The pros and cons of Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt Aubrey Shaddrix, and Maggie Hope Hetrick, Staff Writers With Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt being marketed not only towards local... (See page 4)
Decoding the Shutdown Showdown
Millions face holiday hardship amid record-breaking congressional gridlock
Magie Hope &Will Dacis, Staff Writers
The United States of America is once again grappling with one of the nation’s most disruptive dilemmas: a government shut down... (See page 3)
From Hero to Zero
The firing of Hugh Freeze
Kyle Ferrell, Staff Writer
With an SEC record of 6-16 and a record of 1-12 against ranked opponents, it is no suprise that Hugh Freeze was fired...(see page 16)
A Tacky Christmas
The best way to celebrate the holidays
Macey Apel, Staff Writer
Christmas is a season meant to be filled with cheer, family fun, colorful tree lights, and ugly sweaters. However, minimalist grey and boring decorations decorations have... (See page 19)
The Cost of Healthy Living
Learn the price to living in the United States
Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
America, in the eyes of countries across the globe, is viewed as a hub for obesity and unhealthy citizens. According to the Business Insider, the United States is in the top 10 of the world’s most unhealthy countries... (See page 20)
I don’t think that there is any other place on this campus that has brought such a sense of familiarity and comfort other than Hilight. For much of my high school experience, I was terribly afraid of joining clubs or extracurriculars because I simply lacked the confidence to be a part of something bigger than myself or do something that required me to put myself out there. Highlight was the first extracurricular activity that I participated in. I wasn’t even that interested in writing at the time; I was just convinced to join by a friend. Highlight hasn’t sent me down a different path by any means. I don’t want to pursue journalism, but it has shown me that I am a much more capable person than I thought. When I was a freshman, I would have never thought about writing articles and publishing them to the world,
but doing so gave me insight into myself. So whatever it is that you may be worried about joining, do it. Because high school will be ever so quick that you’ll realize it was never that scary to begin with, and in doing so, maybe you’ll learn something about yourself. I want to thank everyone who has been on the Highlight staff because you have given me a place that I don’t dread going to every day.
Editor
Aubrey Shaddrix
Junior Editor
Elizabeth Smith
Staff Writers
Cyrene Agustin
Macey Apel
Madison Carroll
Kyle Ferrell
Maggie Hope Hetrick
Avery Hice
Jacob Larker
Claire McPhillips
Blyss Murphree
Alex Rodriguez
Will Davis Simmons
Tessa Trucks
Lunsford
FEATURES 3
Decoding the Shutdown Showdown
Millions face holiday hardship amid record-breaking congressional gridlock
Maggie
Hope & Will Davis, Staff Writers
The United States of America is once again grappling with one of the nation’s most disruptive dilemmas: a government shut down. While many Americans are familiar with the concept, key details are often overlooked. What exactly causes a shutdown? Who is responsible? And how many people are truly affected? Understanding these questions is essential to grasping the current state of the U.S. government.
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass annual appropriation bills before the end of the fiscal year, resulting in a lapse of federal funding. This leads to the temporary halting of non-essential government services and the furlough of federal employees. Essential services, such as air traffic control, law enforcement, TSA, and military operations, must continue–but employees in these roles may work without pay. Historically, shutdowns were rare, but they have become increasingly common as political divisions grow. For example, in December 1995 during the Clinton administration–conflicts over balancing the budget and medicare reforms led to the now third longest shutdown (21 days) in American history. Another more recent example is the 20182019 government shutdown under the first Trump Administration that lasted for 35 days due to a standoff between the President and Democrats in Congress over the $5.7 billion dollar funding package for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Now in the longest shutdown in the United States’ History, nearly a million federal civilian employees nationwide and around 60,000 in Alabama–are being directly af fected by the shutdown. Many of these workers rely on their paychecks to cover essentials and being furloughed has left many of these Americans wondering how they will make rent or where their next meal may come from going into the hol iday season. Furthermore, over 62% of Americans live pay check to paycheck. Food assistance programs like SNAP are also impacted; approx imately 41 million
Americans nationwide depend on SNAP benefits, including about 752,000 Alabamians (roughly 15% of the state’s population). Without pay or assistance, millions of Americans face uncertainty, loss of livelihoods, and financial hardship during the holiday season.
With numbers aside, the human impact is deeply felt. Retired Air Force Captain and current Education Services Officer Greg Hetrick described the strain on his department that the worst part of the government being closed for his department is the fact that “we have soldiers that aren’t getting educational assistance.” As someone who loves his job, and helping other people, this entire debacle has made him extremely troubled. There are a total of five employees that work in his office, and every single one of them is currently on what could be considered an unpaid forty day long vacation. While this may seem like a dream for some people, the reality of it is that millions of Americans want and even desire to go back to work. Mr. Hetrick has stated that “everyone will be happy when they can go back to work and take care of their soldiers again,” and that “it is not fair for Congress to be paid while they aren’t doing anything to end this, and people are struggling.” Across the country there are a million federal employees who are in this exact same boat. Many employees like Mr. Hetrick are proud public servants who see their work as a way to give back to their country. The inability to serve, combined with financial uncertainty, has left many feeling frustrated
Beyond government employees, the current shutdown has also sparked intense conflicts in the sphere of politics. Democrats and Republicans alike have turned the shutdown into a fingerpointing game with critics on both sides placing blames–Democrats blaming Republicans–and Republicans blaming Democrats. This has left many Americans feeling hopeless for a resolution or simply trying to decipher and analyze the escalating political environment around them. In elaboration, the argument mainly boils and churns over who is to blame for the shutdown. House Republicans demanded deep spending cuts and conservative policy add-ons, including immigration measures, while Democrats insisted on maintaining 2023’s bipartisan spending levels and extending Affordable Care Act health-insurance tax credits to prevent higher premiums for millions of Americans. Meanwhile, outside of congressional halls, both parties have used media slander campaigns to criticize each other’s priorities. With Democrats highlighting the now $300 million dollar ball-room that the Republican Trump administration is constructing and the $200 million dollar purchase of United States Secretary of Homeland Security–Kristi Noem’s private jet–shaming the administration and Republicans for spending priorities. Many left-minded figures accentuate ethical flaws in the construction - with many pointing out the pay-to-play possibility that could result from the ballroom’s operation. Former Chief Executive ard Painter
1990s after allegedly selling overnight stays in the Lincoln Bedroom for campaign contributions. Simultaneously, Republicans and the Administration alike have emphasised that the ballroom was a necessary renovation citing lack of space to hold events and dinners. Furthermore, White House staff such as Executive Chief and Camp David General Manager expressed that the ballroom will “eventually pay for itself” and ultimately reduce what could’ve been future costly repairs.
As more and more Americans switch their focus to the upcoming ballroom, it seems that people are beginning to grasp the universal concept that it seems a bit “scammy” - both Left and Right. All across social media you can see Trump’s latest money earning endeavor gaining quite the negative backlash - especially during the midst of the Government shut down. With many users online comparing the ballroom to the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette’s indifference to the suffering of French people, as well as people from all political spheres calling the development “tasteless” and even “self-concerned,” Critcs of the ballroom’s construction highlight the revelation that most donations come from major corporations, most of which are asking to remain anonymous.
Ultimately, the shutdown is not just a political stalemate–it has evidently become a human and economic crisis affecting million of Americans. Ranging from federal employees struggling without pay to families that are dependent on food assistance, the consequences ripple across communities and industries both rural and urban. The challenge now lies in resolving the longest ever in U.S. history– deadlock and reopening the government so that essential services resume, federal employees are paid,
FEATURES 4
Dane’s Music
Charlie Brown Xmas
Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
A Charlie Brown Christmas is truly one of the most iconic Christmas albums of all time. Every December, it returns like a familiar memory, a reminder of what Christmas is supposed to feel like. Part of it doesn’t come from nostalgia alone; it comes from the way it makes us understand the Christmas season.
In a time that is loud, commercial, and overwhelming, this album somehow captures the quiet version of Christmas, the version that happens when snow is falling outside and the world is soft. It reflects the part of the season that isn’t about overconsuming, or gifts, but about the strange comfort of stillness. Listening to it feels like wandering into a snowy forest. Everything is still, giving you the chance to breathe and reconcile. What makes the album important is what it represents: a kind of honesty. It doesn’t try to force happiness or jolliness. It lets Christmas be warm and gentle. It acknowledges that holidays can be lonely, peaceful, joyful, and bittersweet all at once, and gives us a sincere and thoughtful recording. This album has become so important because it doesn’t sound like Christmas, it feels like it, and it’s not overly sweet and bothersome. It gives us a version of the season that we rarely pause to acknowledge: the quiet, inward one.
To Hallmark or Not to Hallmark
The Pros and Cons of cullman’s Christkindlmarkt
Maggie Hope Hetrick , Staff Writer
Pros
Finances
With Cullman’s Christkindlmarkt being marketed not only towards local residents but also out-of-county individuals, the economic growth from this event is proving to be a linear incline over the years. From 2024’s Christmas festivities, Cullman has had a tax revenue growth of 18% compared to 2023. And with the event getting bigger and better (like the giant ferris wheel looming over the town) we can expect an even greater income for Cullman County this year.
Costs
While the event itself may be free to enter, that does not mean that you’re going to be able to actuallyenjoy yourself without spending any money. Everything from their carousel to their ice skating rink costs money to do, and it usually ends up being a rather large chunk for what you’re actually getting. The Kindlemarkt does offer many unique items & services that most day-to-day shops would not, but they also seem to offer a typical stigma of steep prices that most day-to-day shops also would not have. What would be a fifteen dollar sweatshirt at most antique or thrift stores around here will double, even triple, at times - and cost you close to or more than fifty dollars.
and Aubrey Shaddrix,
Editor
Atmosphere & Decor
People who have attended the market usually will come back with nothing but positive things to say about the scenery and decor. The overall atmosphere of the festival is consistently bragged on, and many will compare it to a Hallmark movie. From handcrafted decor, delicious aromas, and lively entertainers, it’s clear our city has put the utmost care into creating an enlightening experience for both locals and tourists.
Live Entertainment
The festival usually comes equipped with some sort of live entertainmentwhether it be a band or a choir- this enhances the overall atmosphere and throws in a semi-concert feeling as well. Having live entertainment just adds overall attraction to the event itself, and supports
Traffic
The festival is wonderful in terms of aesthetics, but when it boils down to the infrastructure of our very small town… the two just don’t seem to work together. Traffic clogs up every single road, highway, and even jams up certain parts of the interstate near Cullman’s exits. When the chriskindlemarkt makes its comeback every year, my already weaning patience for Cullman’s drivers and traffic flow seems to just go right out the window, along with almost every other citizen’s sense of direction - and most importantly - speed.
ConsLack of Genuine Structures & Warmth
The Kindlemarkt is essentially set up in the middle of a semi-large field in the center of Cullman, which makes it difficult to build any genuine structures that remain aesthetically pleasing. With the event taking place in the middle of winter, you would think that the city might try to generate something to keep visitors warm - but instead there are about three igloo domes to escape the elements (which are quite ineffective). This makes for a cold, and sometimes wet outing.
FEATURES 5
Inside the Tour That’s Capturing America’s Attention
Former Vice-President Kamala Harris travels sharing reflections in her new memoir
Will Davis Simmons, Staff Writer
Sparking conversations across the country, Former Vice President Kamala Harris has captured America’s attention as she travels coast to coast, sharing stories, insights, and reflections from her new memoir. 32 Cities. 9 U.S. states. Thousands of Americans ranging from young to elderly. Kamala Harris is seizing recognition as she travels from city to city to share her newest venture: her candid memoir, 107 Days. At each stop, the 2024 Democratic Presidential nominee meets with the audience and shares insights, personal and behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections.
The memoir, 107 Days, reflects on a behind-the-scenes account of her 2024 presidential run, revealing debate prep, strategy sessions, and, more importantly, rare moments the American public did not see. Furthermore, the memoir details the chaotic and high-stakes campaign as she was left as the only viable nominee for the Democratic Party after former U.S. President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July of 2024. The memoir has resonated with many young Americans–especially young people of
color–as Harris contemplates in the memoir about the historic burden she carried during the campaign, feeling her identity shaped both her campaign and public perception. In addition, many progressive young Americans, Gen Z Progressives in particular, expressed a feeling of despair and lack of hope after the outcome of the 2024 election. However, in Harris’s memoir, she addresses this by reminding young people to remain hopeful and resilient in the face of tyranny.
Despite the impactful messages made in the candid memoir, both Progressives and Conservatives alike have expressed strong opinions. Progressive critics brought attention to Harris’ seemingly grappling writing on internal party dynamics within the Democratic Party; moreover, she questions wether real change can be made from within the current established political system. In addition, some progressive critics highlight the strained relationship with former U.S. President Joe Biden that Harris emphasizes in the memoir. Harris criticizes the “recklessness” of Biden’s reelection decision and
The Nationwide Democratic Sweep
even showcased her feeling shelved from within by the Biden team. On the other hand, Conservatives have brought forth questions about Harris’s motive in relation to a future 2028 Presidential run. However, none of this has been confirmed by Harris herself or any of her staff. Moreover, Conservatives like some Progressives accentuate the comments made by Harris in relation to Biden’s reelection bid– saying she was trying to rewrite or re frame her role in both the race and the Biden-Harris Administration.
As both Democrats and Repub licans alike head into a crowded and tense midterm election season, many Americans are already for ward-focused on 2028 and what lies ahead for figures like Kamala Harris. As of recently, Kamala Harris has not announced wheth er or not she will run in 2028, but she certainly has not ruled it out after deciding not to run in the California Gubernatorial Race. On top of this, the former Vice President has left many support ers speculating after commenting at a book tour stop in Washing ton, D.C., that she may or may
An inside look analyzing the 2025 election shockwaves
Will Davis Simmons, Staff Writer
From New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia to California, the 2025 elections have signaled a turn in the tide as we head into the 2026 midterm elections. With Democrats sweeping elections across the country, Republicans have begun to reevaluate strategy. For starters, let’s break down the ballots and their direction from election night back in November.
It is likely that you heard about the 2025 elections–whether online or by word of mouth– these races had historic turnout, especially the New York City Mayoral Race. Self-described Democratic Socialist and now New York City Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani has received a great deal of press from his 2025 campaign for mayor. Zohran, in his campaign for mayor, advocated for many hot-topic voter issues like
affordability and the cost of living. For example, his focus on affordability was compelling for many New York City residents, as recent polling shows nearly 90% of New Yorkers consider affordability as a major concern. Policies like freezing the rent, free public transportation, and free childcare fueled his campaign at large. All of this in addition to his many progressive social and economic policies like implementing a raise on corporate taxes. On the other hand, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, his primary opponent who had lost the Democratic nomination and ran as an independent, emphasized social issues like reproductive rights, same-sex marriage, and gun reform. Similarly to Mamdani, Cuomo also advocated for housing development in his campaign. On the opposite side of the isle, Republican nominee and talk show host Curtis Sliwa promised ex pansion on housing development
not be running for the Presidency in 2028. As well as her comments on tour, Harris, during an October BBC interview, said that she was “not done” and would be “possibly” considering running again–leaving supporters and critics alike questioning what’s next for Harris.
As Kamala Harris sets the seal on her coast-to-coast book tour, her reflections and circumspection on the future, she continues to
in the city and for public safety improvements.
In Virginia, Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears by a 15-point margin, a state Kamala Harris won months earlier by a slimmer 5-point margin. The Democratic Abigail Spanberger has officially become the first female Governor of Virginia, basing her campaign on abortion rights and affordability; furthermore she advocated for raising the minimum wage and incentivising new affordable
from climate change to reproductive rights and healthcare. Her election has made her the second female governor of the state.
On the opposite side of the country, California voters approved and passed Proposition 50 by a nearly 3.5 million vote margin. Proposition 50, advocated by current California Governor Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris, allows for the redrawing of congressional maps in California to add 5 new Democrat seats. Proposition 50 was introduced in response to Texas’s
FEATURES 6
Has Christmas Lost its Color?
The thing about getting older on the holidays
Aubrey Shaddrix, Editor
Every year, many young adults wish that feeling of Christmas nostalgia would reopen in their lives. I think we all remember how vibrant old family Christmases used to feel, with handmade ornaments, festive kindergarten parties, and classic holiday movies you could never get tired of. But what happened? Why don’t we feel the same as we once did during our childhood holiday seasons? It seems that as we’ve gotten older, it’s gotten harder to find value in these things, primarily because we have so little time for them. When you get jobs, and December becomes a crackdown of exam study guides or college applications, there’s hardly time to fit in your schedule to watch The Polar Express for the fiftieth time. Adding to this, even the sacred Holiday symbols we love are being turned into marketing ploys and cash grabs. We now see the Grinch in one of thirty Walmart com mercials, and Mariah Carey singing her classics with a Sephora bag in hand. Although it’s understandable that a large part of Christmas is store bought, it gets to a
point when every brand logo imaginable is shoved in your face for the entire month. Despite this, and in all honesty, I still love the Holidays, and I think it’s because I don’t center it around brand deals or gift guides. Many people have really begun residing in this idea that the holidays have lost all color, but when you start making room for social gatherings, decorating, or even a movie, Christmas hasn’t really changed all that much. Every year, my friends and I have made a point to have a Christmas party, or a secret Santa, and every year it makes the Holidays more enjoyable, because evidently there is no rescue from nostalgia. Of course, we will miss mid2000’s Christmas parties and not caring about any serious affairs, but is it not also enjoyable to get older and celebrate a loveable season in new ways? I think if we as consumers learn how to look past brand deals and annoying advertisements, it gets way easier to focus on recoloring this season. So while you can, keep baking cookies and inviting your friends over for a good party, because Christmas, like everything, is just what you make it.
End of Year Letter to Self
The Importance of New Year Renewal
Tessa Trucks, Staff Writer
As the end of the year approaches, everything begins to die out with the coming of winter. Not only do the days get shorter, but habits fade, relationships end, and plants wilt. Alongside this yearly seasonal expiring also comes a responsibility: the responsibility to reflect and envision. Who you were at the beginning of the year is a different person than you are now, even if the changes- external or internal- are minimal. There are dozens of experiences and mistakes throughout the year that shape each one of us into something slightly new. It is important
Christmas History
When does christmas officially
Staff Writer
The debate is over. When, where, and how…all about Christmas. To understand its origins, the first celebration regarding the end of the calendar year took place before Jesus. Early Europeans celebrated the winter solstice and the extended period of sunlight during the day. In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule starting on December 21st, and the winter solstice through January. The end of December was the understood time for celebration simply because most Europeans had already sold/slaughtered their cattle, which meant they did not need to
start?
supply feed.
Similarly, in Rome, Saturnalia honored Saturn through the winter solstice. This holiday gave thanks to Saturn, the planet of agriculture, for a bountiful and successful harvest year. Following Saturnalia, the Romans also celebrated the birthday of Mirtha, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25th.In Christianity, the Bible does not mention the date of Jesus’s birth; however, Pope Julius I chose December 25. Christmas is generally a celebration of the conclusion of the year, specifically the seasons. Christmas technically starts on the winter solstice (December 21st), but
but also to decide what to do with them moving forward. This is where setting goals comes in; a goal doesn’t necessarily have to be something physically obtained or the traditional idea of a ‘milestone.’
A goal can simply be a shift in mindset: a promise to yourself that you will improve something you struggled with the year prior. It can be a decision to learn from past incidents, tackle obstacles with a newfound patience, or even commit to small, everyday habits- like remembering to make your bed in the morning. The presence of these newly set goals provides
with Christmas time, symbolizes a lot surrounding new beginnings and renewal. Sim ilar to how the flower blooms its brightest in the coldest months, individuals can find a revitalization and start over at the end of the year, coming into the next as something differ ent and, hopefully, better. In this cycle, the end of the year becomes less an end-
CAMPUS NEWS 7
Semester on Stage
An update on our award-winning theater program
Aubrey Shaddrix, Staff Writer
This semester, the Cullman High School Theater has dedicated countless hours and late-night rehearsals to bring, yet again, more award-winning shows to the stage. For the first production of the school year, Suite Surrender showcased at District Traumbauer, winning Best in Show for the district. Along with this, Cadan Fales was awarded Best Actor, Noah Casey was awarded Best Supporting Actor, and Lily Abbott, Mary Atchison, and Isaac Heinze were awarded All-Star Cast. District Traumbauer also allows students
als for their performances. The Cullman Theater was also selected to be one of fourteen schools featured on December 6th in the State Festival held at UAB. For the past three years, the program has been awarded Best In Show at this competition, demonstrating repeated talent within the program.
On another note, our theater program kicked off the holiday season with Scrooge:The Musical starring Isaac Heinze. With an overall of four showings, the cast was also invited to perform for local elementary schools for school-day performances.
Feelings Fueled By Faith
*The following are just a few students awarded for their performances at distrtict, we stretch our congratulations to every theater member who helped make these shows possible—from behind the scenes to on stage!
With an incredibly successful first semester, the theater program is also excited to announce its upcoming spring musical: Les Misérables. This world-wide sen sation is a story of redemption and rebellion, first brought to Broad way in the late 80s. Now, this cul tural masterpiece is being brought to our school’s very stage. The spring musical is a traditionally exciting time for Cullman Theater, with past productions of Grease, Tuck Everlasting,and Newsies; this next show is sure to bring in large crowds and showcase student talents just as past years.
Discover how Coach Dean stays positive and what fuels his drive
Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
Every morning at 8:05, students at Cullman High School hear the words of Coach Dean. Coach Dean, English teacher and athletic coach, comes over the intercom and brings inspiration and life lessons to the students and faculty before beginning a day of school. With the Christmas season fast approaching, students can learn how to stay positive coming into the New Year as well as celebrate the birth of Christ.
When interviewing with Coach Dean, the first question asked was on the topic of his joy: what makes him happy? He explained in his interview that his gratefulness for his Savior brought him out of darkness. He is fulfilled by serving his Savior, and it makes him happy. Coach Dean’s joy, morale, and servant heart all stem from the faith he houses in his heart. He also expressed in his interview that his wife and children make him very happy and having the
connection and genuine love with his family is another driving force in his life.
Coach Dean was also asked to elaborate on his daily announcements and how he comes up with the material. He stated that it comes from his own journey and events he went through in childhood and sports that shaped him mentally into who he is today.
Coaching and teaching in Cull man High School have helped him learn how to help students through his advice in the morning announce
ments. Coach Dean said he knows how to help each student by learning their story; knowing what each student needs allows him to uniquely create plans and solutions for each individual’s problems.
In his interview, Coach Dean shared some points in his life where he used words of motivation. He shared this store: “There was another time in life where I wanted to be more humble, more patient, more gentle. I would pray each morning and ask God to help me be humble, help me be patient,
help me be gentle. I would pray that he would give me humility, give me patience, and give me gentleness almost like it was a commodity. Then I would tell myself, “I am humble. I am patient. I am gentle” throughout the day and it helped me think and act with humility, patience, and gentleness. It was a process that helped me tremendously. I became a more humble, patient, and gentle person.”
Coach Dean has shown students, faculty, and the community through his motivational speeches and smile a positive mindset that is needed in the modern world. He shows how his faith fuels the overflows of joy, determination, and love. With the holidays fast approaching, his mindset is something everyone can learn from. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” - Matthew 1:21
CAMPUS NEWS 8
AP Spending
How cullman high school spent their ap money
Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
This survey was sent to over 50 people, and we received over 40 responses, with the majority of respondents having spent their AP money on food, clothing, or items that didn’t align with the options. Of the unique responses, one of the most common responses was spending it on their boyfriend/girlfriend or Christmas gifts. Here are some of the others: Saved for an anniversary, Christmas gifts, Skateboard, Birthday/Christmas gifts, invested in bitcoin, speaker, bought items for their car, theatre costume, guitar, computer parts, and many more!
The Band Trip
The Bands Adventure In Washington
Alexander Rodriguez, Staff Writer
On November 8th, the Cullman High School Band embarked on an exciting journey to the nation’s capital Washington, D.C. for their annual trip. This year was especially memorable, as the band had the honor of performing in Washington’s annual Veterans Parade on Sunday, November 9th. The day of the parade was filled with excitement and pride as the band members prepared to perform in such a prestigious event honoring the veterans who have bravely served the country. As always, the band delivered a stellar performance, adding to the significance of the parade. Beyond the parade, the trip was packed with memorable experiences, starting with the bus ride itself. As part of tradition, the band participated in the Tri Bus Cup—a competition between the three buses over the course of the trip. This year, each bus
Bus. Points were awarded for creative skits, elaborate decorations, and engaging scavenger hunts. Because the themes were so unique this year, there was plenty of room for creativity. Moving from the bus ride and parade, the band visited some of the most interesting and unique memorials and sacred places, each with its own sentimental meaning to the history of America and its people. The memorials the band visited included the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, The Kennedy Center, The Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The White House, The Lincoln Memorial, The Korean War Memorial, The Vietnam War Memorial, and The Washington Monument. The band also visited Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement. Overall, the band experienced an interesting and fun trip to America’s capital, Washington,
Group Photo of Band on top
ENTERTAINMENT
Winter Media
Take A Peek At Staff’s Top Winter Picks
Alexander Rodriguez & Avery Hice , Staff Writers
Are you looking to get into the holiday spirit but through movies? If so, here are some movies that I recomened:
JingleAllTheWay is what I describe to be a true Christmas classic about a parent who wants to reconnect with his son through the joy of gifting him the toy that he’s been wanting
“Do I Wanna Know?”
AChristmasCarol is a fun story, orignally written by Charles Dickens, about how the old mean spirted and selfish man Scrooge is changed to a kinder man through the help of the ghost’s of Christmas past,present, and future.
Music Movies
HomeAlone is a very fun and wacky story of a how the young boy Alex is left home during the Christmas Holidays which at first he deems to be very cool but then finds out two burglars are targeting his house and after finding this out he makes it his goal to protect his home
ThePolarExpress wis a very cozy and fun adventure of a doubting boy who takes a magical train to the North Pole to regain his belief in Santa and in the Christmas Spirit
1. I remember playing a lot of Mario 64 on the DS on
2. It was just like, beautiful… beautiful moment in time.
3. The magic is lost as you get older—it’s just another day I guess.
4. Eight. It was just a nice period in my life.
Questions
1. What specific memory comes to mind when you think about the way you spent
1. I used to have a huge English Mastiff and we would wrap him in garment.
2. I miss my dog.
3. I’ve always spent the holidays with my family, so I’m just always happy to see them.
4. Probably 2019 because that was before everything became bad. riod in my life.
4. 2022 because I got to see my father for
ENTERTAINMENT 14
Reunions and Goodbye’s
The Legacy and Future of America’s Legends
Will Davis Simmons, Staff Writer
Sometimes being a fan of music requires being a fan of roller coasters; roller coasters of emotion, joy, sadness, excitement, and nostalgia. Depending on your age, the music you connect with can be drastically different from someone born in a contrasting era. However, some artists appeal to people of all backgrounds and ages, for example, the iconicCyndi Lauper and the nostalgic hit ‘90s band, Blink 182. From Gen Z to Millennials to Gen X– fans worldwide connect with the individuality and uniqueness both artists project in their work. With Blink-182 offering a blend of irreverent humor and relatable adolescent uneasiness, touching on themes like rebellion against authority and the bittersweet feeling of looking back at youthful memories, all while in the process of growing up. On the other hand, Cyndi Lauper’s songs promote the same individuality by celebrating self-expression, authenticity, and a prideful rebellion against societal norms. Her music, in addition to her activism on complex social issues, provides anthems for those who feel different or marginalized,
Whole Lotta Red
encouraging them to embrace their true selves.
While both the band, Blink-182, and the artist Cyndi Lauper share similar themes and messages, their futures are contrasting. On one hand, Cyndi Lauper is soon to be concluding her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour,signaling an end to her life-long legacy of unconventional and expressive music tours. With many of her fans feeling raw emotions of nostalgia and sadness, others are celebrating getting to see the artist perform some of her hits like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and Time After Time for one last time. Moreover, many fans are bringing classic parts of their childhood to the show, such as posters of Lauper from their childhood or even sym bols of social justice that Lauper has advocated for.
On the contrary, Blink-182 is re uniting for a second time for their hit One More Time tour. Many fans–including myself– were able to go see the band on the tour. Along with returning fans, the tour has sparked a resurgence in first-time fans (like myself),
particularly in Gen Z. Iconic songs like All The Small Things, I Miss You, and What’s My Age Again have resonated with a new generation: a generation characterized and shaped by diversity, adversity, and distinction of self. For example, in the song What’s My Age Again the lead singer, Mark Hoppus playfully repeats “My friends say I should act my age, What’s my age again,” relating at large to a variety
they’ve experienced. Fans of both Blink-182 and Cyndi Lauper alike, despite the band and the artists contrasting paths, find new light in celebrating inner authenticity and outer self-expression. With the farewell of a legendary pop and rock star to the rejuvenation of a ‘90s punk pop band, fans worldwide scream out in jubilation as music and its nostalgic legacy rock onward.
The Album that Chnaged the Rap Game
Kyle Ferrell, Staff
Writer
On December 25th, 2020, Playboi Carti dropped his long-awaited album: Whole Lotta Red. The album features 24 tracks, has a length of 1 hour and 3 minutes, and shot to number 1 on the charts in a day. With fans waiting for this album for 2 years now, the hype was immeasurable. However, when fans pressed play and let the first song play, they were automatically caught off guard. The sound that they expected was gone. The sound of Playboi Carti’s other studio albums, Playboi Carti and Die Lit, were nowhere to be found. This new sound led to mixed reviews of the album. With many reviewers giving it mediocre scores and the hashtag “WholeLottaMid” trending on Twitter, it seemed that the consensus was that this album was overall not good. Then COVID restrictions lift. Schools reopen, public gatherings are now more common, and the perspective of Whole Lotta Red is completely changed. Videos all over social media begin trending, showing people blasting the album in public places. People began moshing in subways and school bathrooms. Finally, people understood the true meaning of Whole Lotta Red. Pure rage. Tracks such as “Stop Breathing,” “Rockstar Made,” and “New Tank” grew in popularity due to the raw energy Carti brings to these tracks. People
fell in love with the violent production of the album and Carti’s mesmerizing vocals.
Then, Carti started touring. Videos of the King Vamp tour showed crowds jumping to their favorite songs while lights flashed and fire shot up from the stage. Playboi Carti’s energy became unprecedented. When most artists perform their songs, they sing them. Carti instead channels the energy and chaos of his tracks and starts screaming and dancing erratically on stage. It became clear that Whole Lotta Red cannot be experienced properly alone and in a room.
Whole Lotta Red is a visual album meant to be listened to at parties and concerts. Environments that can properly reproduce the heavy bass and ethereal vocals that are featured on every song. They became addicted to his oversimplified lyrics and anarchic mumbling. Every track on the album has one thing in common: Playboi Carti raging over lucid and hardcore bass and synths. Whole Lotta Red led to the popularization of rage rap. Rage rap quickly gained popularity
due to its ability to allow people to express themselves freely. The rise of this new sound led to many artists gaining popularity who channeled the rage the best.
The underground scene after the drop of Whole Lotta Red is something that has never been seen before. Many artists, such as Yeat, Ken Carson, and Destroy Lonely, would not sound the same if Whole Lotta Red had never dropped. The careers of these artists would not be as big without the drop in album sales. Yeat’s Alive, Ken Carson’s Project X, and Destroy Lonely’s No Stylists all use the sound of rage. With Ken Carson and Destroy Lonely even being signed to Playboi Carti’s own label, Opium. It is without a doubt that Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red is one of the most influential rap albums of the 2020s, and it’s not even close. It reinvented how artists look at music and how concerts are experienced. It popularized an entire subculture and subgenre that allowed for multiple artists to gain careers off of it. Many people listen to his music and dismiss it because of its chaos.
They criticize his mumbling and simple lyrics. People make fun, claiming he doesn’t make real music. They compare him to popular artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, and Kanye West to try to diminish Playboi Carti’s accomplishments and dismiss him as an actual artist. That, however, is an unfair comparison because you can’t compare Carti to any other artist. Carti is in his own genre. He is the most experimental mainstream artist to ever live. There will never be another Playboi Carti, and there will never be another Whole Lotta Red. No matter how you want to look at it. Playboi Carti is a generational artist, and Whole Lotta Red is an album that can never be replicated. There is not an artist alive that can display the raw emotion of rage the same way Carti did.
IGOR
An analysis of the Grammy-winning album
Avery Hice, Staff Writer
The opening track of Tyler, the Creator’s IGOR, “IGOR’S THEME,” begins with a pulse that feels almost biological. It repeats with mechanical precision, yet there is something unmistakably human inside its rhythm. The loop circles endlessly, creating the sensation of motion without direction. Instead of pushing forward, the music turns inward, drawing the listener into a space where emotion repeats, folds, and coils back on itself, making them confront their personal challenges. From the first moments, the album signals that it is not meant to be a straightforward narrative. It is a psychological landscape, a sonic representation of longing and heartbreak, shaped by the kind of grief that emerges not from death, but from losing someone who still exists in the world: someone you once held in your arms, dreamed with, and imagined a future beside. Even the album’s title deepens this emotional framework. The name “Igor” is a reference to the archetypal assistant from Frankenstein, the loyal figure who supports creation but never receives recognition or affection. Throughout the record, Tyler steps into this role of the overtly present “number two.” He positions himself close to the object of his desire, doing the emotional labor of holding, nurturing, and sustaining, yet remaining unseen and unappreciated. His love becomes a quiet form of self-sacrifice and, at times,
self-erasure. This dynamic echoes a truth many people learn painfully: devotion does not guarantee reciprocation. Loving someone fully does not ensure they will love you in return, for the heart often lingers in the shadows long after the relationship has ended.
IGOR moves through the emotional stages of heartbreak, although not in a clean or linear progression. Real heartbreak loops and revisits itself, pain returns in waves, hope rises and collapses, and denial melts into anger before circling back into yearning. Tyler translates this emotional recursion through repeated chord progressions, echoing motifs, and melodic cycles that reflect how the human mind clings to memories and imagined possibilities.
Denial appears first in “EARFQUAKE,” where Tyler repeats, “Don’t leave, it’s my fault.” His voice is fragile, caught between pleading and resignation with the music circling the same harmonies, unable to move forward, mirroring the mind’s desperate attempt to negotiate with a reality it refuses to accept. This is the grief of losing someone who is still alive, the grief of reimagining every conversation and wondering what could have been said differently and if altered, wondering if it would change the outcome. It is the ache of watching a future dissolve into nothing, even while the person who once shaped that future continues living somewhere beyond your reach.
cracks and distorts, capturing the feeling of love turning inward and collapsing on itself, slowly morphing into rage. The lyrics reveal a voice that is hurting deeply yet attempting to mask the pain. The anger is real, but it does not liberate him, however, it circles back into the same emotional spaces, showing how heartbreak rarely offers an exit point. It drags you through the same memories repeatedly until you begin to wear grooves into your own mind.
Bargaining materializes in “I THINK,” where the words “I think I’m falling in love” grow weaker with each repetition. The upbeat production masks the uncertainty beneath. Bargaining is the sound of trying to convince yourself that the relationship can still be salvaged if only you say the right words or assume the right shape you think they want. Tyler layers melodies and loops to illustrate the emotional cycle of negotiation. It is a form of self-conflict– you know the truth, yet you plead with yourself to believe something softer.
es both the longing that remains and the boundaries that must be respected. “Don’t get green skin, keep contact,” Tyler sings, fighting to preserve some small piece of connection, without alienating the inspiration. Acceptance here does not erase the past or its pain. Instead, it allows love to settle into a quieter place. The musical repetition continues, but the tone shifts from suffocating to contemplative. Acceptance becomes a way of making peace with what cannot return. Throughout IGOR, repetition mirrors the way grief actually behaves. It returns in cycles, with memories rising unexpectedly. Hope flickers before dimming again. Emotions do not simply depart, however, they settle into the rhythms of daily life until they fade slowly, almost imperceptibly. Tyler uses looping structures to show that heartbreak, especially the kind tied to losing a living person, does not resolve all at once. It requires time, self-confrontation, and personal growth.
Anger emerges next in “NEW MAGIC WAND,” a track defined by jealousy, fear, and emotional volatility. The production
Depression arrives in “GONE, GONE / THANK YOU,” the emotional center of the album, where the music slows, thickens, and drifts. Tyler’s voice sounds worn out, as if the emotional toll has soaked into him. This is the moment when the imagined future finally collapses, leaving behind the hollow ache of absence. Depression in this case is quiet, lingering, and heavy, representing the slow understanding that love does not always stay, even when it once felt permanent. It reveals the loneliness that follows when someone you loved becomes a stranger who still walks the earth with your memories engraved somewhere in their soul.
Acceptance comes last in “ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?” The question in the title shows how fragile acceptance can be. It acknowledg-
Loving someone is not always easy. It demands vulnerability and risk. Love forces you to face the parts of yourself you would rather push down and pray away. Heartbreak, in turn, requires its own kind of growth. It is not enough to remain inside the emotional loops that defined the relationship. However, at some point, you must break out of the cycle– whether that cycle is pining, denial, anger, or self-blame. Healing does not come from repeating old patterns but from creating new ones. Tyler’s album lingers in the loops, yet it also hints at the possibility of stepping beyond them.
Peace arrives only when you accept that the love you lost shaped you, but it does not have to define you forever. The imagined future may be gone, but a different one can be built from its remnants. Happiness after heartbreak is possible, though it requires patience, self-awareness, and the courage to move forward.
Ultimately, IGOR is an album about emotional persistence. It shows how love lingers, how grief repeats, and how healing eventually emerges once the cycle breaks. IGOR is a reminder that even when someone leaves your life, the way forward still exists. It requires stepping out of old loops, choosing growth over desire, and trusting that peace is something you can create, even after the music fades and the album starts over again.
SPORTS 16
New Beginning For Winter Sports
Impressive performances and memorable highlights
Cyrene Agustin, Staff Writer
As a new season in winter sports begins, there are already good bits of performances that occurred these past two months. These performances and matches simply delivered and set the tone for what could be a memorable and cherishable season. Starting from incredibly talented figure skating programs to heated skiing matches. In figure skating, Ilia Malinin’s performance has made countless amounts of headlines as he
sa Liu isn’t so far behind since she caught the attention of the crowd as she made her competitive return at Skate America in November. Liu executed such an impressive yet clean performance in free skate as she secured a gold medal, totaling to a score of 214.27. Multiple individuals were left stunned and overall impressed as she made such a lasting impact with her returning performance. Another talented figure skater who was praised for her consistency is Kaori Sakamoto. Sakamoto has made it to the news as she stated that it would be her final NHK Trophy appearance, but still showing up with such a good program showing why she’s being a good competitor within her generation. Despite all these recent programs, fans have been spiraling and sharing edits online, mainly nostalgic and emotional ones as a certain skating moment struck them. With edits being posted of
From Hero to Zero
The firing of Hugh Freeze
Kyle Ferrell, Staff Writer
With an SEC record of 6-16 and a record of 1-12 against ranked opponents, it is no surprise that Hugh Freeze was fired, especially after he lost to an unranked 2-5 (1-5 SEC record) Kentucky during a night game at home. Ending his 3-year stint at Auburn with an overall record of 15-19 and only one win in the SEC in the season, against a bad Arkansas team, many fans are left wondering what is next for the most interesting SEC team. Compared to Gus Malzahn’s first 3 years at Auburn, Malzahn appeared in a BCS National Championship and had an overall record of 33-8, which begs the question of what took so long to fire Freeze? Currently, the interim head coach is the defensive coordinator, DJ Durkin, and while he may have lost his first game as head coach, it was against a top-ten ten heavily competitive Vanderbilt team at FirstBank Stadium. He took this team into overtime only to lose by failing their drive. This game proves that the Auburn Tigers have the talent to compete with top ten teams. The Auburn defense is top 5 in all of the NCAA, holding every single team they have gone against,
Alysa Liu’s program to Laufey’s song Promise she performed com itively, but just a masterpiece concept that hit fans emotion ally. This performance impacted them until they realized that they missed these heartwarm ing concepts as modern skating skills met up with emotional choreography on ice. There are such incredibly artistic and unique figure skating programs out there, but there are also skiing matches, specifically players, that we may wanna give our attention to. Starting off strong would be Stefan Brennsteiner who conquered a high altitude course that scored to be his first World Cup victory in Copper Mountain, Colorado, on the 28th of November 2025. Despite such cold weather conditions, he skied his way that he was able to secure his first World cup with just a time of 2:30.98 beating Slovenia’s Zan
Kranjec by 0.26 seconds. Brennsteiner is living proof that hard work eventually pays off regardless as this is his 81st try, demonstrating determination and his perseverthrough it all, proving to others that hard work eventually pays off. Someone who also proved that hard work pays off would be Mikaela Shiffrin as she won straight to her 3rd World Cup at the start of the Olympic season. Despite her injury from a hard crash that removed 2 months of her last season, she endured and still managed to pursue such a huge achievement. With her past world cup wins in Levi, Finland, and Gurgl, Austria, she won that cup by over a second. Shiffrin finished with a total time of 48.75 seconds, beating Germany’s Lena Duerr by 1.57 while Albania’s Lara Colturi by 1.85.
All these performances and achievements by talented individuals demonstrates that you can achieve anything once you set your mind into it, despite all the challenges that you may possibly face.
including powerhouse teams such as Texas A&M and Georgia, to no more than 24 points, with Vanderbilt being the only exception. The only other teams in the country with this statistic are the #1 and #2 teams in the country, Ohio St. and Indiana. So what exactly went wrong? Why did Hugh Freeze fail?
To put it bluntly, Hugh Freeze failed as a coach because he just is not a good one. He has plenty of weapons on offense with receivers such as Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr; you would think that Auburn would have no problem moving the football down the field. The problem is that Freeze knows how to get the good players, but he doesn’t know how to use them. Over the winter, Auburn got the top quarterback in the transfer portal, Jackson Arnold, yet going into week twelve, he has just under 1,300
yards on the season and a pass completion rate of 133-210. He just was not a competent enough coach to use his offensive weapons to win games. The only thing that kept all of these Auburn games close was the absolutely dominant defense that locked down any offense they came against: Xavier Atkins, Keyron Crawford, Robert Woodyard Jr., and Keldric Faulk. All of these future NFL players are just some of the players preventing Auburn from looking like Kentucky or Arkansas. This whole situation is just proof that if you have one of the best teams in all of college football, but you have one of the worst coaches behind it, then you will not be successful. With Hugh Freeze finally out of Auburn’s locker room, the team finally has a chance to make itself great. So, what exactly is the next move for Auburn football?
The next head coach Auburn hires needs to
be a coach who actually understands how to utilize Auburn’s offense. Some coaches Auburn may want to look at are USF’s head coach Alex Golesh, former Penn State head coach James Franklin, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, and Georgia Tech’s Brent Key. All of these coaches would be excellent additions to the coaching staff. Alex Golesh has led the USF Bulls to a 7-2 season and even now sits at #24. Brent Key has led the once bottomof-the-barrel Georgia Tech team to an 8-1 season and is currently ranked at 16. All of these coaches would shake up the Auburn offense and bring necessary changes to make Auburn a dominant team again. The firing of Hugh Freeze is not something any Auburn fan will be sad over. It was necessary. If anything, Auburn fans should be celebrating his departure. He became nothing but an ugly stain on the history of Auburn football. Maybe this time, Auburn will actually hire the correct coach to lead their team to be a college football playoff contender.
APELSTEEL
EDITORIALS 18
Should We Always Love a Cool
Girl?
A deeper dive into social fascination
Aubrey Shaddrix, Editor
“This world is bull-” In four words, Fiona Apple’s career was changed indefinitely. That night at the 1997 VMAs, singer-songwriter Fiona Apple took her moment of opportunity, and with an unpre pared, blunt speech, decided to comment on the nature of in fluence and the radical idealism in higher society, an incredible feat given the fact that she was surrounded by the world’s high est paying artist of the twentieth century. And I’ve thought about this a lot recently, given that I’m a teenage girl and don’t have much else to do, and how public figures like celebrities and influencers are such impactful figures for all of us, even when we don’t want them to be, so really, why do we love cool girls?
We study red carpets like zoos, analyzing what scandal will unfold before each award is handed out and watching every notable celeb rity interview, taking in every as pect of this extravagant world most of us will never know. And it’s always been like this, this form of fascination filling in the gaps of wealth and social standings. Maybe it’s instinct, this constant motive to find an authority or inspiration in our lives, because who wouldn’t want to live in the same formality as our favorite celebrities? It’s a common analogy for little girls to flip through catalogs and Covergirls, wishing they could reach their beauty, wishing they could be like the women they grew up admiring. Even for adults, wealthy celebrities are the pillars of success, with their sports cars, designer bags, and romantic lives. Celebrities are the muses for common people, and hope against common troubles, as they have the
privilege to be completely and utterly out of touch.
This out of touch nature also translates to the world of influenc-
these women are on a seemingly daily basis. Something interesting, though, is how they don’t stop simply with themselves; the world of
actually the perfect example of this social fascination Fiona Apple was talking about decades ago, because it really is just all quite conforming in a monkey see monkey-see-mon-
be jealous of. It’s no shocker why these digital celebrities appeal to viewers; they just look cool, and they just are that interesting and unique. It’s easy to see them online and wish you could be as nonchalant and perfectly kept as
packages and influencer ads to sell products, and the better the product fits with an influencer’s image, the better it can sell. Ultimately, these influencers are doing more than just dressing cool or having cool taste or cool lives; they’re selling “cool,” and in a way, selling their image to impres sionable people. It’s
Nobody’s an exception to this either, it really is just a part of human nature to admire something. I don’t think anything is primarily wrong with the innocent nature of taking inspiration from another person, but when it turns into compromising your own identity, it gets complicated. It’s such an exhausting thing to try and fit yourself into a brand or ideal, and ultimately just leads to a complex miscommunication within yourself for a long time, because when your trying so hard to be something else, you are ultimately rejecting your own self. Do you really want these things? Do you want to be clean, or quiet, or edgy like all these girls when you have to shut out a part of yourself to do so? It’s miserable and repressing to keep trying. And although these influencers have such presumably “cool” lives -- are they even real, or at least in the context we see them? Maybe the healthiest thing to do is to take influence from yourself, and listen to what you really want. It’s even more admirable to be your own person and to like the things you’ve chosen to represent you. There’s no point in keeping up with this competition of social impressiveness, and there’s no reward at the end of the day for being the “coolest” in a room. So when it really comes down to it, “go with yourself,” and be a cool girl on your own terms.
The 2020 Phenomenon
How 2020 has completely transformed the internet
Jacob Larker, Staff Writer
I think most of the issues today can be traced back to 2020, most of those being social & political issues, which were caused by COVID. That very short period of quarantining, social distancing, and political discourse left a huge mark on our society today. But what I want to focus on is the impact it has left on the internet. 2020 was a really transformative year for TikTok; the platform underwent a huge cultural shift. The app became more than just a dancing platform; users delved more delved into political issues, identity, aesthetics, and niche subcultures. These niche hyper-curated lifestyles that are seen today are essentially just grown-up versions of the aesthetics we attempted to create in 2020. Today, we see people wearing selvedge denim and listening to Snow Strippers; before, it was low-rise jeans and 100 gecs. My point is that 2020 has indirectly shaped the internet today, rewiring internet culture entirely. It was this point of expansion, a time of experimentation for the internet , and we’ve only grown wildly since then.
What makes 2020 so influential is not just the trends themselves, but the conditions that created them. For the first time, a massive portion of the pop-
A
Tacky Christmas
ulation, especially young people, was isolated with nothing but the internet as their social world. That environment accelerated how quickly people sought identity online. TikTok offered a form of connection that felt immediate and communal, and its algorithm favored this sort of reinvention. As a result, users learned to adopt, reinvent, and discard identities at a rapid pace, a behavior that remains on the internet today.
As those users aged, their tastes changed, but the urge to experiment remained. What was once bright hair and hyperpop became curated minimalism, micro-genres, and the constant pursuit of “authenticity,” still tailored to the algorithm’s push for uniqueness. TikTok’s culture continues to revolve around rapid microtrends like clean girl and indie sleaze, constantly evolving at high speed.
Another lasting impact is how TikTok blurred the lines between entertainment, politics, and personal expression. During 2020, political education, activism, humor, and aesthetics all shared the same space. That blend still defines online behavior: people discuss elections with the same tone they use to discuss fashion and music. The internet
The best way to celebrate the holidays
Macey Apel, Staff Writer
Christmas is a season meant to be filled with cheer, family fun, colorful tree lights, and ugly seaters However, minimalist grey and boring decorations have seemed to engulf the classic “tacky” style of celebration for the holidays, taking the joy and nostalgic feeling with it. When someone says mas room with colored lights, a flowing fireplace with colorful stockings, and brightly wrapped presents, or a stark, grey, and white modern box com plete with a white tree, identical coor dinated orna ments, and pres ents wrapped in white Studies show that the holiday
season is so stressful that it can lead to depression, and mental struggles during the holiday season are common. Despite this fact, having a feeling of nostalgia and comfort during the holidays can lead to a happier and more enjoyable season. The best way to evoke nostalgic feelings is to surround yourself with colorful and homey decor. Minimalist holiday decor has been influenced by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, showing off her “Winter Wonderland” house on TikTok; the hallway filled with white trees that have no ornaments, just white faux snow. Influencers and TikTok picked up on this trend, claiming that the new style helps create a calm environment for celebrations and implements “Less is more” as a common and sometimes helpful phrase, which helps cut out traditional clutter. However, maybe this shouldn’t
never fully returned to its pre-2020 state because the pandemic forced it to grow up, becoming a platform of cultural for mation rather than a reflection of real life. An emerging pattern in humor that was coined by early comedy creators like 4freakshow has become a norm today, with creators having a similar basis that is defined by satirical and ironic humor. Slushynoobz, Aldo, and plenty of other TikTok creators carry this same humor, but their origins can be found in 2020. In many ways, the internet we see now is simply the adult version of its 2020 self. The trends changed, the people aged, but the structure, the desire to curate an identity, the rapid trend cycle, and the blending of politics and culture remain. 2020 wasn’t just a year; it was a blueprint. And everything we see online today is built from it.
apply to Christmas. Minimalist Christmas creates a cold, unwel coming environment, in contrast to a warm, family, tacky Christmas. Christmas is meant to be a season of joy and cheer, centered around the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. Tacky Christmas was the norm for many years, but as the 2020’s brought the “modern and minimalist” trends now seen in many new home styles, the way people dress, and how they decorate, it’s also become another style of decorating for the holiday season. Min imalism annihilates the nostalgic styles that once dominated the holiday season. Some may claim “tacky” is another trendy idea, but Christmas decorations used to be so col orful that
EDITORALS 20
The Cost of Healthy Living
Learn the price to living in the United States and the sacrifice of the citizen’s health
Elizabeth Smith, Staff Writer
America, in the eyes of countries across the globe, is viewed as a hub for obesity and unhealthy citizens. According to the Business Insider, the United States is in the top 10 of the world’s most unhealthy countries. Mass General Brigham conducted a study on over 300,000 Americans and found that 68.6% of Americans fall under the category of overweight compared to others with the same sex, age, and other factors. The National Institute of Health also made the statement that “Our greatest health issues are: heart disease and stroke… [and] diabetes…” However, the American citizen is not entirely to blame for their unhealthy living. These national health struggles are heavily influenced by the increase in costs of healthy
food; minimal access to proper exercise equipment and resources; and an increase in medical costs not covered by insurance.
The average American, though it varies between states, makes $59,000 annually. According to studies, to live comfortably in America, an individual needs around $102,000; this number is for a single American with no children; families, depending on size, need double or triple that amount. Statistics like this shine a light on how far Americans are from the infamous “American Dream.”
When a person looks at all the expenses that an individual must pay lined up, those such as taxes, mortgage payments, bills, and other necessities take priority. The remainder of a person’s paycheck is minimal and this requires saving money wherever possible.
groceries, they look at what they can afford. In com- parison to Walmart or Dollar General, Publix is more expensive and a person might only be able to afford a small number of items. Though Publix is known for having a healthier and more diverse array of products, a blue-collar worker will go where they can get more goods for the amount they are paying. Think about a mother or father trying to prepare a meal for their children. They see that they can buy a whole pizza from Little Caesar’s for $5.99; it is not only cheaper for a parent to buy this meal than to make one at home, which requires ingredients, but it also saves time for a working parent who has little time at home. This is also evident in grocery stores and gas stations. It is cheaper to buy a family-size bag of regular Lays than to buy a regular-sized bag of kettle-cooked Lays or baked chips; the kettle-cooked or baked chips are considered healthier options than regular chips, but you get more for a better price.
All of these examples highlight a few of many choices Americans make on a daily basis to save money in a na- tion of inflation and under-paid individuals and families.
To have proper gym equipment to use, one has to spend several hundred dollars on weights, mats, treadmills, and other necessities. Even if an individual did not want to spend their money on buying the equipment, gym memberships offered at local gyms across the country have monthly membership costs that still take a heavy toll financially on an individual. Most would be deferred from athletics because of the hidden fees behind some of the country’s favorite sports.
who do not have proper coverage do not use these services, even when these services can be quite beneficial in improving the lives of Americans.
For a person who is going to buy
The average working American has to balance a career, family, social life, and possibly education. These factors, along with many challenges faced on a daily basis, eat into the 24 hours of the person’s day. It is hard, and sometimes impossible, to find time in their schedule to take care of themselves. Even with the days that Americans have off, the cost to take part in health activities or health resources limits the potential for Americans. Take working out as an example.
Americans who are already sacrificing certain factors in their life to save money where they can will take these actions and apply them to their mindset. Some people who do not have money to spare will create a mindset that hinders them from indulging in luxuries because they believe they are wasting money that can be used for necessities. In extreme situations, these sacrifices go far beyond giving up personal luxuries like gaming systems or fancy clothes and unfortunately will impact medical visits. A person with the flu or strong stomach pains might “tough it out” because they do not want to spend money on a copay in the emergency room. Individuals have gone as far as to not only refuse Emergency Medical Services (EMS), but run away from the medical services to avoid the thousands of dollars the ten minute ride would cost. Though most Americans do have insurance, there are gaps in what services they do and do not cover. The majority of healthcare insurance plans do not cover the following: adult dental services, vision services, hearing aids, uncovered prescription drugs, acupuncture and other alternative therapies, weight loss programs and weight loss surgery, cosmetic surgery, infertility treatment, sterilization reversal, private nursing, travel vaccines, LASIK, psychological therapy. Because of the extreme costs of the procedures or appointments, those
Prices are on the rise; the American people are desperately trying to stay afloat. Whilst the American economy suffers, so do the individuals and families of the nation. The health of the American citizen should be the top priority to officials in the United States. In today’s situation, families can still find ways to save money and stay healthy, such as going to a park, talking to a friend, practicing breathing exercises, finding recipes online that are nutritious, fast, and affordable. Though families cannot help the state of prices, they are trying their best to survive. As for those who are looking at Americans in similar situations described in this article, whether from another continent or across the street, we, as a society, should not be so quick to judge the lifestyles of others. We should instead offer our understanding as well as our help in times where food, clothes, and shelthers are growing more expensive and less accessible to the middle and lower classes in the United States of America.
“Public health is a powerful tool to level that playing field, to bend the arc of our country away from distrust and disparities and back towards equity and justice.”
— Leana S. Wen
The Expectations are the Limit
Learn about the Hidden Meaning of Fashion
Claire McPhillips, Staff Writer
Every day, students roam the hallways in their plain t-shirts, leggings or jeans, and classic sneakers. Clothes have lost their originality over the years, but that is not the only reason for this phenomenon. Effects from class curriculums and dress codes inhibit the full potential of wardrobes. Additionally, the looks some may receive for their unique styles can inhibit that desire to dress up and out there. Despite what many parents and teachers might think, having a looser dress code and limiting judgemental attitudes can not only increase expressionalism, but creativity as well.
Cullman High School’s dress code prohibits any pants, shorts, and skirts that rise above the midthigh. However, most skirts in stores are slightly just above that line, preventing students from purchasing clothes they love. Many styles out there--some that I myself would love to experiment with-call for certain pieces of clothing that are outside of these rules. Therefore, these styles are unable to
be properly executed or explored by students. Dyed hair also poses an issue in the dress code. Exotic colors are not allowed, perhaps because they may be perceived as distracting, and this brings in a strange topic for these rules: given the thousands of other possible distractions in a classroom environment, why is this one prioritized? Is a dash of color in a room not acceptable, or are the issues arising from possible ste reotypes or just personal dislike? While the problem may be too con cealed for some eyes, mine included, to see, it is still dis couraging when many reasons are not directly stated to the student body, and we are left to simply infer some of the true “issues.” The dress code is clearly in place for a
Breaking Stereotypes
Cyrene Agustin, Staff Writer
Have you ever heard someone ask if you’re in a relationship with a relative just because you mentioned you’re from Alabama? This may be a joke that you’ve heard from others, but it is a perfect example of how stereotypes are present in everyday conversations. Nowadays, people claim that “it’s a joke” just to be able to make a stereotypical comment, claiming that if it’s a joke, it cancels out how offensive it can actually be. People from Alabama could admit that these cousin jokes stopped being funny and started getting tiring after hearing them every now and then. These types of comments may hold harmless intentions to the one men tioning them, but they can actually harm the person on the receiving end. Multiple people around the world can speak up about how tiring
reason--to protect individuals from
hurting levels of creativity and
greatly impacted the way individuals will style their clothing and accessorize. It appears
which not only adds depth to an outfit, but also character. Moreover, it is no surprise that, as
creased in past decades, this generation lives with took a rise in popularity
being tied down to the past sion and breaking from the social
It certainly is not easy to hear countless whispers about an outfit
the harm in so-called harmless jokes
it is when others think they know who you are based on one general category that you fall into.
The same goes for Asians, as they also face stereotypes that come as a mix of “compliments” and straight-up insults, but both still harm. Stereotypes that may be seen as compliments, like saying “Asians are good at math” or “I know you’re naturally smart because you’re Asian” are still generalizations. Meanwhile, other comments are just offensive, such as accusing Asians of consuming certain animals, blaming them for Covid-19, or mocking physical features. Even if some stereotypical comments may seem positive and uplifting, they still put an individual into one category they didn’t choose, making them unable to create an image of their own, as you have already set on yourself. None of these comments are harmless, regardless of intentions, as they raise the idea that Asians and their culture are something to joke aboutas if it’s a compilation of jokes in a comedy show. It may not seem like it, but redheads also face cer-
tain stereotypes, mainly disguised as jokes. From leprechaun references, pots of gold, anything St. Patrick’s Day-related, and being labeled hot-tempered, people treat these ste reotypes like they’re funny, harmless jokes. As redheads shine uniquely, this became a reason for others to comment on their hair as if it were something to make fun of. Many redheads experience getting called nicknames by people or having jokes thrown at them the moment they walk into a room. People with red hair have to grow up with people who think redheads can receive this treatment, as if their hair color gives everyone else permission to point, laugh, or make assumptions about them. These jokes might seem lighthearted at first, but constantly being compared to leprechauns or being told they’re “aggressive” can make someone feel degraded or reduced to a stereotype they never asked to be part of, just like how Asians and people from Alabama may feel.
being a “bad choice” or an “ugly combination.” It is also disheartening if the outfit is one that the wearer feels represents them perfectly. These comments force everyone into the same fashion box, and even if they are merely jokes, it ends up being more hurtful than one may realize. It is important, especially in modern-day society, to be accepting of someone’s style. Many do not know how to express themselves, and fashion may just be the most comfortable choice for them. If these insults increase in number, the amount of originality in fashion will only decrease, causing countless societies to lose track of who they really are at heart, versus who they are when others interfere.
Though these restrictions seem anger-inducing and worrisome, a little bit of negativity can bring on a motivation to fight against it. Embrace who you are, truly. Even with the limits posed against certain items of clothing, conveying who you are is not just limited to fashion; finding other ways to express yourself is just as important.
Every time someone makes a stereotypical comment, they use the same excuse to justify it by claiming that it’s a joke. Even if it may seem funny on your end, it is definitely more than “just a joke” to the other person. These comments are something an individual must’ve heard their entire life, which can take a toll on them. Statements like these give others an impression of you before even getting to know you, setting unnecessary expectations and major misconceptions. To prove you actually have a sense of humor, you can tell jokes that are genuinely funny and not offensive or directed at anyone. The goal of making others happy should always be to make the entire crowd laugh, not exclude one person for the entertainment of others. It is simply time to move on and let go of these jokes, not because we’ve become too woke or sensitive, but because we’ve added a new perspective to our understanding and have hopefully learned from it.
EDITORIALS 22
The Metaphor of TheMetamorphosis
The deeper meaning of the Franz Kafka novella
Avery Hice, Staff Writer
Franz Kafka opens The Metamorphosis not with shock, but with normalcy. Gregor Samsa wakes one morning to find himself transformed into something he cannot name. The word Kafka uses, Ungeziefer, does not mean “bug,” as so many later translations suggested. It means “vermin,” a creature defined not by species but by worthlessness. Something impure. Something unfit for sacrifice. Something that does not belong. Early translators softened the brutality by calling Gregor an insect, as if he were merely a pest scuttling across a floor. But Kafka’s choice was far more existentially devastating: Gregor is not a bug. He is a human soul trapped in a body that denies him dignity, a being stripped of identity before he can even attempt to understand what he has become.
Yet long before his transformation, Gregor had already begun to disappear. He lived like a man drained of color, trudging through train stations and temporary rooms, selling goods he did not care about to support a family that depended on him but did not truly see him. His value existed only in his labor. His affection from them was transactional. He worked himself into exhaustion, and in doing so, allowed himself to fade. His life held no pleasure, only duty.
So when he wakes as something useless, the world reacts exactly as it has been taught to react to weakness. His mother hides, his father attacks, and Grete, a once gentle and devoted sister, begins to speak of him as though he is already gone. As Gregor’s ability to provide disappears, so does the family’s memory of who he once was. However, slowly, quietly, the Samsas begin to thrive. His father takes on a job. His mother returns to sewing. Grete grows confident and capable. Their lives bloom precisely as Gregor’s withers, as if his suffering had always been the soil in which their prosperity grew.
Kafka wrote beneath the heavy shadow of his own father, but also within the deeper shadow of existential despair. Gregor becomes the embodiment of existential nihilism: a reminder that life offers no inherent meaning, and that purpose is often
nothing more than an illusion created by routine and obligation. Once his usefulness disappears, Gregor confronts the truth that the universe does not recognize worth. Nothing arrives to help him understand his transformation. No higher purpose reveals itself. His existence becomes senseless, arbitrary, and painfully empty.
This is why the distinction between vermin and bug matters. To call Gregor a bug turns him into a simple creature we recognize and can dismiss. Yet Ungeziefer renders him something far more unsettling. He is a human consciousness trapped inside a body that denies him personhood. A being rejected not because of what he is, but because he no longer fits into the machinery of usefulness that his family—and society—require. The tragedy is not that he becomes an insect but that he loses the right to be seen as human.
By the time Gregor dies, his family feels only relief. They do not mourn him. They move forward, lighter, freer, as if the burden they carried had finally slid off their shoulders. His body is removed without ceremony, swept away like refuse. There is no revelation in his final moments. No redemption. Only the world continuing untouched, unconcerned.
Kafka ends the story in that silence, in the cold certainty that meaning is not guaranteed. In the lens of existential nihilism, Gregor’s life does not serve a higher purpose. His suffering does not build to a lesson. It simply exists, and then it ends, and the world carries on.
Gregor’s metamorphosis is not the true horror. It is only the mirror. The real monstrosity lies in the world that
shaped him, a world that convinced him his worth depended on endless labor and that discarded him the moment he could no longer give. A world where even translations softened his tragedy, shrinking vermin into a mere “bug,” making it easier to overlook the human being trapped inside.
Gregor desperately ached to matter. He wanted to be seen. But the universe he inhabited, both in the story and outside of it, offered only indifference. Clearly, his family learned to live without him long before he ever stopped breathing.
