Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Caden Campolmi

The Travel Travesty

By

The Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, Hollywood Boulevard, and the Roman Colosseum; These tourist attractions are packed with crowds of tourists year-round, visiting to take a picture and say they’ve visited with more intention behind a stop at these famous landmarks than a cute photo for Instagram. After the pandemic, the crowds have reemerged in famous cities across the world as almost every country has lifted travel restrictions and opened their borders, which brought the much-appreciated economic influx of tourism. Tourism, however, is a double-edged sword for many destinations, and balancing over-tourism and sustainability is becoming increasingly talked about in the travel industry. Not only are governments and private companies shifting their focus, but travelers globally have begun to question what they want out of a travel experience; that shift has become especially evident in post-pandemic travels. Words and phrases like “sustainable tourism,” “ecotourism,” “slow travel,” and more have begun to define the lens through which travelers enjoy the destinations they visit. Rather than choosing to join crowded tour groups hopping from one landmark to the next, although this option certainly still exists and remains popular, many tourists are leaning towards small-group and self-guided travel that allows for a slower pace of exploration where the culture, history, and people of a place are emphasized. 

Many destinations are encouraging a balance by still drawing tourists to their cities and countries but asking them to consider certain experiences, activities, and destinations on their trips. For more nature-focused destinations, this includes promoting other hiking trails and outdoor activities away from the crowds, discouraging single-use plastics to eliminate harmful waste and pollutants affecting the environment in many popular destinations, and emphasizing indigenous peoples and their role in maintaining the local ecosystems. Australia, for example, has made particular strides in its efforts of empowering Aboriginal Australians through inclusivity in the tourism industry. In bucket list destinations like Uluru, a large sandstone rock, in the Outback and the Great Barrier Reef, Aboriginal tour guides, museums, and experiences allow tourists to not only check these destinations off a bucket list but to really experience the people, culture, and history that create the multifaceted and often overlooked sides of a place. Costa Rica employs strategies to maintain the sustainability of their tourism industry in a similar way, with a fourth of the country designated as federally protected natural areas. As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and an extremely popular destination for American tourists, Costa Rica is an example of how a destination integrates traditions and nature into crowds of curious travelers and their experiences. 
While some countries and cities like Costa Rica and Australia are taking more dramatic steps towards improving equality and sustainability in tourism, many tourists are taking steps on their own to make destinations more sustainable and culturally diverse. Media outlets such as New York Times Travel make specific emphasis on the opportunities to explore cultural diversity and natural beauty around the United States. These outlets provide information to tourists on exploring culturally diverse neighborhoods and emphasizing interest in minority cultures around the United States, whose locally-owned shops and restaurants flourish with the support of tourists. Many tourists have taken a particular interest in walking and using public transportation where possible to slow down and really enjoy every step of the journey. By slowing down, especially in destinations around the United States, a tourist can learn a lot more about the people and beauty of a place. New York City is more than just the Empire State Building and fancy shopping in SoHo, and Los Angeles is more than just Hollywood and Malibu. These cities have flourishing communities of creatives from diverse backgrounds willing and excited to share their lives and experiences with those willing to listen. So next time you take a trip, consider a walking tour in a diverse neighborhood or taking a hike on the path less traveled, as said by Robert Frost, “And that has made all the difference”

Fast Food

By

A chicken sandwich made of cauliflower or a McDonald’s burger made from peas? In recent years, the fast food industry has tested the waters of vegetarian cuisine, and skeptic Americans have begun to question the why and what of it all. With millions of Americans committing to vegan and vegetarian diets, the availability of options that fit the restrictions of these diets is increasing, and vegetarian cuisine is becoming increasingly commonplace. However, the introduction of the McPlant, the Impossible Whopper, and the Chickfila Cauliflower Sandwich begs the question of necessity. Are Americans who frequent McDonald’s, Burger King, and other fast food chains interested in branching out? It is evident in the sales of most of these items that they are, in fact, not interested. When the McPlant was released in 2022, the average sales in test markets were an underwhelming seven “burgers” per day. The McPlant also costs customers a dollar more than the beloved Big Mac and barely qualifies as vegetarian since they are heated on the same griddle as the greasy meat burgers the fast food chain is renowned for. With all of these setbacks, it becomes clear that these new vegetarian alternatives to unhealthy favorites are not shifting the paradigm as perhaps intended. 

Another aspect of these fast-food shifts to consider is the concept of “food deserts”. This geospatial term refers to the concept of a population of lower-income residents in particular being limited by convenience and costs to fast-food chains that are ultimately extremely unhealthy. Not only do these new vegetarian alternatives cost more, but they are oftentimes barely any healthier and vegetarianism may be of little interest to those who are restricted by the price and convenience of food choices. The perpetuation of food insecurity and inaccessibility makes eating healthy, convenient, and cheap nearly impossible. This complicated issue has a complicated and multifaceted answer that the United States has yet to fully address, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Chikfila’s offerings of grilled nuggets, Wendy’s salads and wraps, and other simple fast-food options give patrons the opportunity to eat healthy or at least include more beneficial fruits and vegetables in their diet. I find it difficult to recommend any fast food in alignment with healthy eating, but it is important for those that can access more expensive healthy eating options and have the time to make meals at home to avoid fast food as much as possible. Oftentimes in America, the unfortunate truth is the positive correlation between socioeconomic status and healthy eating.

In response to these inequalities and the growing health concern for the United States, many organizations, cities, and towns are attempting to take matters into their own hands. Some of the best ways to combat the issues of “food deserts” and food accessibility are the promotion of healthy eating habits and the opportunity to learn and develop them. Many Americans are unaware of the possibility to access a less expensive and more convenient healthy diet. With the encouragement of home cooking, many easy vegetarian meals can become a reality! It is almost always more nutritious to eat at home and of course, it’s better to know what goes into what you’re eating and how it was made. While fast food, and its vegetarian counterparts, can often be a fun treat, relying heavily on these sources as a means of sustenance can prove detrimental to one’s health and, in the long term, much less convenient and much more expensive than intended. Consider making more meals at home if you have the time, consider making one or two of those meals vegetarian or vegan every week, and if you already implement these habits into your own life, encourage others to embrace a healthy diet! 

22 Music Review

By

2022 was a fantastic year for the music industry, with record-breaking hits and chart-topping artists that won’t leave our playlists anytime soon. I’ll attempt to cover a handful of the highlights, but because music is subjective, everyone had their own unique listening history over this past year. The numbers, however, show that many worldwide enjoyed listening to a handful of highly talented artists and allowed for the connection of thousands, if not millions, of fans and music enthusiasts. Whether or not you enjoyed the slew of new releases this year, it’s important to acknowledge the success of many underdogs and the flawless return of some of the world’s favorites like Beyonce and Taylor Swift. I hope that everyone at Myers Park is entering 2023 with a similar anticipation for record-breaking hits, exciting underdogs, and plenty of new songs for their playlists. 

It would be impossible to review the music released in 2022 without highlighting some  extraordinarily successful artists who made history with their releases. Taylor Swift’s Midnights was easily her biggest success yet, breaking multiple records for Spotify listeners. Earlier in the year, pop icon Harry Styles released his eclectic new project Harry’s House. When you look back on this album, you can’t help but remember “As It Was,” the stellar pop hit that spent months atop the billboard charts but other songs, like my favorite track, “Music for a Sushi Restaurant,” add to the album’s depth.  Not only did these iconic artists make music history, but the Rap and R&B genres flourished in 2022 with releases from SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Drake, Future, Jack Harlow, and many more. To finish out the year strong, R&B legend, and my favorite artist, SZA released her new album SOS five years after her grammy-nominated 2017 album CTRL. The massive project has 23 tracks, including 3 released prior to the album, spanning across a handful of genres and weaving together seamlessly to create a record-breaking collection. The album, alongside its most popular song “Kill Bill,” broke Spotify records and put SZA just behind Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande as the third most streamed female artist in history. SOS’s R&B genre popularity rivals iconic artists like Mariah Carey who broke similar records for popularity. While biased as somewhat of a SZA superfan, SOS was one of my favorite releases of the year. Of course, “Kill Bill” is amazing but unexpected successes like “Ghost in the Machine” featuring Phoebe Bridgers and the short rap track “Smoking on my Ex Pack” spoke to the versatility and talent of SZA as an artist. 
While these artists broke records and appealed to millions, breakout stars and underdogs  stole the show throughout 2022. Omar Apollo’s amazing mix of Spanish ballads and English love songs on his second album Ivory had some of my favorite songs of the year. The energetic artist made a name for himself among the year’s big hitters. Similarly, R&B artist Steve Lacy saw success to a level that he did not even expect with the release of his album Gemini Rights. While “Bad Habit” took Tik Tok by storm, the album’s other, more overlooked tracks like “Sunshine” featuring Foushee and “Helmet” have a similar funk as Bad Habit without the overplayed radio-hit energy. Another of my personal favorites was the eclectic collection of folk music from the band Big Thief. Great for campfires, sleepy nights, or study focus, their new album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is a heartwarming collection of music that can only be described as comfy, especially my favorite track “Simulation Swarm.” While there are hundreds more artists, songs, and albums that could be highlighted from last year, everyone had their own music taste. What did you listen to and what were some of your favorites?

Winter Wonderland

By

When we think of the holidays, we think of over-the-top light displays, carefully wrapped gifts, and escapes to snowy “winter wonderlands.” However, there is a dark side to these cheerful holiday traditions as our global climate continues to change. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve see a 25% increase in waste products due to our favorite traditions. Between increased food waste, over 2 million pounds in wrapping paper, and thousands of feet in ribbons, the season’s generosity comes at a cost. Not only is waste a concern, but the changing weather patterns of our global climate make winter weather around the country unpredictable, disappointing, and sometimes even dangerous. While you shouldn’t let these changes undermine the joy of your holidays, it is becoming increasingly important to adopt more sustainable traditions that will allow us to continue seeing snow on the ground and presents under the tree.

The unfortunate reality lying behind the shiny wrapping papers is an unsustainable and non-recyclable accumulation of trash during the holidays. Don’t worry just yet, though; if you’ve picked out the perfect present for mom and don’t want to end up throwing away all the wrapping paper, there are many alternatives. Recyclable and reusable options include newspapers, cloth, and fabric wrap like those used traditionally in Japan are a fantastic way to make your gift a little more special and a little more sustainable. On top of this, don’t be afraid to reuse gift bags, ribbons, wrappers, and other crafty materials when the holidays roll around. If everyone consciously decided to be a little more thoughtful about their gift wrapping, the world could see a lot less wrapping paper end up in the landfill.

While one associates the season with a snowy winter wonderland, that experience may look different in the coming decades as our climate shifts and unpredictable weather patterns change what we can expect. Not only can this mean a decrease in snowy winters, but it can also mean an increase. This might seem counterintuitive to the idea of global warming, however, it is essential to make the distinction between long-term climate change and short-term weather patterns when recognizing changes. In the last decade, for example, the US has seen polar vortexes, “snowmaggedons,” and winter freezes. These events are not limited to the typically cold areas and have occurred in places as far south as Texas. There are two factors that scientists at NOAA and other weather organizations around the country believe may contribute to these massive snowstorms. The first is climate change’s effect on the jet stream, a large air current that moves storms and weather throughout the country that has recently dipped much farther south (think Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas), thus bringing more snow and freezing temperatures to these states. The other factor would be the opposite: a lack of weather pattern movement, were areas still cold enough for snow receive extremely severe and dangerous blizzards because the snowstorms remain stationary for too long. 

In the end, there are a multitude of environmentally unfriendly aspects to the holidays. As our Earth continues to change, we will continue to see differences in the seasons we are accustomed to. Regardless of this, there is a glimmer of hope as NOAA’s recent 2020 data set has shown that North Carolina is more likely to have a white Christmas than in past decades. No matter what happens, we must become conscious of these changes not only during the holidays but all the time. As we look forward to the new year, consider making a resolution to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable but most importantly, enjoy the holidays and whatever weather gets thrown our way!

Myers Park Language Department

By

Did you know that Myers Park offers five different foreign language courses? Students have the opportunity to explore up to six levels of either Spanish, French, Latin, German, or Chinese courses during their four years here. These language courses are taught by the wonderful teachers of the department who dedicate their time in order for students to excel in their discovery of multilingual studies. These teachers ensure that students are engaging in unique activities in class and taking risks as learners. On top of each of these courses offered here at Myers Park, students can engage in their language through clubs or honors societies for each language and through study opportunities offered through these clubs, the school, or other outside organizations.

There are countless benefits to exploring the language offerings at Myers Park, with a few of them highlighted during an interview with language department head Ms. Szell. “A benefit of taking a second or third language is a better understanding of your own languages and nuances in your own language,” says Szell, emphasizing the ways that world languages teach you more skills than you might expect. Szell says culture is what inspired her own studies of the world languages, and that all the teachers in language programs at Myers Park make it a focal point to explore the cultures of the people who speak the language that the students are learning. Cultural opportunities are also offered through the clubs and organizations that support the world language department. In the Spanish club, Szell says they will make sugar skulls to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos. Other clubs like the Chinese Club will visit the Asian Supermarket or explore the culture within the Charlotte community. Through these programs teachers and students learn more about another culture as well as the educational system.

Szell also touches on the important benefits of world languages for students as they look toward post-graduate educational and career opportunities. Students can “do better on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT” from taking a few years of world language and this experience can also “make you more attractive to those [competitive] colleges.” These points touch on the idea of becoming a more well-rounded student, a skill and asset that is extremely valuable to colleges and employers as students continue to grow after high school. These skills are also highlighted in the workforce as being even partially fluent allows you to “communicate with twice as many people” and make connections in your endeavors that others are unable to.
Not only do the teachers in this department love creating this learning environment, but the students engaging in the opportunities at Myers Park love the program. Hannah McGee, a Myers Park senior in the IB program, has been learning Chinese since she was five years old. McGee says this interest “was initially prompted through watching Ni Hao Kai Lan” and she became fluent at nine years old! McGee goes on to talk about the challenges of learning Chinese with its unique and varied dialects, tones, and characters. However, she says that “although it is challenging, it is very rewarding to recognize how many more opportunities for connection you have created through learning a language.” McGee also spent time as an exchange student in Beijing with the opportunity to further strengthen and study her language skills in an immersive setting. Hannah says that there is more to learning a language than one might initially think and that “it is a means of communication accompanied by rich cultural and emotional implications.” She says she wouldn’t have been able to communicate with her peers on the deepest level without those skills. McGee says that the opportunities available at MP have allowed her to continue this passion for language and she encourages students to participate in these amazing courses so that they may develop similar connections to new cultures and open new doors.

Affordable Fun

By

When spending a day in the city with friends, a lot of restaurants can quickly drain your bank account.  Hot spots like Optimist Hall and the upscale restaurants along South End’s Rail Trail come with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for affordable spots around the Queen City, apart from your average fast-food drive-thru Bojangles or Chikfila, then keep reading to learn about some hidden (and not so secret ) places to grab a quick bite with your friends. The first strategy to eating affordably with your friends is sharing, a $15 entree at an excellent restaurant becomes affordable for you and your best friend. A local restaurant whose menu allows for evenly and affordably splitting the costs is Inizio Pizza Napoletana, a wood-fired pizza restaurant located in Dilworth, Providence Commons, and Huntersville. Their large 16 inch pizzas range from $15-23 and have eight large slices, ideal for splitting with 2-3 of your friends before heading to nearby Southend (down the street from the Dilworth location) for a walk with city views on the Charlotte Rail Trail. Still craving pizza? Benny Pennello’s, a NoDa Pizza joint with locations around the country is known for its massive pizzas. A whole pie is 40 inches, and one slice alone takes up two plates, so the $5 per slice price tag will get you your money’s worth. If you’re in NoDa and in the mood for an affordable bite, stop by Benny Pennello’s for a slice (or two) in between visits to art galleries, trinket shops, and thrift stores. 

Moving away from pizza, a great option for keeping to a budget is picnics. Heading to a local market or grocery store for a sandwich, chips, and a drink is sometimes the most appealing affordable option around. Take your goods to go and head to the Rail Trail, Romare Bearden Park, First Ward Park, or in your car on a parking deck with good views. A popular Charlotte spot with locations strategically located near some of Charlotte’s exciting neighborhoods is the Rhino Market. Find one across from Romare Bearden Park in Uptown, in NoDa across from Amelie’s, in South End, and Wesley Heights. Take advantage of Charlotte’s walkable city center and its surrounding neighborhoods with snacks and sandwiches to go from Rhino Market. Salads and sandwiches here average around $7.99, paired with some chips and a drink, and you’re all set! Another option for an affordable sandwich is the often overlooked $6 combo at Harris Teeter, including a half sub, a drink, and chips. This can be bought at lunch time at any Harris Teeter location with a deli and is an affordable to-go option to stock a car picnic or picnic in the park. Lastly, Common Market, with a few locations around the city including Midwood, South End, and Oakwold, offers lunch and breakfast sandwiches, salads, bowls, and soups for all under $10 with snacks and sides available for purchase in the market as well. Take sandwiches or lunch meals from any of these places around Charlotte to complete a day out with friends.

Another way to save money while spending time with friends is to get coffee, pastries, or snacks while on the go. Although eating your meal at home may not be as appealing as a unique Charlotte restaurant, but it will save you money. Charlotte is chock full of Instagram

-worthy coffee shops, bakeries, and other places to grab snacks. A handful of coffee shops sell iced and hot coffee for $4-$6 around the city, Undercurrent Coffee (Plaza Midwood), Not Just Coffee (many locations around the city), and Coco and the Director (Uptown) are just a few options for a caffeine fix while out and about with friends. No matter what you are looking for from a day in the Queen City exploring, there are plenty of ways to save money if you know where to look. So next time you and your friends are making plans, make sure to refer back to this article for some affordable inspiration.

Overtraining in Sports

By

High school athletes are working harder than ever, with new standards for what defines a star athlete, the bar of excellence is a moving target. Across all sports, student athletes face inordinate pressure and challenges both in and out of their sport. Balancing intense training with the other responsibilities of being a high schooler can be overwhelming, and the training itself can put too much of a physical or mental strain on student-athletes. A term commonly mentioned in high school sports is “burn out”, when an athlete trains so intensely and so frequently, that they get to a point where they physically and mentally cannot train anymore. It is a struggle that is often overlooked, as student-athletes are expected to persevere through road blocks in their training to achieve the high standards expected of them. Athletes often face the idea of “peaking” or reaching the peak of their athletic career. The question is how much can you really improve within the limitations of your unique physical and mental capacity?

In an interview with 2021 Olympic Swimmer Claire Curzan, Claire talked about how she approaches training in and out of the pool. After discussing her experience as a young student athlete at the Olympics and the rigorous training leading up to it, she talks about the return to normalcy. “I definitely found it a little hard to get back up and go through those hard sets, but I’ve been talking to a lot of people and I think the mindset I’ve taken is to take one 25 at a time and one stroke at a time and trying to enjoy that.” Although Claire’s advice is swimming specific, it can be applied to athletes and training in any sport. Take each practice one step at a time, take training one step at a time, avoid focusing on the bigger, stressful, picture and focus on what is right in front of you today. Taking something one step at a time is common advice, but sometimes it is not the first answer an athlete uses when it comes to intense training. Oftentimes when an athlete is in a rigorous training cycle, it is hard to break the rhythm and the mindset, but this change can warrant protection against fatigue and can continue the passion and enjoyment of the sport. 

Curzan also mentions the importance of communication in the interview when she says, “Don’t be afraid to ask your coaches to switch things up, you’re definitely entitled to it, it’s your sport, you’re career, so if you need to talk to your coach to spice things up and get you excited about it.” It truly is crucial, especially in young athletes who are still maturing and understanding their bodies and their mental health, that communication is sustained between the coach and the athlete. It is vital to make sure the coach understands the athletes’ specific needs and uniquities in their mental and physical approach to the sport. The coach or team leader is always there as a support system. It is their job to be there for their athletes; not only to train them and help them achieve their goals on the field, court, or in the pool, but also outside those facilities.  Coaches should encourage and celebrate athletes’ personal growth through participating in the sport. 

These tips, ideas, questions, and concerns can be applied to any high-performing student-athletes who face stress or fatigue from their sport. Take a step back and think about another way to approach practice, or competition, along with ways that you can find support systems that are there to help you achieve your goals.