Hey girl, I know it’s scary right now because high school is a big step in your life but it’ll be alright. Don’t be so hard on yourself, it’s ok. You don’t have to be perfect in everything you do, I’m still struggling with that now but trust that everything will work out. You’ll meet new people and you’ll realize that some people are not in your best interest. You’ll realize that being popular is not important in high school, trust me. People are not going to like you, some will have reasons and some just won’t like you for no reason. It’s all a part of life. You don’t have to please everyone, just be true to yourself. Although your first year is virtual when you go back in person to school, it’s going to be a whole different ballpark. There’s gonna be different teachers, different schoolwork, and just all around a different environment than what you are used to, but that’s OK because you’re going to get through. Freshman year is one of the most intimidating years in high school. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, it will be full of obstacles and as long as you stay organized and try to do your best because that’s all you can do is try. You don’t have to fit in, it’s ok to be alone and with your close friends. The next 3 years of high school will be a challenge and it will test you. You will have to make sacrifices and decisions that you might not want to make, but it’s for the better. You’ll experience heartbreak and waves of different emotions but it shapes you into the person you want to become. I know I’m speaking as if I am the person you want to become but the truth is, we are still working to become that person and that’s ok. Girl, We became the homecoming queen, and it still surprises me. We actually did that! We even started our club. Yes, we started our own club called empowHER! We have members who actually want to join our club, and they love our club! There is so much I want to say but I have to keep it short and sweet. You’re beautiful inside and out, don’t let anyone dim your light. You’ve accomplished so much and come so far. It only gets better girl! Keep going and growing. Life is full of challenges, life is a life lesson. No one ever truly understands life and all the aspects of it, so we just live our life to the fullest and enjoy the little and big moments because that shapes us into the person we become later on. No one will ever know your journey like you, so you have to embrace it, not shy away from it! It is currently a month from graduation and firstly I would like to apologize. I’m sorry for putting you last and everyone first. I’m sorry for always driving for nonexistent perfection in everything we do. I’m sorry for not giving you the love you deserve. But overall I’m happy to see who we’ve become. I’m glad we overcame the struggles of high school. I’m glad we’ve made it this far and will go even further. I’m glad that we’ve started to step out of our comfort zone and find ourselves. I’m glad we saw it through to the end. I’m glad we didn’t give up. It took a lot for us to get to this point and I’m forever grateful for you shaping me into the person I am today. Keep going Ja’Niyah, it will pay off and it will get better. I love you, and continue to do your best in everything you do, you got this!
Spring Sports Special
Photo contributed by Myers Park Softball
As the flowers bloom and the sun shines longer and brighter, spring sports come into the light and shine through the school year. Myers Park is known for our sports team, most notably our basketball team, but this season is for spring sports. Spring sports at the park offer an array of different events that are for everyone. From traditional favorites like baseball and track to sports like girl’s flag football, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! As winter comes to a close and the weather starts to get warmer, more athletes emerge to prepare themselves for the next exciting season ahead and that season is spring sports season. At the crack of a bat, our baseball and softball teams take off to a good start of the season.
Well, let’s take a look at the track, where Senior Ryann Smith takes over the track and dominates her events in every meet. I spoke with her to ask about her excitement and motivation for the spring season. I asked her “ Why did she choose track?” “I chose track because I’ve always loved running and felt pretty fast. I knew it wasn’t an easy sport but I felt like it was something I could do well in. Maybe even go to college for it.”-Smith. I followed up the question with “What motivates her to strive on the track and succeed?” “Family and my teammates is what motivates me to strive on the track and succeed. I want to be able to say that my family is proud of me not only for my academic achievements, but also for my ability to balance athletics as well. I would also love to be that person that my teammates can look up to and remember how hard to work once I graduate.”-Smith. Finally, I asked about her opinion on spring sports at the park and how it affects her as an athlete. “Honestly I love all things spring. I think it’s a great time to play any sport. For me, I feel happier and more energized in during the time of spring sports. Like it’s literally just a whole new atmosphere that I would hope most athletes, including myself, can thrive in.”-Smith. Let us take a sprint from the track and onto the field, where senior Chassidy Long will take over the field as she prepares to take on the flag football season on our most recently added girl’s flag football team. I spoke with her about this upcoming season, what motivates her, and how she feels about spring sports at the Park. I started off the interview with asking about her thoughts on the spring season of flag football: “As a senior, this season is a little nostalgic for me because this is my second year participating and I’m really enjoying the bonding and new experiences but a little sad I’m going to be leaving my teammates behind.”-Long After this I asked her why she chose flag football?
“I chose women’s flag football because it piqued my interest as a male sport, but specifically for women, and I wanted to try something new to jump out of my comfort zone.” I followed up with asking her about what motivates her, what keeps her going and striving on the field, “Knowing that I have a whole team and supportive coaches that have my back on and off the field motivates me.” Long. Track, flag football, baseball, and softball are not the only spring sports this season; at the park, we also have golf, girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, soccer, and tennis. Sports and opportunities for students to strive and break through traditional sports like baseball and soccer and persevere through sports like flag football and golf. There is something for everyone here at the park!
What’s up in The World?
From wars to recalls, the first three months of 2024 have been filled with head-turning stories, each more interesting than the next. Podcast after podcast, news story after news story, there is a question we all have to ask ourselves: What’s up with the world? As of March 2024, the world is going through a complex chain of events, challenges, and opportunities that shape the society we know today. At the surface of the world, there are ongoing conflicts, political tensions and transitions, and the pursuit of peace amongst all the uncertainty.
Wars and conflicts continue to impact lands all around the world, leaving devastation and ending the lives of countless citizens. From the inhumane crisis in Sudan, the persistent conflict in Yemen, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, to the devastating war in Gaza. The human toll of the ongoing wars remains a very serious concern. Efforts to negotiate ceasefires, provide aid, and give political solutions are underway, but the road to lasting peace is full of complications and complexities.
In addition to ongoing wars, the world is witnessing political changes and elections that shape the future of our world. Elections in various countries have been marked by debates about governance, economic policies, and social values, representing the different array of voices and perspectives within most democratic societies. The outcomes of these elections give a more clear direction of domestic and foreign policies, and the global balance of power amongst countries.
Amidst these geopolitical dynamics, global health remains a crucial focus, with the persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shaping public health policies and societal norms. Social and environmental issues also play a role in shaping our current state of the world. Women’s rights also joins the conversation when abortion rights are being discussed on a federal level. When lawmakers are split between their decision on abortion rights in the United States. With new medication and birth control being presented to the public, the legality of this topic is being discussed more. Conversations about climate change, environmental sustainability, and the need for immediate action to address the environmental challenges. These conversations call for sustainable practices, renewable energy changes , and conservation efforts to show the urgency of protecting the planet for future generations.
As the digital world continues to expand and advance in the world around us. Advancements in artificial intelligence or AI are reshaping our world and redefining the boundaries of what is possible. These technological advancment’s ethical and regulatory involvement remain very questionable subjects of an ongoing debate. On the cultural side, art, literature, and creative expressions continue to serve as an ethical and moral source of inspiration and reflection among the world’s imperfections and complexities . Artists, writers, and performers are finding new ways to engage with their audiences, bringing up thought provoking conversations, and exploring the world across different cultural perspectives. The nature of our world shows the need for collaboration, dialogue, and mutual understanding in addressing the challenges beyond borders.
Ultimately, the world is a complicated, imperfect place, the power of human actions, empathy, and cooperation remains a guiding force in shaping a world that reflects our collective vision for a more equitable, sustainable, and harmonious global community. Amid global tensions, ongoing conflicts, and political changes, the spirit of hope and resilience stays strong as a testament to humanity’s long lasting potential and capacity to create a world that values peace, justice, and shared hope. So that should answer your question and summarize the plethora of things to say about what’s up with the world.
A New School Bill
A new school bill is on the verge of being passed. The bill would ban schools from including 13 concepts regarding race theory and racism in school curriculums. The bill also includes the eradication of conversations about systematic racism. If passed, this bill will significantly affect the future of education in the state of North Carolina.
NC House Bill 187 forbids schools from educating students about “privileges because of their race or sex, that the United States is a racist or sexist country, or teaching that one race or sex is superior.” This isn’t the first time that lawmakers have tried to influence the academic curriculum in classrooms. Two years ago, a similar bill, House Bill 324 was passed by the NC General Assembly and sent to Governor Roy Cooper, but was ultimately vetoed. Republicans strengthened their legislative majorities in the November elections, making it more difficult for General Assembly Democrats to uphold any future vetoes. This brings into focus a local issue that is controversial nationwide.
Sponsors insist they’re not looking to shut down discussions about the history of racism and sexism, because the bill has a handful of exceptions. This includes one to allow “the impartial instruction on the historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, class, nationality, religion or geographic region.” Despite the bill’s multiple supporters, educators argue that the General Assembly is trying to limit critical dialogue in schools. They believe this will have a significant impact on the future of education by not equipping students with important knowledge needed to succeed in life.
Furthermore, opponents of the bill believe that NC lawmakers are not only limiting the academic curriculum, but also the ideas to which students are exposed and harming their ability to engage in real world issues. NC State Senator, Natalie Murdock states “They’ll [teachers] be afraid of teaching the full history, they’ll be afraid to talk about structural racism and systemic racism—barriers that persist to this day.” She and other supporters believe that critical education encourages students to think independently, question assumptions, and challenge the status quo. They argue that students may become passive learners who accept what they are told without questioning it.
In addition, the implementation of critical education in academic curriculum has proved to help students develop important skills such as problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. Studies have shown that these skills are essential for success in the 21st-century workforce. Opponents argue that by limiting critical education, students risk being left ill-prepared for future challenges.
Gaston County Rep. John Tobertt sponsors House Bill 187 states that he doesn’t believe in the eradication of the conversations of controversial topics in classrooms and he says he does not advocate for historical concepts to be avoided simply because they portray negative aspects of US History. Instead, he says his intention is to shape the approach used to present such topics and keep certain points of view from being “promoted” over others. He states “This bill[HB 187] does not change what history standards can and cannot be taught.” The argument that the bill is targeted more at how such topics are presented rather than historical facts themselves is supported by another Republican, Rep. David Willis of Union County, who said, “We know as a nation we have good, bad, and ugly. And I want my children to understand all of that…We’re asking not to politicize this, but to un-politicize this.”
Although it is not explicitly stated, House Bill 187 ties into the aspects of critical race theory that have come up in public discourse for several years now. Seven other states have chosen to ban the teaching of topics related to critical race theory (CRT), and sixteen other states are in discussions to potentially ban CRT.
“Knock on Wood” Superstitions Yes? Or No?
“Don’t walk under the ladder, it’s bad luck”, “Knock on wood.” Do these phrases sound
familiar? If so, you’re aware of superstitions and may or may not believe in them. There is no exact definition for superstition because it is a highly contested topic. However, according to Oxford languages, superstition is a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action, event, or practice. For many, engaging with superstitious behaviors provides a sense of control and reduces anxiety,which is why levels of superstition increase during times of stress and angst relief. Although it may not seem like it, we sometimes unintentionally incorporate superstitions into our everyday lives . For some people, engaging with superstitious behaviors gives them a sense of control and reduces anxiety, which is why levels of superstition increase at times of stress and fear and why I strongly believe that superstitions exist and include many benefits.
Although most people apprehend that superstitious behaviors are not likely to change fate, harboring unfounded ideals isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. In fact, superstitions are common and may also help with relieving stress in times of distress. Superstitions allow us to position ourselves away from ourselves and our anxieties. The general public indulges in magical wondering regardless of what is going on in the world. A 2015 60 Minutes/Vanity Fair ballot discovered that only 24 percent of respondents pronounced being superstitious, but 60 percent admitted they say “knock on wood.”
There are many more benefits to superstitious beliefs than originally believed. Superstition can serve as a coping mechanism for many human beings. Relieving our apprehensions with delusion can be a psychological defense. Many common superstitions around the world prove this theory. Superstition is highly widespread within sports in highly competitive environments. Four out of five professional athletes have engaged with at least one superstitious behavior prior to performance.Within sports, superstitions have been displayed to decrease tension and offer a sense of control over unpredictable factors. Additionally, athletes use superstitions to relieve stress and provide themselves with comfort, motivating them to strive to do their best because superstition acts as a psychological defense tool. An example of this is baseball player Larry Walker, The national League MVP in 1997 who was elected to five all-star games.
But what caused this success? According to Walker, this is thanks to his fixation with the number three. He wore the number 33 for his entire career, would only wake up at 33 past the hour, and much more. Walker even got married on November 3rd at 3:33pm. His actions refer to the previous definition of superstition, which is a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or practice based on such. Walker displays the common behavior of someone who strongly believes in superstition, which has since done nothing but provide him with comfort, relief from anxiety, and success. Aside from Walker’s beliefs, many superstitions are used in everyday life. In conclusion, superstitions are subjective to every person based upon their beliefs, experiences, and conclusive feelings. Superstitions are a highly debatable topic. However, I believe in them and you should as well. I strongly believe superstitions are real and serve a great benefit to those who believe in them. Whether it’s in sports, times of fear or worry, or just out of a simple habit, superstitions are a psychological defense mechanism that is used to ease the feeling of anxiety and worry. The many benefits of superstitions are well worth giving them a shot.