February 1, 2024
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The Adam Sandler of Today
By: Wenda McLaurin
As the month of January came to a close in 2024, users with social media such as TikTok and Instagram began seeing viral trends on their feeds and “For You.” One of the many ongoing trends on these apps are edits of celebrities, or as some people like to call them, thirst traps. People seem to be divided by who they think is the most attractive, likable, and talented celebrity out there right now. The main category as of now is attractive male celebrities. But the question is: Who is the Adam Sandler of today?
For context, Adam Sandler (age 57), a famous American actor and comedian, was introduced to the limelight after comedian Dennis Miller discovered his talent and recommended Sandler to be on Saturday Night Live. He began working as a writer before becoming a cast member. Later, he became almost an international sensation, landing major roles in television and movies! Two of the more recent and popular roles he’s landed are Hustle (2022) and You Are So Not Invited to My Bat MItzvah (2023). Some may know him better from movies such as Hubie Halloween (2020), Grown Ups 2 (2013), Just Go With It (2011), or Coneheads (1993). Now there’s a new movie coming out on March 1 2024, titled Spaceman, which will feature Sandler.
Now, Generation Z is discussing who the new version of Adam Sandler is, and while he’s still an extremely talented person today, people are already looking for the next best thing. So… who will it be? I went around the school to get a couple of opinions from my peers. The Falcon Leader had already selected 3 male celebrities in advance who were potential candidates for the new Adam Sandler of today’s generation. The three men that were chosen are Jacob Elordi (age 26), Noah Centineo (age 27), and Timothee Chalamet (age 28).
Our youngest candidate is Jacob Elordi, who is already well known on social media and throughout our generation. Known for his roles in Euphoria (2019) and Saltburn (2023), Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor who originally started his career with his role in The Kissing Booth movies. Because of this, he’s extremely popular among many young adults. Many have seen him in TikTok edits of Saltburn, playing the song “Never Be Like You”, which is a throwback to 2016. Of course, this trend has been around for a couple of weeks now, and while it could die down soon, Elordi will still be a heartthrob to the Gen Z audience.
Next is Noah Centineo, an American actor who is known for his role in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018) as Peter Kavinsky. He’s appeared in the sequels as well and has been in many romantic comedies. Many think that he’s lost his sparkle, mainly because of the buzzcut that he got in 2019. While Centineo is not the most popular guy that girls fangirl over now, he’s still widely regarded as a big public figure.
Finally, we have Timothée Chalamet, who is known for his roles in Wonka (2023), as well as Little Women (2019). Chalamet is an French-American actor who gained traction from the coming-of-age film Call Me By Your Name (2017) by Luca Guadagnino. He’s become more popular in the public eye recently, with a new film coming to theaters this year, titled Dune 2, featuring him and Zendaya.
The love that fans have for these three actors is unmatched! But let’s see the opinions of the students of NCLA. While we asked about these 3 actors, we also asked if they had a general opinion about who was the up and coming Sandler.
Many of the students that I’ve interviewed have already stated their firm opinion that, on a popularity level, Jacob Elordi is definitely the Adam Sandler of today, with him being 83% of the vote. Only 14% of the votes believed that Timothée Chalamet was the next Adam Sandler. Some students reflected on the iconic level of Sandler’s career and how long he’s been around.
Alora Crayton, a sophomore at the NCLA, believes that either of the Ryans (Gosling or Reynolds) are the Adam Sandler of today. Gosling (age 43), who has recently starred in Barbie (2023) and has been in the film adaptation of The Notebook (2004), is a Canadian actor, director, and producer who has appeared in a lot of films and TV shows. He has personality, charisma, and all of the other features that beloved celebrities have. In addition, many people are excited to see his new movie coming to theaters this year, titled The Fall Guy, which will come out May 3rd.
Reynolds (age 47), a Canadian-American actor and film producer, has landed many lead roles. He is well known for his role in Deadpool (2016) and its sequels. Reynolds is a prominent figure in the film industry and has been around for a while, like Gosling. Crayton thinks that Gosling would be more like the Adam Sandler of today, mainly because of his role as Ken in Barbie. When presented with the options, she stated, “I think Jacob Elordi is great, but I don’t think he’s as iconic as either of the Ryans. He hasn’t been around long enough. Adam Sandler is an icon in the media, but I think there’s potential for Jacob Elordi to phase out.”
Other students thought more about Adam Sandler’s comedic level and who could match it. Hannah Charleville, a junior at the NCLA, discussed how she thought that Pete Davidson was the next Adam Sandler. Pete Davidson (age 30), is an American comedian and actor who started doing stand up comedy in 2013 and later started working on Saturday Night Live. He’s also made some film appearances, like The King of Staten Island (2020). Charleville believes that, comedy-wise, Davidson would be the best choice to pick as our new Adam Sandler.
However, my research wasn’t only limited to students. I even asked my parents, two people of a different generation, for their opinions. My dad believes that Kevin Hart is the new Adam Sandler. As many of us know, Kevin Hart (age 44) is a very famous American comedian and actor that has played a lot of roles, such as Franklin Finbar in Jumanji: The Next Level. He’s known very well for his authentic personality, and being transparent with his audience.
My mom thought, however, that Will Smith is the new Adam Sandler. Will Smith (age 55) is an American actor and rapper. He’s known for his role in Bad Boys (1995) as Mike Lowrey, along with the rest of the film series. However, many also know him for the famous slap he’s given to Chris Brown at the Academy Awards in 2022. Both of my parents believe that while the people that students have suggested so far are good choices, more people of color need to be given recognition for their talents and abilities.
Now, while everyone has different opinions, my peers have been asking about my personal opinion on the matter. While I don’t have a firm opinion on any single person, I would definitely challenge the idea of having the new Adam Sandler being a man and would ask, who could be a good woman candidate? While you could argue that women should have their own category, and be compared to other iconic women comedians, I think that challenging gender roles and just having comedians in one category promotes equality and showcases everyone’s talents equally! I’m not very fond of the idea of having a career split up by gender.
Students believe that comedy and popularity-wise, Adam Sandler is definitely an icon in the media, and finding someone to match that energy takes prediction and thought. Regardless, the NCLA seems to have strong beliefs and takes on our future generation!
Sources:
“How Adam Sandler Has Changed as a Comedy Performer.” The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/card-story/adam-sandler. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Adam Sandler.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0001191. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Jacob Elordi.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm8624059/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Kevin Hart.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0366389/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Pete Davidson.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0203457/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Ryan Gosling.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0331516/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Ryan Reynolds.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0005351/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Timothée Chalamet.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm3154303/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
IMDb. “Will Smith” IMDb, www.imdb.com/name/nm0000226/. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.
Poetry Club on Valentine’s Day
Sun and Moon
If you got close you could hear my heart beat burst,
You’re a full moon on my dimmest days.
And you fill my sunspots when they were spreading like haze
I tell myself I love you,
But what if I told you I was lying, would that even bother you?
I’ve been alone so long it’s all I expect
Being independent left me ascendant.
I’ve pulled everyone in but did they even like the way I am?
I’m stuck at the eastern horizon,
The part of the morning where you left for the rest of the world.
I deceive myself into understanding your thoughts,
Although you never bothered to listen to my bursting heart,
Attention is all you wanted-
Is that why you steal my sunlight?
But maybe I’m just confused-
I’m sure I really do love you.
– ABBY SMITH (10TH GRADE)
Two birds
One as swift as a winter breeze,
The other as still as fallen snow.
One gather food with frost bitten talons,
The other clings to a sessile snow strangled life.
One flies in spite of freezing breezes and snowfall,
The other’s wings as lifeless as the crooked branches of the tree has nested in.
One fights to survive-
The other can feel its heartbeat fall like the snowflakes around it.
One provides for the other-
And the other feels more burdensome than the deadly cold.
One day-
The nimble bird sets off like the quick winter breeze,
The same day
The still bird
Decides to join the snowflakes.
The numble bird returns to the nest
To find nothing in it
And one innocent snowflake on the forest floor.
– JOSUE VILLEGAS (10TH GRADE)
Rom Coms, History Still In The Making
By: Andrew Ellis
From “How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days” to “Just Go With It,” everyone has watched at least one rom-com in their life and chances are, they probably liked it.
Rom coms- or romantic comedies- may have begun much earlier than many have thought. Some of the earliest films that we would consider to be a rom-com include “Sherlock Jr.” and “Girl Shy,” both of which were released in 1924. One hundred years later, we are still living, laughing, and loving.
While we may be watching the same genre as people did in the early 20’s, we have sound, a luxury rom-com lovers of the early 1900s did not have. Instead of Adam Sandler being able to make a joke on screen that fit the mood, producers had to carefully plan and execute every detail because they could only have so much text on screen.
While everyone loves a good origin story, we are far from needing to read dialogue on a screen and listening to a live band for the music.
The true “golden age” of rom-coms, according to DeseretNews, didn’t occur until the 1980’s and lasted until the early 2000’s. This isn’t a coincidence, nor is it random why this time period is considered the golden age of rom-coms.
In the 80’s and 90’s, many Americans sought out freedom and fantasy in their entertainment. Romantic comedies provided just enough fantasy through their awkward yet impossible interactions, but also enough realism in the characters that this genre really cemented with these generations.
Alongside being able to grab an audience and captivating them, rom-coms were cheap compared to other movies and so they were able to profit easily; however, it is this very situation that would lead to their eventual downfall in the 2000’s.
Coupled with an overly saturated market and a series of poor performing films and box office flops, it seemed like all was lost.
We still had diamonds in the dirt with actors such as Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney and actresses like Jennifer Anniston, Sandra Bullock and Drew Barrymore. But with the rise of fantasy films like Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” and Marvel’s surplus of superhero films, rom-coms had to take the backseat for a while.
There is good news to all those romantic comedy lovers out there. Despite their initial decline nearly twenty years ago, the film industry has seen a recent flip. Older television shows such as “New Girl” and “How I Met Your Mother” have seen an unexpected boom in interest and viewerships. Netflix is releasing more rom-coms than they have in previous years. Since Netflix is one of the frontrunners in the streaming world, many other streaming platforms have begun to do the same.
While this is great news for rom-com actors and watchers, it doesn’t necessarily mean that things are changing. Far fewer people are likely to go to a movie theater to watch a new rom-com as they used to in previous years. Modern audiences are simply staying home and watching through streaming services.
Even though we are seeing many things come back in trend in our generation from previous decades, they are far from being the same. From silent films to groundbreaking releases and now to stay at home watching sessions, romantic comedies have been there for it all and are far from being over.
Sources:
Gionet, Anna. “The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors in the U.S.” Shane Co., 21 August 2023, https://www.shaneco.com/theloupe/jewelry-education/love-relationships/rom-com-actors/. Accessed 29 January 2024.
Issa, Natalie. “Meg Ryan’s ‘What Happens Later’: Are rom-coms making a comeback?” Deseret News, 1 November 2023, https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/23881362/evolution-of-rom-coms. Accessed 29 January 2024.
URENA, AMANDA. “The Evolution of the Romantic Comedy – The Observer.” Fordham Observer, 12 February 2019, https://fordhamobserver.com/37930/recent/arts-and-culture/the-evolution-of-the-romantic-comedy/. Accessed 29 January 2024.
Fifi the Falcon
The First Valentine
By: Monica Truhe
Where does Valentine’s Day come from? Who is the mysterious and alluring “Valentine” in which we pen cards, gift teddy bears, and unwrap chocolates in the name of every February 14?
The answer is clear- we do not know. There is largely no consensus on which St. Valentine we honor every year, but there are three enticing options.
Our first St. Valentine entered the scene in Rome, 2 AD. The Emperor, with his army’s strength in mind, made it illegal for young men to marry. Our sacrificial and beloved (possible) St. Valentine married young men anyway during the decree, a proponent of passionate and unfailing love. Emperor Claudius II had him beheaded for his crime.
St. Valentine suspect number 2 is St. Valentine of Terni. While he is not notable for any certain violation, he also died as a martyr at the hands of Emperor Claudius II, an obvious enemy of love. Although there is enough evidence to suggest that St. Valentine of Terni might be his own person, it is argued that he and our next Saint are one in the same.
Our final legend in which the holiday might reside lies with St. Valentine, take 3. This Saint aided in the escape of Christians from their captivity and torture in Rome. He was also made a martyr for his heroism. This Valentine, legend says, penned a letter to the girl he fell for, signed, “From your Valentine,” the possible conception of the traditions we are so familiar with. The recipient of the letter is believed to be the jailer of his prison’s daughter. He healed her blindness.
Not only is there uncertainty as to who we honor every February 14, but also, why February 14? It’s possible that the date was chosen because of its proximity to St. Valentine’s death. Another explanation is the Christianization of Lupercalia.
On February 15, the day of Lupercalia, pagan culture celebrated Faunus, the Roman God of agriculture. Participants would sacrifice a goat and a dog for the bestowment of fertility and purification in the coming year. Women who touched the sacrificed goat’s hide were believed to be blessed with fertility. Also on this day was a sort of ceremonial and dramatic marriage “draw.” Women of prime marriage age would have their names entered into a lottery. Young men would blindly choose a name and court the woman he received. So, this pagan festival began and ended with love, a prime location for St. Valentine’s day of honor.
Nearing the end of 4 AD, Pope Gelasius instituted St. Valentine’s Day to be celebrated on February 14. This day was largely to replace the pagan holiday of Lupercalia and celebrate a St. Valentine, whose exact identity was unknown to the public.
Sources:
History.com Editors. “Valentine’s Day 2024: Origins, Background & Traditions.” History, 22 December 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2. Accessed 2 February 2024.
“Valentine’s Day | Definition, History, & Traditions.” Britannica, 2 February 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Valentines-Day. Accessed 2 February 2024.
History of Mardi Gras
By: Hannah Simcic
Some may know the celebration of Mardi Gras to just be a big celebration down in New Orleans, filled with lots of colorful beads, floats, and craziness. But what is the true meaning of Mardi Gras? Where did it come from?
It’s celebrated on “Fat Tuesday” which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras seems to have started all the way back in the medieval times around Rome and Venice all the way to the French house of the bourbons. It was celebrated in order to bring on spring and fertility.
Eventually after Christianity was introduced in Rome, Christian leaders wanted to incorporate such traditions into their new religion. As Christianity grew, so did Fat Tuesday, also now known as Mardi Gras.
The first time it was celebrated in America was on March 3, 1699. This was in part due to French-Canadian explorers, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville, landing ship by present day New Orleans, Louisiana. They named this spot Point du Mardi Gras. As time went on French settlers marked the holiday by celebrating with parties, which included masked balls, and grand dinners.
The holiday is met with paradas, throwing beads, traditional New Orleans cuisine, and lots of fun with friends and family.
The rambunctious activities caused disruptions and were officially abolished until Lousisiana became an official state in the US. In 1837 the first official New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration was recorded and has continued to be a tradition ever since.
Sources:
Caruso, Skyler. “Mardi Gras 2023: Everything to Know About the Holiday.” People, 21 February 2023, https://people.com/human-interest/mardi-gras-everything-to-know/. Accessed 5 February 2024.
History.com editors. “Mardi Gras – Meaning, Origin & Traditions.” History, 25 January 2010, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/mardi-gras. Accessed 5 February 2024.
“Mardi Gras New Orleans.” Mardi Gras New Orleans, 2024, https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/. Accessed 5 February 2024.
Sports
NCLA Wrestling: Conference Champs!
By: Cooper Wingate
Bishop McGuiness has long since been the conference rival of the NCLA Falcons, producing plenty of exciting athletic feuds between the two programs and even banter between the respective students. While other schools such as Cornerstone Charter, Bethany, and Millennium have provided worthy competition, none have fit the description of “rivalry” much like Bishop. On January 17th, the Falcon Wrestling team went down the road and took down the Villians on their own turf to clinch the 2024-2024 Northwest Piedmont 1A Conference Championship. With pins coming from Sophomore Cooper Snow, Junior Ethan Parker and lone Senior Will Blake, the Falcons dominated the night; also picking up a conference win against Carver High School. The team finished 4-0 in conference matches this year, repeating their championship run from last year.
Senior Will Blake was reminiscent of his time with the Falcons, saying “My favorite part about wrestling was my teammates […] I have never had a team that is so close to each other.” Throughout the ups and downs of the season, Blake was able to learn about himself, both on and off the mat. “Wrestling taught me the importance of self accountability and the importance of losing [and] putting yourself through adversity in order to build yourself up.” Blake’s career on the varsity team included two journeys to the State Playoffs, multiple regional qualifications as well as an All-Conference Honor.
Next Friday, the wrestling team will be representing the NCLA at the NCHSAA 1A East Regional tournament, hosted at South Davidson High School. Show your support by showing up and cheering on your fellow Falcons!
Student Submissions
We asked the NCLA’s most creative minds:
What’s the best part about being a kid?
Ms. Chase’s 1st Grade Class
Daiya Suarez
The best part of being a kid is when we go on field trips.
Robbie Moore
The best part about being a kid is going to the park.
Macey Frow
The best part of being a kid is I don’t have to wash the dishes. I like not doing that.
Joshua Cloer
The best part of being a kid is making my mom buy stuff.
Maya Williams
The best part of being a kid is all of the energy and getting the toys from your nana.
Ms. Manuel’s 4th Grade Class
Timothy Uselman
For me the best part about being a kid is being able to laugh and play with my friends and being innocent and just being able to stay away from all of the things out there and I’m sure almost every kid would agree with me. I also think that being a kid makes me happy because I love it! And I’m pretty sure every adult wants to be a kid again so every kid reading this please just be a kid.
Allie Oak
What is the best part of being a kid? Here is my take on it. I think the best part of being a kid is Summer. All of Summer. Adults do not get Summer break (unless you are a teacher) which makes it super special. Summer is simply a break for kid’s minds. When you jump into a pool for the first time since last Summer, it is extravagant! The best part of Summer though, Is the last day of school; I mean I love school a lot but on the last day everyone shows up super happy. Summer just gives you something to look forward to. School is wonderful, so it is sad when the school year ends ( especially when you like your teacher) but you can’t help but be cheerful. One of the reasons I’m using this as my response is because I have summer fever; I miss it so much! All of these reasons tell you why Summer is my favorite part about being a kid, I never want to get old!!
Inside the NCLA
Honoring the Past and Inviting the Future: NCLA’s Chorus Program
By: Sophia Franks
Just a month and a half ago, the NCLA’s well-loved chorus teacher, Ms. Gobetz, left the school to pursue a new job opportunity. Although her presence will be missed as a soprano misses her entrance, Gobetz left behind her grateful students, inspired listeners, and precious memories. This week, some of Gobetz’s students reflected on her tenure here and what it meant to them.
Allie Hodges, a senior, recalled a whole scrapbook’s worth of cherished memories, but her favorite was “All the times we gathered in a circle and shared our highs and lows of the weeks- her input and excitement and how much she cared about us was always shown during these times.”
Sophomore Emma Gwyn agreed: “She always worked so hard to make a safe space for us that was positive and uplifting.”
While it is true that Ms. Gobetz had a well-earned reputation for being welcoming and accepting, she was just as known for the power her music always carried. Kaitlyn Parker, a senior and a student with Ms. Gobetz, remembered it this way: “One of my favorite memories with her is when we all gathered around in a circle before our concert and sang “The Lord Bless You And Keep You” with the chorus circled around us. She made chorus seem like family and we all loved her for it.”
Ms. Gobetz and the chorus at the Festival of Lights in December, 2023
Although her students universally remember the love she showed them, Ms. Gobetz herself had a list of favorite memories from over the years.
First, Ms. Gobetz says she prizes her memories of the school’s production of Frozen: “I remember watching the show for the first actual performance and the tears just running down my face because I was so proud of everyone. I am so blessed to have worked on that show with those amazing people.”
Emma Gwyn shares some of these fond Frozen memories as well. She says: “When I would have one-on-one voice lessons with her for Frozen it was hard to practice because we would get so distracted with stories and jokes. I always left her classroom with the biggest smile on my face.”
Next, Ms. Gobetz recalls a day in April, two years ago, when the school’s very first Day of the Arts occurred. The event was a collaboration between all the school’s arts programs, and has quickly become tradition. Among heaps of happy memories from Day of the Arts and memories to be made, Ms. Gobetz says her favorite was the high school choir’s performance of “Bring Me Little Water Sylvie” that very first year.
Day of the Arts is just one of the many legacies Ms. Gobetz leaves at the NCLA. Another is the way she inspired students and empowered them to do difficult things, even when circumstances were challenging or help was hard to find. Emma Gwyn shares a story of a moment like one of these: “I remember being really scared before my first middle school concert, so she pulled me aside. Before I could even tell her what I was worried about, she gave me a hug and made sure I knew I was capable of going out there. She never failed to be there for us and no matter what she always made us feel so special and so loved.” This moment shows, among many others, the trust and confidence that the chorus program has built over the past several years.
Out of all the wonderful memories, Ms. Gobetz says she has one decisive favorite: “The amount of love and laughter I got every day from all of my choral groups. This is by far the best and biggest memory.” Any of her students will agree, the best memories are those of relationships formed and joy experienced together.
Ms. Gobetz laid foundations for the NCLA’s chorus program to thrive. And as she leaves the choral community, she leaves it in the capable hands of Ms. Donciu to build upon them.
Ms. Donciu started as the NCLA’s new chorus teacher at the beginning of January. Born in Romania, she moved to the United States just a few years ago. She has an extensive background in choral music and musical direction, and she comes to the NCLA full of energy and plans for the future.
“Our first concert is not only our concert,” Ms. Donciu said in an interview. “We are going to attend Coffee House…and what I’m excited about is having the opportunity to do different music styles.” She described how the choir came to adopt their focus on diverse styles and traditions. “When I came here, I told my students that I had the chance to travel with the choirs I was singing in through Europe- the different countries there, the different cultures, the different styles, everything- it was a huge opportunity for me. The students, especially the youngest ones, were really excited to know more about these cultures. And I said, “why not have some songs- different languages, different music styles, different time periods- and explore them?” We actually have a song in Greek, we have some Italian songs. So it’s pretty exciting to have a glimpse of different cultures here and there through our singing.”
The chorus plans to perform again in May at their spring concert, where they will present more traditional pieces while maintaining their concentration in contrasting cultures and styles. With their two performances and a competition at Carowinds, the chorus program has a lot to look forward to. “We have a busy season,” says Ms. Donciu. “I’m excited about it!”
Ms. Donciu with her middle school students, January, 2024
At the beginning of the year, a time to take stock and reset, the NCLA’s chorus program has a lot to be thankful for. Students are holding onto their best memories with MS. Gobetz, and the love of singing they developed with her, and taking it all with them into the new year and into this new chapter in the life of the chorus.
A Q+A With the NCLA’s President
By: Carsyn Queen
This week, we interviewed Student Council President, Will Swisher, about his experience and thoughts on his presidency so far. This is what he had to say:
Q: How long have you been in student council?
A: “I’ve been in student council since sophomore year as a secretary then junior year as the vice president and now as president”
Q: What has been the most fun part of being in student council?
A: “Being involved with all of the students– that’s why I’ve been on student council for so long: I like being involved. I’ve also had fun seeing what [the other members of student council] have come up with.”
Q: How do you stay motivated?
A: “It gets really easy after second quarter to slack off in school and stop caring about your clubs but when you’re the president of something you still have to care, you have to show up, and you have to lead them. I’m motivated by the students and by the council’s success!”
Q: As a senior and class president, do you have any advice for students?
A: “Be flexible. You’re going to run across roadblocks that you didn’t necessarily anticipate. Just because you don’t anticipate them doesn’t mean they don’t exist, so you have to be diplomatic, but also an advocate for the students and the council. ”
Q: What legacy do you want to leave behind once you graduate?
A: “That we did things the year I was president, you know? Did things that were new. I love my school. To me, [student council] is pretty serious because I want to have a future in this. I want to leave the council better than I found it, financially and in significance”
Q: What does student council have in store for second semester?
A: “We’re getting a dance in March, and some kind of canned food drive. We are hoping to have a final event [for high school] at the end of the year which will possibly become a tradition. We want to do spring elections. The reason is so that [members of student council] can already have their ideas and that alleviates the issues of figuring those out. A lot of dates can come up on the council quickly and without apt time to prepare and to be aware, it is very difficult to have good events.”
Q: Is there anything the student body can do if they have ideas for student council?
A: “People are welcome whenever to come into our meetings. Every Friday first lunch in the small computer lab and second lunch in Ms. Kerr’s room. I’m very open with the students about what’s going on and where everything stands. I think that sometimes it’s forgotten that we are the representatives for the students. Whether it’s a grade rep or an officer, we represent the students and are supposed to do what the students want us to do! ”
Q: Do you have anything to tell the student body?
A: “Thank you for voting me in as president! I am honored to have been able to serve as your president and I hope that I have represented y’all well. The year isn’t over yet though, so be on the lookout for new stuff!”
Going Under the Sea
By: Kaitlyn Parker
It’s time for the next NCLA theater production, The Little Mermaid Jr.! The cast of our school’s production of the little mermaid has been going through auditions and rehearsals for the past few weeks as they begin preparation for the play.
The first step of any production begins behind the scenes, in ways most of us never see. The NCLA’s arts department gathered together to decide what the spring production should be.
NCLA’s theater teacher and play director, Ms. Shannon Maggard, said the Little Mermaid is a production she has always wanted to put on. Ms. Maggard expressed that choosing the play is something that requires quite a lot of thought.
In deciding this year’s production, the arts department looks at, “all the students that are involved and […] compartmentalizes the parts and the talents, as far as the dancing and singing and personalities.” Ms. Maggard said they have to weigh all the different parts to decide if the show fits all the factors for the year.
Once the production is decided, it is time for auditions. Close to 50 students auditioned this year over a two day process and around 40 elementary schoolers signed up to participate. After casting was put out and a lottery was performed for the elementary schoolers, the cast totaled to around 60 students.
Freshman Rebekah Franks described her experience at auditions as a little scary, but good overall. She said, “When you open the door it is just silent and then you turn around and close the door and then you turn around and then the judges start smiling and talking. That moment in between going in the room and facing the judges is really awkward”. Franks will be playing Sebastian in the production.
Freshman Nora Link said the audition process for her began over break. Link auditioned for scuttle and even brought a fork in to portray the part more accurately. “After I sang and read for scuttle, they asked me if I would like to audition for Ariel and I said yeah. Then I got a callback for Ariel the next day and then the cast list came out”, she said. Link will be taking her first lead role in this year’s production, as she takes the stage as Ariel.
The audition process is often the most stressful part for both the students and the judges. Ms. Maggard said there was a panel of eight to nine judges each day during the audition process, and even with so many eyes they had a hard time deciding. Ms. Maggard said,” it was really hard because there was a lot of really great talent.”
Once auditions were over, it was time for rehearsals to begin. Rehearsals are already underway for the production in April. The cast undergoes rehearsals for second lunch for several weeks and as the production approaches, rehearsals become more frequent and even begin to take place after school. Ms. Maggard said the week of the production, rehearsals take place everyday to ensure the cast is prepared.
There is much to be excited about as the production approaches. The cast is the most excited about spending time with their friends and getting to know new cast mates. The costumes are also a spark of interest for this new production. Link said, “I like the costumes and the relationship you get to form with different cast members”. Freshman Halee Baird said, “I am excited for the costumes. They are going to be colorful and bright, and I hope shiny”.
As the production approaches, there is much to be excited about. The cast is preparing to put on a great show and they are all excited to see how the show comes together. Most importantly, the play is about the community that is built while producing it.
Make sure to go support the arts and see this great production on April 26th and 27th, so you too can experience the magic these students feel every time they step onto the stage.