. If you asked a kid their favorite subject pre-2015, history would be a rare answer. Now, more teens are excited to learn about their nation’s founders. Hamilton made a bunch of old dead white guys into singing, rapping icons that a kid from any background can relate with. Finally, we’ve had someone step up to make history cool again. The Greatest Showman Really Is The Greatest Show
By Kat Franklin *This review contains spoilers. Read at your own discretion! Red Dahlia- Part 4
By Kat Franklin and Lynn Flaugh-Reynolds The noises of the parade died down outside the Arboretum, the dull roar fading into relative quiet. It had been three hours since Lakota had taken his test, and Paloá thought she might go crazy if they had to wait any longer for the results. All she wanted was for Miss Fuar to read off Lakota’s name so she could watch him in the parade and make sure he got a good family.  A Groundhog’s Foreshadowing
By Siera Millard Picture by Groundhog 2018 Think it’s been cold lately? Well say hello to six more weeks of winter! This Groundhog’s Day, Punxsutawney Phil awoke from hibernation and saw his prophetic shadow. This winter has already been one of frigid temps, and the people of the southeast are not happy with Punxsutawney’s prediction; however, there is no shadow of a doubt with this groundhog. On the second day of February of each year a spotlight is put on groundhogs across the nation. The tradition began in Europe as Candlemas and was brought to the Americas in the 1700s. Since then it has evolved and spread to other areas of the world. Although Punxsutawney Phil is the most famous, and sometimes infamous, there are multiple messengers. There is the Staten Island Chuck, who is considered one of Punxsutawney’s rivals. Unfortunately for Phil, Chuck has a 70% accuracy rate compared with Punxsutawney’s 40%. Sources “Groundhog Day.” Spacer, 2018, www.wincalendar.com/Groundhog-day. History.com Staff. “Groundhog Day: History and Facts.” History.com, A&E Televisión Networks, 2 Feb. 2012, www.history.com/news/groundhog-day-history-and-facts. The Sadie Hawkins Winter Formal Dance was held on Friday, February 2nd and was the first winter dance that Rossview has hosted since 2010. The dance was held after the basketball game, played at home against Clarksville High School. Walking into the cafeteria, dance-goers could enjoy the gothic lighting, shimmery tapestries, and colored balloons that set the mood for the rest of the night. Students had the opportunity to dance, chat with friends, and take pictures. The dance posed as a fundraiser for a new electronic sign that will be installed in front of Rossview to deliver information to the school. Attending the dance was not only a great chance to have a great time dancing the night away, but also helped raise money for our school.
The Sadies Hawkins Dance is similar to any other semi-formal that Rossview has hosted, but with an interesting twist: the girls ask the guys to be their dates, instead of vice versa. The Sadies Hawkins Dance is based on a comic strip, Li’l Abner, dating all the way back to 1937. In the comic strip, unmarried women pursue the men they want to marry. Today, this same concept has been translated into dancing. The dance was a huge success, and it will hopefully become an annual school tradition. How to Plan a Date with Yourself: A Guide for Singles
Origins of Valentine’s Day
By: Rebecca Waddle The origins of Valentine’s Day vary, but the tales consistently report that is was started by a man named Valentine (or a variation of that name). There is a lot of mystery surrounding the origins of the day of love, which is now celebrated around the world. Multiple legends state that “Valentine” belonged to different religious groups, which further shows how much a story can differ from source to source. However, most of what we know about our modern Valentine holiday is based on Roman Catholic beliefs and European Pagan legends. Roman Catholic accounts indicate that the tradition of Valentine’s Day began sometime around 300 A.D. The story mainly focuses on the Feast of Lupercalia, a Roman holiday where men were said to sacrifice animals and playfully smack women during a race to encourage fertility, ending the celebration with a great feast, shared among neighbors. This Roman holiday was used to promote strong family ties and to participate in a “spring cleansing”. However, in later years, Pope Gelasius I noted how frivolous the ritual was. He decided to change the holiday to a more saintly celebration, creating “Valentine’s Day” to be celebrated on February 14th. While some believe Valentine’s Day to have Catholic origins, there is still controversy over the true foundation. In another Christian story, St. Valentine was a Catholic priest who, in 270 A.D., angered the Roman Emperor, Claudius II, because he disobeyed the law. At the time, the emperor prohibited marriage for young men because he wanted them to focus on their military obligations, not finding love. According to the story, St. Valentine, a romantic at heart, continued performing marriage ceremonies in secret. Sadly, St. Valentine was apprehended by Roman soldiers and executed. Other accounts tell the tale of how St. Valentine fell in love with the daughter of the man who had jailed him. Before his execution, Valentine sent her a letter, which was signed with the now-famous line: “from your Valentine.” Further, still more stories tell about how St. Valentine, focused more on Christian love rather than passionate love, was eventually martyred because he refused to renounce his religion. Some might ask: how did this story grow to other countries and the United States? Well, literary geniuses, such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Shakespeare, romanticized the holiday in their stories and plays. Following these references, handmade notes and letters were traded in Europe, which created the tradition that the holiday itself was a time for couples celebrate their relationship. The cards that were shared were typically made of lace, ribbons, and feature cupids and hearts. Once common in England, the tradition began to spread to the United States, including the American colonies. From there, the rest is history! Currently, Valentine's Day is the 2nd most celebrated holiday in the world, with Christmas being the first. The holiday has created big-business for many companies because of how much money is spent on loved ones: “According to the Greeting Card Association, 25% of all cards sent each year are valentines.” (Infoplease.com). Some have speculated that Valentine’s Day has only remained such a popular holiday because of the money it brings to companies worldwide. Yet, some sociologists have said the holiday is harmful to mental health and that it can lower self-esteem. However, giving it up altogether would put many businesses out of business and take away a day for couples to spend celebrating each other. It is common to send Valentine cards to friends, family, and romantic partners of every age, regardless of gender or social class. Join in on the fun and have a great Valentine’s day!! Works Cited: http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day https://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day https://www.infoplease.com/valentines-day-history Registration Deadlines:
January 17: Upcoming 11th Grade Registration Talk (Samantha Schwartz) January 18: Upcoming 12th Grade Registration Talk (Kim Underwood) January 19: Upcoming 10th Grade Registration Talk (Lauren Brown) January 25: Applications Due (this includes AP, Honors, Upper Levels and any class requiring a list) January 30: Signing Day January 31: All registration cards, contracts, aide slips and dual apps are to be turned in to the 9th, 10th, & 11th grade English teachers Sports: Basketball Jan. 9 HOME vs Northwest Jan. 12 HOME vs Kenwood *RESCHEDULED TO JAN. 11 DUE TO WEATHER Jan. 16 @ West Creek Jan. 19 HOME vs Northeast Jan. 23 HOME vs Clarksville High Jan. 26 @ Springfield Jan. 30 @ Henry County Wrestling Jan. 9 @ West Creek Jan. 11 Lebanon (TRI) @ Beech Jan. 13 GoodPasture Invitational (V/G) & Centennial (JV) Jan. 15 Halls Tournament (G) & Rossview Invitational (JV) Jan. 16 @ Clarksville High Jan. 18 Wilson Central Dual (JV/J) Jan. 20 Freshman Grands (JV, F/G) Jan. 23 District Duals Jan. 25 Region Duals Jan. 27 Region Tournament (JV/G) Come out and support our Hawks! By Rebecca Waddle
Sunday, January 21, 2018 is the 32nd annual National Hug Day and “an antidote to the reverend’s perception that many Americans were afraid to display affection in public,” according to Holidays Calendar. National Hug Day started in 1986 by Reverend Kevin Zaborney in Caro, Michigan; it falls perfectly between two affectionate holidays, Christmas and Valentine’s day. A common way to participate in this holiday is to give someone a big hug, take a photo, and post it on social media with the tag: #NationalHuggingDay. You can do this as many times as you want. With that in mind, there is an important note in the first paragraph of the blog post, “National Hug Day,” that you should consider: “While some encourage hugging everyone, [us at] National Hugging Day always suggests asking first.” Please remember the importance of consent on National Hug Day. Have fun! Everyone deserves a hug every now and then!! Sending you all many Hugs!! Star Wars: Can Disney Uphold The Legacy?
Expectations, Reactions, Analysis, and Fan Interviews SPOILER ALERT! This article is packed full of spoilers. Read at your own discretion. |
