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ODYSSEY 12

MEET THE NEW PRINCIPAL

ELECTION 2018: FAST FACTS

Volume 16 Issue 1 Oct. 2018 $3.00

FOR CLARKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR REAâ€™L POGUE, MUSIC IS A WAY TO EXPRESS HIMSELF AND CONNECT TO OTHERS.

Drum Major Elizabeth Gaskill, a senior, conducts the Clarke Central High School marching band in the 52nd Classic City Championship on Sept. 28. Gaskill is proud of the band’s performance. “The (CCHS) and (Cedar Shoals High School) bands have been on good terms for a long time. We don’t get caught in the rivalry and we’re sportsmanlike towards each other,” Gaskill said. “Our performance on Friday night got the crowd on its feet. I could feel it behind me after we were done. The student section was freaking out.” Photo by Krista Shumaker, story by Ana Aldridge

IN FOCUS

VIEWPOINTS 9

INTRO TO BLACK CULTURE Journalism I student Sophia Long describes her first experiences being immersed in Black culture. BY SOPHIA LONG

NEWS 18 Republican gubernatorial nominee Brian Kemp GLADIATOR RUNS FOR GOV.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue uses music to express himself.

graduated from Clarke Central High School in 1982. BY ALEXANDER ROBINSON

Features

Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Swade Huff sits near the Ceremonial Entrance at CCHS on Oct. 4. Huff has fond memories of CCHS, his alma mater. “It was definitely a great time in my life and I was prepared for a life outside of Clarke Central,” Huff said. Photo by Ana Aldridge

ARTIVIST 22 Clarke Central High School senior Havilland Ford expresses herself and her beliefs through fashion. BY ELENA GILBERTSON HALL

REVIEWS

BLACKkKLANSLAM 35 “BlacKkKlansman” provides a biting social commentary on past and present events. BY EMMA CRANE

VARIETY A CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE 33 Raising her son, Daniel, caused Clarke Central High

Clarke Central High School seniors and volleyball players Sandra Barcenas, Flora Lechtreck, Caroline Mobley and Tavaria Smith pose in the new gym on Sept. 10. As seniors, they stepped up to lead a bonded volleyball team. “We’re like family. We’re like sisters,” Lechtreck said. “They respect me, but at the same time they know that I’m not someone who’s rude, and I’m not someone who’s bossy or controlling.” Photo by Ana Aldridge

School math department co-chair Heather Julian to rethink her approach to teaching. BY ROXANNE DOMIZI

SPORTS SENIOR LEADERS 50 Senior players step up to lead the Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team in their last season. BY NATALIE RIPPS

50 October 2018

OUR TAKE

ike released a series of advertisements for the 30th anniversary of its “Just Do It” campaign on Sept. 5. One of the most highly-publicized of these was an advertisement featuring former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick with the statement, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Kaepernick has received attention -- positive and negative -- for kneeling during the national anthem at several football games, starting during the team’s 2016 preseason. His decision to kneel was an act of free speech, which he used to make a vital statement about racism and police brutality in America. Nike’s decision to publish an ad supporting Kaepernick was a positive one, allowing his message to reach a wider audience and to stem a revival of public support for him and his cause. The company also received an increase in support following its release, including a 10 percent increase in sales, according to The Wall Street Journal.

To praise Nike for the Kaepernick ad is missing the point. Though the publication of the Kaepernick ad sent an important message, it does not excuse the company for its history of unethical actions. Nike received a ‘C’ rating from the 2017 Ethical Fashion Report due to its lack of worker empowerment initiatives across its supply chain and failure to improve minimum wages for its workers. Nike has also been reported as having a “hostile and abusive work environment for women” by The New York Times. The ad has allowed Nike to capitalize on Kaepernick’s movement, something that is particularly off-putting considering the company’s past with him. According to The New York Times, top Nike executives decided to end the company’s contract with Kaepernick in 2017, but later went back on this decision because of the potential backlash they could have received if seen as siding with the NFL over Kaepernick. Nike then waited over a year -- until Kaepernick’s rise in popularity as a civil rights figure -- to use his image in advertising. To praise Nike for the Kaepernick ad is missing the point. This ad, instead of being an opportunity to draw attention to the company, should be a reminder to continue fighting for Kaepernick’s cause. Companies like Nike should continue to use their platforms to promote the messages of socially-active athletes, but the public should be conscious of responding to them by praising the movement rather than the corporation. O

Believe in money. Even if it means sacrificing morality.

Just do it. Above: JUST DO IT: Nike’s Colin Kaepernick ad, though positive, is simply a way for the corporation to make money. Graphic by Katie Grace Upchurch

odysseynewsmagazine.net

Odyssey The ODYSSEY is a student-run news publication, published with the intent to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community, as well as to educate student journalists. Established in 2003, the ODYSSEY is published four times a year, and each issue is an open public forum for student expression under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Student journalists are provided with opportunities to investigate, inform, interpret and to evaluate: all traditionally accepted functions of the press in America. Published opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone other than the staff. The ODYSSEY staff is committed to reflect the mission statement set forth by Clarke Central High School. The goals of the staff are to provide fair, accurate news and commentaries, as well as to serve the interests of the school and Athens’ community. Advertising must conform to the guidelines set forth for editorials. Publication of advertisements does not indicate an endorsement by CCHS or the ODYSSEY staff. Students pictured in advertisements are not given monetary compensation. All advertising rates are available upon request from any ODYSSEY staff member. The ODYSSEY is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Georgia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Corrections of errors and omissions will appear in the next issue.

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Ana Aldridge Katie Grace Upchurch Managing Editor: Elena Gilbertson Hall Senior Copy Editor: Valeria Garcia-Pozo Senior Visuals Editor: Kelly Fulford Viewpoints Editor: Connor McCage News Editor: Alexander Robinson Variety Editor: Emma Ramsay Sports Editor: Mackenzie Caudill Business Manager: Emma Crane Designer: Everett Vereen Web Master: Owen Donnelly Social Media Coordinator: Elena Webber Staff Members: Ava Adamson Aaron Carr Caedmon Churchwell Gunnar Churchwell Maya Cornish Roxanne Domizi Bria Echols Colin Frick Isabella Gonzalez Naomi Hendershot Audrey Kennedy Andrea Matta-Castillo Nicole Ramos Tecoya Richardson Natalie Ripps Krista Shumaker Adviser: David A. Ragsdale ODYSSEY MEDIA GROUP Clarke Central High School 350 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia 30605 Phone: (706) 357-5200 Ext. 17370

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR REMEMBERING HENDERSON

Our May issue featured a story on the life and legacy of former Clarke Central High School varsity football coach Billy Henderson.

>> VIEWPOINTS

>> FEATURES

FRESH VOICE // Andrea Matta-Castillo

AP PROBLEM // Mackenzie Caudill

I used to play soccer for Athens United and Clarke Central. I had to stop playing soccer when I tore my meniscus and haven’t returned to the sport since. I liked this article because it reminded me why I liked playing soccer so much even though I have not been able to play for so long.

I enjoyed reading the article by Mackenzie Caudill because it touches on topics and situations that I have been in and can relate to. Most of my Advanced Placement classes all throughout high school have been predominantly filled with Caucasian students. In the article, one of the students talks about how minority students might be scared to be in AP classes, but I disagree. I believe that the stereotypes are rooted so deeply that minorities have become accustomed to their kind not being in those classes. I appreciate the author putting solutions to this issue in the article because in the future, I hope to see more minorities in AP classes, not just being in them, but I hope they actually do well and succeed in the classes, as well.

-- Emily Gillespie, junior

>> NEWS OPIOID CRISIS // Elena Gilbertson Hall

-- Bella DeMarco, senior

>> VARIETY REVIEW: FORTNITE // Kelly Fulford I have played Fortnite both on mobile and console. There are some things that I hate about the mobile version more than the console/PC version. First, the controls are really hard to play on phone, as the article says. Second, the game is an invite only. Last, the graphics and the lag are a problem that I think can be also fixed, too.

-- Daniel Ojong Eku, sophomore

Contact ODYSSEY Media Group

I“

-- Zykearia Dean, senior

don’t think that >> SPORTS the NBA will A LEAGUE OF HER OWN // Hannah Gale overtake the NFL as the most popular sport. Football is just too ingrained in American culture.

“

The opioid crisis is an incredibly difficult matter to discuss, due to fact that every involved party (pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patients) can be held accountable. For these reasons, the article gave a good general overview on the issue at hand. However, I would have liked having more specifics on the Athens epidemic. Overall, I think that in order for true progress to be made, each entity/individual responsible must be proactive in their efforts to reduce the overuse and over-prescription of the drugs.

-- Junior Sam Jones on Luis Garcia’s editorial, “Change of posession,” on the the rise of the National Basketball Association.

As an older sister of a baseball player, I related to this article on a personal level. My brother started off playing for Athens Little League when he was 4 years old and he has played for multiple teams ever since. Watching baseball at home as a girl in my house, I have always had family ask me, “Why do you want to watch baseball? Why don’t you watch the softball games instead? You don’t get it.” Anyone, boy or girl, can play any sport. It’s not about the gender -- it’s about your ability to do what you do well, and with confidence.

-- Alexis Gibbons, senior

Corrections/Omissions May 2018 On page 16, in the tenth paragraph, “Clarke Central High School” should be abbreviated. On page 25, Elena Gilbertson Hall’s name should be spelled without a hyphen. On page 24 in ”Crystall Ball Frappuccino,” it should say “grande size” instead of “grande-sized” in the last paragraph of the review. On page 24 in “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” in the third paragraph, “off putting” should be hyphenated.

Letters: E-mail us at editors@odysseynewsmagazine.net, or drop off in the Main Office, in care of the ODYSSEY. We ask that all letters be under 250 words and signed. We reserve the right to omit or edit any letters received. Insulting, unsigned or libelous statements will not be considered for publication. All letters may be edited for clarity and space. Advertising: For ad rates e-mail us at business@odysseynewsmagazine.net. Online: Comment online at our www.odysseynewsmagazine.net.

October 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The current climate of distrust and hostility towards the media in the U.S. threatens our First Amendment right to the freedom of speech.

early two years into Donald Trump’s presidency, the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press is under fire. In a July 15 Twitter post, President Trump ANA ALDRIDGE Co-Editor-in-Chief tweeted, “Much of our news media is indeed the enemy of the people and all the Dems...know how to do is resist and obstruct!” The media is not the enemy of the people -- its job is to inform the people. With a president who attacks journalists, it is more important than ever to fight for our First Amendment right to freedom of the press and our right to be informed. The attack on the press is not limited to professional media outlets. There have been cases of censorship of student press this year, as well. According to the Burlington Free Press, Burlington High School journalism students published a breaking news story on Sept. 10 about a school guidance director being

charged with six charges of unprofessional conduct. By mid-morning the next day, their story was removed from the publication’s website because BHS Interim Principal Noel Green said the post “created a hostile working environment” for the guidance director.

The media is not the enemy of the people -- its job is to inform the people. Cases of the censorship of student press are nothing new. In 1988, the Supreme Court ruled that a Missouri school district had acted lawfully in removing a twopage spread about divorce and teenage pregnancy from a student newspaper. This case, titled Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, gave high school administrators grounds to censor the work of student journalists. The issue of student press censorship hits close to home for Leanne Tippett Mosby, Director of Career and Alumni Services at the University of Missouri, who was a student in the journalism program at

Hazelwood East High School at the time of the case. “We got the newspaper back and it was just two pages long, and our immediate thought was that the printer made a mistake because they were used to publishing just a four-page paper,” Tippett Mosby said. When Tippett Mosby and her classmates faced this level of censorship, they took the case all the way to the Supreme Court. The students hoped that they would win their case with substantiation from Tinker vs. Des Moines, a 1965 Supreme Court Case, which ruled that administrators would have to demonstrate constitutionally valid reasoning for restricting students’ freedom of speech. However, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the principal’s decision to prohibit the publication of certain articles did not obstruct the First Amendment right of the students. Thirty years later, Tippet Mosby believes that the verdict of the case weakened students’ rights. “I didn’t agree with the Court’s decision. I felt it went way too far in restricting student journalism, and I felt that the Tinker case struck the right balance,” Mosby said. As a student journalist, I know the the hard work that goes into seeking fairness, accuracy and balance in reporting. Sure, fake news exists, but that’s all more the reason to support journalists having opportunities to do their jobs, even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable. The BHS journalism students ultimately won their battle for the freedom of speech, and were allowed to repost their breaking news story, and even managed to change their school’s policy on media, according to The Boston Globe. Though news consumers should demand good reporting from journalists, they should also defend our right to the freedom of the press. It is not the job of anyone -- the president or high school administration -- to censor or fight against those who seek out the truth every day for a betterinformed public. O

Featured: RESTRICTING RIGHTS: A student newspaper is censored, restricting the constitutionally-granted right to freedom of the press. Illustration by Audrey Kennedy

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Viewpoints

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The Georgia gubernatorial election has become a microcosm of the US political climate, and a perfect example for why more people of color and women are needed in office.

ccording to a 2017 American Civil Liberties Union poll, 91 percent of Americans say that the criminal justice system has problems that need fixing. If this many Americans -- who come from across the political spectrum -- believe that a change is needed, then why is nothing happening? Because the politicians in office don’t represent KATIE GRACE UPCHURCH Co-Editor-in-Chief the people they were elected to serve. Currently, of America’s 50 governors, only six are women -- a staggering number that does not match up with the fact that women are 51 percent of the U.S. population. Even worse, 47 of the 50 governors are White, while White people only make up 62 percent of the U.S. population. The Georgia gubernatorial race has become a microcosm of our terrifying national sociopolitical climate, demonstrating the alienation of the sides of the political spectrum, the now-typical and accepted extremism of the right and the dire need for new politicians in office. On the Republican side, there is Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp who

and opportunity to thrive.” While Kemp is busy tearing down immigrants, Abrams is standing for compassionate and inclusive -- what should be common sense and humane -- positions. A vote for Abrams is a vote for increased access to healthcare, environmental justice, and the creation of new jobs. A vote for Abrams is a vote against bigotry, hate and violence. A vote for Abrams is a vote for the common good. O

Abrams is a candidate who would bring a more open, honest and productive culture with her. was aptly labeled the “Enemy of Democracy” in an August editorial from The New York Times. Kemp’s campaign ads went viral for their extremity, leaving many thinking, “Wow, SNL really nailed it with this skit,” as they seem to be a ridiculous parody of what the political right has become. I interviewed Kemp on Aug. 28 and among his unsubstantiated claims, one stood out to me. “You guys live in Athens, you know about the gang violence we have in the city,” he told me. “We need to have a governor who’s gonna take on public safety reform and go after criminal street gangs, criminal illegals and Mexican drug cartels and others who are wreaking havoc in our neighborhoods.” It is the spreading of erroneous and hateful rhetoric like this that normalizes extremist views and creates a culture of bigotry. On the other side of the gubernatorial election is democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, the former Georgia House of Representatives Democratic minority leader. Abrams is a Black woman running on a platform that ranges from fostering an effective and engaged government to criminal justice reform. If Abrams were to be elected on Nov. 8, she would become the first Black female governor. Ever. Politicians like Abrams, politicians of color and woman politicians, who are running on campaigns to protect and represent unprotected and underrepresented communities are the ones who will bring real change. Abrams is a candidate who truly represents the people she would be elected to serve, and is a candidate who would bring a more open, honest and productive culture with her. Abrams isn’t appealing to extremism or hate and bigotry, she is simply running on a platform aimed at giving all Georgians the “freedom

Viewpoints

Above: A SIGN OF THE TIMES: Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, formerly the Georgia House of Representatives Democratic minority leader, is featured on a “Welcome to Georgia” postcard, surrounded by protest signs that read messages such as “Black Lives Matter.” Abrams is a candidate who, if elected, would actualize the change sought by these protestors, a change which is necessary and urgent. Graphic by Katie Grace Upchurch

October 2018

MAYA CORNISH The new enforcement of the cellphone policy by select teachers at Clarke Central High School is beneficial to the student body.

tudents walk into their English class, putting their cellphones into a bucket held by their teacher, who is standing by the door. The students won’t get their cellphones back until the end of class, freeing them of distraction. The 2018-19 CCHS Student handbook states, “Any cellphone being used or heard during instructional time will be confiscated and returned to the parent on Thursday from 12-4:30 p.m.” Though this is a long-standing policy, it has only been loosely enforced in past years. This year, that is changing -- for the better. Five out of 12 English department teachers at Clarke Central High School are taking a new approach on the cellphone policy, collecting phones at the start of class and keeping them until the end. English department teacher Ginger Lehmann was one of the first to suggest this plan to her colleagues. “(Cellphones are) an obvious problem, and so my decision was to collect all of the cellphones at the beginning of class and lock them in the cabinet and then hand them back out at the end,” Lehmann said

Question of the month Should cellphones be accessible during class? Why or why not? “I think they should be accessible to listen to music because I know with me that helps me to focus and concentrate in class.” -- ROEN JONES, freshman

“I think they should be allowed, but not during the class period. They should be allowed after class.” -- JACE PORTER-SIMS, sophomore

The costs outweigh the benefits. Taking up phones before class is a vital way to avoid distraction for CCHS students and to allow them to succeed. The freedom from distractions can have many benefits, including improving students’ performance at school. According to a 2015 study from the Centre for Economic Performance at the London School of Economics and Political Science, exam scores increased by as much as six percent after a ban on cellphone use. Some may argue that cellphones can promote learning in the classroom, with features like calculators and educational apps. However, the costs of allowing cellphones in the classroom outweigh the benefits. Cellphones can be major distractions, leading students off-task to play games, use social media and text. According to the 2010 study “Teens and Phones” by the Pew Research Center, 64 percent of students with cellphones texted in class. Ultimately, though cellphones can provide students with useful resources, the distraction of having them during class is too strong. While it may not be popular, the new enforcement of the cellphone policy is necessary. O

“If they are being used for learning purposes and researching stuff in class then I think that’s fine but otherwise I don’t think students need them in class.” -- ROBERT SIMMONS, junior

“I don’t think they should be accessible during class just because it is a really big distraction.” -- TIFFANY SIERRA, senior

“Yes and no. I feel that sometimes cell phone use can be incentivized and students can earn the privilege to listen to music.”

Above: DISTRACTIONS BE GONE: A box labeled “FOCUS!” holds a student’s cellphone. Illustration by Audrey Kennedy

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-- ANDREW RHICARD, CAPS department teacher

Viewpoints

THUMBS The ODYSSEY staff’s opinions on this month’s issues.

REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE If elected, Georgia gubernatorial democratic candidate Stacey Abrams will represent all Georgians that she is elected to serve.

CELLPHONE JAIL The enforcement of the cell phone policy by the English Department is an effective way to keep students focused in class.

NO SUGAR-COATING The new movie “Eighth Grade” achieves a more accurate depiction of what it’s really like to be in middle school than most films do.

TEAM TURNAROUND Head cross country coach Alex Holmes has turned the CCHS cross country team around from previous years, leading them to two AAAAA state meets last season.

BRAND NEW TRAINER Allison Palmer was hired to be the first full-time athletic trainer at CCHS and she will benefit student athletes. Viewpoints

SOPHIA LONG

FRESH VOICE

Journalism I student Sophia Long shares her experience recently being introduced to Black culture, having grown up in a predominantly White environment.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL The censorship of student press goes against our right to freedom of the press as stated in the Constitution. OUTDATED LAWS The state of Georgia still doesn’t have a genderneutral definition of rape, despite overwhelming evidence in support of updating the law.

SUPPRESSING IT Georgia state officials continue to suppress voters by kicking thousands of voters off of voting rolls to try and shift the vote.

NOT THE STAR Despite the massive debut of “Astroworld,” Travis Scott is the least interesting part of his own album.

STILL NOT EQUAL For men, professional sports are seen as a legitimate occupation, while professional female athletes are still treated like they are participating in a hobby.

Above: FAMILY PHOTO: Freshman Sophia Long (left) poses with her parents and younger brother Ezra at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in 2012. Long, who is biracial, was raised by White parents, attended majority-White schools and was not exposed to Black culture until her teens. Photo courtesy of Becky Long

or the first eight years of my education, I attended schools like Athens Montessori and Double Helix, which are 79 percent and 87 percent White, respectively. I never really experienced Black

culture. I didn’t have any Black figures as mentors at school or at home. I am biracial, and was adopted by White parents. Most people don’t understand that I think of them as my only parents, because I have no relationship with my biological family. In 2016, my parents decided to move me into public school, where I would have a more diverse group of peers whose experiences I could relate to more directly. When I arrived at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, I had never been around so many people of different races and ethnicities in one place. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, in 2017, BHL’s overall student population was 45 percent Black, with only 12 percent of students identified as White. Despite BHL’s diversity and my parents’ goal in sending me there, initially I associated more with White students because that was the environment I was used to. But in my transition from middle school to Clarke Central High School, this began to change. I walked into my classes and noticed how all my peers looked different. I began to see my friends of different ethnicities as role models that made up for the lack of Black role models in my life. I discovered that participating in Black culture takes more than just meeting other Black people: it involves music, fashion, food, language and traditions. Because I didn’t grow up surrounded by Black culture, I still experience it as an outsider. Now I have begun to immerse myself in Black culture -- exploring hairstyles and discussing the important issues POC face every day. But, I realize that I still have a lot to learn. O

October 2018

ENRAGED McCAGE Despite the cultural progress made by the #MeToo movement, the state of Georgia is still stuck in the past when it comes to how sexual assault is handled legally.

ur country, and most of the world, has a problem with discussing uncomfortable topics. It’s much easier to set up and knock down strawmen, and offer temCONNOR McCAGE Viewpoints Editor porary solutions instead of actually looking at the problem as a whole. Many movements have emerged in light of this to generate and have those uncomfortable conversations, most notably the #MeToo movement. The #MeToo hashtag was a recent movement on social media that served as a rallying cry for victims of sexual assault and rape. It exposed many high-profile celebrities, such as Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Bill Cosby, as having a long history full of these horrendous crimes. The majority of the victims stepping out with their stories were female, but some males, such as

Terry Crews -- known for his bizarre Old Spice commercials and roles in the “Fast and Furious” series -- worked to raise awareness for men who were victims of sexual assault, as well. Crews went so far as to speak to the Senate regarding the issue. In his speech, Crews condemned our culture of toxic masculinity that prevents men from stepping forward when they have been raped or sexually assaulted due to a fear of being viewed as a coward, or as weak. In a 2014, 38 percent of victims reported to UCLA’s Health and Human Rights Law Project were male. In 2012, another study by the Center of Disease Control found that one in 17 men were victims of some form of rape. Despite these facts, Georgia does not allow men to press charges for rape. Rape in Georgia is described as “a man having ‘carnal knowledge’ of a female forcibly and against her will.” Carnal knowledge is described as “any penetration of the female sex organ by the male sex organ” within the act of rape.

To deny men the right to press charges in the event of rape, or deny that male rape is real is a crime.

This means that men can not press charges or seek legal action if they are victims of rape and that they can only press charges for sexual assault. Sexual assault carries a maximum of 25 years in jail for those over the age of 16, while rape can be punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. To deny that male rape is real or to deny men the right to press charges in the event of rape is unacceptable. In 2017, Atlanta changed its definition of rape to the FBI’s gender-neutral description, which was updated in 2014. The new definition describes rape as “Penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” Following Atlanta’s change, the city saw a double in the amount of rapes reported in 2016. However, the rest of Georgia still has the outdated definition of rape. Under state Senate Bill 145, the statewide definition of rape would be expanded to include both genders. However the bill failed to pass in 2017 and has made no motion towards being passed in 2018. The fact that this is happening in light of all the progress made through the #MeToo movement is appalling and the people of Georgia should rally to fix it. The state of Georgia continues to operates in complete ignorance of clear statistics, and our state’s legislators refuse to move forward. To end our culture’s history of ignoring sexual assault, we need to attack the issue from the top and acknowledge rape no matter gender and always carry the same Above: PROTEST: Despite clear statistics supporting the broadening of the state definition of rape, the state of Georgia is still stuck in the past. In Georgia, males cannot legal consequences. O press charge for rape against female or male assaulters. Illustration by Luna Reichert

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Viewpoints

BOILING POINT Georgia state officials, including Secretary of State Brian Kemp, have kicked hundreds of thousands of registered voters off voting rolls in an ongoing case of contemporary voter suppression.

hen people hear the phrase “voter suppression,” thoughts of Jim Crow-era poll taxes, literacy tests and voter intimidation immediately jump to mind. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped to put an end to these forms of disenfranchisement, but modern-day voter suppression continues to thrive, leading to a democracy where not every citizen is given an equal ELENA GILBERTSON HALL Managing Editor opportunity to cast their ballot. As Republicans become more worried about maintaining their electoral majorities, and as White people make up a demographic majority in fewer and fewer counties, elected officials in Georgia have attempted to hold onto power by disenfranchising minorities and other voters in several ways. One of the most harmful forms of contemporary voter suppression, yet one that often flies under the radar, is “voter purging,” in which citizens are removed from registered voter lists for a variety of reasons, including failure to participate in multiple elections, or a slight error on voter registration forms, such as a missing hyphen or one incorrect letter.

Though some may argue that these tactics are not voter suppression, and instead are important methods of protecting against voter fraud, this argument ignores data that shows that voter fraud in America is extremely rare. The Washington Post reported just four cases of confirmed voter fraud out of 135 million votes cast nationwide in the 2016 election. Claiming that voter purges protect against fraud is simply a sad excuse for disenfranchising voters. Although voter purging is an important process for keeping up-to-date voter rolls, doing it improperly or aggressively like Georgia officials have done is an easy way to keep otherwise eligible voters from reaching the polls. State officials should be doing everything in their power to ensure the people of Georgia are voting and participating in the democratic process -- and voter suppression is counterproductive to the goal of civic engagement. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp must cease voter suppression efforts in order to ensure all citizens are given an equal opportunity to cast a ballot. Voter suppression is an increasingly important issue in Georgia and voters need to be vigilant about checking their registration status and calling out their elected officials for attempts to suppress voter turnout. O

Claiming that voter purges protect against fraud is simply a sad excuse for disenfranchising voters. According to the New York University Brennan Center for Justice, 1.5 million voters in Georgia were purged from the voting rolls between 2012 and 2016 -- twice as many as during the previous four-year period. And in 2017 alone, 650,000 voters were taken off the rolls. This voter purging unfairly targets Black and brown Americans and reduces the number of eligible voters in populations that tend to lean democratic. “The reason that we see (voter purging) in minority communities is because many of our minority communities are typically in lower-income areas and are more transient populations,” Executive Director for Common Cause Georgia, a non-partisan advocacy organization for democratic participation, Sara Henderson said. “(Transient populations) could have moved from city to city and have duplicate registration, so (state officials decide they) need to take them off the rolls.” With hundreds of thousands of fewer voters given the opportunity to cast a ballot, voter suppression has the potential to impact the 2018 midterm elections and elections for years to come. The effort it takes to re-register to vote may keep some people home from the polls, not to mention those who will show up to vote only to be turned away because they were unaware of their change in voter status.

Viewpoints

Above: HANDS TIED: A voter’s hands are tied behind their back and the voter is prevented from casting a ballot. This is representative of the larger voter suppression efforts occurring in Georgia as state officials purge voter rolls. Illustration by Audrey Kennedy

October 2018

Get to know Dr. Swade Huff Dr. Swade Huff, a 1991 Clarke Central High School graduate and current CCHS parent, was announced as the new principal of CCHS on May 17. COMPILED BY The ODYSSEY News Staff

LAYOUT BY Katie Grace Upchurch and Everett Vereen

Dr. SWADE HUFF CCHS Principal

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How does it feel to be returning to Clarke Central High School as an administrator after having spent time here as a student?

What were you like as a student at CCHS? Are there any memories from your time here that stand out to you?

I had great times, great memories -- fond memories here as a student. The teachers were very involved (and) the administrators were very approachable, so that’s the type of environment we are looking to cultivate here at Clarke Central High School if it’s not already in place. It was definitely a great time in my life and I was prepared for a life outside of Clarke Central. As far as my time here as a student and as an administrator, to me I feel like they’re one and the same. I think for the most part everything is going well. It’s still surreal.

I remember teachers going above and beyond. We had a variety of students with different academic skillsets, and I feel like all students had an opportunity to achieve their desires. The kids these days are a lot different than the kids I went to school with, but I think the approach of our teachers and our faculty staff is pretty much the same. I did like to have fun as a kid. I’m not gonna say I always made great choices; a couple of times I had to go see Mr. ( Jim) Willis, (former CCHS principal), and Coach (Billy) Wade down in in-school suspension, but I learned from my mistakes. We had fond memories Friday and Saturday nights in the old Crawford gym, just being a kid, carefree.

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Are there aspects of Clarke Central at the time you were a student that you want to bring back? If so, what are they? We discussed pep rallies and the homecoming parade, so when I talked to Coach ( Jon) Ward, our athletic director, he said those things have been absent for a few years now. So those are some of the conversations we are trying to orchestrate behind the scenes, the steps to make those items come back to life. We can definitely rebrand Clarke Central and bring back that (school) spirit. I feel like (CCHS spirit is) still there, because I can feel it when I come to work every day, but I think there are some things that we can work on to cultivate that spirit again.

4 Dr. Sheila Dunham CCHS Assistant Principal

How would you describe your leadership style?

What are the biggest changes you’d like to see at Clarke Central?

Hands-on (and) kid-friendly. ( When I was an administrator at Alps Road Elementary), I was working with elementary kids and some of the teachers did not like my leadership style with me having the opportunity to sit and have communication with the kids. Some teachers thought that was tasteless; they felt like I was taking sides with the kids. I wanted to make sure both sides had the opportunity to communicate, so my decision making as a leader is always going to be student-first. I mean, I love the adults, but I love the children even more.

As a (CCSD) parent, I’d like to see more parental involvement. That’s always been a goal of mine, because we deal with the challenge of 63 to 64 percent of our population that are impoverished. If I had an opportunity to make everyone in our community feel comfortable with what’s going on in the school, that would be the biggest change I would welcome. Everyone should be heard, but unfortunately some people don’t feel comfortable coming into to provide input. That’s the biggest change I’d like to see.

What are your first impressions of Dr. Huff?

How do you and Dr. Huff work together as a team?

He’s excited to be back home. I mean, he graduated from high school here. We’re getting along great. I mean, the administrative team, it’s kind of pretty seamless. I mean, you definitely have to get to learn each other well. I think a big part of a principal’s job is to learn where the strengths are of their assistants, so I’m sure he’s trying to get to know us very, very well. He’s excited and I like (the) ‘Glads are Grads’ theme. You know how we have a theme every year, like last year was, ‘Champions have choices and choices matter.’ So I like the (how) the attention is on our graduation and what it takes to get there, (and) how each letter means something that’s going to help you get to graduation.

The transition has been pretty seamless. I think anytime a new principal comes on board, they have way more emails than they’ve ever had before, way more meetings than they’ve ever had before and way more forms than they’ve ever had before. So, my job is really to support Dr. Huff. That is truly the job of an assistant principal. The last thing on my job description is, ‘Other duties as assigned,’ so when he sends me an invite to a meeting, it doesn’t matter what else in on my agenda that day -- that takes priority over anything except an emergency situation. I really do think it’s been seamless, all (of the administration) gets along great together. I didn’t think we were going to have any problems anyway, but I’ve been very pleased with how everybody’s working together.

How would you describe Dr. Huff’s personality? He would describe himself, and he did describe himself, as being a quieter type of personality. He described himself like that to the faculty. I think he is quiet sometimes, but he’s definitely not afraid to speak up when he has something that he needs to say. I don’t think I would describe him as a quiet person, really, because he does have a lot of good ideas and he does speak up.

How would you describe Dr. Huff’s leadership style? It’s democratic. I mean, we sit around and we talk about decisions, but in the end he (is) still gonna do what he thinks is best for the school. But, he definitely gets input from people and not just the formal report administrators. We have other people at the table, too.

Opposite Page: FROM STUDENT TO PRINCIPAL: New Clarke Central High School principal Dr. Swade Huff speaks to the ODYSSEY Media Group in a press conference in Room 231 on Aug. 28. Huff graduated CCHS in 1991, and hopes to improve the school’s climate. “We can definitely rebrand Clarke Central and bring back that spirit. I mean, even looking in the front office there’s no element of red and gold in the front office so we have some parents that are working to transform and just bring that CC spirit back to life,” Huff said. Photo by Krista Shumaker

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October 2018

What are your first impressions of Dr. Huff? Dr. Huff is extremely compassionate (and) passionate about the children here at Clarke Central. He wants everyone to have options once they leave Clarke Central, so his goal is to make sure that all students are equipped with tools so that when (they) do graduate, (they will) have those options. He is stern, but fair and he’s always (been that way). He always has an open door.

Latoya Hill Principal’s Secretary

What makes Dr. Huff’s personality a good fit for Clarke Central High School? I think in any school, especially high school, you definitely need discipline. Without it, there’s no way to be successful as a principal. So by him possessing that quality of sternness, but also being fair, he just kind of sets the standard for the entire school and both faculties, not only students. He wants everyone to hold a professional standard. Teachers, as well. So with that being said, that atmosphere (is) just conducive to learning and that’s what he promotes.

How has graduating from CCHS impacted Dr. Huff? That gives him a unique perspective, being a hometown kid that grew up in the same walls that (students) are traveling down now. It does give him, I think, the uniqueness of really having that deep down in his core. And I (am) also a 1996 Clarke Central graduate, so we’re hoping to bring the old Clarke Central spirit back where it involves the entire community -- working together to make sure that our students represent us well.

What are your first impressions of Dr. Huff? Well, when he first came, I was like, honestly anything is better than what we had. He looked like he (was) just about his business. Like, what he (says), he means it. So I feel like (he will) be good for Clarke Central.

Zykearia Dean CCHS senior

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What do you think of Dr. Huff’s new rules? He keeps himself up by his persona. He just looks like he stands by what he does. Last year, (former Principal Marie Yuran), she wasn’t a bad principal, but people got away with a lot, so I feel like (Huff ) cut down on a lot of skipping and all that. I feel like he’s sticking with all the new rules with the phones and stuff, and trying to keep everyone in the classroom (by) having people, like teachers, patrol the halls a lot more. I feel like he’s sticking to what I thought my first impressions of him (were).

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How would you describe Dr. Huff’s personality? I don’t know if stoic is the right word, but stoic. He’s a really straightforward guy and I appreciate that. He’s also really light-hearted. He always has the big Florida Gators stuff despite being in Athens. I appreciate the humor in that -- and how bold that is. But he’s a real supportive guy and maybe a little stoic, I guess. O

Below: GOOD TO BE BACK: New Clarke Central High School principal Dr. Swade Huff outside of the CCHS ceremonial front entrance on Oct. 4. Huff hopes to increase student engagement, which he believes would help curb the dropout rate. “We can as a faculty staff create lessons that may attract (or) captivate the interests of some students, but if we are not captivating the interest of all our students then we will eventually lose them at some point,” Huff said. “(We) have to make sure we are differentiating the lessons within the classroom to make sure that we are keeping everybody involved to some aspect with the learning process.” Photo by Ana Aldridge

Matthew Regester science department teacher

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October 2018

On the issues: Abrams is a progressive Democrat who is running for governor in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election. Story by ISABELLA GONZALEZ News Staffer

INTRODUCTION

Stacey Abrams

On June 3, 2017, Georgia House of Representatives minority leader Stacey Abrams, a Democrat, announced that she would be running for governor in Georgia’s 2018 gubernatorial race. Abrams, also a novelist and attorney, is the nation’s first Black female majority party gubernatorial nominee. Some of her major endorsements include former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden and former President Jimmy Carter.

TAXES Abrams hopes to decrease poverty rates in Georgia and to create a strong middle class by encouraging an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a federally implemented program that was originally designed to lower taxes for lower-income families and to rearrange tax brackets. This has been implemented by the federal government and by a majority of states.

HEALTHCARE Abrams’ website states that she will “Expand Medicaid in Georgia and lower premiums” to make healthcare more affordable and to increase Georgians’ access to healthcare. Abrams hopes to develop and increase the number of hospitals in rural areas and increase job opportunities in those areas.

IMMIGRATION Abrams believes that immigrants strengthen Georgia’s communities and economy. Abrams voted against HB 37, a bill that called on college personnel and security to act as immigration enforcement officers. On her website, Abrams writes to Georgia’s immigrant communities, “You strengthen our state, and you are vital to its future. Your success lifts us all, and I stand with you.”

EDUCATION According to Abrams’ website, through her Bold Action for a Brighter Future Plan, she hopes to establish affordable high-quality childcare and universal pre-kindergarten education throughout Georgia. She also aims to “improve the livelihoods of teachers and expand statewide access to after-school programs.”

GUN CONTROL According to her website, Abrams hopes to require universal background checks for gun sales, and opposes House Bill (HB) 292, introduced in 2017, which loosened rules regarding gun permits. Abrams also hopes to repeal Senate Bill (SB) 350, passed in 2012, which is a law that requires guns used in crimes to be redistributed. She wants to “keep guns out of the wrong hands,” support violence protection efforts and require universal background checks for gun sales. O

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Governor’s Race Kemp is a conservative Republican who is running for governor in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election. LAYOUT BY EVERETT VEREEN Designer

INTRODUCTION

Brian Kemp

On March 31, 2017, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, a Republican, announced that he would be running for governor in Georgia’s 2018 gubernatorial election. Kemp, an Athens native and businessman, holds strong conservative views. His major endorsements include President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

TAXES Kemp plans to review all tax reductions to protect taxpayers. In the past, Kemp has supported a revision of special interest tax breaks. On his website, Kemp states that, “As governor, I will review every tax incentive to determine the return on investment. If it doesn’t create more economic opportunity than it costs, we are going to repeal it.”

HEALTHCARE Kemp’s healthcare plan includes a plan to strengthen rural Georgia by increasing rural access to healthcare. According to Kemp’s website, “Kemp has a keen understanding of the rural healthcare crisis and will grow tele-medicine, support incentives for medical providers in rural Georgia and work with community leaders to save struggling hospitals.”

IMMIGRATION Kemp aims to enforce a ban on sanctuary cities, establish a “criminal alien” database and immediately deport all undocumented families. Kemp’s website states, “I’m all for accountability courts and helping those who need helping, but for those who are here illegally, and not following the rules, we need to send them home.”

EDUCATION Kemp plans to enhance education outcomes by expanding virtual learning in schools. He hopes to double Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) scholarship tax credits and plans to expand quality of education further into rural areas. According to Kemp’s campaign website, he supports school choice, stating, “we must always have an education system that trusts parents and allows us to decide what’s best for our kids.”

GUN CONTROL According to his website, Kemp strongly opposes gun control and has urged state lawmakers to pass a tax holiday for gun and ammunition sales. According to The Associated Press, Kemp’s $90 million proposal for school safety excludes gun restrictions from the plan, focusing instead on mental health and local control. Kemp claimed that “gun control is not the answer” in an interview with the Valdosta Daily Times. O Above: RACE TO THE CAPITAL: Former Georgia House of Representatives minority leader Stacey Abrams Stacey Abrams and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp are running against each other in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election. Illustrations by Audrey Kennedy

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October 2018

Return of the Gladiator 1982 Clarke Central High School alumnus and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp is running for governor in the 2018 gubernatorial election.

eorgia’s 27th Secretary of State Brian Kemp is the Republican gubernatorial nominee. Prior to pursuing a career in public service, Kemp attended Clarke Central High School. A major theme in Kemp’s time at CCHS was playing for the school’s varsity football team. “Even when football season wasn’t going on, we were always lifting weights, we were constantly working out and literally just lived, ate, and breathed Clarke Central football,” Kemp said. Growing up, he found a mentor in another famous Athenian, the late CCHS head football coach Billy Henderson. “I had a kind of interesting connection to Coach Henderson,” Kemp said. “My mom was actually in high school (at CCHS) when Coach Henderson was at (UGA). She actually knew him back when he was in college. When he came back to take over at (CCHS), she was one of the few people who actually knew him. She introduced me to him (when) I was

BY ALEXANDER ROBINSON

News Editor LAYOUT BY KATIE GRACE UPCHURCH Co-Editor-in-Chief

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probably 7 or 8 years old. I knew him all the way until I graduated.” Kemp says that Henderson invited him to participate in football team activities from a young age as a volunteer. “I traveled with his team on the bus, holding his bubblegum bag,” Kemp said. “He chewed a lot of bubblegum during the game, so when I was little, I would ride in the front of the team bus with him. I

was always having to guard the gum because all of the players would wipe it out. I had to make sure I didn’t let them get everything.” In high school, Kemp played for Henderson as a varsity football and varsity baseball player. His experience was defined by the total commitment Henderson demanded of Kemp and his teammates. “He had a lot of influence on people, not just people who played for him but cheerleaders, the band,

“(Kemp) was the kind of guy who always seemed pretty serious. He didn’t cut up, had a good time and knew everybody -- a pretty dependable guy. The way I always saw it, his word meant something.” -- Alexander Sams, CCHS JV girls head soccer coach

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Above: MAN WITH A PLAN: 1982 CCHS alumnus and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp poses for a photo in front of the staircase leading down to Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 13. Kemp, a self-described center-right Republican, says he has a plan to increase business throughout Georgia. “I definitely call myself an unapologetic conservative, which I am,” Kemp said. “I’ve also been talking about a four-point plan to make Georgia number one for small business by cutting government regulations and fundamentally reforming how that state government spends taxes and operates by implementing a spending cap so we properly fund things.” Photo by Krista Shumaker

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October 2018

“I really just felt like we needed a candidate in the governor’s race who was gonna put Georgians first instead of the special interests and status quos and politically correct.” -- Brian Kemp, 1982 CCHS graduate and Georgia Secretary of State

he appreciated the students who were cheering at the games,” Kemp said. “He was just a great guy and influenced a lot of great people.” Head football coach and 1986 CCHS alumnus David Perno also played under Henderson. Perno is a close family friend of the Kemps, and admires Kemp’s authenticity. “He was the same guy he is now. You could tell. He was a hardworking, competitive football player and teammate. He had some good leadership qualities, which obviously are serving him well. That’s the most important aspect. Brian is genuine. He’s real, and he cares about our community.” Head junior varsity girls soccer coach and 1983 CCHS alumnus Alexander Sams feels a deep connection to Kemp. “(Kemp’s) a year older than I am. I’ve known him probably all my life, for as long as I can remember,”

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Sams said. “(Kemp) was the kind of guy who always seemed pretty serious. He didn’t cut up, had a good time and knew everybody -- a pretty dependable guy. The way I always saw it, his word meant something. He was very popular and knew a lot of people. He was kind of just the guy who would never bother anybody.” After graduating from CCHS in the spring of 1982, Kemp decided to attend the University of Georgia and major in agriculture. “He’s always been an outdoorsman,” Sams said. “(He was) always at home with that. I would have thought (he would pursue) agriculture or something where he gets to wear boots. He enjoys getting dirty and doesn’t mind it.” During this time, Kemp worked in construction before becoming an entrepreneur in the early 1990s. “I just decided to stay here and go to (UGA),

which ended up being great,” Kemp said. “I was working for some guys in the construction industry (...) as soon as I graduated. I did that for seven years and then started my own company in ‘93. That’s kind of where I started getting involved in politics.” Kemp cites his experience as a businessman as one of his main political inspirations. Irritated by local business regulations, he decided to run for a seat in the Georgia General Assembly. “I had been out in the private sector for a long time and had been dealing with local government issues through work and my business,” Kemp said. “That’s what really drove me to run for office the first time. I was just kind of a frustrated small business guy, you know. I felt like we needed more common sense in state government and someone to represent our values. So I did that and ended up serving two terms (as a state senator), which was great.” Kemp gained most of his experience while in the legislature, studying the ins and outs of state government. Later, after Rep. Karen Handel, R - Ga. stepped down in 2010, then-governor Sonny Perdue appointed (Kemp) to Secretary of State. He was reelected in 2014. “I learned about the budget process and all those types of things. That was good,” Kemp said. “What was even better is I ended up coming back home and was out of office for several years before I decided to run for Secretary of State from the outside looking in. I kind of told myself, ‘If I ever run for office again,

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Above and right: A CENTRAL FIGURE: Senior Brian Kemp (second from right and right respectively) poses in two pictures for the 1982 issue of the Gladius Yearbook. Kemp and his wife, Marty Kemp (not pictured), both attended CCHS in the early 1980s and knew late CCHS head football coach Billy Henderson. “My wife, Marty, cheered here at Clarke Central. She felt the same way about Coach Henderson,” Kemp said. “She’s still, like I am, worried about being late. If you were late for Coach Henderson, he’d make you run. He had a saying, ‘If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.’ He had a lot on influence on people, not just people who played for him but cheerleaders (and) the band.” Photo courtesy of the 1982 Gladius

I’m gonna just tell people what I’m gonna do, I’m gonna get in, and I’m going to do it.’ When I had the opportunity to run for Secretary of State, that’s exactly what I did.” Kemp believes that he has stayed true to his word by shrinking government and cutting regulations during his term as Secretary of State. “I ran on streamlining government, making it more efficient in the Secretary of State’s office by using technology,” Kemp said. “We’ve replaced all of our systems from an IT perspective. We’ve reorganized out IT staff and everything we have is working better. We’re processing things quicker. It’s easier to register to vote.” Then, after eight years as Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brian Kemp decided to run for governor. He announced his candidacy on March 31, 2017, and defeated Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle in the Republican primary runoff election on July 24. As to why he decided to aim for the governorship, Kemp believes that Georgia needs an executive who’s not willing to compromise with certain political groups. “I really just felt like we needed a candidate in the governor’s race who was gonna put Georgians first instead of the special interests and status quos and politically correct,” Kemp said. “Somebody who just has some private sector experience, but also knows how the government operates. That’s really why I

ran. I felt like we needed an alternative solution.” Now, Secretary Kemp is running against former Georgia House of Representatives minority leader Stacey Abrams in the general election held on Nov. 6. Kemp respects Abrams, but fiercely believes that he is the better choice for Georgia. “I think she’s a very smart, articulate lady. I’ve dealt with her before, but her views are a lot different than mine,” Kemp said. “She believes in bigger government and raising taxes just to pay for it, while I believe in streamlined government to make it more efficient and really create opportunities through private sector solutions. Lower costs should make government more efficient. That’s what I’ve always believed in.” Though Kemp’s campaign has gained publicity for its controversial political advertisements on television, Kemp says he will be a unifying political

figure if elected. “When you’re governor, you represent everybody. That’s exactly what I’ll do,” Kemp said. “Not everybody’s gonna (agree) with you on every issue, (but) that’s why you have a campaign, so people can talk about their issues and their values and how they want to govern.” Kemp hopes to deliver real change once elected and claims to be more qualified than his opponent. “I’ve talked about making sure no matter what your zip code is or where you live that you have the same opportunities as everybody else,” Kemp said. “I’m (also) the only person in the race who’s run a large executive branch agency. It’s a lot different from being in the legislature. There’s no doubt about it, I have a lot more experience than Stacey Abrams.” O

Opposite page: STANDING TALL: 1982 Clarke Central High School alumnus and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp looks over Billy Henderson Stadium on Aug. 13. As an adolescent, Kemp, a former CCHS varsity football player, looked up to the late CCHS varsity football coach Billy Henderson. “Coach Henderson was a big influence on my life from a very young age,” Kemp said. “He had a saying, ‘It can be done.’ It’s something I still live by today.” Photo by Krista Shumaker First page: TEAM PLAYER: 1982 Clarke Central High School alumnus and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (#64), a senior at the time, poses with the rest of the varsity CCHS football team for the 1982 issue of the Gladius Yearbook. Kemp remembers practicing football daily, having spent countless afternoons in Death Valley. “I remember running around this track more than I wanted to,” Kemp said. “Before games, we would come down through these pines, but there were no steps here. I (also) remember a lot of people would get senior pictures on that rock right there.” Photo courtesy of the 1982 Gladius

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October 2018

AS AP

F O R F A S H N ION IS O

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PhotoFeatures by Zoe Peterson

Clarke Central High School junior Havilland Ford has a passion for fashion and aims to pursue a career as a fashion designer.

larke Central High School senior Havilland Ford walks down the hallways wearing her signature, hand-painted jean jacket -- just one picture of her distinctive sense of style. For Havilland, a love of fashion stems from a lifelong love of art. “I see art as a form of expression and it’s very soothing. You can never go wrong with it -- even if you mess up, it’s not wrong,” Havilland said. This creativity has inspired her interest in all aspects of fashion. In her limited spare time, Havilland can be found sketching bold clothing designs. “I honestly like everything about fashion design,” Havilland said. “I like the history, learning about where (clothes) came from, why they exist, who created different things, how it’s made, what goes into the thought process, the sketching (and) the actual

BY ELENA GILBERTSON HALL Managing Editor

making of it.” According to her father James Ford, Havilland’s interest in fashion was apparent from an early age. “I could tell early on that she had an interest in fashion because in elementary school her mom and her would bicker about what she was going to wear,” Ford said. “That’s when I realized that Havi had her own style.” CCHS senior Andrea Aramburo has known Havilland for 10 years and has seen her interest in fashion develop. “Lately I’ve seen (Havilland) be herself a lot more, because in middle school we had uniforms and she didn’t get to express herself through her clothing,” Aramburo said. “But since high school she’s really expressed herself through her fashion.” Havilland has attended several summer programs to learn more about fashion design, including ones at Spelman College and the University of Cincinnati.

“It’s basically me in a jacket. The paintings in the center are how I want to be seen by others -- and that’s as a strong Black woman.” -- Havilland Ford,

CCHS senior

Above: ACTIVIST ARTIST: Clarke Central High School senior Havilland Ford displays her self-made jean jacket. Havilland uses her clothing to project social messages and beliefs. “I really just want to rearrange mindsets -- make people more open minded. You can’t get anywhere with a closed mind,” Havilland said. Photo by Zoe Peterson

Features

October 2018

Photo by Emma Ramsay

cinnati for college to study fashion design, and ultimately, to find a job working in a fashion career. According to her father, she works hard to achieve her goals. “Oh Lord, she’s busy -- she has a very solid work ethic,” Ford said. “She does too much and has a lot on her plate. Havilland is involved with so many organizations (and) community things, I don’t know how she does it. I’ve been telling her to cut some stuff out because she’s doing too much.”

Photo by Zoe Peterson

“She doesn’t just take what’s presented to her, she goes out of her way to go above and beyond and be involved in everything she can,” Clarke Central High School fine arts department teacher Jessica Shelden, who has taught Havilland for three years, said. “Her pathway now is going into fashion and she’s taking all the steps she needs to to get there. She’s diving headfirst into fashion and I’m excited to see where she goes with it.” Havilland hopes to attend the University of Cin-

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Photo by Zoe Peterson

Ford says it’s still a mystery how Havilland found her calling, but her family has encouraged her creative endeavours. “Her mom never had an interest in fashion. I never had an interest in fashion. I don’t know where she got that from, (but) fashion is what she likes and I support her in being whatever she wants to be,” Ford said. Havilland believes fashion is a powerful tool in deciding how one presents themself to the world.

“The first thing I notice about someone is what they’re wearing. You dress certain ways if you’re going to a job interview and a different thing to hang out with friends. What you wear is basically your introduction,” Havilland said. Monique Pumphrey, Havilland’s mother and a teacher at Timothy Road Elementary, says Havilland’s style is one that can’t be put in a box. “I would call her style eclectic. It’s a mixture of everything -- one day it’s camo and sweats, the next

Photo by Emma Ramsay

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October 2018

“My goal, through fashion, is to take it and show women how being themselves and not conforming to what society thinks they should be, and doing what they want, is powerful.”

-- Havilland Ford,

CCHS senior

day it’s a ripped jacket and a shirt she’s cut and long socks,” Pumphrey said. “She likes a lot of different things which I think is cool and it’s not limited to one aesthetic or one look.” Havilland views fashion as an opportunity to present one’s identity and distinguish oneself from the crowd. When she walked into prom, her dress was distinctively different from others on the dance floor. “I hate looking like everyone else. I would hate to walk into a party and be wearing the same thing as someone else -- I would just leave,” Havilland said. “I feel like there’s so much that you can do with fashion and there’s no reason I should be wearing the same thing as someone else. I just want to take my own path.” Havilland laughs as she describes the importance of wearing clothes she likes.

Above: PUSH THE ENVELOPE: Clarke Central High School senior Havilland Ford poses for a photo. Havilland painted her jean jacket to reflect her values. “On the front, the right side says push the envelope. That’s one of my favorite things to say because you can’t be scared -- just push the envelope,” Havilland said. Photo by Zoe Peterson

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Features

“Who knows when I’m going to die, so every day I should be going into situations thinking, ‘Do I want to die in this?’” Havilland said. Even those who don’t know Havilland personally could likely recognize her signature jean jacket, a garment that Havilland painted to represent her identity, including the female symbol and a Black Power fist. “I got tired of (the jacket) because I thought it was boring, so I said, ‘Why not paint it?’ It took a whole month to sketch out what I wanted and it took me from August to January to finish it. Its debut was Jan. 3, my 17th birthday,” Havilland said. “It’s basically me in a jacket. The paintings in the center are how I want to be seen by others -- and that’s as a strong Black woman.” For Havilland, whose Instagram bio reads

“#BLACKLIVESMATTER”, fashion and activism are deeply intertwined. “A lot of her artwork and clothing designs are very socially driven. They always seems to have very positive and empowering images of women, especially Black women,” Shelden said. “(The issues she cares about) will probably have a big influence on her pieces and fashion in the future.” Her dream of becoming a professional fashion designer was not sparked by a desire for a glamorous job at Gucci or Versace. Instead, she was inspired by a drive to have an impact on people’s lives. “My goal, through fashion, is to take it and show women how being themselves and not conforming to what society thinks they should be, and doing what they want, is powerful,” Havilland said. “I want to be an inspirational fashion designer. I want to be

able to change how people view themselves.” Through her fashion design, Havilland hopes to empower women -- but she doesn’t call herself a feminist. “(‘Feminist’) is such a powerful title and such a powerful word, if you call yourself a feminist you better live up to it. I don’t wanna catch you slippin’. And I don’t want to catch myself slippin’,” Havilland said. “I don’t want to say I’m a feminist just because I care about empowering women when I’m doing something like judging another woman. So I’m a wannabe feminist -- I’m working towards it.” Havilland is optimistic about the future, and believes fashion can play a part in shaping it. “Fashion has the power to shake up the world,” Havilland said. O

Above: STELLAR STUDENT: Clarke Central High School senior Havilland Ford stands outside of CCHS on Sept. 26. Ford believes her performance in school is very important. “Grades (can) open a lot of doors. Grades are the most important thing right now,” Havilland said. “To me, an 88 is trash. That’s just me. Especially if I know I can do better and that’s not where I want to be.” Photo by Emma Ramsay Layout by Katie Grace Upchurch

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October 2018

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Featured: SEA OF BLUE: Crowd members hold up signs at Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams’ event at Hendershot’s Coffee on Oct. 11. At the event, Abrams used an inclusive message to rally support for her campaign. “We’re going to prove that Democrats, Republicans, independents and people who don’t know what they are but know they want better, that together, we can change the state of Georgia,” Abrams said. Photo by Katie Grace Upchurch

IN FOCUS

Hot Latin Songs

BY NICOLE RAMOS Variety staffer

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Variety staffer Nicole Ramos shares the hottest Latin songs readers should be listening to.

“Culpables” // Karlo G ft. Anuel AA Colombian singer Karol G and Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA released their new song, “Culpables” on Sept. 13. The song keeps to the traditional bass-heavy beat common in Urbano Latino jams, but with a sensual feel to it. The title means “guilty” in Spanish and the lyrics describe a romance between two people, even though both are in another relationship. Anuel sings, “Las traiciones se pagan con otras traición tam-

bién,” which translates to “betrayals are paid with other betrayals, too.” The promo to the song included photos and back-and-forth comments between the artists on social media, which led fans to question if it was just a publicity stunt, or if Karol and Anuel were actually dating. This makes the song even more intriguing.

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“Te Bote” // Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, Ozuna A remix of “Te Bote,” which means “I dumped you” in Spanish, was released on April 13. The remix is a collaboration between Puerto Rican musical artists Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam and Ozuna. The original song was recorded by Puerto Rican rappers Nio Garcia, Darrell and Casper Mágico, but the song did not reach popularity until the remix was released. “Te Bote,” like “Culpables,” follows a bass-heavy

beat, and is a love song that most listeners can relate to. Bad Bunny sings, “Todo tiene su final, todo expira, tú eres pasado y el pasado nunca vira,” which translates to, “Everything has its end, everything expires, you’re the past and the past never returns.” The song is about breaking up with someone and asking them to never come back.

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“I Like It” // Cardi B “I Like It” was released on May 28 by American rapper Cardi B on her album “Invasion of Privacy.” The trap-meets-salsa beat makes for the perfect summer Latin hit. The track features two of the biggest Urbano stars, Colombian rapper J Balvin and Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny sings the verse, “Tu compras to’a las Jordan, bobo, a mi me la regalan” which translates to “You buy all the Jordans, stupid, I get

them for free.” This confident, carefree attitude is characteristic of Cardi B and shows up in all of her music. The song is based off of the original “I Like It Like That,” which was written by Tony Pabon and Manny Rodriguez in the 1960s. The new trap version is entirely different from the original song, focusing on Cardi’s broad musical range and newfound Latin swagger. O

October 2018

FROM MOTHER TO TEACHER Clarke Central High School math department co-chair Heather Julian owes her teaching style to her son Daniel, who taught her that all children learn differently. BY ROXANNE DOMIZI Variety Staffer

eather Julian was always a teacher’s dream student. Growing up, she was hardworking, grounded, and loved school. She always did her assignments on time and was

always motivated. It’s no surprise that when she became a teacher, she expected her students to be the same way. She never thought that students may need different things than herself until she had her second child. If she only had her first son, Benjamin, she would’ve considered herself the world’s best parent. He was easy. He was naturally responsible and followed the rules, just like she did. Daniel was different.

“I had to reexamine -- ‘How can I relate to him? How can I parent him? How can I have a positive relationship with him?” -- Heather Julian math department co-chair He was not a bad child, but his mind worked differently from Benjamin’s. Suddenly, nothing she had been taught about teaching was working. “I had to reexamine -- ‘How can I relate to him? How can I parent him? How can I have a positive relationship with him?” Julian said. “I was forced to really examine, how was I going to love him specifically?” Though she recognized Daniel’s intelligence, he never did well in the school environment. After years of being his mother, Julian realized that not all children function the way she did. She loved Daniel, but she had to love him differently. Soon, she looked from her child to students in her classroom, and decided to be as understanding a teacher as she had learned to be as a parent. “My children have helped me see that students really are individuals, and that they need individual things, just like my own kids,” Julian said. No matter how frustrating it is to be a teacher, Julian keeps in mind that students learn in different ways and at different speeds. Above all, one never knows how a student’s day, week or year is going outside of school. In the end, not every child is a teacher’s dream student. Sometimes, Julian just has to love them differently. O Above: ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE: Clarke Central High School math department co-chair Heather Julian poses with a picture of her three sons on Sept. 20. Julian’s teaching style changed substantially after she had her second son, Daniel (left), who taught her that not all students’ learning styles are alike. “I’ve learned to embrace that people learn in different speeds and different styles, and that if we’re not in an emotionally good place, you can’t do school well,” Julian said. Photo by Ana Aldridge

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October 2018

CULTURAL BUZZ ASTROWORLD

Face Mask

Paradise PD

“ASTROWORLD,” Travis Scott’s third studio album, was released on Aug 30. Despite its 17-track length, it leaves a lot to be desired. The album will resonate with fans of Scott. It has a familiar electronic and autotuned feel. However, as the tracks continue, the sound feels overdone. The album’s biggest weakness is Scott, himself. It is plagued with seemingly random and unmelodic interjections of his voice. Scott’s solos feel random and his lack of rhyme or reason is irritating and repetitive. This is particularly present in “SICKO MODE” where Drake’s soothing vocals are interrupted by an annoying repetitive beat and over-autotuned voice. Though Scott’s solos are disappointing, the features on the album are incredible, with Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, 21 Savage and others teaming up for amazing songs such as “YOSEMITE” and “NC-17.”

Urban Outfitters’ classic TONYMOLY I’m Real brightening sheet mask is a joke. The mask claims to calm and brighten skin with enriching ingredients. However, the main ingredients are water, alcohol and vitamins, making it a total hoodwink. Its directions are simple: remove the mask from the packaging and apply it, then leave on for 20 to 30 minutes. The mask may be bad for users with sensitive skin, causing an unpleasant stinging feeling. The aesthetically-pleasing packaging leads users to believe that it the mask is of better quality, but it is clear that the mask is only sold to fit in with the Urban Outfitters aesthetic. This three-dollar mask tricks the buyer into thinking that they are getting a deal when, in reality, the mask is just a good-smelling sheet of paper. Users should not invest in this product or any variations of it.

The first season of the new Netflix animated comedy series, “Paradise PD,” was released on Aug. 31. The show’s first season, consisting of 10 episodes, revolves around Police Chief Randall Crawford (voiced by Tom Kenny) following his son, Kevin Crawford, who joins the police force. This show is very similar to shows like “Family Guy” and “American Dad,” with crude humor and explicit language. Jokes include blood, gore and stereotypes, and the humor shows little compassion to characters. It also brings a comedic light on being police officer. There is very little character development outside the Crawford family, and the entire cast plays off of each other’s jokes with a minimal plotline. Despite these holes, “Paradise PD” has almost everything one looks for in an adult comedy cartoon.

-- Owen Donelly, Web Master

--Ava Adamson, Viewpoints Staffer

--AJ Carr, Sports Staffer

Big Red Machine

eleased on Aug. 31, the album “Big Red Machine” is a collaboration of Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon and The National’s songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Aaron Dessner. The album is sure to meet the expectations of fans of both artists, but never quite lives up to be more than the sum of its parts. With Bon Iver’s most recent studio album “22, A Million,” frontman Vernon threw the grandiose soundscapes and acoustic ballads of his previous work out of the window for tracks that lacked conventional song structure, boundary-pushing production and vocal performance. With “Big Red Machine,” however, Vernon delivers a decent, but not memorable album that never clicks like it should. The titular band’s self-titled album is filled with tracks that lack a clear melody or pattern. Songs like “Lyla” feel like they are being built as the audience listens, with layers and backing melodies that fade in and out in a sometimes abrasive, but interesting manner. Vernon takes production notes from his frequent collaborator Kanye West and uses his and others’ voices as instruments. Despite the interesting production, the album sounds like it could be a collection of B-sides from “22, A Million”, and the influence of Dessner is not always heard. Using Dessner’s sound would have helped the album really carve out its own sound, because the songs on “Big Red Machine” are pale in comparison to the masterpieces on “22, A Million” and sound far too similar to not be compared. Despite some standout tracks like “I Won’t Run From It” and “Lyla,” the album is relatively forgettable. “Big Red Machine” is only good enough to tide Bon Iver and The National fans over until each band’s next release. O

By CONNOR McCAGE Viewpoints Editor

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CULTURAL BUZZ Eighth Grade

Sweetener

To All the Boys

Written and directed by stand-up comic Bo Burnham, “Eighth Grade” was released on July 13. Unlike John Hughes’ classic coming-of-age movies, viewers will be refreshed with the lack of sugar-coating in Burnham’s look into a teenage girl’s life. The movie follows the shy and socially anxious Kayla Day (Elsie Fisher) as she goes through her final week in eighth grade. In the same way that life is never predictable for someone Kayla’s age, “Eighth Grade” will make viewers laugh one minute and cry the next. Its accurate depiction of the teenage years, instead of a more common, romanticized version, will leave younger viewers feeling understood and represented. “Eighth Grade” is funny and awkward in the best ways, and is an entertaining and fun movie for all viewers.

After promoting the album on social media for almost three months, pop singer Ariana Grande released “Sweetener” on Aug. 17. The album, available on Spotify and Apple Music, is complete with 15 tracks differing in style compared to her three earlier albums. While Grande maintains her signature pop sound, the sounds transform dramatically from song to song as she mixes pop melodies with synthesized beats. In these tracks, Grande effortlessly blends sounds and creative samples to create a genuine experience for listeners. Lyrically, the album is consistent and heartfelt, detailing Grande’s breakup with rap artist Mac Miller and engagement to “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson, and touching on topics such as anxiety and self-preservation.

The growth in popularity of Netflix originals has grown even more after the Aug. 17 release of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” Netflix has upped their romance game with this new rom-com which puts the rest to shame. When 16-year-old Lara Jean Covey’s (Lana Condor) love letters get mysteriously mailed to her secret love interests, she and popular jock Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) -- who received one of her letters -- team up as a “fake couple” in order to accomplish their individual, personal interests. With Lara Jean’s quiet nature and Peter’s outgoing charm, the two form a quirky pair, and Condor and Centineo do an admirable job of expressing the unique connection of the two students. Although the movie is predictable at some points, it is still charming and worth the watch.

--Roxanne Domizi, Variety Staffer

--Mackenzie Caudill, Sports Editor

--Natalie Ripps, Sports Staffer

BlacKkKklansman

ased on a true story, the movie “BlacKkKlansman” provides one of the best social commentaries in film today. The plot focuses on a Black police officer infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan, an intriguing concept. In 1972, Ron Stallworth ( John David Washington) becomes the first Black police officer of the Colorado Springs Police Department. One day, as a joke, he calls the local chapter of the KKK and, after a few weeks of continued phone calls, ends up receiving his KKK membership card from Grand Wizard David Duke, himself (Topher Grace). Stallworth uses one of his White co-workers, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), as a guise, sending Zimmerman to meet with the local chapter in person, while Stallworth carries on his over-the-phone conversations with the KKK. The film throws in heaps of commentary on the current state of the U.S., with striking parallels between Duke’s political campaign and that of President Donald Trump. As the film winds down, the audience is caught off-guard and the theater falls silent as real footage from the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia is played. Real-life former Grand Wizard David Duke speaking, the treacherous car attack and Trump’s incredibly inadequate response to the events are shown. The way the movie portrays the outright racism of the time may seem distant from the current social and political climate, but as the rally footage rolls, viewers see that American society has made little progress. “BlacKkKlansman” has all aspects of a good dramedy as well as a complex plotline relating to the current climate, making it one of the best films of the year by far. O

By EMMA CRANE Business Manager

Variety

October 2018

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HEARING MUSIC IN SILENCE Over the course of his life, Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue has overcome struggle after struggle, and through it all, music has been his outlet.

larke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue did not have a typical childhood. When consistency lacked in his everyday life, he turned to music to cope with his daily struggles. When Rea’l began singing, it was just something he did for fun. However, as he has gotten older, his music has become something that caters to those who have had similar, difficult experiences. “I feel like most of the songs I have are not just for me. I definitely want to get it out there to benefit people and just have them experience it,” Rea’l said. “I know there are certain people that I have met, and they are dealing with the same things I’m dealing with, and just hearing about what I have been doing makes them much more open and understanding to situations.” Now, singing is not only something Rea’l does for fun, but he uses it as an outlet for dealing with his personal struggles. “Even in my younger ages, I would write songs to help me cope with my mother and our situation,” BY EMMA RAMSAY Variety Editor

Rea’l said. “We were homeless for I don’t even know how long. I just know we were on the street for a good while. It was difficult going to school and having friends and just talking about certain things.” Due to difficulty at home, Rea’l’s childhood was stripped from him at a young age. “I became basically an adult at a very young age,” Rea’l said. “I had to start learning so quickly because I had to help out the house.” When other kids would be going to amusement parks or the zoo, Rea’l was doing all he could to try to support his family. “(My childhood) was stripped away to the point where, someone asked me ‘Have you ever been to Six Flags or Kings Island?’ and I’m like, ‘No.’ I don’t ever remember going to an amusement park in all

"I became basically an adult at a very young age." REA'L POGUE, CCHS junior

my life. I have never gone on a rollercoaster with my family,” Rea’l said. “I’ve always had my own sense of adventure. I would always do small things, stupid things. Go out in the woods for hours exploring.” Rea’l, his mother, and younger sister, Rihanna, escaped a domestic abuse situation that forced them to

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move from Cincinnati, Ohio to LaGrange, Ga. “How I got down here was basically a domestic violence situation that got out of control and we had to be relocated. We moved originally to LaGrange, Ga.,” Rea’l said. When Rea’l and his family arrived to LaGrange, they lived in and out of homeless shelters for a year. “The shelter we were staying at kicked us out because I turned 12, and apparently that’s when a boy becomes a teenager. So I felt like it was my fault

they wouldn’t let us stay,” Rea’l said. “We were there for one year. After my birthday they didn’t want to kick us out automatically, so they just made up a lie and said that we were playing loud rap music. It devastated us to the point where we started staying in motels and hotels, there was a part of time where we stayed in a person’s house. (Eventually) we found out own place and that’s when we finally became stable. That’s when we moved from LaGrange to DeKalb county.” It was in DeKalb county that Rea’l began to experience bullying at school. “Dekalb county is where we settled down for a few years and I got severely bullied again about certain stuff like I didn’t have nice shoes, nice shirt, stuff like that,” Rea’l said. Eventually, Rea’l made it to Athens, where he has found his home. “I’ve been in (the Clarke County School District) since seventh grade,” Rea’l said. “It’s just been one big thing after another, to the point where now I can just sit up here and look at the world differently.”

"Its just been one big thing after another, to the point where now I can just sit up here and look at the world differently."

REA'L POGUE, CCHS junior

CCHS science department teacher Debbie Mitchell has known Rea’l since seventh grade and has since gotten to know him better through his involvement in agriculture. “I remember him catching my attention (in class) cause, you know, he’s very lively and a nice guy. Then that summer we started a program, the Kitchen Garden Corps at Clarke Middle School, where you garden for half the time then you cook food half the time then you serve it to the public on Thursday at lunch,” Mitchell said. “He’s definitely a leader. I mean, he’s just always helpful, so when we have a soil lab, he’ll kind of help me clean up.” Since moving to Athens, Rea’l’s music career has taken off. He has performed all over Athens, including at CCHS. “I sing really every day, most of the time just to practice my vocals. Half the time I don’t really be singing anything. I’m just singing words. If someone just came up to me and said, ‘Hey,’ I would sing, ‘Hey,’ to them,” Rea’l said. “I took singing to a whole new level, to the point where I have even performed out in Athens or in school and I’m just like, ‘Wow, I should be a singer.’” Due to the struggles in Rea’l’s past, in his sophomore year, Family Conections and Communications

First page: REA’L’S STORY: Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue stands posing in Mell Auditorium on Sept. 7. Rea’l has been dancing and singing since before he can remember and still continues to every chance he has. “I really like to sing, dance, do artwork, just be myself. I can play the piano, cook -- I do a lot of things,” Rea’l said. “It’s to the point where many people just come up to me and be like you should be in this or be in that because you’re really good at this.” Photo by Emma Ramsay Second page: A MUSICAL JOURNEY: Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue reflects on his multiple performances on the stage in Mell Auditorium. Last Feb., Rea’l performed at the Black History Month assembly and was a huge hit. “ I took singing to a whole new level, to the point where I have even preformed out in Athens or in school and I’m just like ‘Wow! I should be a singer’,” Rea’l said. Photo by Emma Ramsay

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coordinator Rodney Robinson became his mentor. “He’s a very smart kid. He’s artistic. He likes to do drama, dance and sing and sometimes it gets a little distracting and what I do is just pull him in from time to time to try to get him on task. He’s a good kid,” Robinson said. “I’m really proud of him.” According to Rea’l, he and his family have complicated relationships because of the dark past they share. “The way my family is set up is that my oldest brother and sister have the same dad. My middle brother and my youngest sister have the same dad. And I don’t have the same dad as any of them,” Rea’l said. “It made me feel different; it made me feel like an outcast. I can do everything they can do, and the one thing I can do that they can’t do is sing.” However, Rea’l and his younger sister Rihanna, who is a sophomore at CCHS, are close. “The only sibling I am close to is my youngest sister Rihanna. She’s the only sibling I can say has been with me the entire span of my life,” Rea’l said. “Everyone else has either left or we have had to leave them. I have a big family, we don’t really all talk that much.” Rea’l says he has a difficult relationship with his mother because of her beliefs.

“I am bisexual. My mother feels that religion is more important than it and that I shouldn’t be bisexual, or that I am basically sinning. That has sort of determined my relationship with her. We haven’t talked about it for maybe a year now,” Rea’l said. “It’s been hard, you can’t fully say what you want or what you desire. People will just shut you down. You should be able to love anyone you want to, whenever you want to. If there is a God, he should understand that too.” Rea’l ’s friends appreciate his strength of character and open-mindedness. “I’ve known him since middle school and he’s been a cool person ever since. He’s comfortable with like everything. He doesn’t care what people say about him. He’s a good friend,” junior Trey Waters said. “He fights for (his friends) and secures all of our friend group.” Rea’l has not lived an easy life, but because of his struggles he has a different outlook on life and how he plans to move forwards. “People have divided themselves into groups that just make no sense. Transgender, bisexual, Bloods, Crips, any type of

gang, any type of group that people put themselves in. We are all basically the same on the inside and out. I don’t care if you say skin color is different, you still have five fingers like me, you walk like me, you talk like me, you sound like me. You will fight someone because they are Black, or gay, or just don’t have the same opinion as you,” Rea’l said. “At the end of the day, we all believe in different things. I could believe in God, you might not. That doesn’t mean I should fight you for it.” O

"People have things that they like. You can not justify them as being real or fake or something that is not right."

REA'L POGUE, CCHS junior

Above: CREATING CONNECTIONS: Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue poses four times, one pose slightly different than the next. Since moving to Athens in seventh grade Rea’l has found a wide range of friends. “One of the things I remember vividly in my childhood is that I’ve always had a sprinkle friends, but never too many friends. It was just weird and awkward, to the point where when we moved down here it’s completely different,” Pogue said. “I’ve met a lot more people who have went through the same thing I went through, who have also felt the way I felt.” Photos by Emma Ramsay Next page: A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE: Clarke Central High School junior Rea’l Pogue sings in Mell Auditorium on Sept. 7. Rea’l moved to Athens in seventh grade and feels like he has thrived ever since. “’I’ve been in (Clarke County Schools) since 7th grade. It’s just been one big thing after another. To the point where now I can just sit up here and look at the world differently.” Photo by Emma Ramsay Layout by Katie Grace Upchurch

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Nothing holding him back Clarke Central High School senior Harvey Sugiuchi has always faced the difficulties that come with overcoming the expectations of his parents and peers, but has found the drive to excel.

pale, freckled face, a metaphorical graphic tee, an army backpack, cargo shorts and a quirky voicemail on his flip phone. The stuttering, the fidgeting, the tapping of his foot, the double-blinking and the endless reading. This is senior Harvey Sugiuchi. His Japanese grandfather was placed in an internment camp. His mother was forced to go to a Christian reform school. Each generation of his family has gone through their own hardships, including Harvey. He is constantly working to meet the expectations set for him, even when they weigh him down “My mom and dad are always like ‘Alright, we didn’t have the benefits you (have). You’ve got to get out there. You’ve got to do this,’” Harvey said. “Sometimes I’m just like, ‘Mom, Dad, family, lay off me.’” When he didn’t live up to his family’s expectations, he was taunted with the nickname “Halfway Harvey.” This name became the fuel to his anger and his motivation. When Harvey feels like he can’t accomplish something, “Halfway Harvey” replays in his head. He is buried in the doubting thoughts of those around him. Harvey feeds off the negative energy that comes not only from himself, but from those that surround him. “When I feel people are looking down on me, when I feel they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, this kid. What the hell can he do?’ It kind of inspires me to try and do it better,” Harvey said. When Harvey was the slowest on his cross country team, he persisted. He wanted to prove to himself and to his family and classmates that he could be better. He was tired of hearing “Halfway Harvey.” Running freed Harvey of built-up anger and self-doubt. In his junior year, Harvey was named captain of the boys’ cross country team and led his team to place fourth at the state meet in 2017. Although his family still has expectations and goals for Harvey, he has freed himself of the “Halfway Harvey” label. There’s nothing halfway about Harvey anymore. O

BY TECOYA RICHARDSON Variety Staff

Above: HARVEY’S ALL IN: Clarke Central High School senior Harvey Sugiuchi stands on the steps leading to the track field on Sept. 14. Sugiuchi has run cross country since the sixth grade and became captain of the CCHS cross country team during his junior year of high school. “I went in ran, hated it, kept going back and still hated it. I saw I was getting better, so I was like, ‘OK, maybe it’s alright.’ I was still one of the slowest on the team, of course, but I kept at it,” Sugiuchi said. Photo by Emma Ramsay

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October 2018

IN FOCUS

Featured: BATTLE WEARY: Varsity football player Chris Johnson, a junior, sits on the sidelines during the 52nd Classic City Championship on Sept. 28. The game resulted in Clarke Central High School’s loss to Cedar Shoals High School for the first time in a decade. “From the beginning of the game, I felt we were coming out very strong -- besides that long drive they had made -- but, other than that, I think we had a good run for a lot of the plays,” Johnson said. “But, as the game went by, people were getting panicky and they were talking to the other team, talking junk, because (CSHS players) were talking junk to us. Everybody was too concentrated about talking and all this verbal stuff, when it’s all mental. I feel like the game could have went better if we would have kept our cool, kept our heads still. Everybody was like really mad and stuff and it was just a bad vibe that we had going on. It wasn’t good -- it was toxic.” Photo by Kelly Fulford, story by Ana Aldridge

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October 2018

Above: GOOD CARE: Clarke Central High School athletic trainer Allison Palmer poses for a photo during a junior varsity football game on Sept. 20. Palmer attends all sporting events to give athletes medical assistance if necessary.“I’m here to take care of them and they can come to me with their injuries and I’ll be there if anything happens,” Palmer said. Photo by Krista Shumaker

PArt-time to full-time Clarke Central High School head athletic trainer Allison Palmer is the first full-time athletic trainer in the school’s history.

t the start of the 2018-19 school year, Clarke Central High School full-time head athletic trainer Allison Palmer began working at CCHS. Palmer is the first full-time athletic trainer at CCHS and is replacing former part-time athletic trainer Ryan Johnson who resigned from the position last year. Athletic trainers are responsible for providing care to athletes during the school day and during games. “I provide medical coverage for all of the sports teams from acute care, meaning sideline coverage -if someone gets hurt, I’m the one that’s there when they get hurt. (I) run out there on the field and make sure that they’re okay,” Palmer said.

By ANDREA MATTA-CASTILLO Sports Staffer

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According to Athletic Director Jon Ward, the plan to hire a full-time athletic trainer originated at Cedar Shoals High School. “CSHS, the other high school in the (CCSD) system, their situation was much worse than ours,” Ward said. “They had a trainer periodically at best, and in athletics, when both schools are serving 600 to 700 student athletes in the various programs, the need for an athletic trainer to be on site and on campus full-time was paramount.” According to Ward, Piedmont Athens Regional reached out to CSHS Athletic Director Tony Derricotte and Ward, offering to place full-time athletic trainers in both high schools. “(Piedmont Athens Regional) came to us with a proposal of giving and placing a full-time trainer in

both of the county high schools, Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals, and they’re funding it totally the first year,” Ward said. Palmer believes that working through Piedmont Athens Regional will help her provide better support for athletes with injuries. “The awesome thing with me working through Piedmont is it gives us the ability to have the support of a whole hospital system and it brings in this network of doctors and physical therapists behind us who help us to provide even better care for our athletes here,” Palmer said. According to Palmer, having a full-time athletic trainer brings various benefits. “There is a big push (to hire full-time athletic trainers) because there is a huge need for athletic

Sports

trainers in a secondary school setting,” Palmer said. “High schools don’t have a lot of full coverage (and) full-time staff yet, and you have a ton of athletes who don’t get medical coverage.” Athletic trainer supervisor Katie Terrell, who also works as the secondary school outreach coordinator for athletic training for Piedmont Hospital and Health Care, believes that shifting from a part-time to a full-time athletic trainer will help to better assist the student athletes. “If someone is here consistently, they get to know the student athletes, get to know who they are and can better give them care and can also foresee an injury from start to finish,” Terrell said. One of the primary responsibilities of an athletic trainer is to provide rehabilitation for athletes, so Palmer believes that having a full-time athletic trainer at CCHS is important for the safety of athletes. “We really want to make sure our athletes have the care that they need (by) making sure that they’re

“She told me what to do with my ankle. She told me to ice it, she pretty much told me everything... What she’s doing, it helps.” --JA'MORRIS HART, varsity offensive lineman practicing in the correct conditions, have the correct equipment, have everything that they need to stay safe if something happens on the field,” Palmer said. Senior varsity football offensive lineman Ja’Morris Hart was assisted by Palmer after injuring his ankle on Aug. 24 during a game against Oconee County High School. Hart feels that Palmer’s suggestions for his injury were helpful. “She told me what to do with my ankle. She told me to ice it, she pretty much told me everything,” Hart said. “It helped because I was on crutches for like two days, three days, and now I’m walking on it, with an ankle brace on it. What she’s doing, it helps.” Freshman varsity softball outfielder Za’Mya Sims was injured on Sept. 4 during a game against North Oconee High School. According to Sims, Palmer was supportive in the medical treatment process. “She was just making sure I didn’t have any fractures and she’s going to keep her eye on that, but it could be worse,” Sims said. “It could be a fracture in my back or it could just be a simple bruise on my bone. So she helped a lot, (with) making sure that nothing serious is going on with both of my injuries.” Ward anticipates the hiring of a full-time athletic trainer to bring many benefits to CCHS. “We want to provide the best care for student athletes possible. I mean, that’s what prompted us years ago to start pursuing this, and in this area it’s rare to have,” Ward said. O

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Above: A HELPING HAND: Clarke Central High School athletic trainer Allison Palmer assists varsity football player Omarion Bell, a sophomore, after an injury during the CCHS vs. Cedar Shoals High School game on Sept. 28. Bell says that Palmer has been helpful and positive throughout his injury. “She puts us through very helpful rehab that gets us back on the field faster feeling 100 percent,” Bell said. “She gave me a wrap to put on my ankle for support and she told me to ice it every night.” Bell said. Photos by Kelly Fulford

October 2018

Turning the team around Clarke Central High School head cross country coach Alex Holmes has implemented significant changes to the team in his first two years as head coach.

larke Central High School head cross country coach Alex Holmes began coaching at CCHS last school year. Holmes graduated from CCHS in 1999 and started coaching cross country in 2011 at Apalachee High School. Since his move to CCHS, Holmes has implemented new strategies and values in the team. One of Holmes’ goals for the CCHS team is to bring his team closer together. “I’m a big believer in being a family. (If the team is) not feeling like a family you’re not able to have a cohesive group,” Holmes said. “I am trying to get them to realize that their success last year was based on them being together and working hard together. Part of my philosophy is the togetherness and the family aspect of being on a team.” Holmes says that he has taken a stricter approach to coaching than his runners had previously experienced. “My runners would tell you that I am more strict when it comes to being at practice. You won’t get better if you’re not at practice,” Holmes said. “There is a lot of accountability involved because I coach a sport where we run at the intramural fields and I can’t see every runner because they are out running on the trails. It teaches them responsibility.” CCHS senior and boys cross country team captain Harvey Sugiuchi believes that Holmes has changed the team’s mindset. “We have definitely become more of a team. People may view cross country as an individual sport because everyone competes for themselves, but we started training together more often as a team, and now it is a lot different than what it used to be,” Sugiuchi said. “For example, back then there was a really good runner that was better than everyone else and just left all of us behind. Now we have achieved a lot more cohesiveness as a group.” At practices, Holmes stresses the importance of his runners working together. “Specifically at workouts, I try to group them together based on where they are at the time. My top seven runners -- I’ll put them together and then the next seven and so on. It gives them the ability to become close with that group,” Holmes said.

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Holmes wants his varsity boys team to bond both on and off the course. “I told our varsity boys, ‘Guys, I suggest this weekend y’all get together, like go watch the Georgia game or go to the movies. Whatever it is, get together not in a cross country setting, but in a fun setting where you guys can hang out,’” Holmes said. Junior and girls varsity cross country captain Lucy Yeomans feels that Holmes has helped the runners feel more like a member of a traditional team sport. “Soccer teams and football teams, they are always bonding and it’s a team and everyone works together to achieve goals. We are a lot more like a team now,” Yeomans said. “We are a lot closer and we are all going towards the same goals. That is the way (Holmes) has changed the program and it has made us stronger.” In 2016, the team’s only runner on the Athens All-Area boys country team was 2016 graduate William White. In 2017, Holmes’ first season as head coach, he won Boys Coach of the Year and had three players on the All-Area team. Yeomans believes that Holmes’ approach has led the team to success. “Last year, both girls and guys varsity teams made it to state and girls haven’t made it in a long time. The guys won region and the girls were runners-up and that’s better than we both have done in a while,” Yeomans said. Holmes was excited to see his team succeed last season. “I did not really care that much about winning those awards. I was more excited about the boys winning the region and girls placing second,” Holmes said. “A trophy is gonna collect dust, but it is awesome to see the kids rewarded and honored the way they were.” Holmes believes he has grown as a coach during his time at CCHS and is proud to see his runners improving both personally and as a team. “Last year, (I was) a new coach and had to let it be known (my) expectations. I did not have to do that this year because they already knew my expectations. My biggest stress to them is that I love them as people and I want them to be their best,” Holmes said. “That is my biggest thing, is that I am there for them as a person. I want them to improve as people and not just as athletes.” O

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Above: ALL HANDS IN: Clarke Central High School head cross country coach Alex Holmes breaks it down with his team during a team trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia. Holmes is glad that his team is bonding off the course. “I know that they have group chats going on their cell phones, which I don’t wanna know what they’re talking about in them. I like those group chats because it means that they are communicating with each other off the course. Those are the kind of things that I stress and I’m glad they are going on,” Holmes said. Photo by Krista Shumaker

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October 2018

Spike squad As the 2018 Clarke Central High School volleyball season commences, four senior players unite to form an irreplaceable team bond.

larke Central High School’s volleyball team stepped onto the court to play their first game of the 2018 season on Sports Staffer Aug. 16, with four senior voices louder than the rest. As their last season playing for CCHS begins, seniors Sandra Barcenas, Flora Lechtreck, Caroline Mobley and Tavaria Smith are stepping up as leaders on the varsity team. “There’s a lot of positive energy,” head varsity volleyball coach Stacey Scott said. “The older girls on varsity are mentors to the ladies on JV. We kind of have a family going on.” This season, the four seniors are striving toward a better relationship with the younger players. Lechtreck is the team captain and believes that the connections between players last season were not at the level they needed to be. “I don’t know what it was last year, but we just did not click on that court. It was like six people playing a different game,” Lechtreck said. “(This year) just the chemistry is so much better. It’s not even that the skill level’s better. We still have good hitters, a good passer, a good setter. We’re just playing as a team, finally.” Sophomore and varsity player Jocelyn Ray has played on the varsity team for two years, and believes that the seniors have cultivated a positive team environment throughout the seasons. “Last year was more of a rebuilding season from the six seniors that we lost. I definitely feel like this year is so much more like a family and the bond is better,” Ray said. “(Last year) as a freshman, I still felt like I could look up to the seniors, but I think this year our seniors have a lot more leadership towards the team.” According to Mobley, a setter, the team is united not just during practice, but outside of volleyball as well. In addition to the early morning workouts, practices and games, the team spends quality time together off the court. “We practiced all summer together and we always have team dinners and pool parties and stuff,” Mobley said. “We constantly make each other laugh. I know that sounds cheesy, but we’re always just laughing.” As the oldest members on the team, the seniors are doing their best to provide encouragement to their younger teammates so that, when they graduate, the remaining players are motivated. “Volleyball is a mind game. You really get in your head, so you need someone there to try to get you out of your head,” Barcenas said. As one of the oldest on the team, Barcenas needs to communicate with the younger players during games. “I (have) to let my players know where the ball is going, what to do, what we can do,” Barcenas said. “I have to talk to them because I can see everything.” Smith has played volleyball at CCHS since her freshman year. After years of exBy NATALIE RIPPS

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perience, she has learned to embrace all the different skills present on the team. “Everyone has their weaknesses. Everyone has their strengths. I think we work well around each other’s weaknesses and we try to make up for them,” Smith said. “We just try to work around it, try to come up with strategies on how to get away from that weakness so we can still get a play in.” According to Lechtreck, there are many things to teach the younger players about being on a varsity team and supporting each other. “The main part is dealing with the emotional side of being on the court and being on a varsity team, and playing in front of your families and the people that come to watch,” Lechtreck said. “That’s something we can support each other in, especially if you’re new on the team.” Freshman Kameron Taylor is one of the two freshmen on varsity and admires the seniors’ ability to step up as leaders. “They do a really good job. Especially if coach Scott or ( JV coach Lisa) Hill isn’t

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Featured: SENIOR SEASON: Clarke Central High School seniors and varsity volleyball players Sandra Barcenas, Flora Lechtreck, Caroline Mobley and Tavaria Smith (left to right) for a picture in the new gym on Sept. 10. This season, the foursome worked to create a comfortable environment for the volleyball team. “The seniors bring us together (because) we’re more talkative than the younger girls. We just play around, make things fun. I think that’s very important,” Smith said. Photo by Ana Aldridge

“We constantly make each other laugh. I know that sounds cheesy, but we’re always just laughing.” -- CAROLINE MOBLEY, CCHS senior and varsity setter

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there. They’re always just making sure that everything is together,” Taylor said. Freshman and JV player Anna Robinson is adapting to the CCHS volleyball setting. According to Robinson, the seniors play an instrumental role in her athletic growth and attitude towards the game. “I feel like it makes me play better because I know someone’s watching, someone that’s better than me and older than me, (and I’m trying to) make them feel proud,” Robinson said. Scott has shown appreciation of the foursome’s leadership and hopes they can carry this team bond to the next level -- and eventually the state championship. “I love my seniors and they’re dependable. I know what I’m going to get out of them,” Scott said. “There’s some excitement that comes with the younger classmen. The potential (the team) has right now, I could see us going pretty deep in the state.” O

October 2018

“WOMEN’S” SPORTS The distinction between male and female sports contributes to the existing inequality between genders in sports organizations.

hen people talk about sports, they often discriminate against female athletes just through their speech. When referring to MACKENZIE CAUDILL Sports Editor women’s sports, people often use the word “ladies” or “women’s”, but when referring to men’s sports they do not use a gendered term. Furthermore, if one doesn’t specify they are talking about “women’s” sports, then people will automatically assume they are referring to men’s sports because of the existing association of masculinity with athleticism. Although competitions rarely differ in major rules and regulations across genders, the distinction between genders in sports organizations leads to women’s sports to be viewed as less legitimate than men’s. It is no secret that female athletes receive less respect. The National Basketball Association is listed as a parent organization to the Women’s National Basketball Association, sending a clear message: This game doesn’t belong to women. This “women’s” title is viewed as a necessity to distinguish between organizations that deal with the same sport. Because male organizations came before female ones, they get ownership of the title of the game. Another issue regarding gender equality in sports is the reality that it is easier for men to make a career out of playing a sport. For women, sports are viewed as just a hobby. This may not seem worthy of outrage, but considering the the amount of sexism present in these leagues, there is a need for change to protect the ethics of athleticism. Because women in sports aren’t viewed as professionals, women’s

sports only receive four percent of mainstream media coverage according to the Women’s Sports Foundation. According to the Huffington Post, an even smaller percentage of airtime on some sports channels is attributed to women’s sports.

The distinction between genders in sports organizations leads to women’s sports to be viewed as less legitimate. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, the U.S. women’s soccer team was paid four times less than the men’s team in 2015 after winning the World Cup while the men only reached the sixteenth round. The women produced 20 million dollars more in revenue than the men and were paid a fraction of the men’s salary. In Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, boys and girls are guaranteed equal oppor-

tunities in sports funded federally. According to a study by the National Women’s Law Center, gender disparities survive in schools who do not actively make sure their athletic departments are meeting the requirements of Title IX. In 2015, Georgia was ranked last in a percentage point system measuring gender equity in athletic opportunities in high schools across the United States. At Clarke Central High School, the girls’ sports teams are distinguished from boys’ sports teams using the label “Lady Glads”. The word “lady” was originally used to describe women of high class in the days of hoop skirts and corsets and, consequently, paints an image of daintiness and incapability. What makes the girls on sports teams at CCHS any less of Gladiators? It is time to stop naming female sports as “ladylike” and start supporting them as legitimate athletes. Sports that are played by women are not inferior to sports played by men. Female athletes are not inferior to male athletes. It is time to finally accept women into the professional world of sports and treat them as legitimate athletes that deserve respect. O

Above: GENDER DISPARITIES: Many professional sports organizations distinguish between gender in sports by placing the prefix “women’s” in front of female sports titles. This, paired with other inequalities, causes female athletes to be ostracized from men’s sports, despite the fact that their performances are often on the same level. Illustration by Audrey Kennedy

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Star Players0 ODYSSEY Star Players

CHEER

ODYSSEY Star Players are selected based on their academic standing and commitment to teammates, their sports program and Clarke Central High School. Star Players are written for each issue by the Sports staff based on interviews with players and coaches.

JESSICA MACK GRADE: 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: I’ve been cheering since I was six, so (...) almost 12 years. GAME DAY RITUAL: I basically just gather myself together and then I just go out there and cheer.

JESSICA MACK

FAVORITE MEMORY: I don’t really have a favorite memory, I just love football season, the crowd and the atmosphere of what people bring at a football game. ROLE MODEL: My mom. She just pushes me to be as great of a cheerleader as I am today.

QUAVION TEASLEY

WHAT COACHES SAY: “I have enjoyed having Jessica a part of the cheer team this season. She is a leader, team player, problem solver and great communicator. Her teammates also voted her to serve as the 2018 football cheer captain. It’s great that others see her as a leader, as well.” -- Krytsian Edwards, head football cheerlaeading coach

GRADE: 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: (I’ve been playing football) ever since I was in about kindergarten with (recreation) ball (and then) through middle and high school. GAME DAY RITUAL: I normally just listen to music, get somewhere by myself and get focused. FAVORITE MEMORY: When coach Jones said, “Eyes! Eyes! Eyes!” ROLE MODEL: My current role model is probably my dad, growing up with different obstacles and how he overcame different things. WHAT COACHES SAY: “He’s been great. A really good leader. Plays extremely hard, he’s aggressive, he’s always in the right spot, good tackler. He’s our lead tackler, so we really count on him to be the catalyst of our defense.” -- David Perno, varsity head football coach

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QUAVION TEASLEY October 2018

things to know about parenting a student athlete By Allie Melancon, as told to Mackenzie Caudill

It is fun

It ends

It’s been great for us, for (my husband) and I, to meet our core group of friends, our friends that we’ve met through athletics. That’s still pretty much who we see and hang out with and it’s just been a great experience for us. It was kind of crazy until (our kids) could drive, but we spent years out at Holland Park and that’s where our friends were, so that’s where our friend group was. That’s where we spent pretty much all of our time and then as they got older, our friend group and social activities pretty much centered around athletics. We tried to go to all of the out-of-town games. We made all of the home games. (My husband) and I, one of us (was) always there for (our kids).

I don’t even want to think about it. I’ve got several (adpoted sports) kids that have asked me, “Will you come to my game? Will you come to this?” and so any time a kid asks me to come to something, I try to come. The good thing right now is that I’m working at an elementary school here in Clarke County and it feeds into Clarke Central, so I’ll have some kids to support in a few years. (Parents need) to be there as much as they can because these days, they end and they end quickly. It’s a hard thing when it ends and it’s all that you’ve known. O

It is Costly More so than the amount we had to pay, it was the timing of when we had to pay it. Like, with baseball, our player pack was always due either right before Thanksgiving or the paycheck before Christmas, so that was sometimes a challenge. That was at least $150, if not a little bit more than that depending on all the gear that they wanted, so adding that to the timing was kind of a crazy thing.

It is Time-Consuming (My son) Cole started playing baseball when he was four and he’s still playing. (My daughter) Anna Cate started playing softball when she was nine and this will be her final season. At Clarke Central I was the Dugout Club president for four years, starting (Cole’s) freshman year. I served all four years as the president of the Dugout Club for him. I’ve been on the board for the past three years with the softball program, but I am not this year. I’ve chosen to step back and kind of more enjoy her senior season. I take pictures and do the music for the games. I had a hard time when Cole graduated, just because baseball had been so much of the focus for him for so long. Anna Cate would play for (CCHS), but Cole would play all summer and he would play in the spring, so there was only a few months where he wasn’t playing. I would have all of this extra free time, so I had to figure out a way to fill it.

It is Fulfilling I just try to be there. We try to make not every conversation about their athletics. Sometimes you have to have the crazy deep mom and son conversations sitting outside of the baseball park. If Anna Cate needs something, we’re sitting outside of the field talking before a game. I just try to always be available to them and just be there for them. It’s kind of what my mom did for me. I was a soccer player in high school and I was a cheerleader and I just remember always looking up and seeing my mom there and I wanted to be able to give that to my kids. It’s not just being the mom of my two athletes, it’s being able to kind of be a surrogate mom to all the other kids. As I was coming in (to CCHS) today, I had a couple of them stop me and give me hugs. It’s just the kids I get to meet from being there for my kids. I get to be there and encourage other kids and that’s the best part. Photo by Kelly Fulford Photo illustration by Everett Vereen

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NEW CCHS ADMINISTRATOR Dr. Linda Boza was announced as a new Clarke Central High School assistant principal on Sept. 4 at a Parent Teacher Student Organization meeting. BY ANA ALDRIDGE

ABRAMS IN ATHENS Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams spoke to a crowd of supporters in Athens on Oct. 11 to encourage voter turnout and engagement. BY ELENA GILBERTSON HALL

FED UP WITH PHONES Select teachers have begun a new phone policy beginning the 2018-19 school year in which they take cell phones as students walk through the door. BY COLIN FRICK