Features

Words of Advice

By Courtney Carrington

15 April 2021

My time at East Coweta has almost come to an end. I have some advice for Juniors. It will seem like you have tons of time; believe me, it will fly by. Get started now, and you will have a stress-free senior year!

Your counselor is your friend. Meet with your assigned guidance counselor and READ THEIR EMAILS. Their emails might have important information about scholarships, and scholarships are free money!
Take the ACT and SAT as soon as possible. Take it as many times as possible. Some schools might still be test-optional, but some might not. Take the test and see how you do. If schools are test-optional and you don't do well, you don't have to send it. Options are good.
Ask your teachers for a recommendation. Talk to the teachers you feel have seen your best work. Supply the teacher with a copy of your resume so that they can add some personal touches. Make sure you ask early so that the teacher will enough time to write a thoughtful letter.
Look through your old essays and make a file with the best ones. These essays can be used for inspiration for your admissions essay or reworked for scholarship essays. Some of the test-optional schools will ask for a graded example of your previous work. Make sure your essay reflects your personality and what you value.
Reach out to schools, and when they email back, respond. Many schools track "demonstrated interest." These schools track every visit, every click, and every text with an admissions officer.
Have fun! This is your last year! Make a bucket list of things you want to do before you graduate. Tick them off!

Wearing Indigenous "Costumes"

Do we honor Native Americans by dressing up?

By Hannah Lee

14 April 2020

I recall a conversation I had with a Cherokee woman over a series of emails. I remember that during the conversation we touched on topics of cultural appropriation and the ease at which non-Native people found themselves costuming indigenous culture. In one particularly impactful email, she wrote

“I find ‘costuming’ any culture offensive. A costume lacks authenticity and therefore conveys a false impression. It begs the question of why the wearer chooses to wear a particular costume and in no scenario can I imagine that it is intended to honor.”

Her comment on the subject raises the question of if it is morally acceptable and right for non-Natives to dress up in “Indian” costumes on days like Halloween. According to many Native Americans, the use of such costumes is harmful to the overall image of Native Americans and further reinforces stereotypes about them. Even more so, it marginalizes a community, a race of people, and constitutes their image to an inaccurate Halloween costume. Native Americans make up 2.757 million of the United States population, so it is fair to ask the question, is it an injustice that we, as non-Natives, often decide that an “Indian” Halloween costume is justifiable representation and okay to wear?

In the 1800s through the 1900s, the United States government began to strengthen the process of Native American assimilation (Dawes Act of 1887), forcing hundreds of thousands of natives to adopt American culture and language. This ‘cultural genocide’ was directed towards indigenous children, as many political leaders and educators at that time believed Native adults to be “unchangeable”. By the early 1900s, over 300 boarding schools for Native children were created. Inside these schools, children were forced to practice Christianity, only allowed to speak English, and forced to do manual labor. Most times children were not allowed visitations and were constantly separated from family and their own culture. Parents had little to no choice as to whether or not to send their children to such schools; most were threatened by the government withholding food rations and sent to prisons for non-compliance. These boarding schools stripped Native youth from their cultural identities and instead forced upon them a new language and culture, simultaneously punishing them for practicing their culture and wearing their traditional clothing.

Tesia Zientek, tribal member and Citizen Potawatomi Nation Department of Education director wrote, “It’s harmful, and it hurts to know that they are getting to use things that our ancestors were not allowed to use, and use them in a way that it is inconsistent with our culture...” (CPN).

In other words, Zientek tells non-indigenous people that costuming does not honor any group of people.

Knowing new information about this topic and its effects, should EC students continue to dress up as Native Americans for functions? Does continuing to do so even when some indigenous people are asking us to stop make the issue not a matter of uneducation, but rather one of blatant ignorance?

Though this might be an uncomfortable question for many, I’d like to remind us all that change, no matter how seemingly radical, is not always a bad thing. In light of a modern age of acceptance and accountability, is it sometimes better to be sensitive than ignorant?

Native American, Indigenous, Indian?

By Hannah Lee

11 February 2021

The term “Indian” was first used by Christopher Columbus when he believed that he had arrived in the Indies for spices. The word was never used amongst Indigenous people, but was rather a term passed down and popularized by colonizers and explorers. From then on, history books cemented the term as an indicator for all indigenous peoples in the Americas, but is this the best term to use?

In an article written by Don Marks, he describes the word “Indian” as “[having] run out of favour, mostly because of negative connotations which became attached to that name over the years”.

However, simply looking at the use of the term in black and white is not feasible. Not all people agree with alternative terms like “Native American”, “Indigenous”, or “American Indian”. Many older generations accept the personal use of “Indian”. One article published by The Native Times in 2015 wrote, “...if you travel to any Indian reservation out west you will soon discover that nearly all of the indigenous people refer to themselves as ‘Indian,’ especially the elders who are still fluent in their Indian language. As Chief Oliver Red Cloud said a few years before he died, ‘I am Lakota and I am Indian’”.

But what word should non-indigenous people use when talking about the general group? I reached out to indigenous people from different areas around the world to get their opinions and statements on the question.

A Lakotan that I spoke with said that there was “...a differing answer depending on who [non-indigenous people] asked”. They went on to say that different people would “...prefer ‘Native American’ or ‘first nations’...” and that “others prefer their specific tribe over the umbrella”.

Later on in the conversation, they noted that they “...don’t use ‘Indian’ because [Native Americans] aren’t from India…”. When they introduce themselves, they “...start off with [their] tribe so that people start to understand that [indigenous people] are more than one umbrella term”.

David, a Gen Z Native American, held similar sentiments. He wrote that he most commonly used “Native American”.

A Diné influencer wrote, “A lot of Natives have different preferences, but you can never go wrong with using ‘Native’ or ‘Indigenous’”. When asked what she thought about the word “Indian” as a descriptor, she said, “I don’t think that non-natives should refer to indigenous people as Indian. Some elders I know call us American-Indian, but a lot of younger Natives do not like that”.

There is one thing that non-indigenous people can do to ensure that there are fewer misunderstandings with term usage. If an indigenous person tells their specific tribe/nation name or what term they are most comfortable with, we should use that information rather than assuming that one general word is good enough. It is not our choice what to call indigenous people, it is their choice wholeheartedly.

A huge thank you to the contributors of this article!

The Truth About BLM

By Michea Wade

8 February 2021
In the past few years we have been hearing more and more about Black Lives Matter (BLM). From protests, to marches, to merchandise, those three letters have been the center of a lot of praise and controversy. Many questions have arisen as well. Questions like: What is Black Lives Matter? Is BLM violent? What has BLM actually done for the black community? Let’s take a look at a few facts.

What is the History of BLM?

Black Lives Matter started in 2013 when three women Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi started the movement using a hashtag. This hashtag “#BlackLivesMatter” was on a post about the recent demise of Trayvon Martin at the hands of George Zimmerman in light of Zimmerman being found not guilty. Since then, the hashtag has become something much bigger.

What is Black Lives Matter?

Black lives matter is a political and social movement dedicated to stopping the violence black people face from police officers and vigilantes. It has over 40 chapters dedicated to the cause and has been used by other organizations to spread anti-Racism across the country. The goal of Black Lives Matter is to support new black leaders and create a space where black people feel safe, empowered, and free from systematic oppression.

What Has BLM Accomplished?

Black Lives Matter and its protests have led to changes in police policy. In Oregon, police only use tear gas in situations where it is absolutely necessary. The Mayor of Minneapolis and the police unions there are working on a new, better police system. The governor of Kentucky has banned the use of no-knock warrants, where police enter homes without permission from the homeowner. These are just some of the many ways BLM has caused the country to change for the better.

What about its detractors?

While Black Lives Matter has done much for the black community, it has not escaped the public’s scrutiny. Many accuse BLM of using violence and intimidation to promote political change, which would make it a terrorist organization. Violence in a protest includes: fighting back against the police, looting, vandalism, and destruction, etc. The BLM website says in its About Page, “By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.” (BlackLivesMatter). This goes to show that the main aim of BLM is to reduce violence, in order to promote joy and make Black people’s lives better. A recent study also shows that in actuality, only 7% of BLM protests were violent, and even then most of those protests were not violent as a whole, meaning only specific blocks of the protest showed violence, not the entire protest.

Is BLM a Trend?

If you have heard about the Black Lives Matter movement, then you have probably heard of all of the protests and the celebrities and influencers advocating for it. This begs the question: Where did they all go? An estimated 15 to 26 million people attended the BLM protests and #BlackLivesMatter was tweeted over 3.7 million times per day over the summer. Since then, fewer and fewer people are talking about it. This has made many activists think that some people only see Black Lives Matter as a trend and not a necessary movement. While it can be disheartening to see something so important lose some of its popularity, that does not change anything for the people working hard to make the world a better place for black people.

What Are Ways to Help Black Lives Matter and other Anti-Racist Movements?

There are many ways to help the movement which include: donating to organizations like BLM and others dedicated to helping the community, donating to those who have lost people due to police brutality, and buying from black-owned businesses are all monetary ways to help fight the fight. For ways to help that don’t involve money, you could always volunteer in other communities, like tutoring at-risk youth, for example. You could also educate yourself. There are so many problems the black community faces that no one even knows about. Reading books, watching movies, watching documentaries, and actively researching websites that help you become antiracist are all ways to learn.

What Have We Learned?

BLM is a primarily peaceful movement dedicated to helping create a better world for black people that was started in 2013 by three women. It has led to many police reforms and more are on the way. There is no little evidence of terrorism, but many people treat it like a fad, or something to support while it is popular and then forget about later on. There are many ways to help the cause, which include donating your money, time, or learning more. While we still have a long way to go in our treatment of black and other non-white people, the Black Lives Matter movement and others like it are doing everything they can to help.

Happy Birthday Dolly!

by Courtney Carrington

20 January 2021

Dolly Parton is a Grammy Award-winning musician, Oscar-nominated actress, songwriter, literacy advocate, and style icon. Now you can add hero to her list of superlatives. Did you know that she is also a significant contributor to the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center? This vaccine center had a vital role in the development of the Moderna COVID 19 Vaccine.

While many in leadership were downplaying the virus's risks, Dolly Parton gave 1 million dollars to help her friend and physician, Dr. Naji Abumrad, research a vaccine for the deadly virus. Their friendship was forged after Dr. Abumrad treated Mrs. Parton after a minor car crash. The state of Georgia was set to receive 174,000 doses of the Moderna COVID 19 Vaccine.

Dolly Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, in 1946. She was one of 11 children. At a young age, she began performing. She has dazzled the world with her unbridled talent and style. She has dedicated a large part of her work to help the Smoky Mountain community she was born into. She has established scholarships to reduce the dropout rates and donated money to Sevier County hospitals. At her theme park, Dollywood, she provides jobs for local Sevier County residents. Dolly Parton also loves animals, as shown by the American Eagle Foundation's Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, a rehabilitation center for injured bald eagles, at Dollywood. If you are not familiar with her creative pursuits, perhaps you are one of the over 100 million children who received a book through the mail from her Imagination Library.

Dolly turned 75 as of January 19th and throughout those 75 years, she has continued to share her talents with the world, and we are better for it.

Is it Possible to Cancel Fast Fashion?

By: Ty Henry

1/7/21

Fast Fashion & Its Appeal

Fast fashion is the speedy production of cheap clothing: sampling their designs from the catwalk and celebrity culture. The designs are then produced with unethical labor and toxic textile dyes. The clothing is cheaply made, so it is disposed of more easily, further destroying the environment. In recent years, we have witnessed the industry swiftly create its empire and just as fast, followed the demands for its collapse. It is evident how harmful and avaricious the modern fashion industry has become. In 2020, many fast fashion giants have tried to clean their reputations by adding an “environmental conscious” line but have yet to improve their inhumane labor practices. It is easy to ask how we can still financially contribute to the industry knowing how inhumane and environmentally indifferent they are. The fast fashion industry is wealthy because they know how to market!

The industry knows how to appeal to the variety of their consumers. An example is their sizing techniques. Standardized sizing consists of small to large, excluding the “extra” sizes. The fast fashion giants have created lines specifically for those who don’t fit into the standardized sizing, producing lines within petite, plus size and tall, accommodating to an array of body types, which pushes their appeal. Along with their sizing accommodations, they are trendy and inexpensive. This sounds alluring for anyone who wants to save money, but it is also appealing for those in the lower class. Fast fashion has become an easier option for those in different situations. Oftentimes, modern fashion opponents can forget about those who have no better option than to rely on fast fashion.

The Fast Fashion Movement

Numerous fast fashion opposers boycott the industry by thrifting, buying from ethical stores or their local stores. Thrifting has always been a simple option for those who are less economically privileged, but thrifting is not as easy as shopping within fast fashion. Speaking from experience, it takes luck to find a thrift store that carries your style and your size. Fortunately, we do have online thrifting as an option, but it is far from inexpensive as it is shopping in person.

Buying from ethical and local stores can be a costly alternative. Unlike fast fashion, these stores pay their labor so clothes can be higher priced compared to thrift stores and fast fashion. Many of the sustainable stores are online and are working on expanding their sizing to accommodate various body types. The movement is working to make being sustainable an option for everyone, but it still needs work.

Sustainability is a Privilege

In present-time, “privilege” has a bad connotation because many feel the word is thrown around too loosely. The definition of privilege is, “a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor” (sourced from “Merriam-Webster”). When we consider the solutions that people participate in to boycott the fast fashion industry, it is not an option for all. We often forget about those in lower class situations or those who don’t fit into the standardized sizing. Including myself, not contributing to fast fashion is a privilege because I can afford to put my money elsewhere. I am privileged enough to fit into standardized clothing, buy from sustainable stores and thrift. I have the benefit to not rely on fast fashion.

With that said, we can’t dismantle the fast fashion industry if parts of our society are left out. A majority of those with these circumstances rely heavily on the modern fashion industry because it is convenient. If they aren’t included in our solution, then the fast fashion industry will continue to be environmentally destructive and inhumane. We don’t live in a perfect world where social matters are black and white. Some fashion stores aren’t as bad as others and apps like “Good On You” make buying from fast fashion less destructive. The app tells you whether stores' labor and environmental practices are ethical enough to buy from. It is a great compromise. Hopefully, the movement pushes the industry to become more conscious of their practices while supplying to the groups that rely on them.

Breaking Down Traditions

Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?

By Olivia Landivar

26 November 2020

Despite popular belief, turkey was not served at the first Thanksgiving. In late 1621, the Plymouth pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans celebrated what is regarded as the first Thanksgiving. Feasts celebrating harvests were common traditions in Europe, so the event was not thought of as anything special. It is more likely that wild fowl, geese or chickens, were eaten along with venison, rather than turkey.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is credited for starting the idea that turkey should be served on special occasions. In the book, Scrooge buys the Cratchits a giant turkey, which was very expensive and hard to find in England at the time. Sara Joseph Hale also wrote about turkey in her book Northwood. She later became an important advocate for making Thanksgiving a national holiday, which it did in 1863. When Thanksgiving became an official holiday, the first Thanksgiving became surrounded by lore and myths. Thanksgiving, turkeys, and pilgrims became connected in the eyes of the American people.

In a sense, turkey is a very American food. Turkeys are native to North America and used to have a large population in the wild. Turkeys were kept on family farms and provided enough meat to feed an entire family. Turkeys have consistently been cheap and affordable through the years. Turkey was not everyday food and seemed unique enough to be reserved for the Holiday Season.

Happy Thanksgiving from ECHS Today

Thrifting: The Murderer of Fast Fashion

By Ty Henry

18 November 2020

Thrifting, a revamped trend amongst Generation Z, has been passed down from the Millenials. It is the joy of finding gently used items and giving them a second life at a discounted price. Many of the Generation Z population are aware of how detrimental wardrobe waste is to the environment. YouTube Videos like “Thrift-Flips” helped to encourage shopping in thrift stores as well. “Thrift-Flips” videos will show someone how to take an article of second-hand clothing from a thrift store and design the piece into something new. Thrifting combats the fast fashion industry and their destructive effects while contributing back into the community. This one change in lifestyle can lead to a big contribution in dismantling many corruptions in the modern world alone.

Numerous people buy from fast fashion every day without knowing how corrupt the producer is. Fast fashion is the production of inexpensive clothes that get their designs from social media and or celebrity culture. The industries produce these fits with rapid speed to uphold consumer demand. Since the clothes are made so fast, they are produced with cheap and toxic textile dyes and micro-plastic materials that are not made to last. Originally, the fashion industry had four seasons when they would release a new line of clothing. In the modern day industry, there are fifty-two seasons. The seasons were increased to make consumers feel out-of-trend after one week and bring them back to buy more clothes. This creates a cycle of high consumer demand and overproduction with harmful material, which leads to devastating environmental effects.

Thrifting opposes the baneful effects the fashion industry creates. Thrift stores like Goodwill are where the adventure happens. Not many know that Goodwill is a non-profit organization and all of its profits go back into the community. The organization invests into local job-training programs for those who have disabilities and have challenges when it comes to finding employment. Not all thrift stores are non-profit, but the majority give their profits to organizations that benefit the community in some way.

Five Points, Atlanta is another great location to come across stylish, vintage wear and unique articles of clothing. Since 2009, Rag-A-Rama has offered variety for your buck. Their options range from Calvin Klein to Britney Spears’ tees and classic wool sweaters that have a flamboyant 80’s pop theme. There is a mixture of modern clothing as well as fashionable accessories! The Clothing Warehouse also carries all of the vintage pieces you can imagine. From 1950s bathing suit pieces to 1970s plaid pants,the pieces are quite eccentric for modern time. Their clothes are always high quality for a second-use item, but also expect to spend a pretty dollar. During the pandemic, the thifting adventures don't come to a halt. Apps like Depop and Poshmark make thrifting accessible from your fingertips. A lot of people have turned to these apps to make some cash by selling their gently-recycled clothes. It is not uncommon to find recycled clothing with the tag still on them indicating they have not been worn.

The idea of thrifting is far from new, but that doesn't discredit how innovative it is when it comes to its multiple benefits. Modern fashion production is the second largest polluter of clean water. If the rise of thrifting continues, fast fashion will have to secede and come to its societal death.

Stay tuned for ECHSToday fast fashion article coming soon!

Three Hispanic-American Women who Made a Difference

by Olivia Landivar

11 November 2020

Jovita Idár

Jovita Idár was a Mexican-American journalist, feminist, and activist. She was born in Laredo, Texas in 1885. In 1903 she received her teaching certificate but was not a teacher for long due to the segregation and poor-conditions of schools for Mexican-American children. She felt that she could improve the school conditions outside of teaching. She started working for her father's newspaper, La Crónica, and wrote articles about racism and the revolution in Mexico. In 1911, Idár and her family organized the First Mexican Congress to unify Mexican-Americans to fight injustice. Soon after the congress, she began to write about women’s rights and suffrage. She founded La Liga Femenil Mexicanista (The League of Mexican Women) and worked on educating Mexican-American students. She used to say “when you educate a woman, you educate a family.” She started working for El Progreso in Texas. When she wrote an article denouncing Woodrow Wilson, the Texas Rangers were sent to shut down El Progreso. However, when the Rangers showed up, they found Idár standing her ground in the doorway of the building, poised and calm. She would not let them in. The Rangers were forced to leave that day, but sadly did accomplish their mission of destroying El Progreso’s printing press days later. Despite this, Idár continued to write and remained committed to her community until her death in 1946.

Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta was born April 10, 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico. She became an elementary school teacher and taught for a short period of time until she began her life long career as an activist. “I couldn't tolerate seeing kids come to class hungry and needing shoes. I thought I could do more by organizing farm workers than by trying to teach their hungry children,” she said. She founded the Agricultural Workers Association and fought for the rights of migrant workers. She also was a part of the Stockton Community Service Organization (CSO) where she met Céasar Chavez. Together they formed the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962. She fought for better working conditions and healthcare for agricultural workers. She was a prominent figure in the table grape boycotts that eventually led to the California Labor Relations Act of 1975. The act was an unprecedented feat that allowed workers to unionize and bargain for better pay and working conditions. Huerta is also a feminist and advocated for whole families to participate in the movements she leads. Huerta coined the phrase “Si, se puede” in 1972, which was used as Barack Obama’s campaign slogan. He awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Dolores Huerta is still active today.

Sylvia Mendez

Slyvia Mendez was born June 7, 1936 in Santa Ana, California. Her family moved to a new area in Santa Ana in 1944 to lease a farm. When the Mendez family tried to register their children for the 17th Street School, they were turned away because of their mexican heritage. Slyvia and her siblings were forced to attend a school specifically for children with mexican heritage. The school was a wooden shack built on pasture land that focused more on “americanizing” the children rather than focusing on traditional education. The Mendez family decided to fight for their children’s education and hired David Marcus, a lawyer, to help them bring a case to court. The case soon expanded from not just fighting for Slyvia and her siblings, but to fight for all children who faced discrimination from segregated schools. The Mendez family and four other families filed lawsuits against the Orange County School District. The case was called Mendez v. Westminster. Mendez won the case and the case was later appealed and upheld in federal court. Mendez v. Westminster lead to the desegregation of schools in California, making California the first state to desegregate its schools. Mendez v. Westminster influenced future cases such as the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case that desegregated schools nationwide. Much of the same legal reasoning was used for both cases. Slyvia graduated from high school and college and worked as a nurse for thirty years. After the death of her mother and father, she decided to become an activist in honor of her family’s legacy. Today, she is a public speaker who goes around the country discussing the importance of Mendez v. Westminster and education. In 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of freedom.

The Origins of Halloween

By Courtney Carrington

30 October 2020

When you think of Halloween, the first things that come to mind are always pumpkins, costumes, and, of course, candy; however, Halloween's origins are very different from the highly commercialized holiday we know today.

Halloween's roots go back over two thousand years to the festival of Samhain, a Celtic celebration of the new year. The festival represented the end of summer, the harvest, and the transition to winter. Druids or Celtic Priests would commemorate Samhain with large bonfires. The bonfire was meant to protect the Celts from the coming winter, so they would light their own hearth fires with the bonfire to carry over that protection. The Celts would also wear costumes made of animal skins during the festival. Samhain was also heavily associated with death because the night before the festival was celebrated, October 31, was said to be the day that the veil between the living world and the spirit world was the thinnest. Due to this, the Celts believed that the dead would roam the earth on that day.

Halloween's name came from the Catholic Holiday of All Martyrs Day replacing Samhain due to Christianity's influence on the Celts. All Martyrs Day or All Saints Day eventually became known as All-hallows. This caused Samhain, which now took place on what used to be its eve and was known as All Souls Day, to become known as All-hallows Eve, and eventually Halloween.

Some of Halloween's festivities also have historical origins. The tradition of bobbing for apples, for example, came from the Roman holiday, Feralia, which honored the goddess of fruit, combining with the festival of Samhain. Dressing up in costumes began as a way to protect oneself from the spirits that roam the earth on Halloween night. Trick-or-treating dates back to a Middle Ages custom called mumming, where people would dress up in costumes to perform tricks at people’s doors for food and drink. Halloween’s origins are a melting pot of different festivals and customs, which is a strange thing to see from a holiday that seems so simple on the surface.

Happy Halloween from everyone at ECHS Today!

Celebramos Juntos!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

By Alicia Olguin-Macedo & Olivia Landivar

7 October 2020

Hispanic heritage month is a month of observation set aside to celebrate the contributions of people with Hispanic ancestors through history and through culture. The month-long dedication starts on September 15 because September 15 is the day that Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence. September 16 and 18 is the independence day of Mexico and Chile respectively. The dates of Latin American independence days fall within the time frame of the month. “El Día de la Raza” or Columbus day is celebrated within the month as well.

Hispanic heritage month is celebrated in America and recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans. It has become popular in cities and states with large Latinx communities. These include New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles among many others. These celebrations may include typical folklorico dances, lively music, food stands, and many other activities. This monthly celebration means a great deal to the Latinx community because it gives them a chance to feel appreciated. The month also celebrates figures who have had influences in many different areas.

Before Hispanic Heritage Month, there was Hispanic Heritage Week. On September 17, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Hispanic Heritage Week bill. The bill was originally written by Representative George Edward Brown of California. In 1987, Representative Esteban Torres of California submitted a bill that would expand Hispanic Heritage Week into a month. Torres stated that the expansion, “will allow our Nation to properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement.” However, his bill died in committee. Senator Paul Simon of Illinois submitted a similar bill that was eventually passed by the Senate. On August 17, 1988 President Ronald W. Reagan signed the bill into law and Hispanic Heritage Month was created. Each year the president makes a proclamation designating the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic and Lantix are often used interchangeably. However, there is a difference. Latinx refers to people from or descendants of people from Latin America. Latin America is made up of countries in the western hemisphere where languages that are derived from Latin are predominantly spoken. This includes a majority of South America, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean. On the other hand, Hispanic refers to people who are from or are descendants of people from Spain or Spanish-speaking countries. A person from Spain is hispanic, but not Latinx. A person from Mexico is both Hispanic and Latinx.

There has been a change in perspectives on the term “ Hispanic.” As of 2020, many people coined the term “Latinx Heritage Month.” The latinx community felt this was necessary because they believed people in these countries with African and indeginous roots were excluded from these celebrations. The term “Latinx” in itself was a gender neutral term that was coined as they became fed up with the patriarchal system. Overall, Latinx Heritage Month is the more inclusive label for this celebration.

So, Celebramos Juntos!

Take this time to learn something new and learn about the contributions Hispanic-Americans have made.

Science Olympiad

ECHS Club Spotlight

By: Olivia Landivar

23 September 2020

Science Olympiad is a STEM-oriented club in which students compete in science-related events against other schools. The events range from taking timed tests to testing home builds, from building the fastest car to solving a puzzle, from conducting a lab experiment to identifying native birds. Science Olympiad covers a broad spectrum of subjects in science.

Every event topic is covered in a science class at ECHS. Students can even learn about classroom topics in more depth. There are three main forms of events: build events, core-knowledge events, and laboratory/hands-on events.

Gravity Vehicle is a prime example of a build event: a team works together before a competition to build a “toy” car. Teams come together to see whose car travels the fastest using only gravity as its aid.

Astronomy is a core-knowledge event. A team will research facts about the galaxy and create a binder of notes. The team will then use their knowledge and notes to take a test.

Laboratory/ hands-on events require participants to complete a task. Forensics is a laboratory/ hands-on event where participants work to identify specific materials in a mock crime scene.

Hybrid events contain two or more elements of the three main types of events.

Of course, Science Olympiad will look different this year. Invitationals will be completely online due to Covid-19 complications. Naturally, an online format will produce new challenges for participating in events, but the new format also offers new opportunities. ECHS will be able to compete against teams across the nation as well as with local teams. As with 2020, things are constantly changing and more information on competitions can be found out in meetings.

Science Olympiad will begin to meet Wednesdays after school. The club sponsors are Mathew Cline and Candace Mohabir.

If you are interested, make sure to join the google classroom using the code: m7fyf32.

2020 Teacher of the Year

By Lindsay Lyle

1 April 2020

What made you want to become a teacher?

My mom was a teacher. From the time I was a little girl, I played teacher. I even had my own gradebook and chalkboard. As I grew up, everyone wanted me to go into the medical field...and I tried to pursue that, among other careers, but I could not shake the call of being a teacher and working with young people.

Who or what influences you to keep teaching?

My students. They just keep me coming back. Everytime I have a bad day, one of them will say something to make it all become clear again. I love my students.

Why do you think you won the Teacher of the Year?

I am so blessed. I don’t know how to answer this question.

Has winning Teacher of the Year changed your feelings about teaching?

Only in that I feel encouraged to keep up the hard work. It is hard work, and sometimes we feel defeated when we cannot reach every kid.

How has your role as a teacher changed through the years you've been teaching?

The longer you are in the field, the more classes you have the opportunity to teach. I have taught every math class except the new ones, Decision Making and College Readiness, but everything else.

I was a part of opening the 9th grade building a few years ago and taught all 9th graders. Then I moved to upperclassmen. I have also taken on part of the responsibility of helping with the senior class and graduation.

Do you have a specific moment that you believe being a teacher influenced a student?

I have one student that is currently studying to be a teacher. She is not going to teach high school, I don’t think, but she is one that I hope I encouraged. I always like to throw in a plug for at least a math minor….adds depth to the resume.

Do you think that parent involvement aids students learning in the classroom? If so, do you think it is common in our community?

Absolutely. For the most part, students who are encouraged from home tend to put forth much effort and as a result do well in the classroom. We have a wonderful community to raise families in and wonderful school/stakeholder relationships. Not every school can boast 100% parental involvement, but we sure have some great parents and families represented.

What advice would you share with a student that is interested in becoming a teacher?

It is definitely a calling on one’s life. We do not get into this field for the money or the summers off. It is too hard, and superficial reasons do not provide a substantial foundation. You know you are called to a career when you cannot imagine doing anything else, and you are willing to keep on even when it gets tough.

As teacher of the year, how will you influence your colleagues?

My colleagues influence me more than anything. I hope that I can encourage them and let them know that I learn from them every day. I am very grateful for each and every one of them.

How has teaching changed from when you started to now? Are the students different?

I don’t know that teaching has changed at all. Students still need to be encouraged. They still need to have a safe place to come every day. They still need to know that we care. At the end of the day, young people are why I show up every day. I hope they know how much I love them.

On second thought….social media and phones. That really ages me. Ha! That is a game changer for students and the impact on how they interact with adults and each other.

If you had one mark to leave on this world what would it be?

I want students to know that they do not have to LOVE math. They do not have to LOVE school, but I want them to know that THEY are loved; they have worth, and value, and a place in this world.

7@7

Drama Club Spotlight

By Olivia Landivar

12 March 2020

For the ECHS drama club seven is a lucky number. Last week Echostage Theater put on their 7@7 production. 7@7 is a student-directed production of seven ten minute plays.

At seven o’clock on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, a crowd of friends, family, and supporters gathered into the drama room to watch the sold-out shows. One wall of the drama room was transformed into a set that could change the setting to a park bench, a dining room, or a bank in between plays. Students worked through a long process to get here. First Mr.O, the drama teacher and sponsor for echostage, worked with eager students to find seven directors.

Then, the directors and Mr.O work together to cast the right students for the right plays. The directors and their cast then rehearsed in the drama room, chorus room, or any other class room that a teacher was willing to let their room be used as a rehearsal space. Finally, at the end of the process, the cast goes through dress rehersal where students worked after school all week to improve and perfect their ten minutes.

The plays ranged from dramatic, heartbreaking stories to hilarious, lighthearted comedies. One of the more serious plays dealt with the idea of how sometimes there are some questions that we don’t want to answer. In this particular play, “The Right to Remain” directed by Ethan Clark, a husband is confronted by his wife and daughter about his late working hours. As the wife questions and alludes to the information she knows, emotions intensify and the conversation becomes a heated argument full of screaming and shouting. By the end of the play, the dad confesses to cheating and the family finishes dinner in shocked silence.

In a more comedic play, “Bank Withdrawal Symptoms' ' directed by Siena Miyamura, a bank robber struggles to rob a bank. When he pulls out his gun, a prop gun, the characters around him do not take him seriously. When he tries to get the teller to give him money, he is ridiculed for the Hello Kitty pillowcase he is using and a grandma in the crowd gives him her purse to use. As he demands money from the teller, the crowd of people scold him until he says please. Finally, money in hand, the robber walks out of the bank and is immediately arrested. It is revealed that the police were outside the whole time during this exchange.

What sets 7@7 apart from the other drama club productions is that it is entirely directed by students. “It was a really good chance to be in a leadership role,” Siena Miyamura said who was one of the student directors. While 7@7 provides an opportunity for students to be a director, it also provides a unique experience for the cast. “[it was] a little less formal … overall a really good experience for cast and director,” Andrés Rondón said when asked what it was like to work with a student director.

Sad you missed out on an echostage show? Come see echostage’s spring musical production of Mamma Mia April 23, 24, and 25 at the Nixon Centre. Tickets are on sale now.

Best Courses for College

By MiChea Wade

12 March 2020

Everyone wants to know what classes they should take to get into a good college. Well here’s your answer: if you’re trying to get into a competitive college, then AP classes are your best bet, but gifted, advanced, and dual enrollment classes have their own benefits as well.

AP Classes

When it comes to choosing what college you want to go to, the more competitive the school, the more their admissions office will want to see AP courses on your transcript. Advanced Placement students benefit from having rigorous classes because it helps them get put onto an even playing field with other college students. AP classes also get 10 points added to the student’s weighted GPA and 0.5 added to the student’s Hope GPA. Even though AP classes seem like the best option, there are down sides. If you don’t take the AP test, you won’t get the credit, and if you sign up you’re stuck. You cannot drop out of an AP class once you’re in it. Also, the rigor of these classes can be bad for a student’s mental health if they aren’t ready for classes like this.

Dual Enrollment Classes

With Dual Enrollment, you have to apply and meet the criteria to get accepted and take the courses. It gives you the opportunity to get a head start on your college career and gives you the same number of points as AP does on your GPA. To take these classes, you have to be responsible and ready to face the consequences of your actions, because no one will bail you out. By law, all Georgia colleges have to take your Dual Enrollment credits, but out of state colleges may not. Dual enrollment isn’t easy; you have to be committed, make sure you have transportation, and follow all of the rules. As great as Dual Enrollment is, it may cause you to miss out on some pivotal college freshman interactions, and if you don’t do well, it will be stuck on your college transcript forever. With that in mind, be sure to think wisely before choosing to take Dual Enrollment classes.

Gifted & Advanced Classes

Many people wonder what the difference between gifted and advanced classes is. Students have to test to get into gifted classes, while advanced ones are anyone's game. If you are interested in doing gifted classes, you can still test at the high school level. The difference between gifted and advanced classes when being compared to normal classes is that while they all have the same standards, gifted and advanced students might get an extra project here and there for others who learn best that way. Also, colleges prefer classes with titles when looking at transcripts. Not to mention, these classes also get 5 points added to the student’s weighted GPA.

Conclusion

When picking classes it depends on what type of college the student wants to get into, what type of student they are, and how they learn best. Some might choose to take AP while some might take Gifted. The President Elect of the Georgia School Counselor Association, and our Dual Enrollment Counselor Jennifer Jones says that she personally would have taken Dual Enrollment classes had she had the opportunity. It's all up to you. Good luck!

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