Northwest Guilford High • Greensboro, NC Volume 51 • Issue 5 • May 2015

What’s Inside

page 14

Index news 2-3

technology 4op/ed 5-7

seniors 8-9, 12-13spread 10-11sports 14-15

arts & culture 16-17features 18-19

entertainment 20

Senior Spread

Senior athletes take their sport to college

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Sci-Tech

University science de-partments evaluated

page 4

pag� 8-9, 11-12

Where is everyone going next year?

graphics editorNikole Nguyen

Flooding in English classrooms causes concern

Photo by Nikole NguyenEnglish teacher Andrea Julian stands in a water puddle in her classroom the morning of Friday, May 1. Water damage due to rainfall has caused her classes to relocate to a trailer for the remainder of the school year.

Sports

English teachers An-drea Julian and Jennifer Humbard were greet-

ed with fl ooded classrooms the morning of Friday, May 1. The day had begun with a strong down-pour, which led to leaking through the ceilings of rooms 111 and 112.

Julian’s classroom had water seeping across the entire fl oor, encountering electrical cords from her computer and other devices. Humbard’s water damage was contained to the side of the room where the windows are. Both rooms had an odor of mildew.

“Right now, mold is a defi -nite concern,” Julian said. Many textbooks near the win-dows were soaked, some to the point of not being capable of removal from under the desks; teachers and students alike who were at the scene report that this was ‘ridiculous.’

“They need to fi nd a way to keep these things from happening, rather than slapping a Band-Aid on the matter,” Humbard said.

According to both Humbard and Julian, this is not the fi rst time that their classrooms have endured water trickling in from outside.

Julian recalls water damage in her classroom from as many as four years ago.

“It just gradually got worse. I thought the problem was minor at fi rst, at least, before today,” Julian said.

Humbard and Julian agree that this is the worst that it has ever

been.“It happens every year, but not

to such an extent as this,” Hum-bard agreed.

Throughout the subsequent weekend of May 2 and 3, the classrooms were left to dry. Of-fi cials from downtown came and replaced several ceiling tiles.

Early Monday morning, custo-dian Leroy Prather continued re-furbishing Humbard’s room (112). He believes her room is safe for students to remain in for the rest

of the year.“There’s nothing wrong with

the pipes, and the ceiling tiles have been replaced, so there’s nothing that should be particularly danger-ous,” Prather said.

However, Julian has many con-cerns pertaining to the fl ooding.

Many fear that mold will be the major consequence of this situa-tion. Although Humbard’s room is reportedly safe, Julian’s room suffered more damage from the fl ooding.

“If this [rain damage] goes on and on [without maintenance], then the metal in the ceilings will rust,” Prather said.

Julian’s classes have been re-located to trailer 230. Next year’s plan is unknown at this time.

“I have been teaching for 15 years; there are a lot of things in that classroom that I don’t want damaged,” Julian said. “And the water that will build up as a result -- what will I be breathing in the longer I stay here?”

CLASS OF 2015

Senior Edition

Whoimpacted

you inhigh

SchoolUniversity science de-partments evaluated

Senior EditionSenior EditionSenior Edition

Seniors Nick Loschin, Lindsey McGuirk, Aadam Haque and Jacey Hensley write one thing their teachers have said to them that has most inspired them. In the course of four years, these seniors have all learned much from their teachers that go beyond what is taught in the classroom.

Photos by Willa Ma

See page 18

Page 2 May 2015

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are approximately 98,817 public

schools in the United States, most with avail-able teaching opportunities. However, aspects unique to Northwest have prompted some former graduates to return as teachers, as well as attracted their children to develop and learn in the same environment. As a result, while some solely share a stu-dent-teacher relationship in the classroom, others share more intricate bonds within the Northwest community. “My dad is close with all of my teach-ers…and growing up with [their] children has given me different relationships that I re-ally like to be able to have,” sophomore Lilac Rain Thompson, daughter of social studies teacher Jim Thompson, said. “Even though the teachers do a good job of separating [themselves during school], I know I am able to come to them with anything—whether it deals with school or just my life in general.” Of the many reasons teachers choose to send their own children to Northwest, a large majority were pulled here mostly be-cause of its accessible location in the opu-

lent part of Greensboro, and the advantage of having one’s child safe on campus. “There’s the protective side of the parent that says you just want to keep an eye out for [your children], and that you know who they are with, and who their teachers are,” math teacher Michelle Halchin, who currently has two daughters attending the school, said. “But also, before they started driving, it was a huge convenience if they had to get here early or stay late, because as a teacher I don’t have the flexibility in my schedule to drop them off or pick them up from a different school.” Even though, for the most part, the par-ents of students decide which school the child will attend, most students would still select Northwest, even if their parents were teaching elsewhere. “We have the best teachers who have some of the highest scores in the county, and we have the least problems with our student body compared to other schools,” junior Connor Doak, son of science teacher Amy Dunn, said. “So, here I know that I will receive an optimal education while be-ing surrounded by amazing peers. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Similarly, teachers who have been Vikings in years past, and now work here, would not wish to teach elsewhere if given the oppor-tunity. “The thing about Northwest is that the teachers don’t usually leave,” social studies

teacher Dana Hilliard, daughter of science teacher Cynthia Mardis, said. “Since we all can stay here and grow together, and it’s helped me in my own career to have such es-tablished relationships with teachers so they can really help me to improve. The amount of support I get from [my] department is what has kept me here and what will keep me here.” Many teachers never know they want to have an educational occupation until they are in college. For some, though, seeing one’s parents teach inspires them to pursue the same career, especially when the two generations are at the same institution. “In high school, I had my mom as a teacher, and I saw how she affected people, and how she affected me,” Hilliard said. “Just growing up with it, I wanted to do something in which I could physically help people out. I couldn’t imagine doing any-thing else.” From birth, many parents and children share a strong relationship which develops and strengthens over time. However, hav-ing a parent teach at the same school that a child attends can evolve the connection even more. “Dana and I have more in common and more to talk about than I do with my other children,” Mardis said. “For example, we are able to talk about things that happen around Northwest…or about education in North Carolina. We are connected in another way.”

Generations of Vikings grow at Northwest

Shalini Sharmastaff writer

Nearly 55 years ago, a coming-of-age novel through the eyes of a young girl, Scout, and her expe-

riences in the prejudiced southern town of Maycomb was released to the public. The story is “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “It’s an American classic that many people may not think would be a good book, but once they read it, I think people enjoy it,” English teacher Jason Allred said. Allred teaches “To Kill a Mockingbird” in his ninth grade classes. It would not have made the impact it has without its author, Harper Lee, who was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama and later attended Huntingdon College and studied law at the University of Ala-bama. “It’s a piece of classic literature that will teach students what it was like back then and to be thankful of what we have now and not take things for granted,” fresh-man Christine Villanueva said. Villanueva read the novel when she was in the seventh grade. Over the years, there have been more than 40 million copies of Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” sold worldwide, and it is also taught in numerous classrooms throughout the world. Harper exposes many themes, and has impacted students and teachers.

Since its publication in 1960, it has never been out of print. “The book takes place in the south dur-ing the Civil Rights Movement, and it’s a coming-of-age novel as well where various characters gain maturity through experi-ence,” Allred said. “It deals with something that our society has dealt with in the United States and something that students, when they read it, can have a connection to be-

cause we all go through changes emotion-ally.” There was, however, disappointment to Lee fans everywhere; “To Kill a Mocking-bird” has always been Lee’s only novel. Not anymore. Publishers announced in February the release of a new novel by Lee titled “Go Set a Watchman” July 14, 2015. It’s a sequel to the beloved “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

So far, it is revealed that Scout will once again be the book’s narrator and will be looking back on events from her youth as an older woman, bringing an alternative perspective on the previously award-win-ning narrative. “It will definitely be an interesting read to see an adult’s reflection perspective, where in the first book you are getting the child’s perspective at least when her experi-ences took place,” Allred said. “That matu-rity theme will be an interesting take with Scout being much older.” It should also be known that Lee had originally written “Go Set a Watchman” before “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but due to advice from her editors, who were more interested in the flashbacks to Scout’s youth, she was persuaded to write “To Kill a Mockingbird” instead. “’To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a classic in itself and it’s really good, so I’m excited to see what [‘Go Set a Watchman’] will be like,” Villanueva said. “Go Set a Watchman” is set during the mid-1950s and features a handful of the characters from “To Kill a Mockingbird” approximately 20 years later. When Scout returns to Maycomb, she is forced to juggle both personal and political issues. “With ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ being a classic, I feel older generations would defi-nitely buy the book and read that, and then hopefully children and high school students who enjoy ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ will also read it,” Allred said. “I think it will be a good seller.”

Get ready, get set: “Go Set a Watchman” will arrive on shelves this summer

Graphic by Sarah Colby

Harley Nefestaff writer

Photo by Harley NefeSophomore Peyton Tipton reads “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee’s first novel. This summer, Lee’s long awaited second novel will be released.

(From left to right) Math teacher Michelle Halchin with two of her daughters, junior Callie Halchin and senior Emma Halchin; social studies teacher Scott Bennett with freshman Aidan Bennett; science teacher Amy Dunn with her son, junior Connor Doak; math teacher Hamilton with former NW graduate Kathryn, sophomore Sarah and senior Hannah; social studies teacher Jim Thompson with daughter, sophomore Lilac Rain Thompson; and science teacher Cindy Mardis with daughter, social studies teacher Dana Hilliard. Many teachers return to Northwest to teach after attending college and many of their children attend Northwest.

May 2015 Page 3

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2016 Presidential Election: Candidate Profiles Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton has announced her plans to run in the 2016 presidential campaign

and is currently the Democratic front-runner. Clinton, the wife of former president Bill Clinton and the former Secretary of State, holds many accomplishments under her belt. When Clinton was elected to the U.S. Sen-ate in 2001, she was the only first lady to hold office. She announced her plans to run for presidency in early 2007 but conceded when it became apparent that Obama had the ma-jority of the votes. Obama, when elected, ap-pointed Clinton as Secretary of State. Some of her ideas include making abor-tion rare by supporting adoption and foster care, creating bankruptcy reform, advocating for medical marijuana and integrating with Latin America while also focusing on income equality. She also believes equal pay is not equal, and supports gay marriage personally and as law.

Lincoln Chafee

Lincoln Chafee, former governor of Rhode Island, is very possibly going

to be running for president in the 2016 elec-tions as a Democrat. He was previously in the Republican Party, making the switch due to a possible re-election loss in 2014 and also due to his respect for President Obama. Chafee’s views include allowing a woman to make her own reproductive decisions, funding special education before tax cuts for the wealthy, establishing greenhouse gas trad-able allowances, ending reckless warfare and increasing the minimum wage. Chafee is also a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ commu-nity.

Jim Webb

Another possible candidate for the 2016 presidential elections is Jim Webb,

former senator of Virginia. He served in the U.S. Marines for four years and later became senator, writing many books and sponsoring many bills. He believes that the evolution on gay marriage has been good for the country, affirmative action should apply for Afri-can Americans only, energy independence is a positive thing, enforcing existing trade laws will create fair trade, and the increas-ing number of lobbyists is a problem. He also believes the potential danger of hav-ing a gun, not mental incompetence of the person with the gun, limits gun rights. He wants to support abortion rights, add addi-tional funding for federal education, focus on health access and give a five percent tax break to recruit soldiers.

Marco Rubio

A Republican Senator from Florida, Marco Rubio, is, like Jeb Bush, ex-

pected to be a powerful contender for the presidency in 2016. Senator Rubio is rated a B+ by the National Rifle Association and is completely opposed to abortion, describing himself as “100 percent pro-life” like Gov-ernor Scott Walker. He is opposed to recreational marijuana usage and has said that he is open to allow-ing medicinal cannabis usage. Pertaining to national security, Senator Rubio has placed Islamic terror as the most serious threat to America’s interests and has supported rov-ing wiretaps on suspected terrorists as part of the USA Patriot Act. Senator Rubio, like Jeb Bush, is also predicted to have an im-mense sway on Hispanic voters, as he is of Cuban ancestry and fluent in Spanish.

Jeb Bush

Former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, has not announced his bid for the

presidency, but many suspect that, not only will he run, but that he will likely be the strongest of the Republican candidates that will throw their names in the ring. Son to 41st U.S. president George H.W. Bush and brother to 43rd U.S. president George W. Bush, Jeb Bush has years of first-hand experience in and around the White House. Bush has also been known to be a tradi-tional conservative. He has not released any of his views on many hot-button political is-sues in the eight years since he was governor of Florida, but Bush will likely not support issues such as gay marriage and abortion. In addition, he will also attempt to appeal toward Hispanic-Americans, as he is fluent in Spanish and married to a Mexican woman, Columba Bush. These attributes give him a significant chance to sway the Hispanic vote towards the Republicans.

“Assuming that nothing particularly controversial is found regarding his policies and past, I would glad-ly cast a vote for Jeb Bush,” junior Holden Ruch said. “Bush’s moderate conservative approach would ad-dress many of today’s greatest political issues free of the ideological buzzers worn by status quo poli-ticians like Obama and Ted Cruz.”

Man on the street

-junior Holden Ruch

“I believe that candidates from both parties can benefit the country in their own way. I think the Demo-cratic side will respect diversity and other cultures, and the Republicans will take the country’s historical val-ues to heart.”

“I think we’re long overdue for a fe-male president, and I’m thankful that we have a candidate like Hillary in the running. I am beyond excited that the first election I get to vote in could pos-sibly be for our first female president.”

-sophomore Haleigh Cadd -senior Mackinley Scaggs

Photos by William Royal, Shalini Sharma and contributed by Mackinley Scaggs

Profiles by William Royal and Alexis Marvin

Rand Paul

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky an-nounced his candidacy April 7, 2015,

and is thought of as a more moderate con-servative, with a significant possibility of gaining the vote of millenials. Senator Paul’s views are conservative but are mild enough to appeal to a younger Re-publican voter who hasn’t had a lot of ex-perience. He also defeats the dogma against Republicans as being politically and socially stubborn, which might lead to a victory in 2016. His political positions match those of any other conservative: Pro-life, supportive of second amendment rights, and against marijuana usage in any and all forms. He is set apart from the rest of his party in that he is very much an isolationist in for-eign policy, and a long-time supporter of the Tea Party. There is good chance that, if he gains the nomination, Senator Paul will be opposed to taxes and in favor of fiscal re-sponsibility.

The elephant and donkey represent the Republicians and Democrats facing off in prepa-ration for the 2016 presidential election. Many canidates have already announced their bid for their respective parties.

Graphic from Wikicommons

Page 4 May 2015

NC State

Wake Forest

Alexis Rutledgestaff writer

Duke University has been well known for its stimulating courses and its beautiful facil-

ities for many years. As a lar-ge school with a wide variety of majors and minors to choose from, well-known sports teams and many clubs, Duke has acquired a campus life that attracts students from all over the world.

“I wanted to go to Duke, because it had an incredible amount of extracurricular opportunities,” Duke-bound senior Bianca D’Souza said. “They also have stellar academic programs as we-ll as an amazing athletic program.”

Along with extracurricu-lar activities and academic programs, Duke has become distinguished for its extensive science program.

Nicholas School of the Environment, Pratt School of Engineering, School of Medicine and School of Nursing are just some of the undergraduate and graduate academic programs at Duke. Within these programs, Duke has majors ranging from Neuroscience to Biophysics to Evolutionary Anthropology. Biomedical Engineering at Duke is one of the top in the nation and “integrates engineering and biology to detect and treat human diseases,” according to the Duke website.

“Going to Duke has been my dream since I was little, because my uncle, who passed away, was a huge fan,” sophomore

Andrew Craven said. “Now I want to go, so I can become a vet.”

When ranked alongside other schools in the United States, Duke tied for 11th place in Biological Science, 41st in Chemistry, 25th in Computer Science, 42nd in Earth Science and 29th in Physics.

A recent research project at Duke involved the study of monkeys to better

understand the social and physiological aspects of decision making. The director of the Duke Institute for Brain Science, Michael Platt, has been studying these monkeys both at a Duke lab and on the island Cayo Santiago.

“We have many research projects, study-ing how we learn from others, what moti-vates and sustains giving behavior, how the brain models the intentions of others and uses that information to make strategic plans, how we think about numbers and make computations and what genetic and

experiential factors shape differences in these behaviors,” Platt said.

Duke University is a very diverse school which offers many programs, research opportunities and extracurricular activities to the students to make progressive changes in the world.

“All the sciences and liberal arts and professional schools are located right next to each other,” Platt said. “This creates a vibrant, disruptive atmosphere where cutting-edge science influences and is influenced by medical necessity and public policy.”

Willa Maeditor-in-chief

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is often overlooked as a school

of science especially when compared to NC State and Duke. However, according to the university’s website, the College of Arts and Science is the largest unit on campus and a home to more than 16,000 undergraduate students.

The college’s mis-sion is to create new knowledge and discover innovative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

“The breadth of different science disciplines, including the standard math, chemistry, biology and physics areas as well as neuroscience, in the psychology department, biomedical engineering, applied physical scie-nces, geological sciences, environment and ecolo-gy, marine science and exercise and sport science [is what makes Chapel Hill’s college of science unique],” chemistry professor Michael Crimmins said.

Crimmins teaches Introductory Organic Chemistry I and II.

“I enjoy teaching it because it is a very conceptual course and it is a very new experience for the students who take it,” Crimmins said.

The Department of Chemistry was established in 1818. Chemistry at UNC is divided into several subdisciplines: organic, inorganic, physical and biological, with other hybrid areas of study, such as physical organic, bioinorganic and organometallic.

“Chemistry was always interesting to me, and I have really enjoyed Mrs. Wells’ AP Chemistry class this year,” senior Hailey Thomas said.

Thomas plans to major in chemistry.

UNC-Chapel Hill“Chapel Hill is the best school for my

major out of the ones I applied to, and I heard that their chemistry department is ranked fifth in the nation,” Thomas said.

While NC State is known for its focus on science and engineering, Chapel Hill is different because it is a liberal arts school.

“This allows the student to learn various disciplines that can help them become better critical thinkers and more broadly educated, not just as scientists, but also in the arts, humanities and social sciences,” Crimmins said.

Chapel Hill has one sector of engineering: Biomedical Engin-

eering, and the likelihood of engin-eering to expand at UNC is not high.

“Engineering will likely grow in the context of applied sciences, but because of political issues, there is unlikely to be a significant growth in engineering at UNC,” Crimmins said. “That, combined with limited space for expansion will limit the growth of engineering. Additionally, UNC is a university that is focused on liberal arts education. It is not a technical institute.”

However, Crimmins does see other additions to the College of Science in the future.

“There will likely be more and more interdisciplinary programs (perhaps majors) that combine two or more of the traditional science disciplines,” Crimmins said.

Since the realm of science is endless, Crimmins urges future students to explore different subjects.

“You never know what you might find that will truly be your passion,” Crimmins said. “Use your time in college to explore different things as well as get a deeper understanding of one or two disciplines.”

Sarah Bogginssports editor

As a liberal arts college, Wake Forest presents its students with unique opportunities,

particularly in the science field. From personal relation-ships with professors to hands-on research projects, Wake Forest provides students with many options within its science department, such as chemistry, bio-physics, biology, etc.

“[Wake Foest] was always my dream school,” senior Yong Su An said. “Distance -wise, it was the best fit for me because my parents didn’t want me to go too far away.”

An received a sub-stantial scholarship to Wake Forest, and he will be attending there this coming fall.

Dr. Adam Hall originally worked as a professor at UNCG; however, he decided to move to Wake Forest for a variety of reasons. He now works at Wake Forest Baptist Health.

“I moved to Wake primarily because my scientific research had been moving toward matters related to human health for a long time, and Wake Forest Bap-tist Health offered tremendous opportu-nities to continue growing in that way,” Hall said. “I especially appreciated the wide range of research that was happen-ing and the accomplished faculty that would be able to offer collaborations and mentoring.”

Hall believes that Wake Forest pro-vides students with a number of differ-ent opportunities in the science depart-ment.

More than half of classes at Wake Forest have 20 or fewer students in them,

allowing students to have a more person-al relationship with their professor.

“The student ratio to teachers is really awesome,” An said. “Many of the [pro-fessors] are from Ivy League [schools]. They know what they are talking about, so that really enriches the students.”

Students and faculty come together at Wake Forest to accomplish ideas, some of which have helped numerous people. Paul Pauca, a Computer Science Pro-fessor at Wake Forest, joined with his stu-dents to create an app on Apple devices that helps children who have developmental obstacles.

Research at Wake Forest, just like the re-search done by Pauca and his students, is an opportunity that many

students take part in. “There are a multitude of research

projects going on at Wake, ranging from fundamental science to work that is build-ing toward clinical therapies for diseases like cancer, diabetes and others,” Hall said. “I think this type of experience is extremely valuable regardless of whether a student plans to stay in research or go into some other science-related job.”

Students at Wake Forest have an op-portunity to take their love for science to other parts of the globe. Granada, Nica-ragua and Australia are two of the mul-tiple places students traveled to in order to further their interest in science.

From faraway locations on Earth to downtown Winston-Salem, Wake Forest provides its students with various oppor-tunities to ensure that they are ready for the working world when they graduate.

“[Science is] a living idea that, imple-mented correctly, accomplishes amazing things,” Hall said.

Northwest Horizons explores the science departments of NC’s prestigious universitiesU n i v e r s i t i e s a n d t h e i r s c i e n c e s

Liz Hubbardarts & culture editor

One of the most prestigious schools of science in North Carolina and in the nation is North Carolina

State University’s College of Sciences (COS) in Raleigh.

With departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Marine Biology, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (MEAS), Mathe-matics, Physics and Stati-stics, the college offers a wide range of programs that are highly nationally ranked.

The College of Sciences was launched July 1, 2013 with the help of faculty from the former Physical and Mathematical Sciences College (PAMS).

The Department of Biological Sciences was formed with the help of many people and programs from former departments of biology, genetics, microbiology and toxicology. With 2,300 students and 165 faculty, staff and postdoctoral researchers, it is the largest department at NC State.

The College of Sciences receives ample research grant money; in fact, the amount factors into some students’ choice to attend NC State, such as senior Michael Murphy, who plans on getting a degree in physics and mathematics.

“The physics and math departments get a disproportionate amount of undergraduate research money compared to other colleges,” Murphy said. “So if I want to pursue a project of my own design, I will have the opportunity to.”

The research programs offered by the College of Sciences are ranked among the top research programs in the nation and include a wide range

of research topics.“I think for ambitious students who are

highly motivated they can take advantage of their research opportunities at NC State in chemistry and in lots of other departments,” NC State chemistry professor Jonathan S. Lindsey said. “[They can] really use that as a launching pad for

their career.”The COS faculty is

well-known nationally for its excellence in research and many faculty members are Fellows of professional societies.

“I think the faculty in the college is very ambitious,” Lindsey said. “they’re very entrepr-eneurial; they care a lot about the students.”

The Departmentof Statistics is also something quite unique to the College of Sciences.

The Department of Statistics was founded

in 1941 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious statistics departments in the nation. With about 150 students, the graduate program is the largest statistics graduate program in the country, and with about 140 students the undergraduate program is one of the largest.

“The concentration of faculty here in statistics is really unusual,” Lindsey said. “But the emergence of big data as an important research area, I think, has really made the statistics department extremely valuable and puts NC State in an even stronger position to be able to carry out its mission.”

Overall, the NC State College of Sciences focuses on multi-disciplinary collaboration and prepares students for future careers.

“I chose State because it’s a very good school for a very good price,” Murphy said.

Chemistry professor Michael Crimmons

Duke

Nanotechnology professor Adam Hall

Chemistry professor Jonathan Lindsey

Institute for Brain Science professor Michael Platt

Photo from UNC-Chapel Hill website

Photo from Wake Forest website

Photo from NC State website

Photo from Duke University website

Senior ReflectionsSenior ReflectionsSenior Reflections:May 2015 Page 5

Senior Reflections:May 2015 Page 5

NORTHWEST HORIZONSAdviserMelanie Huynh-DucPrincipalRalph KitleyEditor in ChiefWilla MaNews EditorSarah ColbyOp/Ed EditorJackson ParrishSpread EditorMackenzie MitchellSports EditorSarah BogginsFeatures EditorClare Kilmartin

Arts & Culture EditorLiz HubbardScience & Technology EditorBassam BikdashEntertainment EditorNick LoschinManaging EditorLindsey McGuirkWebmasterNoah McCormickGraphics EditorNikole NguyenTech SupportAustin Drake

Sta� WritersJenny BlackburnAnnie FordMelanie JenkinsAlexis MarvinHarley NefePaige NehlsKatie Lee ParrishSatoria RayFaith RickertsWilliam RoyalAlexis RutledgeShalini SharmaSophie Vazquez

Policies and Intent Serving as the primary printed and online forum for student opinion, Northwest Horizons publishes � ve issues each year by the sta� at Northwest Guilford High School. The paper is supported through community advertisers. Sta� Editorials are unsigned. The stance of each editorial is voted upon in sta� meetings, but it requires the approval of the majority of the editorial board. All members of the school community are encouraged to use Northwest Horizons to express their views. Letters must be signed when submitted.

Visit our website: www.northwesthorizons.com

Find us online: @NWHorizons

Being a member of Northwest Hori-zons has been one of the most incredible experiences of my high school career. Be-ing able to work alongside my fellow staff members to create each issue has been not only fun, but also rewarding. Each issue put out had so much heart and enthusi-asm laced into it, and that was amazing to see. Writing has always been something I loved, but I never had the appreciation I have for it now until I wrote my fi rst article for the October issue.

I have made so many friends through journalism, both on staff, and with people I met through interviews. I am grateful to Mrs. Huynh-Duc and the staff for allow-ing me to be a part of this amazing group.

Annie Fordsta� writer

Northwest Horizons has impacted my life drastically. Not only have I become a better writer and a better journalist after my three years of being on the staff, but I have also shared valuable experiences and made lifelong friends as a result of those same three years. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I joined the staff originally to work on the website. I got to learn more about web design and development as well as about the layout of an online news source, and I’m thankful for all of the opportunities that Northwest Horizons has given me.

I enjoyed attending all of the journalism conferences such as SIPA and Chapel Hill, but my favorite experience I got to have because of Northwest Horizons is attending the national convention in Washington DC. I got to learn a lot of new things and experience the city with my friends. I may have spent three years waking up an hour early to attend our class, but I don’t regret a single moment of it because of the experiences I shared and the people I met.

Austin Draketech support

It’s been great being a part of Northwest Horizons. Even though this was only my second year on staff, it was an experience I will always remember and cherish.

Journalism is great because everyone in the class is motivated to do well and strives to produce the best work they can, and not every class is like that. I hope that in college I will be so lucky to meet more people who are as great as Mrs. Huynh-Duc, who does everything she can to help us be the best we can.

I have grown so much as a writer and as a person in the past two years, and a lot of that is thanks to Mrs. Huynh-Duc and this class as a whole.

Liz Hubbard arts & culture editor

High school has been rather interesting for me with its ups and downs, but I have truthfully enjoyed most, if not all, of the classes I have taken here in some way. I’ve formed connections with lots of my teach-ers and learned not only educational lessons, but also life lessons from them.

Journalism has helped me fi nd my true calling and is what gave me a solid goal of what I want to pursue in life. Drawing graphics has probably been the most fun I have had in high school—who wouldn’t say that would be a fun job?

I look forward to the future and hope to implement things I have learned in journal-ism— such as thinking more creatively and dealing with deadlines—into college and real life. So overall, I can say that my high school experience was a good one. I defi nitely have a positive takeaway from my teachers, friends and classes here at Northwest.

Mackenzie Mitchellspread editor

Freshman year, I would have never thought I would later be the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper or even on the journalism staff, but four years later, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Journalism has changed my life by making me a stronger writer and a more confi dent person. I have become a better leader be-cause of it. The class has been like a family to me. Writing for the newspaper is about writ-ing compelling stories and grabbing readers by saying more with less. Being on staff has connected me to this school. I’ve loved inter-viewing students and teachers and getting to know the people that go to Northwest.

Writing has become one of my passions. I have loved the stress of meeting deadlines and working on layout. And mos t importantly, I have fallen in love with writing. Writing about the things that matter and telling a story to the rest of the world.

Willa Maeditor-in-chief

As senior year is coming to an end, my fi -nal lacrosse games are being played, and the loom of fi nal exams steadily approaches, my time has become divided among the things that matter most to me—family, friends, sports, school and journalism.

When I was a freshman, I never expected to be ending my time at Northwest in one of the same classrooms where it began. My life was ultimately changed in room 102 when my amazing ninth grade English teacher pulled me aside and told me I should apply for the journalism staff.

I have been on the Northwest Horizons staff for three years, been the news editor for two of those years, been to countless camps and yet, it’s still not enough time. Tak-ing journalism, despite the early mornings and the extra hours put into it out of school, has been one of the best opportunities at Northwest that I have taken advantage of and I am so thankful every day that I did.

Sarah Colbynews editor

When I applied for journalism sopho-more year, I had no idea how much the class would infl uence my life. Two years later, as I prepare to leave my high school journalism career behind, I am extremely grateful for all the lessons my fellow staff members and Mrs. Huynh-Duc have taught me.

Before I entered high school, I always thought that there would be one class that I would remember for the rest of my life. For me, that class is journalism. I’ve made friend-ships that I will always cherish, and I am so incredibly grateful for all those who support-ed me throughout this process. Although it hasn’t been easy waking up earlier than most students and working tirelessly to produce the best article I can for the readers, seeing students read and genuinely enjoy the paper makes all the hard work worth it. Joining jour-nalism was one of the best decisions I made in high school.

Lindsey McGuirkmanaging editor

Two years of zero period has involved self-discipline to get out of bed at 6 a.m., walks to the bus stop in the cold and uncountable thermoses of black coffee. But I wouldn’t take back these years for the world.

Journalism has always appealed to me. I can remember when I was in fi fth grade and I sent a letter to a school-sponsored magazine. I thought that if I wrote a really polite letter, then they might let me be a writer for them. I was turned away, but I can vividly remember thinking: “This is what I want to do one day.”

Four schools later, I’m a staff writer for a fantastic school newspaper. Every time the newspaper comes out, and I get to see mine and my friends’ hard work printed out on ac-tual newspaper, I get this rush of nostalgia from my fi fth-grade self and think: “Wow. We’re actually writing stories that people like to read. This is totally worth it.”

Melanie Jenkins sta� writer

Entering my freshman year of high school, I was nervous about my writing ability. However, to my amazement, Mrs. Huynh-Duc asked me to ap-ply for journalism. For me, joining journalism not only transcended my confi dence in my ability to write, but it also allowed me to divulge myself into what was going on at Northwest and the world.

On staff, I formed many friendships and con-nections with others that expanded how I viewed the world and changed my perspective on life.

As much as I am going to miss my time on staff, it has opened many doors for me that, with-out my fellow staff members and Mrs. Huynh-Duc, I would have never imagined. The values and lessons that were instilled upon me are ones I will share with people for the rest of my life.

Nick Loschinentertainment editor

Northwest Horizons seniors reflect on high school and their time spent on the newspaper staff

Northwest Horizons graduating seniors (from left to right): Nick Loschin, Austin Drake, Lindsey McGuirk, Jackson Parrish, Willa Ma, Satoria Ray, Liz Hubbard, Annie Ford, Sarah Colby, Melanie Jenkins and Mackenzie Mitchell.

Photo by Melanie Huynh-Duc

Satoria Raysta� writer

Jackson Parrishop/ed editor

Journalism: the only class I would gladly wake up at 6:30 a.m. to attend.

These last two years on the Northwest Horizons staff have been wonderful. I’ve gotten the chance to meet new people, go to summer camps and attend a convention in Washington D.C., where the amazing Bob Woodward spoke.

Because of this class, I’ve been given opportunities I never would’ve had. I’ve also learned so much about myself, journalism and Oxford commas. I’ve learned things that I will take beyond high school, like time management and communication skills.

I have become a better writer, a better listener and an all-around better person because of this class.

High school had been something that I had anticipated for several years of my life. In elementary school, I would see my dad come home and hear about a different world of older kids reading through thick textbooks on subject matters beyond my comprehension. In middle school, I would walk over to my father’s classroom and see students making up tests or socializing, and the atmosphere stirred curiosity in me.

Looking back, after being able to experience the four years I had awaited, I can safely say that I haven’t been disappointed. I never had a teacher I didn’t like or a class I didn’t grow from. Extracurricular activities such as speech and debate, We the People and journalism have taught me lifelong skills and information I will always be grateful for. Most impor-tantly, however, the connections and friends I have made have fabricated memories I will treasure and never forget.

Page 6 May 2015

Community College:PROS:

• More economically feasible: Tu-ition is a major factor that often limits students on where they can attend. Community colleges drasti-cally cut down the price of an edu-cation allowing for students to save money that will be useful to them in the future.

• Smaller class sizes: Unlike four-year universities, most community colleges have a smaller student-to-teacher ratio. This allows for a more hands-on experience in the classroom and can enable students to be more than just a face in the class.

• Schedules are more fl exible: Flex-ible schedules can allow students more recreational time or more time to squeeze in work between classes. The work load is typically lighter when compared to universi-ties, and night classes are offered, allowing more free time for the stu-dent to work during the day.

CONS:• Lack of campus life and Student

Activities: When one imagines college, normally one thinks of big sporting events that the entire school gets into. However, com-munity colleges lack this experi-ence.

• Associates degrees offer less op-portunities: Unlike Bachelor de-grees obtained from four-year uni-versities, Associates degrees offer less fl exibility. Typically, these de-grees are used for a specifi c job but not a career.

Four year University:PROS:

• Choices: Four-year universities of-fer many more academic and social opportunities for students. These choices come in handy for students when they decide what they want to spend their life doing.

• Experience: For these universities, the experience is what draws more students to its campus. The big stadium lights, the campus life and the student activities are all aspects that lure students to attending their school.

• Independence: Four-year universi-ties typically require students to live on campus their fi rst year and with this comes the chance for students to live their life the way they desire without boundaries.

CONS:• Cost: Undeniably, four-year uni-

versities are much more expensive than community colleges. This makes schools almost unaffordable without scholarships or loans.

• More students per class: Since pub-lic four-year universities are typical-ly bigger than community colleges, there are normally many more stu-dents per class. This means that there are fewer chances to form a personal relationship with the pro-fessor.

• Harsher transition: Moving from high school straight to indepen-dence can be a crutch because students are not accustomed to liv-ing on their own. This can be the downfall for many students and can lead to failing of classes.

Close to Home:PROS:

• In-State Tuition: Attending a col-lege in your own state allows you to avoid having to pay out-of-state tuition, which can sometimes be triple the cost of in-state. A lot of colleges offer many different scholarships for in-state students as well. For example, if you attend one of the sixteen UNC institu-tions or a NC Community College, you are eligible to receive the NC Lottery Scholarship.

• Familiarity: By attending a college close to home, you are already fa-miliar with the area. Family and old friends are nearer, providing com-fort in a time of change.

• Cost Effi cient: Travel costs are a lot cheaper if you stay near home. A drive is cheaper than a fl ight, and you can save on laundry, meals and even boarding by living with or near your parents.

CONS:• Lack of Freedom: By staying close

to home the freedom and indepen-dence you would get by going far away is limited. It’s a lot easier for Mom and Dad to pop up randomly on a campus that is an hour away than it is at a campus that is 10 hours away.

• Lack of New Experiences: Moving far away can be challenging, but the challenge helps to build character. Being far away from home forces you to branch out of your comfort zone and meet new people and ex-perience new things.

Far Away:PROS:

• Independence: By moving far away from home, you are forced to be independent. Mom and Dad aren’t right around the corner so you have to learn to do things for your-self, like cook a meal and socialize with new people.

• New Surroundings: Living in the same place for all or most of your life can get boring. By going some-where new, you get to fall in love with new places.

• A Fresh Start: Many people in high school create perceptions of you that may or may not refl ect who you really are. By going far away, you get to escape these perceptions and start over.

CONS• Cost: It’s expensive going to a col-

lege far away, especially if you leave your own state. Out-of-state tu-ition can be ridiculous, and travel costs are another issue.

• Lack of Support System: Transi-tioning from high school to college isn’t easy. It’s already hard enough leaving your parents’ home, but not having friends and family around the corner when a problem arises may lead to homesickness.

• Emergencies: Going far away can be very inconvenient when it comes to emergencies. If an un-expected problem arises at home, and you’re 1,000 miles away, it can cause additional stress and fi nan-cial burden trying to get back to be with family.

Data compiled by Lindsey McGuirk and Satoria Ray; graphic by Nikole Nguyen

The Pros and Cons of College Choices

May 2015 Page 7

After nearly eight years, another two-term presidency is drawing to a close as historians soon begin to

analyze the important events that unfolded during Obama’s presidency.

Barack Hussein Obama is the fi rst Afri-can-American president, as well as the fi rst one to be born in Hawaii.

His policy decisions have addressed a global fi nancial crisis and have included changes in tax policies, legislation to reform the United States health care industry, for-eign policy initiatives and the phasing out of detention of prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba.

“I like Obama. I agree with the major-ity of this foreign policy moves, and he’s made a lot of good strides in terms of do-mestic policy,” junior Giulia Cavalcanti said. “I think people are really harsh on Obama because of his fi rst term but he came in the middle of the recession and because of him the economy is better than it was in 2008.”

Upon assuming the presidency Janu-ary 2009, Obama and his staff immediately drew their attention to the fi nancial after-math of the 2008 recession. Even before his presidency, Obama lobbied Congress to pass an economic stimulus bill which became top priority when he entered offi ce.

Filled with tax breaks and other incen-tives, the bill was designed to encourage consumer spending and revive the lethargic economy. Despite slow growth since 2009 of one to two percent each year, the econ-omy has been well on the road to recovery.

Quickly following the stimulus bill, Obama made healthcare reform his top do-mestic priority. In March 2010, Obama made several speeches around the country to ar-gue for the passage of health care reform, specifi cally the Affordable Health Care Act, sometimes known as “Obamacare,” which requires insurance companies to cover all applicants with new minimum standards and offer the same rates regardless of preexisting

condition.“Honestly, I believe everyone should

have the right to health care,” senior Adekale Ande said. “I would agree with Obamacare more if it was carried out more effectively; the concept is good, we just have to imple-ment it so that it truly helps out the people in need.”

In terms of domestic policy, Obama has proved a satisfactory president; however, re-actions to his foreign policy are somewhat mixed.

For example, in June 2009, protests broke out in Iran after many Iranians believed that the Presidential elections were marred by fraud. Obama called on the Iranian Gov-ernment to stop “violent and unjust” action against the protesters but resisted calls to do more than that; he was criticized for not be-ing more forceful.

However, Obama’s several points of positive criticism stem from the decision that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden, as well as his most recent victory with the Iran nuclear deal. Within minutes of Obama’s announcement of Bin Ladin’s death on the evening of May 1, celebrations erupted in New York City’s Ground Zero and Times Square. Positive reactions came from prominent party members, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as from many countries around the world.

Set to be reached by the end of June, a nuclear deal with Iran to prevent nuclear proliferation is progressing slowly but posi-tively.

“[Obama’s] relations with Iran and the nuclear deal is a good effort towards better regulations on deadly weapons, but it’s not going as planned,” senior Sarah Williams

said.Drone strikes in Pakistan have been a

particularly hot issue concerning the presi-dent. First started under President George W. Bush, the use of unmanned aerial vehicle attacks in Pakistan has increased substan-tially during the Obama administration. The most recent controversy stems from the kill-ing of an American and an Italian hostage in an Al Qaeda compound in January.

The UN has criticized Obama for using drones to perform extrajudicial killings (kill-ing without the sanction of a legal process) as targeted assassinations rather than to try and capture Taliban or Al Qaeda suspects. Surveys have shown the drone strikes are deeply unpopular among the Pakistani peo-ple.

“I think his presidency was good but it could’ve been much better and more effi -cient,” junior Jorge Capote said.

Bassam Bikdashscience & technology editor

We have had nuclear technol-ogy for exactly 70 years, and it gives us an incredibly powerful

way of looking at our world and a slew of functions that it can perform. For example, nuclear power is second to none in the en-ergy it can put out, and nuclear weapons, while highly destructive, are a must-have in a post-Cold War world in order to maintain respect in international diplomacy. However, these technologies have many potential buy-ers, and acquisition of this technology is not immune to enemies of the United States. Iran is now seeking to acquire nuclear material. They claim that it will only be used for power, but the United States and the United Nations are suspicious. Iran, they say, is too volatile and extremist to hold nuclear material, as they could easily, and covertly, sell them to anyone. “We’ve got enough nukes out there,” his-tory teacher Scott Bennett said. “Why prolif-erate any more?” Recent talks with Iran by the United Nations reached a preliminary deal after marathon sessions of negotiations with the Iranian government. In the deal, which was reached on April 2, Iran would reduce its uranium stockpile by 98 percent and the U.S. and the European Union would remove the sanctions that are currently placed on Teh-ran. Forcing Iran to reduce the amount of uranium it has is some good progress. Al-though Iran is a sovereign nation with choic-es of its own, the United States cannot let its guard down and allow the ulterior motives of Iran slide under the radar. An undercover nuke deal with a rogue organization could be taking place any second. They could, if given the right to hold

nuclear material for power, sell that material to our enemies like North Korea and ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), both of which are groups that will consider attacking us with nuclear weapons. Allowing ISIS to gain access to a WMD is lethal to any en-emies of Islamic radicalism, like the United States or Israel. ISIS will not hesitate to uti-lize a nuclear weapon to terrorize the rest of the world, and they’ve gained a foothold in our own homes, with American, European and other world citizens going to Iraq to join ISIS. Modern thermonuclear weapons are ca-pable of much more than that of the 1945 nuclear weapons that we had to use against

Japan. Their lethality cannot be matched. With this much on the line, only the United States and its allies should possess nukes. “I think the question to answer would be, ‘What do we do about the nuclear weap-ons that already exist and the countries that have them?’” Bennett said. One common piece of rhetoric being thrown around in Washington is the as-sumption that if we do not allow Iran to build nuclear weapons, then Iran won’t be conducting any more nuclear research with-out our permission. This is simply not the case. Iran has had a nuclear program since the 1950s, and it has since failed to produce

any nuclear weapons. They had a substantial amount of low-enriched uranium through-out the Iranian Revolution and into the 2010s. It is a major goal to the Iranian gov-ernment to gain access to a nuclear weapon. If the politicians in Washington think that they will just give up a program that has been a serious investment to them, they are grave-ly misinformed. If Iran can’t be allowed to produce nuclear weapons with our approval, they will ignore it and produce them with the help of others. “Any country in the world wants to pro-tect its own interests with whatever it’s ca-pable of,” Bennett said. “I think any reason-able person would argue that we shouldn’t increase, throughout the world, anyone’s ad-ditional capacity to hold such a destructive weapon.” In the end, the Iranians will produce nu-clear energy and nuclear weapons regardless of our decisions. As a sovereign nation, they will try to protect their interests with any means possible. I fear that our decision will just push them farther away from us and into the arms of a country that will deal them, or assist them in producing, nuclear material. “All we know is that we have countries that are enemies of other countries who have not used [nuclear weapons] against other countries,” Bennett said. “To specu-late whether or not Iran would use [a nucle-ar weapon] in retaliation or preemptively? There’s just no way of knowing.” However, the ultimate goal in all of these negotiations is to maintain peace. In order for the world to be one step further away from using nuclear weapons to accomplish our goals, we need to open a constant dia-logue with Iran to stay informed with what the Iranian government is actively pursuing. After all of this, when the dust fi nally settles, the United States and Iran can hope-fully gain a middle ground and work towards lasting peace and understanding.

William Royalsta� writer

The Obama Era: A refl ection on the president’s eight years in offi ce

Nuclear Iran threatens the world

Graphic by Nikole Nguyen

photo from wiki commons

Iran is pictured on a map, symbolically represented with a nuclear warning sign. Over the past few years, Iran’s nuclear program has caused worry due to terrorist activities in the area.

President Obama is pictured here after just having fi nished a public address. Under the president, the American government has seen vast changes regarding social and economic policies.

Senior plans for the futureWhere will your friends be next year?

Page 8 Seniors May 2015

Adal, Betania UNC-PembrokeAguilar-Granados, Aaron GTCCAker, Cole UNC-CHAkers, Kailyn NC StateAlderson, Kyle UNCCAlemanni, Lauren UNCGAlsaid, Abdulaziz Arizona State UniversityAlverez-Salmeron, Jesse Liberty UniversityAmos, Elizabeth UNCGAn, Yong Su Wake ForestAnde, Adekale Berry CollegeAnderson, Aliyah ECUAnderson, Matthew Norfolk StateAndrews, Alicia UNCCAnyogu, Merit unknown at time of publicationArkiszewski, Stephen Clemson Atkins, Courtney UNCGAuber, Mariyka SCADAuel, Kyle GTCCAugsburger, Cameron GTCCBagby, Madeline NC StateBanks, Kiara GTCCBarber, Rebecca ECUBarker, Alexa NC StateBarrow, Shelby GTCCBaskerville, Jaleon ECUBates, Allison ASUBayliff, Cassidy Meredith CollegeBeck, Brittany GTCCBenfield, Holli ASUBennett, Noah NC StateBennett, Bradley unknown at time of publicationBenton, Jacob workBerger, Phillip Sewanee Berreth, Grayson UNCCBilello, Anthony GTCCBlair, Jr., William Methodist UniversityBlake, Aaron UNCCBlasingame, Alexandra UNCGBlount, Andrew ASUBobeck, David Belmont Abbey UniversityBomkamp, Matthew UNCCBondurant, McKenzie WCUBoney, Robert unknown at time of publicationBottoms, Christopher GTCCBrace, Jennifer GTCCBranham, Luke GTCCBraswell, Zachary UNCGBrewer, McKenna GTCCBrewer, Gretchen UNCGBroccolo, James UNCPBrown, Arika Lees-McRaeBrown, Nathanael UNCGBrunk, Samuel unknown at time of publicationBuck, Vichelle UNCCBullard, Kameron UNCCBurchett, Hunter unknown at time of publicationBurstein, David ASUBurton, Amanda GTCCCaine, Alexzandria Empire Beauty SchoolCalderon Juarez, Brenda GTCCCampbell, Cherish GTCCCampbell, Jack GTCCCapurso, Nicholas UNCCCardone, Hunter GTCCCarr, Sabrina UNC-CHCarruthers, Sutton ECUCarter, Madison UNCGCarter, TaShaun Barber School

Carty, Brannon UNCGCasillas, Christian US NavyCastillo, Samuel unknown at time of publicationCeron, Erik University of ArizonaCheek, Sydney UNC-CHCheney, Elizabeth UNCCChicoma, Melissa UNCGChung, Sophie University of GeorgiaChung, Chris UNC-CHClapp, Cheavez unknown at time of publicationClayton, Nicholas Liberty UniversityClingman, David UNCGCoble, Caroline ECUColby, Sarah Illinois Institute of TechnologyCollins, Brady UNCWComeford, Austin US Naval AcademyConstantinidi, Olivia ASUCook, Caleb ECUCook, Jesse GTCCCooper, Talya GTCCCosta, Daniel UNCCCouncilman, Caitlyn Guilford CollegeCovington, Samuel NC StateCoyle, Matthew University of MissouriCozart, Lyndon USCCranford, Lindsey ECUCritchley, Megan UNCCCritchley, Jessica UNCCCross, Winston unknown at time of publicationCrutchfield, Weston UNCWCude, Elizabeth ASUDang, Dylan UNCCD'Angelo, Gina GTCCDasnoit, Joshua ASUDaughtrey, Austin GTCCDavis, Brennan GTCCDavis, Jr., Ricky UNCCDavis, Allison Newberry CollegeDe La Rosa, Alexander unknown at time of publicationDe Leon, Zachary UNCWDean, Tristan NC StateDechambeau, Alison UNCCDillon, Chase US ArmyDoles, Maxwell RCC/GTCCDoyle, Christy ECUDrake, Jon Texas A&MDrawbaugh, John NC StateDrew, Hanna NavyD’Souza, Bianca Duke UniversityDuehring, Adam undecided Duffy, Sean UNCCEaston, Allyson GTCCEisel, Samuel UNCGElias, Casey NC StateErrichiello, Concetta NC StateEvangelista, Christine ECUEvans, Danielle Rhodes CollegeEvans, Julie WCUFabrizio , Neil UNCCFallquist, Brendon UT in AustinFenwrick-Wallace, Leah The CitadelFerman Blanco, Reina Xiomara unknown at time of publicationFidishun, David Liberty UniversityFlake, Sydney NC StateFleming , Elizabeth ASUFletcher, Anna ASUFord, Kyrah undecidedFord, Angelica UNC-CHFritz, Eric ASU

*“Undecided” means student reported he/she was unsure of next year’s plans. “Unknown at time of publication” means student could not be reached for comment.

Continued on page 12

May 2015 Page 9SeniorsMay 2015

Fuchs, Jonathan Virginia State UniversityFugitt, Joshua unknown at time of publicationFunchess, Christopher unknown at time of publicationGalloway, Branteze GTCCGarcia Servin, Monica UNCGGarner, Carlton UNCCGarvey, Jr., Michael GTCCGatica, Samantha unknown at time of publicationGaytan, Christopher undecidedGee, Justin UNCGGeiger, Josie University of AlabamaGeorge, Rahul undecidedGibson, Andrew NC StateGillespie, Madeline undecidedGillett, William unknown at time of publicationGlisson, Kayla Leon's Beauty SchoolGlynn, Mariah UNCGGodat, Hannah UNC-CHGodwin, Madison UNCCGolecruz, Justine Jovi UNCCGomez-Bello, Ariatna GTCCGomez, Lidia Florida International UniversityGould, Courtney ECUGravitt, Madeline undecidedGreen, Rebecca GTCCGreene, Chandler ASUGriffin, Qyashia GTCCGroves, Katherine ECUGrunewald, Hannah ECUGuella, Erin GTCCGuilbeault, Danielle Lenior-Rhyne UniversityHa, Michael ASUHaack, Weston GTCCHalchin, Emma ASUHall, Brandon UNCGHamilton, Hannah BYUHammond II, Tony Morehouse CollegeHampton, Benjamin workHaque, Aadam Wake ForestHarding, Michael unknown at time of publicationHarger, Graham NC StateHarman, Weston workHaslacker, Victoria GTCCHasteadt, Jessica ECUHatley, Savannah GTCCHebert, Kaitlyn WingateHedrick, Joshua GTCCHefner, Cassidy GTCCHeimke, Jennifer Montgomery Community CollegeHenry, Jr., Kevin Jireh PrepHensley, Jacey UNCGHenson, Jacob unknown at time of publicationHill, Alexander ECUHine, Daniel unknown at time of publicationHines, Jasmine GTCCHochwarth, Taylor ASUHodgson, Ananda UNCCHolland, Michael workHomol, Joshua UNCGHonaker, Nicole GTCCHoward, Rory UNC-CHHoward, Emily Fashion Institute of Design & MerchandisingHoward, Tariq GTCCHowerton, August UNCCHoxworth, Hannah UNCWHubbard, Elizabeth NC StateHudson, Paul UNCGHunsucker, Logan GTCCHunt, Kathryn Agnes Scott CollegeHunt, Halle UNCWHunt, Michael NC StateHurley, Zachary ECUIkeanyionwu, Jr., Felix undecidedIsley, Rebekah GTCCIsley, Garrett ASUJacobson, Casey UNCCJapp, Alexander workJaramillo, Jose work

Jarvis, Samuel NC StateJenkins, Melanie University of Texas at Austin Jester, Samantha Guilford CollegeJimbo, Richard UNCCJohansson, Steven UNCGJohnson, Hannah NC StateJohnson, Allona ASUJohnson, Matthew GTCCJohnson, Amber NC StateJohnson, Zachary UNCCJones, Emilee Randolph Community CollegeJones, Cameron UNCGJudge, Hanah GTCCKapoor, Arshjot Greensboro CollegeKassahun, Hannah University of North TexasKeller IV, John GTCCKerans, Johnathan NavyKeshavarz, Ramtin UNCCKessler, Rachel Florida Atlantic UniversityKhaitas, Sol NC StateKing, Dylan unknown at time of publicationKirchner, Kristina UNCCKlein, David College of CharlestonKnight, Zachary UNCPKolessar, Landon GTCCKondrasov, Anastasia US Naval AcademyKruger, Alan NC A&TKubis, Chase ASULaird, Marcie NC StateLamb, Colin UNCGLander, Madeline unknown at time of publicationLanderos, Cyenna Luna De Oro National GuardLanderos, Leon Forsyth TechLangston, Katherine UNC-CHLawson, Mitchell GTCCLaymoun, Ahmad NC A&TLaymoun, Majd ECULeasure, Nathan unknown at time of publicationLenard, Jasmine Rochester Institute of TechnologyLentz, Madison UNCCLester, McKenzie Greensboro CollegeLinder, Jocelyn USCLindsay, Adam Mission Trip Lineback, Jonathan Rockingham Community CollegeLingao, Julio Rae ASULohr, Madison NC StateLong, Hunter Averett UniversityLoschin, Nicholas NC StateLowery, Kayla GTCCLucas, Megan ASULyon, Nicholas unknown at time of publicationMa, Willa UNC-CHMabe, Caroline ClemsonManganelli, Christopher workMantle, Brittany UNCGMarcos-Rosas, Diana unknown at time of publicationMarini, Maris unknown at time of publicationMarshall, Erica workMartin, Lynton ASUMartinez, Gabriel unknown at time of publicationMay, Zachary Cape Fear Community CollegeMayer, Jake UNC-CHMcCall, Emily NC StateMcCormick, Madison ASUMcDonald, Addison Rockingham Community CollegeMcDowell, Ryan workMcGuire, Christine UNCCMcGuirk, Lindsey UNCWMeadows III, John unknown at time of publicationMennen, Dylan UNCWMichael, Autumn GTCCMiller, Brian UNCCMiller, Taylor WCUMillett, Victoria GTCCMiringu, Victoria Central Piedmont Community CollegeMitchell, Carter UNCCMitchell, Myles GTCCMitchell, Mackenzie UNCG

Many students struggle with confi dence and perseverance in their daily lives as they face challenges that require hard work and dedication. Though it may be diffi cult to get through these problems, Northwest graduate from the class of 2012, Ana Nino Combs, has a story that shows how believing in oneself can lead to success.

In high school, Combs had many ideas of what career path she wanted to follow, ranging from journalism to acting. Based on her family’s history of being doctors, Combs decided she wanted to be a nurse. She wanted to step up and help others around the world. After making this decision, she realized it was not as easy as she thought it would be.

“I struggled, believe me, but it was important for me to not give up,” Combs said. “Giving up is never an option.”

The fi rst time Combs applied for nursing school she was rejected, but she didn’t give up that easily. She retook many of her classes, studied harder and pulled up her GPA, all while working two jobs on the side. She got into the nursing program this year.

“I had to really want it, and I did,” Combs said. “I knew what had to be done to get accepted, and that’s what I did.”

As a student at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she is studying abroad and continuing to work hard so she can be a pediatric nurse at Brenner’s Children’s Hospital when she graduates.

Combs’ advice to students: “Do what you want to do. Everyone is going to have an opinion about what you do with your life, but ignore the criticism if what you want to do makes you happy. Also, be prepared to work hard and no matter how diffi cult a situation gets, don’t give up.”

Ana Nino CombsDedicated to nursing

Alexis Rutledgesta� writer

Although you may be focused on a particular goal now, there is a possibility that new opportunities can change those objectives, and it may just be for the better. Caitlin Clarke, Northwest graduate from 2009, was one of the students who took chances and ended up in a place and position she loves in New York City.

“I originally thought I would move to DC after school to pursue studies in international law,” Clarke said. “It wasn’t until I later interned in DC that I decided New York City was really where my heart was, and it was at that point that I decided I needed to do whatever it took to make the move north.”

Clarke spent four years at Elon University working on and off campus, interning, holding leadership positions and traveling abroad.

“Through connections at school, I was offered a fi nancial internship in New York, and to be honest I initially turned it down,” Clarke said. “The woman who offered me the role continued to encourage me to accept and told me that my diverse background of experiences (and the fact that I wasn’t a fi nance major) was exactly why they wanted me—I offered a unique perspective, I had professional experience, and as she said, ‘I can teach you fi nance faster than I can teach others street smarts.’”

When Clarke decided to take the opportunity, she turned out to enjoy the internship more than she thought she would, and now she holds a position as Senior Analyst of Business Transformation for DTCC.

As well as her job, for which she enjoys waking up every day, Clarke is always fascinated with the city of New York.

“Living in New York is amazing, and something I honestly believe every person should do at least once in their life,” Clarke said. “There is an energy about this city that is always buzzing, and there is truly something for everyone here.”

Clarke encourages everyone to allow themselves to see new opportunities and “take chances and travel.”

“All of this came because I stepped out of my comfort zone and aligned myself with people who believed in me,” Clarke said.

Caitlin ClarkeLiving in the Big Apple

Mackenzie Mitchellcenter spread editor

Living it up in the real worldKrista KellyHappily married mother

Alexis Marvinsta� writer

Krista Kelly, graduate from 2010, is not only a mother and a wife, but a previous Northwest high school student. Like many people, her dreams have evolved since she was younger and are still changing even now.

“[In high school] I just wanted to go to college and make my family proud,” Kelly said. “I wanted to save the environment. By high school I decided I wanted to be a writer.”

After struggling to fi nd something that truly appealed to her, Kelly decided to go for a liberal arts degree with a focus in race, class and culture.

She has followed through with many of her dreams, too. “To begin, I am graduating. That is not only my dream but my parents’,”

Kelly said.After she had her daughter her fi rst semester of college, her life, along

with her dreams, changed tremendously. “I wanted to show her that no matter what obstacles come, [she] can do it.”

It is for this reason that she is going for her masters in creative writing, hoping to complete this task by fall of 2016.

And what is she doing now?“I am fi nishing at North Carolina Agricultural and

Technical State University. I am married to my high school sweetheart. I have a four-year-old daughter who will be fi ve in the fall and I work a lot,” Kelly said.

However, through determination and support, Kelly was able to make it to where she is now.

“It took a lot of growing up, but I would say I stayed focused,” Kelly said. “Getting where I am, being what society calls a ‘teen mom’, took support and help.”

Her advice to students can be useful to anyone.“Do not ever let anyone or anything get in your way

of your passion, your love of life, or the beauty in the world that you can make even more radiant.”

Kelly’s future goals are to write a book or get published for her poetry.

“I just want to be happy with what I do and make sure my family is taken care of, no matter how my future pans out,” Kelly said.

Morgon Von SteenFashion Writer in New York City

Nikole Nguyengraphics editor

Morgan Von Steen was the features editor of Northwest Horizons fewer than two years ago, graduating with the class of 2013. She had always dreamed of moving to New York and working at a fashion magazine. In high school, she spent much of her time in class reading fashion magazines.

“I’d try getting in contact with anyone and everyone who would answer my questions,” Von Steen said.

She worked fi ve days a week at Cold Stone Creamery to save money to intern in New York over the summer, just to go to New York Fash-ion Week.

“I was a terrible student in all but one of my classes, journalism, where I really honed my writ-ing chops,” Von Steen said. “I learned a lot while putting together the paper.”

Von Steen now works as a Freelance Producer for New York Magazine and as a Visuals Assistant at the J. Crew corporate headquarters, while also contributing to publications such as Teen Vogue and Buzzfeed.

“Right after my freshman year of college, I was offered a position as a fashion assistant at Lucky Magazine,” Von Steen said. “Needless to say, it was all I ever wanted.”

After packing her bags, she moved to New York and eventually transferred her present jobs from Lucky Magazine.

For current high school students, she highly recommends applying for schol-arships, and that grades are but letters and numbers in the end. This, she asserted, will not prevent success in the future.

“Life begins the day you graduate, so getting a D in a class or getting unfol-lowed by someone on Twitter really doesn’t matter in the end,” Von Steen said. “Just because you don’t do well on AP exams doesn’t mean you’re unintelligent.”

Living it up in the real world

Successful Northwest alumni are living their dreams after graduation

Myanh TaNonprofi t coordinator

Alexis Marvinsta� writer

Myanh Ta, former Northwest graduate of the class of 2009, works at the Young Women in CHARGE at the YWCA of Greensboro. She has followed many of her dreams and inspired those around her. But how did she get there?

When she was growing up, Ta knew she wanted to go to college. She knew she wanted to do something that required research, worked directly with people, had a measurable positive impact and required her to be creative and to collaborate with people who could teach her.

“When I was in high school, I was interested in so many things, but it seemed I was allergic to making concrete plans,” Ta said.

The problem was that she couldn’t think of one profession that had all of the things she wanted, so she went to college at UNC-Chapel Hill to get a liberal arts degree. While striving to get her d e g r e e , she managed to take all types of classes.

“Interestingly, the weirdest ones that didn’t seem to fi t a ‘program’ or pre-set path were the ones which informed my current profession the most,” Ta said.

Ta is now currently the coordinator of Young Women in CHARGE. Her job involves many different tasks, including working with kids on social justice issues.

“What I love about my job is that I get to talk about issues close to my heart,” Ta said. “I, along with my colleagues, have the opportunity to teach in nonconventional ways.”

Ta got involved with Young Women in CHARGE in an interesting way. Her senior year of college, she took a class about non-profi t work that had a service trip where she volunteered with different non-profi t organizations. It was there she had her fi rst encounter with a YWCA.

“The really important factor is that I was passionate enough about the work that I was already doing it for free, which meant I had experience that many of my peers did not,” Ta said.

Her advice for students is pretty simple. “I wish I could’ve told myself that it is okay to not know all the answers,

but to keep asking questions and exploring every interest. There is a place for you in whatever fi eld you choose, you just have to fi nd it or create it,” Ta said.

You don’t have to know in high school exactly what career you want to pursue in order to accomplish a goal. Jonathan Lindsay, a Northwest graduate of 2010, knew one thing for sure in high school: he wanted serve a mission and spread the word of the Book of Mormon.

“Serving a mission was the most incredible experience of my life up to this point,” Lindsay said. “A full-time mission for young members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is really a defi ning moment in their spiritual progression.”

When Lindsay was at Northwest, he was always open to talk about his Mormon beliefs, and serving a mission was a huge dream of his. He spent a great deal of time preparing for his mission, including lots of paperwork, doctors’ appointments, learning a different language and managing three jobs in order to save up and pay for his entire mission.

“But that wasn’t even the most important preparation,” Lindsay said. “I had to prepare myself spiritually before going.”

After a full year between graduation and his departure, he was able to travel to Utah and spread his beliefs with many people. He even taught and communicated with some in Spanish.

Lindsay had to give up contact with his friends and family and luxuries like television and music, but he felt that it was worthwhile because he was doing something in which he believes strongly.

“I personally was inspired to serve a mission because I know the importance of this work and that Christ and His atonement can change lives,” Lindsay said. “I saw fi rst-hand on my mission countless lives turned around and people I came to love found true happiness.”

Lindsay still feels an incredible impact on his life from the mission he served nearly two years ago.

“It was solid foundation that I can turn to so that I can continue to build my faith,” Lindsay said.

He encourages all students never to limit themselves.

“Things might not always work out the way you plan them,” Lindsay said, “but they will always work out the way they are supposed to. Happiness is right around the corner.”

Jonathan LindsayMormon Mission

Mackenzie Mitchellcenter spread editor

Throughout high school, students are constantly competing against other students to get into a college and to fi nd a well-paying job. With teachers and parents acting as a constant reminder of this competition, it makes it stressful for students to actually follow their dreams while having the confi dence that they will succeed.

Hannah Piner, graduate from Northwest in 2007, has shown that it is possible.

“I’ve wanted to be an underwater archaeologist since I was 10,” Piner said. “Before that, I wanted to be a mermaid. At 10, my parents decided to break it to me that it was impossible for me to be a mermaid. Well, I was really into Indiana Jones at the time, so I decided the closest thing to being a mermaid was being an underwater Indiana Jones.”

When Piner realized that underwater archaeology was the job for her, she began to take SCUBA lessons and continued to follow her interests throughout high school. She even did her senior project on it.

“I researched underwater archaeology, took a specialty SCUBA course in it and treated some artifacts from a shipwreck,” Piner said.

As Piner continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), she took classes in history, focusing on Public History and museum studies. Currently she is part of the Maritime Studies program.

“We have done everything from excavating a shipwreck thought to be a Spanish treasure galleon, to mapping a North Carolina Oyster boat sunk in a black water river, to fi nding a cannon on Blackbeard’s pirate ship, to looking at the preservation of artifacts on a World War II battleship,” Piner said.

When Piner graduates from UNCW, she plans to work at a museum where she can continue to learn and teach about maritime history, conserve artifacts and create new programs and exhibits.

Piner’s advice to students is to be brave.“Follow your dreams,” Piner said. “If you don’t ask for it, you will never

get it.”

Hannah PinerUnderwater Indiana Jones

Alexis Rutledgesta� writer

Eric JamesGetting his PhD

Nikole Nguyengraphics editor

Eric James graduated with the class of 2009, and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with the class of 2013. Though he initially wanted to become a journalist in high school, his major changed at UNC-Chapel Hill from journalism to theory and research, and he focused on a thesis in communication theory instead.

“I took an introductory communica-tion theory class, and I just enjoyed the rigor and community there so much that, even on my J-school track, I could feel my interests starting to shift,” James said.

He now works with Qnary, LLC, a digi-tal advertising and reputation management startup out of NYC for the past two years. He works form Austin, Texas and occa-sionally in New York.

“I was recently accepted with a full Fel-lowship/TA-ship to the Rhetoric and Public Culture PhD program at North-western, and I can’t wait to get back into theory,” James said. “As far as how I got here, I guess it boils down to this: if I enjoy something, I’ve always submerged myself in it.”

He worked to become the editor-in-chief of Northwest Horizons, and came out of it with a fi rst place award story in the state in 2009. He was also a member of We the People.

“I can still throw out an absurd number of court cases to this day,” James said.

As far as advice for high school students, James recommends involve-ment.

“Get excited about high school sports, dances, clubs, classes and every-thing else you can get your hands into. Learn to write a good e-mail. Respect yourself just a little bit past the point of arrogance. Have someone teach you to build credit and do taxes. Don’t ever let yourself get jaded of the things you love most. Don’t sweat changing your college major the fi rst, second or third time,” James said. “And visit your high school teachers when you gradu-ate; they do miss you.”

Photos contributed by interviewed alumni

Page 12 Seniors May 2015

Mitchell, Bridgette UNCGMoore, Lucas NC StateMorgan, Katie UNCGMorgan, Molly UNCGMorgan, Roy undecidedMorris, William workMorrison, Daniel Catawba CollegeMorton, Erin USCMothershead, Jaime UNCCMukahanana, Mutsa undecidedMurphy, Jennifer film schoolMurphy, Kristen UNCWMurphy, Mark UNC-CHMurphy, Michael NC StateNajafabadi, Shayan UNCWNajafabadi, Negin GTCCNazzal, Lena ECUNehls, Paige Guilford CollegeNelson, Skyler GTCCNewman, Hunter UNCCNewton, Evan UNCCNewton, Shelby UNCCNguyen, Thunder GTCCNicholson, Sara NC StateNikula, Jessica GTCCNnadi, Victor UNCGNogueira, Carolina college in BrazilOcampo, Nathaniel Niko GTCCOrdoňez Gallego, Melissa undecidedOtten, Spencer NC StateOvercash, Erica Belmont UniversityOyama, Tokio UNCCPagan, Galarza Belmary NC A&TPak, Grace Berklee College of MusicParent, Karsyn University of AlabamaParrish, Amanda UNCCParrish, Jackson UNC-CHParsons, Rebecca ASUPatton, Elena unknown at time of publicationPearson, Andrew UNCGPedersen, Danielle UNCGPegg, Hunter GTCCPegram, Makayla GTCCPegram, Benjamin unknown at time of publicationPerdue, Robert UNCCPerry, Olivia GTCCPerson, Wilder NC StatePeterson, Mallory ASUPhillips, Kayla unknown at time of publicationPhillips, Patrick ECUPitonzo, Jesse UNCCPitter, Alyssa work as a flight attendantPlott, Sarah UNC-CHPoe, Austin UNCCPoe, Caroline UNCWPollard, Kimberly NC StatePotkay, Mikayla ECUPowell, Hunter West PointPreuss, Jr., Ricky Lincoln Collge of TechnologyPriddy, Seth militaryPrince, Gregory ClemsonPritchett, Jacob GTCCProposito, Beniamino GTCCPruitt, Jonathan unknown at time of publicationPurgason, Andrew GTCCPutman, Kaytlyn Wallace State

Racca, Isabella UNCWRader, Rachael UNCCRamos, Luis ECURatterree, Brooke ECURay, Satoria UNCCRebis, Jr., Paul workRebuck, Connor GTCCReganess, Samantha gap yearReyes, Mark GTCCReynolds, Marley Guilford CollegeRich, Taylor unknown at time of publicationRichards, Devaughn GTCC Rivera, Ashlianet unknown at time of publicationRoberts, Shelby UNCGRodriguez, Erick GTCCRodriguez, Clarisse undecidedRoux, Autumn UNCCRussell, Robert ASUSachs, Jamie ASUSachse, Caleb GTCCSanchez, Annette GTCCSanchez, Jr., Polo ECUSauer III, Edward unknown at time of publicationScaggs, Mackinley ASUScheopner, Nicholas UNCGSchneider, Hannah Roanoke CollegeSchoppman, William NC StateSchwartz, Meghan Salem CollegeScovern, Wade GTCCSeagraves II, Paul unknown at time of publicationShahbandi Soumehsaraei, Ali WCUSharpe, Emily NC StateShaw, Logan AFT Shelton, Nicolas Alabama HuntsvilleSheppard, Alexander GTCCShoemaker, Zackary Lenior-Rhyne UniversityShongut, Stephanie UNC-CHShull, Katherine GTCCSides, Caleb unknown at time of publicationSikora, Zachary NC StateSilveira, Zackery unknown at time of publicationSkeehan, Logan UNCGSlaughter, Sydney GTCCSmith, Sydney NC StateSnuggs, Kayla undecidedSomoza, Taylor GTCCSoufia, Rami NC StateSouthern, Erin unknown at time of publicationStafford, Andrew GTCCStafford, Darell GTCCStafford, Matthew BYUStanley, Kyle UNCGStarks, Jr., Andre GTCCStewart, William GTCC Stickler, Erin ClemsonStrauss, Jacob UNC-CHStringer, Rachel UNCWStull, Payton UNCCSugg, Katherine GTCCSzychowicz, Eric Davidson County Community CollegeTastet, Hannah UNCGTharp, Melanie WCUThomas, Brigette GTCCThomas, Hailey UNC-CHThompson, Megan undecidedThompson, Gabriel Forsyth Tech

May 2015 Page 13SeniorsMay 2015

Thurbon, Sarah GTCCTicra, Maria GTCCTolbert, Essence GTCCTomaszewski, Owen Guilford CollegeTomlin, Banks Guilford CollegeTran, Brandon UNCGTravia, Kevin UNC-CHTroeger, Kyle GTCCTruesdale, Ryon unknown at time of publicationTurcola, Maxwell UNCGTuttle, Chloe UNCCTzarathe, Isaac UNCGUnderwood, Steven Averett UniversityUtiss, Branko unknown at time of publicationVebber, Alyssa UNCGVenable, Adam welding schoolVerma, Shukti UNCGVigil, Vanessa GTCCVinson, Jeremy Marine CorpsVon Steen, Connor NC StateWalker, Jonathan workWalker, Joseph ASUWaller II, Jonathan NC A&TWalsh, Carson Cape Fear Community CollegeWalter, MacKenzie WingateWalters, Mariam UNCGWarner, Peyton UNCGWashington, Brenton GTCCWatkins , Anna UNC AshevilleWatson, Joshua District of Columbia Fire DepartmentWatson, Kayla GTCC

Watts, Taylor Roanoke CollegeWeaver, Jessica GTCCWeiss, Michael Air ForceWellinsky, Nicole UNCCWells, Sarah UNCGWells, Samantha workWestmoreland, Michael workWheeler, Audrey Florida State UniversityWhite Sizer, Christian WCUWhyatt, Spencer UNCGWilfong, Javier NC A&TWilhelm , Eric UNCCWilliams, Brianna UNCCWilliams, Julia NC StateWilliams, Meranda unknown at time of publicationWilliams, Paxton undecidedWilliams, Ronald UTIWilliams, Sarah University of MinnesotaWilliams, Steven Marine ReservesWilson, Cordelia Ithaca CollegeWirtz, Alexander UNCCWise, Nathan Marine CorpsWisnoski, Logan Air ForceWright, Dakarai ECUWright, Dian ECUWright, Kevin UNCGYi, Justin UNCCYoung, Jacob ASUYoung, Zachary UNCGZawadzki, Rachel UNC-CHZiglar, Thomas GTCC

Better job?Brighter future? College works.

• Explore careers• Research and apply to NC colleges online• Find scholarships, grants and loans• Get “Let Me Tell You” college tips

For more information, visit CFNC.orgor call 866.866.CFNC (2362).or call 866.866.CFNC (2362).

CFNC is a service of the State of North Carolina provided by Pathways (the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC Community College System, the NC Independent Colleges and Universities and The University of North Carolina), College Foundation, Inc., and the NC State Education Assistance Authority.

© 2015 Pathways, College Foundation, Inc., and State Education Assistance Authority (CFNC)

Research and apply to NC colleges online

CFNC is a service of the State of North Carolina provided by Pathways (the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC Community College System, the NC Independent Colleges and Universities and The University of North Carolina), College Foundation, Inc., and the NC State Education Assistance Authority.

© 2015 Pathways, College Foundation, Inc., and State Education Assistance

May 2015Page 14

College As their senior year comes to a close, these athletes will be continuing into a new territory: college. Throughout the past four years, you

have seen these athletes sweating at practice, scoring points for the team and making Northwest parents and students stand to cheer. In their own words, here is their anticipation for the college days to come.bound:

“I am really thankful to have the opportunity to go on scholarship and to be able to play volleyball in

college.”

“College wrestling will be extremely tough, but after you’ve wrestled in college everything in

your life will be easy.”

Halle Hunt

Volleyball at UNC-Wilmington

Wrestling at Appalachian

State Cary Miller

“I’m excited about being able to train with other athletes who have similar goals and ambitions

as myself.”

Running at UNC-Charlotte

Matt Bomkamp

Sarah Colby

Lacrosse at Illinois Institute of Technology

“I am really excited to be able to attend Illinois Tech. with a scholarship. I am not ready for my time play-

ing lacrosse to be over.”

“I’m excited. I am just ready to see where football takes me.”

Football at Averett

UniversityHunter Long

“I’m thankful that I get to play the sport that I love at my dream school.”

Pitching at UNC-CHCole Aker

“I’m looking foward to playing next level tennis at a college!”

Tennis at Virginia State UniversityJonathan Fuchs

*Fuchs stands third from the right

Information compiled by staff and photos contributed by athletes

Page 15May 2015May 2015

Many athletes don’t know about horse-back riding and the amount of phys-ical effort exerted in the sport.

“It’s so much fun because I wouldn’t be able to go that fast on my own at all,” senior Mariyka Auber said. “It’s nice to feel the wind.” Auber has been horseback riding for seven years and loves the physical aspects that come with it. “You’re trying to both exercise the animal and yourself,” Auber said. “It’s a lot of fun.” Senior Hannah Schneider has been compet-ing for nine years and rides nearly every day each week. “I rideaboutfive timesaweek, andwhenIride, it is usually around two and a half hours a night,” Schneider said. “[My favorite part about horsebackridingis]thatIgettodoitaboutfiveor six times a week. It’s a really good way to stay physically active.” Schneider believes that with balancing school and horseback riding outside of school, having equestrian as a school sport would be too much; however,theprogramsheridesinoffersbenefitsthat equal those a school could offer. “There’s a program that I am in that I actually get a Varsity letter in horseback riding,” Sch-neider said.While practicing takes up the ma-jority of the time for horseback riders, competitions are what riders strive to succeed in. “A competi-tion is basically a bunch of riders trying to prove that they can be more collected and look more graceful in some cases and more put together than the other riders, who-ever does that the

most gets the highest points,” Auber said. In competition, there is a plethora of differ-ent events for riders.“There are different sections of it you can do,” Auber said. “You can do dressage, which is work-ing with the horse’s footwork and you can do hunter hack where you try to connect with your horse.” For Schneider, a typical competition includes three events. “I do a three-phase competition, and it’s over the course of one day,” Schneider said. “I do two different types of jumping phases. One is in a closed-off arena, and the other jumpingphaseisoutinthefieldandthroughthewoods, and the last phase is a walk, trot and can-ter phase.” While the time spent on perfecting her sport and competing in events is similar to those of other sports, Schneider also has to make time to take care of her horse. “At the same time I’m competing in events, I have to take care of my horse, and there are a lot of ups and downs with his health,” Schneider said. Healthproblemscausedifficultyinthesport,butAuberfindshavinga stubbornhorse tobeanotherdifficultyinhorsebackriding. “[Themostdifficultpartis]whenyourhorsedoesn’t want to listen to you,” Auber said. “Some-times you get a stubborn horse where whatever you do, they will not listen to you. Once I had one that would turn left and just keep running around, and all I could do was hang on and hope he didn’t jump the fence.” However, the joys of horseback riding weigh

outallthedifficultiesforAuber. “You can communicate with your horse

and there’s even a rhythm where you are both

in the same wave-length,” Auber said. “You could twitch your foot and he will do what you want.”

Special Sports profile:Athletes involved in non-school sports

Willa Maeditor-in-chief

Northwest’s sports: Highlights of this year’s success in sports

Though school gets out in June, and spring sports end in late April to ear-

ly May, Northwest sports do not end there. Training for fall sports begins almost immediately af-ter school gets out and continues through the summer. Most coaches expect their teams to be training over the sum-mer to be in peak athletic ability for the beginning of the fall sport season Aug. 1. “I expect for the players return-ing to be prepared physically for the season,” varsity field hockeycoach Kaitlin Brown said. For some, this means training on their own, getting together with their teammates, going to camps or even getting up early and running. For most teams, this means start-ing at the beginning of summer vacation. “We will [practice] three times a week for the two weeks we have in June and four times a week for the two weeks we have in July in terms of training in the summer,” head football coach Jared Rolfes said. “Our team camp starts the last week in July and rolls us right into ourfirstofficialpracticeonAugust1.” This is the same for the fieldhockey team. “During the summer, the fieldhockey team conditions two days a week, and my upperclassmen hold stick skill sessions one to two days per week,” Brown said. “These sessions begin in July. Many of the girls play [on a] club [team] and attend camps together during the summer months.”

Many cross country members go to camps to increase their speed. “I went to Nike Smokey Moun-tain running camp the summer before my junior year, and I really think it helped me prepare for the season,” senior Mallory Peterson said. For cross country runners, the season begins as soon as school gets out. “At the end of the school year, everyone who signed up for cross country is placed into a group based on speed,” Peterson said. “The seniors are responsible for getting their group together to run in the summer.” Many members of the team meet in the morning at Burmil Park, sometimes daily, and run to-gether to gain endurance. Because of summer heat, sum-mer training is a very important factor for fall sports. “Theheatdefinitelyaffectsmyteam at the start of the season,” Brown said. “I take daily tempera-tures into consideration when I am making the summer schedule.” The football team uses the heat in order to train harder, play better and beat their opponents. “Our conditioning is very im-portant in the summer and the early part of practices to ensure we can go the distance on Thurs-day and Friday nights” Rolfes said. “Fatigue plays a major role in foot-ball games, we just always plan in a way that our conditioning is better than who we play.” Avoiding the heat is important to the success of cross country runners as well. “Whenever I would meet with my [running] group, we would try to run as early as possible to avoid the heat,” Peterson said.

Sarah Colbynews editor

Summer sports:Training for next year’s sports begins

in the heat of the summer

Graphic by Nikole Nguyen and information compiled by Annie Ford

Boys’ Varsity Baseball

Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse

Varsity Winterguard

50th in state

Overall: 15-8

Conference: 8-2

14th in state

Overall: 16-3

Conference: 13-1

25th in state

Overall: 12-3-1

Conference: 10-0

1st in circuit in the scholastic A silver

division

34th in the world (out of 122)

Varsity Swimming

Girls’ team: 2nd in conference

Boys’ team: 2nd in conference

All sports in the timeline above are conference champions. Additional conference champion teams include boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse and boys’ baseball.

Senior Hannah Schneider com-petes in a horseback riding com-petition. She has been riding for nine years and continues to ride nearly every day.

Photo contributed by Schneider

Page 16Page 16

FIND YOUR FRIENDSin the NWO’s Student Profiles section

CATCH GAME HIGHLIGHTSon our Facebook, Twitter & Youtube

KEEP UP WITH YOUR COMMUNITY in the NWO

/northwestobserverwww.nwobserver.com

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May 2015

Lemons: $2.49

Special K: $4.00

Lucky Charms: $3.39

Fresh chicken breast: $6.96

Frozen chicken tenders: $4.90

Lettuce: $3.29

Coca-Cola: $4.99Water: $2.99

Carrots: $2.90

Cucumbers: $0.65 (each)

Ice cream: $2.99

Michelina’s frozen dinner: $1.29

Smart Ones frozen dinner: $2.69

Photo by Faith Rickerts

Instant Ramen: $0.60

“Take one day at a time. Just breathe.”

–Alicia Andrews

“Don’t stress that much because senior year is 10

times easier, and once you’re in a college there

is no more stressing.” –Colin Lamb

“Don’t overwork yourself.” –Sol Khaitas

Seniors’ advice to juniors

Health vs. Wealth:Why Shopping for healthy foods is more expensive

The above cart shows some healthy and some un-healthy foods. If it is ex-

amined closely, one can see the dif-ferences in price. For example, fresh chicken breast costs $6.96 while an entire bag of frozen chicken ten-ders is only $4.90. Cucumbers cost 65 cents, but when compared to a pack of ramen, only the latter can be considered dinner.

This trend may explain why people below the poverty line tend to have an even higher rate of obe-sity. Although international trends show that high-income countries such as America are more prone to obesity than middle-and-low-income countries, the trend is the opposite within the country, with obesity rates being higher among

low-income families. This is most likely due to the availability of un-healthy food and, of course, the fact that unhealthy food is so much less expensive.

As students head off to college, some may live on a meal plan and some may have to buy groceries on their own for the fi rst time. The likelihood is that most college stu-dents won’t have a huge budget to buy food, so keep these suggestions in mind when you’re tight on cash and you need to shop for groceries:

-Brown rice contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can be a great component in a healthy meal at only $1.99 per pound

-Whole-wheat pasta costs about $1.69 per box which for the average person makes about seven servings.

-Whole-wheat bread is $1.99 per loaf and contains far more nu-

trients than white bread-Old-fashioned oats can be

used for cereal, granola and muf-fi ns, and a 42-ounce container with 30 servings is only $3.99

-Frozen vegetables come in 12- to 14- ounce bags that cost $1.75 to $2.25 and contain six to eight cups depending on the type of vegetable and size of the bag

-Canned tuna comes with omega-3 fatty acids and protein, and is only $1.40 for two servings

-Frozen edamame beans make a great healthy snack or appetizer, and they come in 16-ounce bags for around $2.00

Before you grab the cheaper, less healthy foods off the shelf, think about the foods listed above and how you can make yourself a healthy meal without breaking the bank.

Liz Hubbard & Faith Rickertsarts culture editor & sta� writer

is no more stressing.” –Colin Lamb

to juniors

Just breathe.” –Alicia Andrews

Just breathe.” –Alicia Andrews

Just breathe.”

“Don’t stress that much because senior year is 10

times easier, and once

Page 17Page 17May 2015

Art is about “dabbling in time travel manifesting my higher consciousness

into a visual existence.” This quote by artist BB Bastidas is senior Ca-leb Sachse’s artistic inspiration.

Sachse loves art and has been highly praised for his work. He is well known for his spray painted celestial scenes and signature tech-niques.

“It’s the meaning and artist’s in-tention behind [a piece of art] that interests me,” Sachse said.

Sachse’s interest in art began during middle school. When by himself, he would master draw characters from the popular trad-ing card game Yu-Gi-Oh!

“That’s how I started,” Sachse said. “It probably makes me sound really lame but, I got really good at it, and people noticed.”

Sachse now completes projects for Honors Art 3 and is frequently praised for his creations.

“I don’t really have any expecta-tions for myself; I just start some-thing and see where it goes, [and]

Art profile: senior Caleb Sachse

Sophie Vazquezsta� writer Photo by Sophie Vazquez

What’s in your future?

The class of 2015 will walk across the stage at Greensboro Coliseum June 12 to collect the diploma they’ve worked

for four years to receive. That diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a key that opens the door to opportunity. As time passes, and the class of 2015 becomes just another group of alumni from Northwest, where will the people

“There’s a variety of options I

could choose from in fi nance, but at the moment, I see myself

working as a private equity investment professional or working in an investment

bank.”-senior Connor Von Steen

“After college, I want to work toward becoming a doctor. I want a hands-on and fast-paced job, so caring for patients and solving problems every day

would be great.”-senior Erin Stickler

“I see myself working with a consulting com-pany or as a lawyer.”

-senior Bianca D’Souza

Katie Lee Parrish & Lindsey McGuirksta� writer & managing editor

people are always interested in what I’m making,” Sachse said.

Sachse receives support from his family, friends and art teachers. His father also enjoys sketching and encourages his son to pursue art. After high school, Sachse hopes to continue creating and begin sell-ing his works. He is interested in exploring “coffee art,” a medium where paper is stained and painted with coffee.

Art is not his only hobby. Aside from spray painting, he also plays soccer, the guitar, drums and piano. Sachse also expresses himself by skateboarding and surfi ng. He says that he and his art are infl uenced by his favorite music, including Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pearl Jam.

“Caleb is one of my most in-novative and talented students,” art teacher Amber Gray said. “He works outside the comfort zone of most. His creative way of thinking and talent will take him far in the art world.”

who made up the class of 2015 be? In fi ve years, people will be going from col-

lege to the real world where they can put their knowledge to use. Dreams vary from person to person. Some imagine working in the fast-paced lifestyle of the medical fi eld, while others ques-tion what the future holds for them. But in the end, it is you who is in control of your future.

Art is about “dabbling in

Art profile: senior Caleb Sachse

Sophie Vazquezsta� writer Photo by Sophie Vazquez

people are always interested in what

Page 18 May 2015

Photo by Clare KilmartinSenior Nick Loschin and science teacher Dr. Richard Thomas discuss Loschin’s future. Loschin views Thomas as one of the many teachers who impacted his life.

features editorClare Kilmartin

In the course of four years, one’s life may change dras-tically. Looking back on the

first day of freshman year, many realize how much their lives have changed. High school has brought new friends and experiences that make up who we are.

For senior Jacey Hensely, she credits her change to one person: English teacher Sherilyn Little.

“I wasn’t a very dedicated stu-dent my first years of high school,” Hensley said. “I didn’t fail any classes and I didn’t like any classes. I just went with it.”

On Hensley’s first day of junior year she walked into Little’s class with no expectations. However, she quickly was assured that Little was like no other teacher.

“On the first day of school, she talked about how names matter. . “As soon as she did that I was like ‘okay, she is not a typical teacher,” Hensley said. “That first day left such an impression on me.”

In Little’s class, Hensley found herself and reevaluated her views on school.

“As soon as I had her, I did well in her class,” Hensley said. “I thought okay, I don’t like these classes but if I can have a good at-titude about them, I can be good at them.”

After Hensley’s first day in Little’s class, Hensley decided not only to strive to do well in Little’s class but in every class.

“I started doing well in all my classes and really became a good student,” Hensley said. “I cared about my work, and it was some-thing new for me.”

Hensley not only learned to love learning but her life changed in so many ways.

“She really helped me grow as a student but also as a person,” Hensley said. “That’s really what makes her such a good teacher.”

Little’s English class is where

Hensley found her passion for learning and discovered that she, too, wanted to teach and affect students like Little does to all her students.

“She’s influenced so many,” Hensley said. “It’s not just me. That’s what I want to do when I grow up. I want to affect people the way she affected me.”

Hensley hopes to find students like her and really help them grow as stu-dents.

“I want to help them find their passion and fall in love with learning because that’s what happened to me,” Hensley said.

Not only has Little changed Hensley’s life as a student, but Hens-ley considers Little a friend.

“If there’s something go-ing on in my life, I know I could go to her,” Hensley said. “She would under-stand. There have been times where I wouldn’t want to talk to anyone else about it.”

Through the course of four years, one teacher immensely affected Hensley’s life for the better. That one moment in class had the ability to change her life pro-foundly. Not only had she became an outstanding stu-dent, but most im-portantly, she made a friend.

Jacey Hensley:

Everyone has someone who affects their daily thoughts and actions, ranging from

a parent or sibling, to a celebrity. However, at Northwest, some

students find themselves looking up to teachers or their peers for guid-ance and support.

For senior Dylan Dang, chemis-try teacher Cynthia Mardis impacted the person he previously was, and as a result his entire view on school changed, allowing him to discern that hard work truly does pay off in the end.

According to Mardis, however, in his sophomore year, Dang was a bright student who did not recogniz-ing his full potential—and his work ethic reflected that.

“Dylan never did any homework, lab write-ups, assessments or other work for class besides tests and quiz-zes; he was able to just float through [school],” Mardis said. “He loved learning, but grades did not seem that important to him.”

After a couple of months of teaching him, Mardis decided to make Dang realized his perspective

about education would prevent him from getting to the next level, which includes college and jobs.

“When I was living my life, and basically messing around in high school, Mrs. Mardis influenced me to change,” Dang said. “She told me that at some point I will have to grow up, and get my grades up, so that I will have a more stable life in the future.”

Because of her advice, Dang feels that he has successfully molded into the person and student he had always strived to become.

“There’s no way I could have made the grades I did, or as high of an SAT score that I did, without Mrs. Mardis; she is the reason I was ad-mitted into the college I wanted to get into, [UNCC],” Dang said.

Due to this transformation in his thought process, Dang’s character evolved as well.

“I see Dylan doing big things, but I don’t see him as the type of person who would ever need recognition or one who would feel the need to label his name on his successes,” Mardis said. “He obtains self-gratification from his motivation, but he doesn’t publicize it and doesn’t need every-one else to know about his [achieve-ments].”

staff writerShalini Sharma

Dylan Dang:

Ask any Northwest senior who was involved in marching band and they

will tell you about how the program has changed them for the better. For some, march-ing band has taught them about respect and time manage-ment; others learned how to be leaders even when they felt like giving up. In the case of senior Sarah Wells, she feels that Northwest’s band direc-tor, Brian McMath, has truly helped shape the course of her life.

“I met Mr. McMath when I joined the North-west Guil-ford March-ing Band as a color guard m e m b e r , ” Wells said. “I came to respect him more than anyone I know be-cause of how he treated us: not as chil-dren, but as

young men and women.”On the marching band field,

everything boils down to three things: breathing, remembering the next set and listening for McMath’s instructions. Starting at the end of July, to the middle of Novem-ber, McMath quickly becomes the epicenter of every marching band student’s life. Life lessons such as perseverance, time management and responsibility are taught during those crucial months.

“He instilled in us the meaning of hardwork, determination and commitment. He never gave up on us and would always give every sin-gle person encouragement to keep going,” Wells said.

From the field, to the class-room, Wells carried these crucial traits that she had learned from McMath to help her in high school. Even when life got tough, she re-membered what McMath had told her about pushing through the hard times and how she could ac-complish anything that she applied herself to.

“Mr. McMath was more than just a teacher. He was a mentor, a coach, someone you could rely on for advice,” Wells said. “He has re-ally inspired me.”

As her senior year draws to a close, Wells looks back on the past four years with little regret, and into the future with confidence. It is because of the marching band director that Wells feels that she is ready to take on any obstacles that she may face in college.

“I’ve learned many valuable les-sons from Mr. McMath and will never forget the many things he said to me, such as, to never give up, keep going no matter how hard it gets and that I could do anything that I put my mind to,” Wells said. “Mr. McMath helped me grow more than just as a color guard member or a student; he helped me grow as a human being.”

staff writerMelanie Jenkins

Sarah Wells:

Northwest is a school that opens many doors and offers a plethora

of opportunities for all students that walk through its doors. How-ever, it is the relationships that stu-dents form with the staff that truly last a lifetime.

For me personally, I was greatly influenced by my AP En-vironmental Science teacher, Dr. Richard Thomas. Not only did he open my eyes to the wonders and magnitude of the earth, but he also elucidated what I would become very passionate about. Dr. Thomas has inspired me to pursue an education in environmental sci-ence and has supported me every step of the way.

Like most high school students, I had no idea what I wanted to be or where I wanted to go when I graduated. However, Dr. Thomas showed me there was more than

entertainment editorNick Loschin

meets the eye to the planet and how everything is connected. Sci-ence offered reason and purpose in my life but also allowed me a holistic perspective of life on a grander scale. Fascinated by na-ture, I began contemplating the meaning and magnitude of life from an environmental stand-point.

Dr. Thomas taught me much more than science. He taught me compassion and how to stand up for what I believed in. He was al-ways someone I could confide in and express my thoughts openly. Welcoming me with open arms, he helped shaped me into the in-dividual I am today while, at the same time, being a model I aspire to become.

The staff shapes the North-west community. Every day I walk in I am thankful for all the values I have gained from the staff in my four years. What makes Northwest special is the passion of its teach-ers who truly want to better all stu-dents who pass through its doors.

Nick Loschin:

Who impacted you in high school? Seniors share their stories

May 2015 Page 19

Paige Nehlsstaff writer

For some, college is right around the corner. The school year is almost

done, and summer will fly by as it always has. While college can be an exciting and fun place to learn, have new experiences and meet new people, it can also be dangerous. Students can become so distracted by the excitement of the school year, and the ex-hilaration of their new freedom that they often forget the num-ber-one rule their parents taught them: safety first. So if you’re one of these college-freshmen-to-be, here are some tips on how to stay safe.

1) Lock your door. Lock the door to your dorm room and make sure your hall or building is locked at all times. You don’t want random people waltzing into where you live, do you?

2) Be aware of stranger dan-ger. If someone wants to be let into your building, dorm room, et cetera, don’t let them in un-less you know who they are. Just because someone swears they were your roomate’s cousin’s best friend’s dog sitter does not mean he or she can come in. Call cam-pus security or the police if you feel unsafe and/or if the person does not leave.

3) Make sure someone knows where you are at all times. If you go out jogging at 6 a.m. leave a note or send a text to your room-

mate letting him or her know what time they should expect you back. If you aren’t back within a half hour of your scheduled time of arrival, they can alert the au-thorities.

4) Have emergency con-tacts. Know your campus security phone number and memorize a con-tact’s number in case of an emergency.

5) Use the buddy system. It doesn’t mat-ter if you’re 6’4” and 250 lbs. or 5’0” and 100 lbs., the buddy system is always a great and safe idea. Especially at night, it is always best to walk across campus with a friend. Make sure you stay with that buddy.

6) Use Campus Secu-rity. Almost every college has some police officers or security guards that will escort you around campus should you feel unsafe, just give them a call. Better safe than sorry.

7) Have a check-in friend. Text your friends like how you used to have to text your mom when you got your license. Every time you arrive or leave a place, let them know you got there safe-ly. This is a good idea for people who live off-campus or who are out at night.

8) Be prepared in case of dan-ger. Take a self-defense course or

car-r y p e p p e r spray if your campus allows it.

9) Just be respon-sible. Don’t become too dis-tracted by your phone or other devices to the point where you are unaware of your surround-

ings. Don’t accept drinks from strangers. If you go to a party, always go with a friend and leave with that friend. College can

be fun, but only when you’re safe.

Never hesitate to report incidents to the authorities

or call the police if you feel you are in danger.

Tips to ensure safety for incoming college students

Photo contributed by Ray Parrish

editor-in-chief & staff writerWilla Ma & Annie Ford

In 1995, social studies teacher Ray Parrish was asked to take part in a competition based

around the Constitution. Despite being a new teacher at the school, he took the project on, and his in-fluence has made all the difference.

20 years of We the People has accumulated, and throughout the years, the names and faces of stu-dents have changed, but the point of the class, as led by Parrish, has remained consistent. What makes We the People so unique is that it’s main focus has always been to pur-sue truth, your own truth, in the company of your colleagues, friends and family.

“[We the People] means hav-ing the opportunity to talk about the things I care about,” senior Sol Khaitas said.

And so many other students past and present agree with this state-ment.

“It means a lot more than just a class or a group of friends that you get together and hang out with,” senior Julia Williams said. “It’s a place where you can get to-gether and talk about the impor-tant things in life like the Constitu-tion and other high-minded ideals.” Talking about the things that mat-ter, the topics that are frequently ig-nored, is what makes We the People a unique class.

“To me, We the People means a thirst for knowledge, and a chance to become an active citizen in our nation early on,” Concetta Errichi-ello said. “We the People gave me a place to expand my knowledge without fear of judgment and in the company of my newly formed fam-ily.”

The impact this class has had on students throughout the years is evident in how many past members return every year.

“I plan to come back mostly be-

cause I want to see the program suc-ceed, but also because I want to still be a part of it,” senior Becky Par-sons said. “I want to give the next class the help and support our class got.”

The success of the program in the future is important to many current and past We the People stu-dents.

“We the people and Mr. Parrish really helped me launch my search for a purpose in this life, and I want to encourage future students to do the same,” Errichiello said. “I also want We the People to continue as long as possible so that it can change the lives of many.”

The classroom dynamic is so unique. Any student of Parrish’s can agree that there is so much to learn from him and the learning goes both ways.

“I’m learning from the students,” Parrish said. “So much of what I have learned has come from the stu-

dents.”From the political discussions at

the beginning to the year to the state and national competitions, there are many moments to pick from. Being announced in the top 10 in the country at nationals must rank among the best moments in We the People history.

“[However, I love to see] after losses, that we are not just about a competition,” Parrish said. “We have other incredible things go-ing on.”

And he could not be any more right. Ultimately, We the People is a competition that students practice hard for all year: writing and rewriting papers, reading and reading and reading, and meeting with classmates to discuss a wide spectrum of topics that range from the obscurity of classical republicanism to the controversy of immigration reform.

“[My most memorable mo-

We The People celebrates 20 years at Northwest

18 years ago, the 1997 We the People class poses for a picture after winning at the state level competition. They went on to the nation-wide competition like many teams that came after them.

ment was] getting up there at the state competition and performing,” senior Rory Howard said. “Even though we did end up losing, it felt good to put all our effort and hard work into action in front of actual judges.”

The heartache of loss reigned for a while, but the love among the

people of the class prevailed.“The morning of the state com-

petition, we were all in Mr. Parrish’s room ready to hear his pep talk,” Er-richiello said. “He stood up before us and gave the most heartwarming pep talk I’ve ever heard. He went on and on about how we have awed him with our growth and our de-sire to learn. He amazed me with his unconditional love for us all and his confidence that we truly had the ability to be top ten in the nation. His tears of joy that morning could have easily surpassed any sort of trophy we could receive.”

We the People is so much more than a competition. Students have developed a love for the Constitu-tion.

“[I love the Constitution because] there are a lot of great ideals in it of freedom, liberty and justice and also it has the debates that have shaped American history,” said Howard.

This document that has lasted for 200 years and still remains a cru-cial part of our society.

“[The Constitution] has protect-ed our inalienable rights as a people and continues to do so,” Errichiello said. “I have a voice; I have the abili-ty to express myself due to that doc-ument. As a citizen, it’s my duty to uphold it to the best of my ability.”

A new wave of team members will come next year, receiving the support of this year’s class and the classes that came before them, add-ing another year to the legacy that

Photo contributed by Katie Kilmartin

Page 20 May 2015

What does it mean to be the class of 2015?

As it reaches to be the final month of the class of 2015’s senior year, the dread of what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives sets in. Senior year was a busy time with football games, powderpuff, dances, sports teams, exams and prom, all leading up to the final event—graduation.

“The people I’ve met over the years [have been the most memorable about high school],” senior Jacob Young said. “Some of the most random people have had such a positive impact on me, and I’m who I am because of it.”

For many people, sports have had a pro-found impact on their time at Northwest.

“My most memorable moments of high school have been from cross country,” se-

nior Molly Morgan said. “It’s one big family. Everyone gets really close, and it’s a good time.”

From athletes to drama nerds, preps to hipsters, Northwest has it all.

“I would describe our class as diverse,” Morgan said.

Young agrees.“I would describe us as diverse in all as-

pects,” Young said.As the generation who has grown up with

technology at our finger tips, there is a pres-sure for high achievement.

“Mr. Parrish read this book that says we are supposed to be the next great genera-tion,” Morgan said. “We will just have to see.”

No matter if we live up to the expecta-tions to be the next great generation, Young believes we will show the world something more.

“We’ll show the world that if you put your heart and soul into it, there’s no way you can truly fail,” Young said.

CAPTURING THE CLASS OF

Sarah Colby news editor

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Photos contributed by students and staff