Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Alice Carpenter

Award Ceremonies Recap

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This year, there have been many award ceremonies, such as the Golden Globe Awards, the Grammys, the Kids Choice Awards, the  Oscars, and the SAG Awards. According to nbcnews.com, the 80th Golden Globe Awards happened on January 10th, 2023, and the “Best Motion Picture Drama ” award went to Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film, The Fabelmans. This film is about a Jewish family, where the parents take their son, Sammy Fabelman, to see a film called The Greatest Show On Earth. As a result, Sammy falls in love with the film and begins making his own films. Additionally, the “Best Limited Series” award went to Mike White, the creator of HBO’s White Lotus. The message behind White Lotus is that people desire things from each other and use their minds and skill to get what they want. 

The Annual 65th Grammy Awards took place in February 2023. Beyonce has now beaten the record with thirty-two Grammys. She was awarded “Best Dance/Electronic Album” and thanked the queer community, her uncle Johnny, her husband Jay-Z, as well as her kids in her speech. Additionally, Harry Styles was awarded Album of the Year for Harry’s House. Everyone in the audience, including Harry, was shocked. Harry exclaimed, “I’ve been so so inspired by every artist in this category with me at a lot of different times in my life” in his speech. “I’m so grateful.” Despite this, everyone was expecting Beyonce to win Best Album of the Year for Renaissance, considering she has been nominated for this award four times.

For a younger audience, the Kids Choice Awards happened in March 2023. The show was hosted by social media influencer Charli D’Amelio, and sports TV commentator Nate Burleson. D’Amelio performed a talented dance routine to Lady Gaga’s song “Bloody Mary.” After performing, she accepted the “Best Female Creator” award and quickly moved out of the way so she would avoid getting slimed. However, she got her payback when she and her family went on stage to take a photo, and suddenly they all got slimed. Getting slimed is a Kids Choice Awards tradition. All of the celebrities that get awards get slimed by green goo to add a fun touch to the show. Adam Sandler received the “King of Comedy” award. He dressed the part and wore a full king costume until it was ruined with green slime. Additionally, Dove Cameron received the “Best Breakout Artist” award and left the audience interested by teasing her new album. 

One of the most prestigious awards shows, the Annual 95th Oscars, occurred in March 2023. Jimmy Kimmel was the night’s host and made an unforgettable entrance by parachuting onto the stage. The first award announced was for “Best Animated Feature.” The award went to Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, and in their speech, they discussed that animated films need to be taken more seriously. The next award presented was for “Best Actor In a Supporting Role.” The award went to Ke Huy Quan for his performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Then came “Best Actress In a Supporting Role”, which went to Jamie Lee Curtis for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. The next award presented was for “Best Documentary Feature,” which went to Navalny, about the 2020 assassination attempt on Russian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alexei Navalny.The Screen Actors Guild Awards, also known as the SAG Awards, happened in February 2023. The “Best Actor” SAG award went to Brendan Fraser for his performance in The Whale.” In his speech, he said, “If you told that guy back then that I’d be standing right here, I would not have believed you.” The “Best Actress in a Drama Series” went to Jennifer Coolidge for her performance in White Lotus. In reference to the creator-director Mike White, she stated, “You can give money to friends and do nice things for them, but the best gift you can give someone is to change someone’s perspective for the better, and that’s what Mike White did for me.” Film and Television have definitely dominated, and the world is ready for more to come!

Building Bridges

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 Building Bridges is a tutoring and mentoring club based out of Myers Park that partners with Hidden Valley Elementary. This club began as a peace project through youth peace action. Youth Peace Action holds an online peace platform to deliver virtual and live peace education, training, and mentoring to schools and teachers that put kids at the center of peacebuilding. The two programs are the Leading Peace Project Teams experience available to interact with other clubs for 500 dollars per youth-led project. My Peacebuilder Foundations online certification, accompanied by a teacher toolkit, is distributed to schools at no cost. The leaders worked closely with an advisor to come up with a peace project, and the leaders decided on tutoring and mentoring kids at schools with high levels of low-income students. The club leadership, which includes my brother Sam, decided to work with Hidden Valley Elementary because of the connection with the school: our father works there as a teacher. The leaders worked for months planning this club, and finally, their interest meeting was held at the end of the 2021 school year. Their official first meeting was at the beginning of the next school year. The club’s advisor is Ms. Fiore, the co-presidents are Sam Carpenter and Paige Bundon, the co-vice presidents are Lila Slayden and JN Arendale, I am the social media manager for the club, and the club coordinator is Caroline Hulbert. The drive to Hidden Valley is about a 30 min drive, so all the leaders have groups and provide them with rides to the school and back to Myers Park. The club meets every other Thursday after school from 3:00 to 4:15. 

During an interview with my brother, Sam, the co-president of the club, we discussed the importance of their mission. I asked him, “What made you choose a tutoring and mentoring club?” He answered, “We were conflicted between our peace project for new gen, but an issue that we wanted to address was… education; we worked with our advisor and came up with a plan.” When asked about the progress of the children’s academics after tutoring, Sam shares,  “There was a 78% increase in growth in math and 7% higher in math than all the other students, but it’s not just about statistics. The kids have improved in their social and emotional well-being. We have had multiple principals and administrators come up to us and tell us that this is their favorite part of the day. I think we both prioritize mentoring and academic tutoring,which is what I think makes the club so effective.” 

However, like any club, Building Bridges faced some roadblocks. Sam says of the experience,  “At first, communication with the school was difficult because the school was so busy and just planning it was a very hard process, and not only this but making the assignments and really getting into the groove of making good worksheets.” Sam adds that these assignments are based on “the lesson plans from the CMS curriculum. We will sometimes do a bunch of worksheets that have engaging activities like solving this equation to get to the end of the maze, just stuff that makes them intrigued, and sometimes we will do things like math bingo to kind of spice things up and keep the kids engaged.” Lastly, I asked him, “How did you find out about Youth Peace Action?” He answered, “I think I heard it on the morning announcements and felt like it was perfect for me. I just joined, and all of the sudden, I found myself with a group of seven other Myers Park students making a peace project.” The club building bridges has been a success, to say the least, with both Myers Park and Hidden Valley students benefiting.

Are You Smiling Enough?

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According to henryford.com, the average child smiles 400 times daily and the average happy adult smiles 40-50 times a day ,and the standard adult smiles 20 times daily. Smiling is very important because of the benefits it provides you with, like reduced blood pressure, increased endurance, reduced pain, and reduced stress. Studies show that a person who smiles appears more approachable and they tend to be more successful in their work career. 

You might wonder if smiling is contagious. Yes, smiling is contagious. When you smile, you activate neurons in your brain. One smile causes multiple a day which then passes on to others and causes them to smile. According to yourthoughtpartner.com, some suggestions to help you smile more are to start your day with a smile, think about smiling once you greet someone, and it will make them smile, and smile in the mirror so you can get more comfortable doing it. 

According to calmsage.com, even one smile can positively affect your mood, health, and others around you. Smiling has many connections to a person’s mental health, physical health, and well-being. Smiling and its links to mental health- having a smile on your face causes you to fight off the negative energy surrounding you and allows you to get through whatever you’re going through more efficiently. Smiling and its connections to physical health- research shows that people who are sick and in the hospital and keep a smile on their face recover much faster rather than a person with a negative mindset. Smiling and its connections to personal well-being- smiling can make more positive interactions with others and make you a welcoming person to others. People who understand the importance of a smile have excellent relationships, so it is better to keep a smile on your face rather than be negative.  

I asked two people who came to mind when I thought of whose smile lights up the room and automatically gets you in a better mood. Miriam Middlesworth is a student here at Myers Park. During an interview about the importance of smiling, I asked Miriam, “What does a smile mean to you?” She answered, “A smile is a way to express a genuine hello without having to verbally communicate while also making someone’s day. I feel like it can mean a lot more to some people than you think.” Tamra McNeil is also a student here at Myers Park. During an interview with her, I asked Tamra, “How does a smile make you feel?” She answered, “ A smile makes me feel like I’m worth a smile and makes me realize that the little things matter in life.”

War on Fentanyl

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According to the CDC, in 2021 there were 107,375 deaths from overdose in the United States, 67% of these deaths involved opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl is classified as a schedule II prescription opioid that is used to treat severe pain, however, this substance can also be synthesized and distributed illegally. The difference between fentanyl and other opioids is that unlike drugs like morphine and heroin which are extracted from the opium poppy plant, fentanyl is synthetic and is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. The DEA says that—depending on body weight and tolerance—the lethal dose of fentanyl is only two milligrams, which for comparison is about 10-15 grains of table salt. Fentanyl serves a major role in the opioid epidemic which has become an extreme threat to global health.

Due to its potency and the fact that it can be made in labs, fentanyl has grown increasingly popular over time. Those who produce fentanyl can bypass the time that it takes to grow plants from which other opioids are extracted by making their substances in labs. This coupled with the fact that very little fentanyl is needed to produce a high means that producers and distributors can increase their profit by opting to sell fentanyl. According to the Fentanyl Working Group, a U.S. Law Enforcement task force, the cost to produce one kilogram of fentanyl is about $32,000 while that same kilogram has a street value of about $20 million. This whopping economic incentive explains why some people would be willing to sell such a deadly product to buyers.

Some addicts may intentionally purchase fentanyl to pay less money and achieve a more intense high, however, many people think they are purchasing street drugs like heroin, Xanax, or cocaine when they are purchasing fentanyl. The visual appearances of street drugs that are laced with fentanyl versus those that are not are often identical. According to the DEA, almost half of the counterfeit pills they tested contained fentanyl. This terrifying data could largely explain the high number of deaths from overdose since people do not actually know what substances they are consuming and therefore are unaware of how potent they are.

Fentanyl is not only used to lace ‘hard’ drugs anymore, nor can it be confined to one particular region. Recently, there have been instances where people have purchased weed that was laced with fentanyl. Parents across the U.S. are fearful to allow their children to go trick or treating after DEA agents seized nearly 12,000 fentanyl pills that were concealed in candy boxes. The LA County Sheriff’s department warned parents to inspect their kid’s Halloween candy before allowing them to ingest it. The Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the DEA’s Washington division says, 

“The nature of this crisis has really shifted over recent years. All people in all communities are 100% at risk of coming in contact with this deadly drug.”

Individuals and communities are taking action to fight fentanyl’s threat to society and spread awareness. The FDA approved a drug called naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, that can be used to temporarily reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. Universities like UC Boulder are making this life-saving drug more obtainable and encouraging people to take advantage of it by providing it to their students and staff for free. Along with this, in 2021 the DEA launched the “One Pill can Kill” public awareness campaign which is educating young Americans on the dangers of counterfeit pills. The DEA has also created The Faces of Fentanyl which is an exhibit designed to honor those who have lost their lives to fentanyl and spread awareness to the rest of society. People can regain hope by coming together and taking action to spread awareness about fentanyl.

What You Need to Know About Skincare

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In 2021, the skincare market began to grow rapidly in popularity. Nowadays, there are so many skincare products it can be hard to know which products are good. There are also various skin types, so it can be hard to tell which products will improve your skin. If you want to know your skincare type, there are many online quizzes you can take to discover it. Some websites that offer the skin type quiz are y-ourskin.com and skintypesolutions.com. In this column, I’ll highlight the best affordable products for dry, oily, and combination skin. The basic steps for any skincare routine include a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen, according to geeky.posh.com. 

Here are a few of the best and most affordable cleaners you can purchase for dry skin: the Cerave hydrating facial cleanser, and the Inkey list Hyaluronic acid cleanser. Now it’s time to talk about serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens for dry skin types. Serums under $20 include the Inkey list 15% vitamin C+ EGF serum, and the Ordinary granactive retinoid 2% emulsion. Moisturizers under $15 include Nivea creme, and La Roche-posay cicaplast balm B5. Sunscreens under $10 include Scinic enjoy super mild sun essence, and Verdio UV moisture essence.

  Now let’s discuss the best cleanser, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen for combination skin, which is skin that is oily and dry. Great cleansers under $20 are the Cerave foaming facial cleanser, and the Byoma creamy jelly cleanser. For serums, all of the following are effective and under $20: The Ordinary marine hyaluronics, Geek & gorgeous 101 C-Glow, and Naturium retinol complex serum. Moisturizers under $15 include the Inkey list Omega water cream, The good molecules silicone-free priming moisturizer, and the E.L.F. holy hydration face cream. Sunscreens under $25 include Innisfree daily mild sunscreen, and Bliss block star daily mineral sunscreen.

Lastly, we will address the best and most affordable skincare for oily, acne-prone skin. According to mixedmakup.com, some of the best cleansers for this skin type are Cerave renewing S.A. face cleanser, and Neutrogena hydro boost hydrating cleansing gel. Effective serums for oily skin include InstaNatural vitamin C serum, Philosophy help me retinol night treatment, and InstaNatural niacinamide face serum. Moisturizers include Cetaphil pro Dermacontrol oil absorbing face moisturizer SPF 30, Aveeno positively mineral sensitive skin face sunscreen, and Olay total effects anti-aging face moisturizer. People with this skin type  might want to cover up a pimple but don’t want to use makeup because it can agitate acne. The Mighty Patch is a great product for this issue— just put it on a pimple and by the end of the day, the patch will work its magic, and the spot will be gone and no longer irritated.

Midterm Elections

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This November, an election is approaching: the midterms. The midterm election is always held: in the middle of the presidential election. One can vote on candidates for the US Senate, House of Representatives, State Officers, and Judges in their state. The House represents district citizens and has the ability to impeach laws, and the US Senators represent state citizens and have the ability to accept treaties.. The Senate also approves presidential appointments with Supreme Court Justices. When doing midterm elections, one can find out which political party will hold value in nominating candidates and law-making. Due to the fact that many high school students will be able to vote soon, or in a couple of years, it is essential to know information about the candidates, how to register, and why voting is so important. 

First things first,one has to know who they yare going to vote for. On ballotpedia.org, one can look up their state and see who they are voting for. Then, they click on one of the candidate options, and the list of people comes up with a summary of each candidate. This allows one to ensure they’re picking the right person to represent their state. Candidates can easily trick voters into thinking that they’re the right person, so research is a necessity!  

 Now, how does one register to vote in North Carolina?  On ncsbe.gov, the deadline is given for voter registration on the front page. There are many ways to register. One can register by mail, complete an application online or through the DMV, and they can register at early voting sites. This website also allows individuals to update their registration and find out if they’re even eligible to register. One thing that is always good to remember while doing the registration process is the closing date to register in North Carolina is twenty-five days before the  election date. According to spectrumlocalnews.com, this year’s midterm election will be the largest election since 2020. Ted Budd will be representing the Republican party for the US Senate ,and Cheri Beasley will be representing the Democratic party. Spectrum News predicts that Republicans will be able to win the US House and Senate, but it is still debatable. 

Lastly, it’s time to talk about why it is so important to vote, and why young individuals should vote. According to nationalgeographic.org, most people think that their vote won’t make a difference, or won’t matter, but there have been cases where a couple hundred more votes could have changed the presidential election. In 2000, when Al Gore was running against George W. Bush, the election came down to Florida. After they counted, Bush ended up winning by 537 votes. State elections are just as important because voters are voting on the people that represent their state ,and they can often have more of an impact on the state’s population than the president. John Colbert is a social studies teacher here at Myers Park. He discussed the importance of voting, answering the question, “Why is it so important for younger generations to vote?”  

“Because if you don’t vote, I will, and guess who gets to make the rules?” The older generation tends to vote more than the younger. That has to change because then they will get all the power on their generation’s opinions.  Colbert thinks that voting is vital in order to uphold democracy. “We have to have civic participation, everybody’s got to have a voice,and so if you don’t,then just a few people will control things. That’s not the way a democracy works.” Colbert displays that voting is imperative to giving the people in this country a voice and a choice to who they want in the government. Without voting, America would lack the freedom everyone all deserves.

Joe Rogan vs. Spotify

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Joe Rogan is a well known comedian, actor and popular podcaster who jump started his career on Youtube. According to newrepublic.com, in May of 2020 Spotify signed Rogan to a 100 million dollar deal to let Spotify distribute his podcast. The podcast is called “The Joe Rogan Experience” and is basically a long form conversation with Joe and his friends.

On “The Joe Rogan Experience” Joe interviews all kinds of people from comedians to  politicians and journalists. In one of Rogan’s recent podcasts he interviewed US cardiologist, Peter McCullough and vaccine scientist, Dr. Robert Malone. The guests shared their opinions on how the pandemic started and talked about vaccines and other treatments for Covid-19. After this episode was aired, Joe Rogan’s podcast was accused of disclosing misinformation about Covid-19. According to cnet.com there was also a compilation video of Joe Rogan using racial slurs in multiple episodes. Viewers were offended by his use of racial slurs and in response, Spotify ended up removing a couple of episodes that contained derogatory terms. According to The New York Times, the situation grew more tense and civil rights groups started to begin a boycott. Advertisers began pulling their campaign and creators threatened to leave. Creators like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, and Brene Brown have pulled their work off Spotify or are not releasing additional episodes until further notice. Spotify’s chief executive, Daniel Ek responded to this situation and said ”it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being a content censor.” Spotify refused to stop the deal with Rogan although they did agree to put a warning on episodes that bring up Covid-19 and have a link to health information. According to news.com, Joe Rogan also had a response to the feedback. Rogan responded with a nine-minute video saying that “Both of these people are very highly credentialed, highly accomplished people who have opinions who differ from the mainstream narrative. I wanted to hear what their opinion is.”

There have been similar situations that have happened in the media. For instance Netflix released a show called “The Closer” in 2021 with the comedian Dave Chappelle. The show was accused of using comedy to conceal bigotry. According to Time, the show evoked a backlash because of the jokes about gay people and transgender people. Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Co Chief Executive, responded to his employees with an email saying the show did not cross the line of hate or violence. Sarandosinsisted on keeping the show on Netflix despite the controversy because it did not stop the viewership from going up. Soon after Ted’s response transgender people and alies that worked for Netflix organized a walkout to reflect their anger with the situation.

Situations like these can make a little or large impact on platforms. According to the New York Times, it is hard to tell what is going to happen with Spotify, but it is possible for Mr. Young and Ms. Mitchell to make an impact on other big artists and convince them to leave. Spotify also makes most of their money off subscriptions, so it is not likely for the platform to struggle financially unless there is a large number of cancellations. Why did Spotify choose Joe Rogan over Neil Young? According to the Washington Post, the decision was not really about Neil or Rogan, it was about Spotify looking to maximize their profits. Since 2019, Spotify has been planning to put 500 million dollars into the podcast industry. So far Spotify’s plan has worked. Spotify has taken over Apple podcasts to be the largest podcast provider in the United States.