The Northridge

ReporterMarch 28, 2011 • Volume 8, Issue 6 Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

Reporterhttp://northridgereporter.wordpress.com/news/

Waves of unrestEgyptian revolution sparks fear, worry

U.S. Skins falls shortpage 3

anu panditeditor-in-chief

The waves of fear and destruction radiating from Egypt’s violent revolution can be felt close by.

Omar Elsoukkary, freshman, was born in Alexandria, Egypt.

“We moved to the United States when I was two months old. My parents lived there for 40 years, and it hurts them to see their home country being torn apart,” he said.

Protests in Egypt began on Tuesday, Jan. 25. The people of Egypt, inspired by previous revolts in Tunisia, began to protest rising poverty, unemployment and the governing methods of former president Hosni Mubarak, according to the Huffington Post.

Elsoukkary said that the crisis and confusion in Egypt worries his parents.

“My grandpa is still there, in the middle of it, and he turns 87 next month. We sent him airplane tickets, so that he could come here,” he said.

He said that although the violence is far

away, he has still been affected by it.“My grandpa got hit by some shrapnel in

his leg while he was in Cairo and went to the hospital. He got out about two weeks ago,” he said. “My parents talk about the fighting every day. My older sister, Aya, is in college, and my mom calls her all the time to update her on anything that happens.”

Andrew Maxey, assistant principal, said that he empathizes with people affected by the revolution.

“I have mixed feelings about the violence that’s going on there right now. Violence is never a positive thing, but sometimes revolution is not possible without circumstances that include violence. Because there is a prospect for change for the better, it gives me hope for better circumstances for the Egyptian people,” he said.

Maxey said that the revolution could affect Egyptian students in multiple ways.

“The violence has to have an unsettling psychological impact. There are obviously other possible effects, such as a reduced opportunity to visit in the near future, or possible harm to a loved one in Egypt,” he said.

The violence and scope of the protests escalated until Friday, Feb. 11, when Mubarak stepped down from power and left Cairo, continued the Huffington Post.

Elsoukkary said that he and parents feel that Egypt is safer without Mubarak in power.

“My parents are really against [Mubarak]. The day he stepped down, they threw a party at my cousin’s house,” he said. “They think Egypt’s safer now than it has ever been and will only get safer as the government stabilizes.”

Nick Motz, sophomore, said that he supports U.S. involvement in the revolution to an extent.

“I think that it’s good that we supported the eradication of Mubarak, but we don’t need to stick around and guide the formation of their government. It will only lead to another Iraq,” he said.

Elsoukkary said that some countries could benefit from the Egyptian Revolution.

“The revolutionary spirit is going to spread, and already has started spreading to neighboring countries. Some countries need to change their government, but some are just fine the way they are,” he said.

kate davisopinion/entertainment editor

A tsunami with wave heights up to 10 meters struck Japan on March 11, the Friday before spring break. The tsunami was caused by a nine mega thrust earthquake.

Carrie Nguyen, junior, has Japanese background, and has friends with family in Japan.

“I was worried. I have a friend who lives in a city near Sendai, and we have not heard from her,” Nguyen said.

She said what happened in Sendai was very emotional for many people. It is unbelievable how quickly a tsunami can destroy a whole town.

“Also, I work at Kobe with many Japanese who have family in Japan. For the first few days we were very worried, but now we are confident they will recover quickly. However, the radiation scares me,” Carriesaid.

Nick Pappas, junior, went on a Sister City’s trip to Japan during the summer of 2010. While there, he met people who were at risk of being affected by the destruction caused by the tsunami and are at risk of being affected by the radiation leaking from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

“The people I stayed with are okay, as are the girls who visited Tuscaloosa. The biggest of their worries is the radiation,” Pappas said.

Andrew Lattner, junior, knows a lot about the radiation problems that arose from this natural disaster.

“The radiation was caused by failures in the safe guards put in place at the nuclear plants. The containment units have been breached that release irradiated water and steam into the surrounding area, which can eventually contaminate the areas and the ground water,

which can lead to radiation poisoning and diseases like Leukemia,” he said.

Bill Nguyen, sophomore and brother of Carrie Nguyen, has

heard some of the “controversial” side of the event. He said he was sad for the people who had to endure this catastrophe.

“I was very worried about it, but I know some people who think Japan deserved it,” he said.

He said that some people from the United States are still spiteful towards Japan for what happened at Pearl Harbor, where we lost at least 2000 civilians. However, later during the war we bombed Hiroshima, which caused them to lose many more civilians.

He said this natural disaster has caused chaos and destroyed the area where the tsunami hit and has killed many.

“I do not think they deserved that. People should get over [Pearl Harbor],” Bill said.

SEE STORY ON PAGE 2, PAGE 7

Earthquake, tsunami devastate Japan

“”

For the first few days we were very worried, but now we are confident they will recover quickly.

~ Carrie Nguyen, junior

in brief

snap shot

NEW NURSE: Jennifer Knox, nurse, sits at her computer. Knox began working at our school several weeks ago. She attended Lawson State Com-munity College where she received her degree in nursing. “I wanted to become a nurse after taking care of my grandmother,” Knox said.

photo by susan newell

Teacher retires kate davisopinion/entertainment editor

Carol McDougal, chemistry teacher, is retiring on March 31, 2011.

McDougal said she has taught 36 years. “[I worked] four years at the university. I

worked 32 years [in the school system], at Central West and Northridge,” she said.

McDougal said that she is leaving because her husband and mother are ill.

“I will miss it. I enjoyed being with the kids, and doing chemistry, labs, and such,” McDougal said.

Sara Shuttuck, junior, said she will miss McDougal.

“She is a very good teacher. Also, I really enjoy chemistry,” Sara Shattuck, junior, said.

Marilyn Stephens, AP chemistry teacher, said she is sad that McDougal is leaving.

“I will miss her terribly. Not only have we taught together for many years, but we also worked on our masters together. We have been friends for a long time,” Stephens said.

Five students receive National Merit finalist

Prom held April 9

kate davisopinion/entertainment editor

Five National Merit Finalists were named on Feb. 12.

Grace Tant, senior, is one that earned this achievement.

“I am really honored to achieve this. My family was thrilled,” Tant, senior, said.

Dr. Espy, principal, said he is pleased with these students for accomplishing this.

“These are not the best students in the state. These are the best of the best in the state. I am extremely proud of each of these students and honored to work with them each day. Our teachers have chal-lenged them to achieve at the highest lev-el, and they have responded. Only about one out of six Alabama high schools have at least one National Merit Finalist.

Anondo Banerjee, national merit fi-nalist, said he didn’t score as high as his brother… “But it is a good feeling.”

Hamilton Cook, Owen Oneal, and Tarif Haque were also announced as Semi-Fi-nalists in December and met the necessi-ties to go forward to be finalists.

foster beck sports editor

The junior/senior prom is on April 9. Kelbi Schreiber, junior, said the Prom

committee is selling tickets and having a car wash to get ready.

The theme is Midnight Masquerade. “I’m so excited for prom and to get

to hang out with my friends,” Schreiber said.

page 7

Balance bracelets: Do they work?

Track meet held at school

page 8

opinion2 the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011

the northridge reportermarch 28 , 2011 enter tainment 3

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Editor-in-Chief:Entertainment Editor:Feature Editor:Opinion Editor:News Editor: Sports Editor:Business Manager:Photographers:Copy Editor:Infographics Editor:Art Editor:

Anu Pandit*Kate Davis

Anu Pandit*Kate Davis

Trent Clanton*Foster BeckAnu Pandit

Kate Davis, Trent Clanton*, Anu Pandit*, Foster BeckAnu Pandit*, Trent Clanton*

Trent Clanton*Trent Clanton*

*Denotes state, regional and national award winnersSusan Newell*

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after a few more futile efforts to get water flowing from the sink, and walk down the hallway to the only other unlocked bathroom, the one at the very front of the school.

There I went, with my lunchbox in one hand, and in the other (which I was holding cupped and very oddly positioned), a glob of soap that would start to drip all over the floor if I didn’t hurry.

Speed-walking, I rushed through the school, when I was abruptly halted by the hall-patrolling Stallworth.

“Where are you headed?” Ms. Stallworth asked.

I replied. I had to tell the whole story, about how the sink didn’t work, and why I was walking around the school with soap

on my hand. She let me go, and I finally got to the bathroom

in the front of the school. I washed my hands off in there and made it back to class late.

After this, I think I’ll start to squirt the soap in my hands after I turn the water on.

Most people don’t pay attention to the order they do simple things like washing their hands. I never did, either, until now.

Watch out for those automatic sinks because you never know when they’ll decide to stop working.

trent clanton news editor

I guess I have a tendency to squirt soap in my hands before I turn the water on when I wash my hands.

Now some people may say, “Okay, that’s perfectly normal,” but I will think twice next time.

After lunch, I usually use the boy’s bathroom next to the lunchroom.

It was a perfectly normal day as I continued my routine. I ate lunch, and then before going back to class, I made the common detour to do my business.

Well, I turned around to wash my hands. Not thinking anything of it, I pumped on the soap dispenser three or four times, like I usually do. I waved my hand under the automatic sink faucet to turn it on, but nothing came out!

This has happened before, I thought. I’ll just use the other faucet. It always works!

I waved my hand under the other faucet. Nothing.So, here I stood, in the bathroom holding a giant

wad of soap in my hand that I simply could not wash off because there was no water.

About a minute ticked off the clock. I needed to get back to class. I was forced to leave the bathroom,

Junior’s encounter with automatic sinks leaves him with a hand full of soap and tardy

Dear Editor

As I sit here dictating this letter to my personal assistant, I can’t help but heartily agree with my fellow upper-middle classmate, Jared Lotfi.

I wish to keep these vaunted halls of learning as full of knowledge as I possibly can.

If that means keeping out some ignorant riffraff, then so be it.

Why should I have to listen to this cacophony of “burr BURRs,” “WAKA FLOCKA FLAMEs” and “GUCCIs?”

Soap but no water

banerjee

In the wake of a period of trauma, our school and community has banded together and given with open hearts.

The Northridge Reporter would like to commend those in our school and community for their generosity towards the devastated people of Japan, who have suffered through an earthquake, tsunami, and possible impending nuclear meltdown.

The entire country of Japan is reeling from the successive string of blows. People returned to their towns to find their homes, workplaces and families washed away. Most survivors subsist on scant food and water rations. Many are dependent on foreign aid.

The Key Club organized a shoe drive collecting over 675 pairs of shoes. Following the disasters, the shoes were quickly sent to drop-off locations to be sent to Japan. Also, the SGA began collecting donations in the cafeteria.

Within our community, the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission has been active in providing relief for our sister city, Narashino. On their website, a large banner urges site visitors to send donations to their relief fund. They are also involved in sending supplies. Emails of gratitude from Japanese aid recipients crowd the area below the banner.

These selfless contributions show that there is no shortage of giving within our area, as well as a collective hope for a brighter future and quick recovery for Japan.

Our community has a proud reputation of generosity towards those in need, whether they are close by or far away. Let us continue to demonstrate that reputation in the future.

clanton

Clubs, community give to disaster victims

The racket has kept me from being able to copy my neighbor’s answers on countless occasions.

As I lounge in my heated swimming pool, I can’t help but think that the school should be redrawn, so that all the sagging masses can go to schools where I don’t attend.

Of course, this new rezoning wouldn’t apply to either Jared or

me, even though we both live in areas where we

can choose to go to either city or county schools because we’re needed.

The rezoning would only apply to students who this school can do without, like National Merit Finalist Grace Tant, or KeAris Hicks, our freshmen point guard; or next year’s yearbook editor Nick Pappas; or Bo Scarborough, who is an integral part of our athletic department.

Our school would probably not even notice their absence.

Effusively,Anondo Banerjee

RezoneDraw lines to exclude those not needed

artwork by trent clanton

opinion2 the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011

the northridge reportermarch 28 , 2011 enter tainment 3

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james roberts staff writer

Lil Wayne, or Weezy, is a rapper with a following of fans, among them President Obama, who said during a speech, “….I’ve got a little Nas and a little Lil Wayne on my IPod.”

Weezy also has haters, among them Jason Parker, freshman, and Nick Motz, sophomore.

“The time when he was of my importance was when he was rotting in prison. He gets a lot of money when there are other artists out there who put thought into their music, and Lil Wayne only spends five minutes on all his songs. I have never heard a song I like [by Weezy],” Parker said.

Motz said he used to like him. “I first heard ‘9mm feat Akon,’ and I

liked it back then but not anymore. I dislike his style, and I do not really care for rap. He sucks at guitar, but thinks he doesn’t. I hate his cult-like following and his less then catchy cigarette-scarred voice,” Motz said.

One Lil Wayne fan is Ashlin Shuttlesworth, sophomore.

“He’s not just an idiot rapper. He has a college degree in English Literature. It’s true he used to smoke weed, yes, but he quit. And that picture of him and Birdman kissing

was Photo-shopped,” Shuttlesworth said.

Shuttlesworth said she likes him for his beats, sense of humor, and his songs with good messages.

“I first heard ‘A mili,’ and I still like it to

this day. My favorite song by him is ‘Popular feat. Lil Twist.’ I love the beat, and I love Lil Twist as well.”

However, she said there are songs by him that she doesn’t like.

“I don’t like ‘I’m Single.’ It is slow and depressing.”

Jarell Thigpen, freshman, said he is also a fan, loving Weezy’s strong lyrics, fashion and free styling.

“The only thing I don’t like about him is his jail time,” Thigpen said.

Observers either love or hate Weezy

destiny stewartstaff writer

No longer are the creatures known as vampires turning into bats.

Instead they are guarding their Strogoi (Vampire Academy), protecting their human lovers and escorts (House of Night, Twilight and The Night World) and hiding from the millions of fans that stalk them [Twilight Saga actors]. What is it about these bloodsucking, soulless yet sensitive creatures that draw people in?

Lizzie Perkins, senior, said she’s attracted to vampire novels because “there’s always a lot of adventure” in them. Perkins said she thinks writers have stopped portraying [vampires] as crazy bloodsucking creatures “so they can get more readers and to make it more interesting.”

Chris Monroe said he likes “the superpowers.”

“I like the evilness, but I also like the traditional, killing machine,” he said.

With Stephanie Meyer’s beloved Twilight Saga resting in peace, fans of the series are wondering what to reads next.

Since 2005, when Twilight first came out, there has been an increase in vampire stories.

Some of the top vampire series are Richelle Mead’s The Vampire Academy, P.C. and Kristen Cast’s House of Night, L.J Smith’s The Night World and, of course, the

most infamous love triangle, Twilight.

Crystal Rawls, senior, said that after Twilight she wanted to compare authors.

“Vampires are interesting because they are immortal,” she said.

Rawls said she doesn’t think vampires are scary at all.

“They go to high school like us, they have actual problems, and they show sympathy. To

tell you the truth, high school ‘mean girls’ are scarier than vampires,” she said.

Haley Clements, sophomore, said she doesn’t like vampire stories at all.

She said they’re “stupid and unrealistic.”“There is mainly just romance, so it’s not

scary. They never want to kill,” she said. Tracy Watson, English teacher, said

she was attracted to the “romance and personality” of the characters.

Twilight

Classic horror becomes fantasykate davisopinion/entertainment editor

The astounding TV program, Skins, has graced me with its presence on the national TV channel, MTV. I have mixed feelings about the American portrayal of the United Kingdom’s (UK) television show.

Disappointment is my main emotion. The MTV portrayal of the show focuses

more on sex, drugs and partying as a plot line for the characters. In the UK version, those topics, being factors in the show, are not the main storyline. Sex and drugs make the characters realistic and make the show more pragmatic.

The whole manner of the show has been changed in the MTV version.

My favorite part of UK’s Skins is the language. The British accents somehow add life and charm to the show.

I hate that they changed the original characters.

The way that the new characters are portrayed changes the way I feel about them. In the UK version, I care about the characters. In the MTV version, I want something bad to happen to them.

My favorite character in Skins is Cassie from the first generation of the UK version. MTV has changed Cassie to Cadie. Cadie is gross and insane. UK’s Cassie, however, is a sweet charming girl who has an eating disorder.

The American show also upsets many parents. They believe Skins is a bad influence on their children. Yes, the show does exhibit inappropriate behavior, but the events on Skins are things that do actually happen to teenagers in our generation; however, exaggerated they might be on the show.

MTV’s Skins lets down UK Skins fan photo by lela london photo by jules annan

Cassie from the first generation of Skins UK

Chris, Sid and Maxxie from the first generation of Skins UK

photo by rj shaughnessyLil Wayne

What did you do for spring break?beach

family visithomeother

39

17

18

26= 5 students

poll out of 100

compiled by kate davis

In a cyber world, we game, we shop, we live. But do we know where to draw the line?

Internet merges into lifestyles of users

feature4 the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011

Disturbing Obsessions

maia wadestaff writer

Upon waking each morning, Me’Shelle Jones, sophomore, logs

on to her Facebook account. She then gets ready for school, and,

when finished, logs on once again, continuing to check her profile on her bus ride to school.

She only logs off once she arrives at the school entrance.

“I would feel incomplete [without the Internet],” she said. “It’s like a part of my life, and I couldn’t see my life without it.”

Now more than ever, people are using the Internet and websites like Facebook as a method of communication.

In some cases, people have developed what could be seen as addictions.

Elise Tucker, sophomore, said she has

Winona McKnight, sophomore, said she spends about six hours online on weekdays, and closer to ten on weekends. She said she takes occasional trips to the movie theatre, but otherwise the Internet is how she passes the time.

“You have access to everything [on the Internet] – things you would never know about otherwise,” she said.

Elizabeth Tiley, guidance counselor, said she has not personally witnessed anyone with an addiction to Internet use.

“I believe addictions are real. I believe anybody can be addicted to something when they don’t set up proper boundaries and realize the possibility of overuse and abuse,” Tiley said. “I think it [social networking] could end up substituting for real relationships.”

Despite the possible issues, social

networking is often seen as something positive.

Nick Motz, sophomore, said he has used Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace for two and a half years.

“It’s a way to catch up with friends without school,” he said.

Tiley said she had seen cases when social networks had helped provide relief for students who were going through difficult times.

“I’ve talked to kids who were concerned about some of their friends’ statuses, and this eventually led to them receiving help,” she said.

Tiley said that the harm or usefulness of the Internet and social networking tools depends on how they are used.

“I think it can be a very positive form of communication when used correctly,” she said.

heard several stories about neglect resulting from excessive Internet use.

One story Tucker said she knew of, published by Reuters, detailed the death of a Chinese man following a three-day, non-stop period of playing online games.

“It’s absolutely possible [to be addicted],” Tucker said. “There’s just so much stuff on there [online], so many possibilities that it can just suck up all your time, and get you hooked.”

Qawnicia Travis, senior, said she spends most of her free time online.

“Facebook, I love it,” she said. “I use [the Internet] to communicate with my friends. I don’t know, it’s just fun - entertainment, blogs.”

Travis’ offline life consists of “TV... Internet,” she said, laughing. “I couldn’t picture life without the Internet.”

artwork by trent clanton

artwork by trent clanton

In a cyber world, we game, we shop, we live. But do we know where to draw the line?

XBOX addiction suppresses social activities

iPod, iPhone craze ‘just a trend’laine elliotstaff writer

Since 2001 when iPods were first launched, 250 million have been

sold and since their release in 2007, 6.4 million iPhones have been sold around the world.

Sellers Elkins, sophomore, said he has both an iPod and an iPhone, but he could live without them.

Anna Poist, junior, has the latest phone, the iPhone 4.

“It had some problems at first, like it was supposed to have a bullet-proof screen, but it broke when I dropped it,” she said.

Steve Jobs, Apple founder and CEO, worked out the bugs of the iPhone 4, and it has now become the fastest selling phone to date.

“[The phone] got fixed though and now it’s amazing,” Poist said.

Alex Smith, sophomore, said she listens to all kinds of music on her iPhone.

“I’m obsessed; I listen to music all the time except for when I’m at school,” Smith said.

She said listening to iPods in school would help students focus on their work, especially because kids are always talking in her classes, and it’s hard to concentrate.

“I don’t think listening to iPods in school would help, but it wouldn’t hurt either,” Elkins said.

Some students said the new iPhone craze is just a fad and that it will pass.

“I got my iPhone two years after it came out because I thought it was cool. I didn’t really do it for the trend,” Smith said.

Vyt Puzinaskaus, sophomore, has an iPod but doesn’t have an iPhone.

“I don’t think iPod addiction is really a problem, but iPhone addiction seems to be getting worse,” he said. “I see people on their iPhones constantly, it’s like they have no contact with the real world.”

the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011 feature 5

kate davisopinion/ entertainment editor

The Xbox, a gaming console invented in 2001, has become a craze with some students.

Vaughn Vellion, sophomore, said that his longest consecutive period of playing Xbox was 16 hours.

“Yesterday [Feb. 22] I played from 4 until 11,” Veillon said.

Veillon said sometimes Xbox becomes a person’s social outlet.

“Xbox becomes a ‘social’ network. [It is] a new social experience,” Veillon said.

Morgan Wilson, sophomore, said that although Xbox use can become addictive, he and his friends are not “obsessed.”

“You can play Xbox and still have a life,” Wilson said.

He said there are noticeable “signs” that mark an Xbox addict.

“When you skip school or do not hang out with your friends to play Xbox, I think you are getting a wee bit addicted,” Wilson said.

The enthusiasm from game to game goes through a cycle according to Vincent Buy, GameStop

employee.He said the cycle begins when a new game

comes out like Call of Duty: Black Ops. The game is played for nights on end. Hard core players barely take a break from their console.

“They realize they like the game. It is their mentality that keeps them inside,” Buy said.

The game then becomes outdated and people disconnect themselves from this state of

obsession.However the

game is still played “because it is fun, and you can p’wn noobs,” Wilson said.

When it seems like the players are finally getting

their social lives back, a new game comes out and causes a frenzy.

Andy Ray, freshman, said he has faced some of the negative impacts of playing the Xbox.

“Xbox ruins lives. It took away my social life. I used to have dates, now I no longer do,” Ray, said.

Jack Aured, sophomore, said he plays when he is bored.

“I play because I do not have anything better to do,” Aured said.

“”

Xbox ruins lives. It took away my social life. I used to have dates, now I no longer do.

~ Andy Ray, freshman

Disturbing Obsessions

artwork by trent clanton

artwork by trent clanton

New games can cause obsession

Use can be almost constant

news6 the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011news

Frank M. Cauthen, Jr.attorney at law

phone (205)349-4101fax (205)349-4189

fcauthen@bellsouth.net

601 Greensboro AvenueAlston Place, Suite 1-A

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401

trent clantonnews editor

A new series of JROTC courses is in the works to be introduced in two years and will be focusing on the Air Force.

Richard Nowell, arts and crafts teacher, said it would bring a lot to the school.

“It will bring in two new instructors. One will probably be a military commissioned officer and the other an enlisted personnel. It will also introduce new classes we have never had before,” Nowell said.

Nowell said there would be a variety of courses that ROTC students could take.

“First, students would have a physical fitness class and then other classes like aviation history, world geography, astronomy, and leadership classes to teach students how to be successful leaders in the community, the school and the world,” he said.

LaBarron Collins, junior, said he thought the program was a good idea.

“I think it would be great, and it would help teach students here leadership,” Collins said.

However, the program won’t be able to be introduced until two years from now.

“We are going to get the application together in March, and with funding and everything, we’re hoping to have it in two years. With good financial backing, though, we may be able to have it in just one,” Nowell said.

Senior Josh Edgar said it wouldn’t even affect him.

“I think it’s good that Northridge is getting a JROTC program, but I don’t like that it is the Air Force. But it’s okay, though, because I’m a senior, and I’ll be gone before we get it here,” Edgar said.

The school will have to undergo some changes before starting the program.

New Air Force JROTC program,classes to be introduced

W o u l d y o u j o i n J R O T C ?

“We will have to use at least two classrooms and set aside an area of the school to store the equipment that they drill and practice with. The school will pay half of the salary of the two instructors, and the other half will come from the military, which will also supply the uniforms and the books. We will also need a minimum requirement of one-hundred students, in any grade, to enroll in it,” Nowell said.

Central High already has an Army JROTC program, and Bryant is applying for a marine program.

When Northridge starts its program, it will be the only Air Force JROTC program in the city.

“I believe there are only six Air Force programs in the state, and they are very elite,” Nowell said. “We hope we can get it because there aren’t many programs like this in Alabama. We would be very elite.”

50

10Yes

Nocompiled by kate davis

= 10 students

jah’meka baxterstaff writer

The SGA sponsored a blood drive on March 25 in the auditorium.

Students and teachers were able to donate blood to the American Red Cross who will give the blood to people with various health issues.

The SGA, who has been preparing the blood drive for others, has also been donating their blood as well.

Elli Cowles, senior, said she gave her blood to save the lives of people who need it.

“I give blood because it saves 3-5 lives, and it makes me feel like I have accomplished something,” Cowles said.

Tariq Azam, junior, said the blood drive is important to him.

“I feel like the blood drive is one of the best things we can do at Northridge,” Azam said.

Blood drive helps

photo by brandi baileyA nurse draws blood on Friday, March 25 at the blood drive.

the northridge reportermarch 28, 2011 news 7news

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Balancing ActBalance bracelets claim to improve healthtrent clanton news editor

A commercial flashes on TV, bragging about a small rubber bracelet. The salesman rambles on about how when worn, it will improve your balance. The salesman tries to pull down on a bystander’s arms and tries to make him lose his balance, one time with the bracelet and one without it.

The commercial shows the man’s balance is greatly improved when wearing the bracelet.

S o m e viewers of this commercial think to themselves: I really believe that may work!

Other viewers disapprove, saying there is no scientific way that the content of the commercial is true.

iRenew and Power Balance, the companies that manufacture balance bracelets, have started a nationwide trend with the wristbands, which are endorsed by many professional athletes.

Emily Andrews, junior, heard about the bracelets from her brother.

“I definitely believe in them. I could stand on a pole 3 million feet in the air and just stand there,” Andrews said. “I would not fall.”

The bracelets are made of a rubber silicone wristband with two holographic stickers on each side. The manufacturing companies claim that these stickers possess a magnetic capability that is able to positively adjust the flow of the body’s natural energy, based on a scientific theory that has not yet been proven.

When wearing the wristbands, the companies claim, this energy adjustment gives the wearer improved balance, mentality, endurance and physical ability,

leaving them feeling restored.However, there is no hard

scientific evidence that they work. Chris Edwards, sophomore, said

he doesn’t believe the effects of the bracelets are real.

“I don’t really think they work. It’s a psychological thing, it’s all in your mind [whether you feel the benefits or not],” Edwards said.

Alfreda White, mathematics teacher, said she heard that the

wristbands didn’t really improve health.

“I’ve never used balance bracelets, but I don’t think they [do what the companies say they do]. I heard about a study on them that proved that they didn’t work. I don’t think something as small as a bracelet could influence your balance. It’s too easy,” White said.

On the other hand, some people, like Andrews, say that the bracelets do have an affect on them.

Denton Bowling, history teacher, said a student told him about balance bracelets.

“I heard about them through Charles Williams [senior], and I would recommend them to people,” Bowling said.

Bowling said he knew someone else that also thinks the wristbands increase ability.

“[Football] Coach Smith believes in them, too, and [Smith’s] a genius,” he said.

Balance bracelets also come at a hefty price: $15 or higher, depending on the seller.

Elizabeth Monk, freshman, said she thought they cost too much.

“I wouldn’t recommend them to someone. Save your money,” Monk said.

Walton, art teacher, said the wristbands were too expensive to not actually work.

“They’re a $15 nothing,” she said.Lawsuits were filed against the

iRenew company by customers and some professional athletes because they made false claims

about their product without releasing scientific information about how they actually work.

iRenew said they had no real scientific evidence to support their advertising campaigns and claims about the bracelets increasing balance, ability and energy.

Walton said she could see that the company would get sued.

“A lot of sports players endorsed them, but they weren’t getting results,” she said.

Some people, like Edwards, say they think “it is the customer’s fault in the first place for buying it.”

Monk said she didn’t know why people would want to sue iRenew just because their product didn’t work.

“It’s kind of stupid to sue someone like that. It’s not like the product hurts you,” she said.

The roar for the benefits of balance bracelets has died down. However, they still remain a dominant fashion trend among teens and athletes. Some people still believe the wristbands work.

Monk said the bracelets do give people benefits.

“I really do think they work,” Monk said.

jah’meka baxterstaff writer

The Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission gave students the opportunity to visit Narashino, Japan during the summer of 2010.

On March 11, less than a year after their trip, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan. A tsunami followed that swept t h r o u g h m a n y t o w n s k i l l i n g thousands of people. Everyday we hear about a rising number of those that are missing and injured.

The town of Narashino, which has been Tuscaloosa’s sister city for 25 years, has been affected by the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. There have been rolling blackouts throughout the town, and they have experienced some of the aftershocks of the quake.

Beth Lindly, a senior who visited Narashino on the sister city trip in 2010, expressed concern about the situation that affected Narashino.

“I was really worried about everyone that I met and the places that I went,” Lindly said.

“It’s frightening to think that this could happen,” she said.

Chelsea Shepard, a senior who also went to Narashino, said she was shocked by the impact of the disaster that occured in Japan.

“I think its devastating, some people will have to start their lives over again,” Shepard said.

Shanquella Jones, a senior, who also went to Narashino, said she became worried about her host family and the friends she had made after the earthquake and

tsunami occurred.“I was shocked and devastated

because I didn’t hear from them for a while,” Jones said.

Jones said she recieved a sign a relief after checking her messages on the Internet.

“I was relieved when the host family emailed me that they were fine,” she said.

L i s a Keyes, the d i r e c t o r of the Tuscaloosa S i s t e r C i t i e s

Commission, has set up a disaster relief fund that will be sent to Narashino, Japan as aid to help improve the situation there.

“I received calls from residents who wanted to help those in Narashino,” she said.

The other students who went on the Sister Cities trip to Narashino are Nick Pappas and Callen Burns.

photo by kate davisSara Shuttuck wears a balance bracelet.

“”

I was really worried about everyone that I met...It is frightening that this could happen.

~ Beth Lindly, senior

Those that would like to make a donation can send money to any of the Cadence Banks, or they can send checks directly to the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission Narashino Disaster Assistance Fund at 1305 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.

Tuscaloosa’s Sister City Narashino, Japan feels affects of earthquakes, blackoutsStudent delegation expresses concern

SEE STORY ON PAGE 1, PAGE 2

Osaka, Japan, March 20, 2011/WNCNews/ – The number of people who have been confirmed dead or listed as missing in Japan have reached 20,000 people on Saturday (March 19, 2011), eight days after the earthquake and devastating tsunami hit Japan. But there is fear that the death toll is much higher.

65

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the northridge reporterm

arch 28, 2011sports8

March 28, 2011 · Volum

e 8, Issue 6 · Northridge H

igh School ·Tuscaloosa, Alabam

a 35406

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orthridge

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http://northridgereporter.wordpress.com

/news/

Field destruction dem

oralizes athletesfoster beck sports editor

The football/soccer

field w

as vandalized by someone

driving their

truck around

the field and into hurdles on M

arch 10. Lauren

Curtner-Sm

ith, freshm

an, said

that it

is dem

oralizing that

someone

would do that. “W

e won’t be able to have

any home gam

es for awhile,”

Curtner-Sm

ith said. Serge

Miroff,

soccer sponsor, said that the crew

has been w

orking on the field for the past tw

o weeks, and it

should be ready to play on by the next hom

e game on M

arch 31 against Bessem

er City. “O

ur players

responded

quite w

ell to

the adverse

conditions. M

ore than

anything else

they just

wanted

to play

the gam

e itself, and so their attitudes rem

ained positive throughout this ordeal,” M

iroff said. The girls soccer team

was

scheduled to

play against

Pelham on Thursday, M

arch 10 at 6:00 p.m

. The game w

as canceled

and rescheduled

to be played at Sokol at the sam

e time.

“The field-conditions were

far below the level of the

home field, and it negatively

affected the level of play for all team

s involved,” Miroff

said. M

iroff said he hopes the field gets repaired soon, and that they find the culprit.

Track team victorious; fam

ily supportsfoster becksports editor

The boys and girls track team

s had a home m

eet on Saturday,

March

19 from

9:30-5:30.

Jeff Sparks, track coach, said that both the boys and girls w

on.

“It was a hom

e meet, so it

was even better that w

e came

in first,” Sparks said.A

bby Hayes, sophom

ore, w

as in the Distance M

edal R

elay, 4x800

Meter

Relay

and 4x1600. “It w

as a lot of fun to host a m

eet, and I can’t wait until

the next one,” Hayes said.

Tim D

avis, senior, serves the

ball during

tennis practice.

Hayes cam

e in first in the 4x800 M

eter Relay.

The next track meet w

ill be Thursday, M

arch 24. N

apre’a Penn,

freshman,

said that she’s a little nervous about the next track m

eet. “I’m

excited because it’s in Tuscaloosa, and m

y family

can come see m

e,” she said.

Jay Hill, senior passes

the baton off to LandonC

hurch, sophomore

during the trackm

eet at Bryant.

photo by: Elizabeth Prewitt

artwork by carrie nguyen

photo by: beth allaway