P The rowler Inside Valentine’s Day Dates on a Dime “Gal-entine’s” Reads Major Motion Pictures Reviewed Selma American Sniper The Imitation Game Opinion What Does the Affordable Care Act Mean for Millennials? Are you Learning Obsessed? Social Media in the Wake of Terror Issue IX CONTENTS// February 2015 Cover photo by Jordan Pridgeon 3 Editors’ Desk 4-5 The Scoop 6-7 News 8-10Opinion 11 PE: Outdated or Effective 11-13Features 14-17Entertainment 18-19Sports 20 Man on the Street The Prowler Staff Policy Ms. Sandra Hurtte Katie Atkinson Katherine Hancock Mitchell Mobley Ethan Gibson Jordan Pridgeon Devyn Mode Eli Roberts Adviser Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief News Editor Web Editor Sports Editor Culture Editor Advertising Manager Staff Writers: Hannah Matthews Lauren Young Mary Katherine Laverty Maya Lavinier Sarah Johnson Brittany Brown Sydney Steele The Prowler is a publication of the students of Union Grove. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial staff, Union Grove High School, or its faculty, staff, or administration. The Prowler will accept any constructive criticism or comments on our paper. The staff will accept signed letters to the editor with the right to edit them. Names may be withheld upon request. Letters may be given or emailed to any staff member or dropped by room 212. The Prowler 120 East Lake Road McDonough, GA 30252 The Prowler is printed by Crown Printing in Stockbridge, GA. From the Editors’ Desk At the beginning of this school year, our goal at The Prowler was simple. Reach further. Work harder. Give the readers something to think about, to talk about. We wanted to surpass our usual filler material. We wanted to raise questions. To spark conversation. Now, we feel we have succeeded in that. From gun control to sex ed, we've brought you articles that have continued to fall along the lines of controversy. You responded. This school year, we have received more feedback than ever. We've gotten emails from teachers. We've been stopped in hallways. We asked and you delivered. Now, we're asking that you continue giving us this feedback. For this issue and those to follow, keep in mind that our staffers are anxious to hear your thoughts about what they have to say--even if it is an argument against ideas we have presented. Email us. Tweet us. Our contact info is posted beside every story for this specific purpose. It's there for you. While our adviser has received plenty of letters outlining faults with articles, our staffers’ inboxes remain empty. We want to fix this. We urge our readers to give your responses directly to specific staff members. We assure you they will have much more to say. In addition, we would like to raise awareness of our website, ugprowler.com. This site features extended content that surpasses what we feature in our print issues. As always, we appreciate your continued support of this newspaper. A heartfelt and profound THANK YOU to the generous donors who made this publication of The Prowler possible. Mr. and Mrs. David A. Laverty Mr. and Mrs. Olif T. Matthews James S. and Melissa K. Hunt ServoPro of Henry & Spalding Counties Stephanie Radik Mr. David A. Troy Vanessa Dyon Amy D. Clemens Judy Coker Chuck Hancock, DMD. Doug Coker Properties Ben and Shannon Matthews Rick Jeffares, Senator Dr. Liliana Mejia, DDS, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Cooper, III Angela Catalano Gibson Jeff and Andrea Young Todd A. and Melissa J. Young John Kozisek William H. Dellinger, Jr., DDS, PC Brian Womble, DMD, PC Power & Jaugstetter, PC Cathy S. Thomas The Paw Pad Peggy M. Joiner S-2 International Beverly J. Hester Natalie C. Gehret Randy R. Radik Betty and Gary Lynn Glass Med South Primary Care, PC Creative Wholesale Distributors, Inc. Walter F. Robertson Alfred C. and Melinda L. Ogletree G. R. and Ellen Foster, IV David and Lisa Troy Janice J. Wilmot, DMD., MS, PC Mr. and Mrs. Doug Laverty Scott and Mary Beth Young Best Wishes, If you would like to make a donation to The Prowler, please contact Sandra Hurtte, Staff Adviser shurtte@henry.k12.ga.us 3 The Scoop PROWLER HOSA Hosts Smile Drive, Pennies for Patients HOSA will be hosting the Smile Drive and Pennies for Patients throughout this month. The Smile Drive will involve collecting donations of toothbrushes and toothpaste for those in need while also providing education on the importance of dental hygiene to students. Meanwhile, Pennies for Patients will raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Students can take donations to Ms. Keiser in Room 811. “These service projects are such great opportunities,” said Sapna Patel, HOSA Vice President and junior. “Especially for people pursuing careers in the medical field.” The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society works to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma. Photo Courtesy of www.dittoepr.com. ROTC Shoots for Upcoming Competition Placement, Continues Community Service ROTC members are preparing to take a shot at placing in a slew of competitions this semester. The Air Rifle Team will compete at playoffs March 6. The top six finishers will advance to sectionals later this year. The Brain Brawl team is looking at their own Area 12 Competition in the coming months. Two teams have already qualified for this competition having performed exceptionally well earlier this year. Additionally, the Orienteering Team competed in their Area 12 Championship Jan. 24. As last year’s reigning champions, the team will advance Feb. 12 to the National Championship in California to defend their title. Aside from competitions, ROTC members continue to offer their volunteer services. Their latest venture included helping present a talent show for Union Grove Middle School students Jan. 23. Orienteering Team Commander Noah Van Gorder, senior, gives last minute pointers to team members Dylan Townsend, sophomore, Juniors Matthew Baker and Dylan George, and Freshmen Ryan Richards and Seth Preston before they head out on the trail. The team will advance on to the national championship in California next Thursday to defend their title. Special Photo by Beverly Van Gorder. 4 The Scoop PROWLER Special Needs ConFFA Club Starts Year with Variety of cludes Indoor Winter Olympics Games Competitions FFA started off the year with roughly $800 in holiday poinsettia sales. FFA looks forward to several February competitions, such as Poultry and Horse Judging on Feb. 11 and 15, respectively. The club plans to grow and maintain their greenhouse in the spring when plants arrive next month. FFA club greenhouse ready for new reason. Photo by Maya Lavinier. On Jan. 8, Special Needs participated in the Motor Activities Program held at Luella High School where students were provided comprehensive motor activity and recreation training. Special Needs gymnastic team athletes Stevie Morris, Haley Fogg, Holly Fogg, and Ashley Johnson finished with gold, silver, and bronze awards at the 2015 State Special Olympics Indoor Winter Games. Students enjoy themselves at The Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) which was held at Luella High School. Photo from Special Needs Department. Chorus Selects All State Members, Anticipates LGPE With February in full swing, chorus members are busy preparing for Large Group Performance Evaluation to be held early next month. Mr. Chris McMichen, choral director, aims to have his students raise their performances to perfection level for this judged event. “It’s one thing to get music in good shape for a concert,” said Mr. McMichen. “It’s another thing to try and go above and beyond. Getting superior ratings is our standard now. That’s where we want to be.” In addition to LGPE preparation, the Chorus Department has selected All State Chorus members. Seniors Ashley Ballew and Morgan Mavis, Sophomores Hannah Dailey and Austin Veale, and Junior Zoe Reddick, were selected to be among this competitive group. These students will travel to Athens March 5-7 to perform with what Mr. McMichen calls “some of the best singers in Georgia.” The chorus room is a busy place during IF. Students gather to share a love of music and rehearse pieces for upcoming Large Group Performance Evaluation. Photo by Jordan Pridgeon. 5 News PROWLER FBLA Competes in Region Competition Academic Team Goes to State Championship FBLA attended their Region Leadership Conference Jan. 26 at Jasper County High School. Seventeen students competed in subjects such as accounting, business calculations, business communications, economics, introduction to information technology, help desk, securities and investments, sports and entertainment management, and public speaking. Chidu Kadiresan, junior, placed first in business calculations and Aneri Patel, senior, placed first in securities and investments. FBLA students congratulated at their conference. Photos Courtesy of FBLA. Union Grove’s Varsity Academic Team will be competing at the Georgia State National Academic Quiz Tournaments tomorrow, Feb. 7. The team qualified after placing first in the Griffin region Dec. 4. It is the first time since 2012 that the team has qualified for state. “We’re really excited to have a chance to be the champions again,” said Jason Lin, senior and academic team co-captain. “First in the region felt great, but winning at state will feel even better.” The tournament will be at Flowery Branch High School, and Union Grove will compete against 15 other schools from around the state. Mickey Mouse Measles sweeping United States and Mexico By Ethan Gibson egibsonprowler@gmail.com The happiest place on earth, Disneyland, might not be so happy anymore due to an outbreak of measles rapidly spreading through the United States. The outbreak’s ground zero was Disneyland and began Dec. 15-20 when tourists at Disneyland began to report cases of the measles. One month later, the case numbers have risen dramatically. CNN reported that 73 people have been diagnosed with measles, 50 of which are linked to the outbreak at Disney. Out of the 73, 42 people’s immunization statuses are known and 34 cases were identified as unvaccinated. Cases have now been reported in seven states across the country, as well as Mexico. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease known for attacking the respiratory tract of the body. Symptoms include rash, cough, and sneezing. This outbreak has sparked controversy regarding parents’ Graphic from the Center of Disease Control and choice to vac- Prevention. cinate children public school, but an estimated 25 or not. percent of children aged 19 to 35 In the state of Georgia, parents are required to vaccinate months are not vaccinated. children for measles when attending 6 Opinion PROWLER Speaking Out in the Wake of Tragedy By Katherine Hankock khankockprowler@gmail.com the guts to stand up and do something. My lack of experience and knowledge makes me feel disconnected and shut out, unable to offer empowerment or comfort in times of vulnerability and loss. I can read all the articles on the Internet with their bylines and AP style, but they can’t transport me to the scene of the obscenity; I can’t hear the cries or smell the gunsmoke. I realize this with each heart-wrenching headline splashed one featuring a religious figure. That being said, I do believe that freedom of speech is worthy of the most visceral As I sit and write this, my shirt protection, and I feel that as a newsreads, “l’amour triomphe de tout” magazine editor myself, and above all which means, “love triumphs over else, a human being, it is important for all.” I got this shirt over Thanksgiving me to support any entity that expressbreak thinking it would be a fun way es itself unabashedly. to express my personality while also But I am unable to identify showing off my limited experience in completely, and I don’t want to say French class. I remember holding the anything regarding such a raw, sensishirt up to my torso as I stood in line tive subject without coming from the at the store without the slightest clue most earnest part of my heart. My of what would occur in just a matworst fear is crossing the line that ter of weeks at the office of Charlie separates bystander from spectator, Hebdo, a satirical magazine in Paris. tracking Tweets and watching news Since dozens of individuals have lost update videos without doing anything their lives in attacks of terrorism and to make my support actually felt. #JeSuisCharlie has become one of the What effect am I making most popular news-related hashtags when I take a short break from my on Twitter, I feel that wearing this self-absorbed life to tweet “#Bringshirt now represents a personal, BackOurGirls” if I forget about the political statement—one that I should issue as soon as the next school day not be allowed to make. starts? How am I helping anything I never know the right thing if my contribution via social media The Arc de Triomphe, with a sign to say when politics, much less the is only an attempt at easing my own reading, "Paris is Charlie," became a loss of lives and aching vulnerabiliconscience? Everyone else is posting symbol of support after the Charlie ty, are involved. As more and more a blog entry like this; I’ll look bad if Hebdo shooting. Photo from nymag. acts of terror, violence, and disasI don’t post one, too. If my support com. ter occur on the world stage, I find ever came to that, I would then be myself shrinking in the face of these across my newsfeed. The Tweet I think using someone else’s experience and atrocities and the hazy, devastating about penning becomes vapid and pain as a means of self-fulfillment— aftermath. By the grace of every single inadequate—how dare I think that a seems pretty spectator-like to me. higher power in the universe, I’ve nevhashtag followed by a quick motto of I think that as long as what er had to deal with this issue as directsupport can bind up fresh wounds, we say in the midst of terror, fear, or ly as other people have. A hurricane wipe tears away, or provide answers in injustice comes from a place of true has never hit my hometown, rendering the middle of the rubble of uncertainintention and love, the words we say, me a refugee in my own country. I ty? post, write, or Tweet will do more good don’t know anyone who lost their life This is why the social media than harm. They will act more like in the attacks on the World Trade storms that follow tragedy make me bandages and embraces, not like the Center in 2001. None of my neighbors feel so uncomfortable, if not even more half-hearted glances or incendiaries or family members have made a quick disconnected. For example, I want we’re scared they will be misconstrued trip to the store and never returned on nothing more than for the people of to represent. account of someone else’s concealed Paris to feel covered in peace and sol I don’t think people should weapon. I don’t know what it’s like to idarity in the aftermath of this event, worry about the trendiness of their be forcefully withheld from pursuing but I don’t feel like that sentiment words of encouragement—each person an education. is fully encapsulated or expressed in has different experiences, and each I’m scared that my experi#JeSuisCharlie. It’s tough because I’m person can identify in different ways. ences--extremely limited and often not Charlie, I don’t work for a satirical For you, that support might manifest self-centered--forbid me to speak on magazine (believe it or not, The Prowl- itself in a hashtag, but for me, I’m such tragedies, which in turn makes er does not consider itself a satirical going to raise my banner that reads, me a random bystander, someone who publication), and I’ve never drawn or “L’amour triomphe de tout.” Because watches it all unfold but doesn’t have endorsed a political cartoon, much less in the end, love really does conquer all. 7 PROWLER Opinion Learning Obsessed or Lame By Hannah Matthews hmatthewsprowler@gmail.com “I’ll take lame high schoolers for $500, Alex,” says the contestant. “This sixteen-year-old girl spends her Friday nights watching Jeopardy,” the host proclaims. All of the contestants click their buzzers. The answer to this one is obvious. “Who is Hannah Matthews? I can’t make excuses for this. I won’t even try to tell you that my grandmother makes me watch it. I won’t nonchalantly explain that I just happen to take a break from my homework at the exact same time every day. I won’t deny it. I mean, it might not be something to be proud of, but I’ll take ownership of my love for Jeopardy anyway. I have a problem. Watching Jeopardy has become an obsession. But it’s not just Jeopardy. Sometimes I find myself channel surfing through various news networks. Or worse, I’ll turn the channel to National Geographic. Hours later my eyes will burn, and I’ll come to the realization that I just spent five hours watching a documentary about volcanoes. I promise I’m reckless like a typical teenager. I eat way too much pizza and wear UGG boots; I say YOLO and swag. At the end of the day, I always find myself trying to learn something. Anything. Even nutritional facts off my cereal box in the morning. There’s just so much stuff everywhere. So many things to read and to see and to learn. Back in the day, I was not like this at all. I just wanted to make the grades needed to make it to the next year of school. But for some reason, when I got to high school, everything changed. Hi, my name is Hannah and every day I become a bigger nerd. But I can’t blame myself. I “blame” the amazing teachers I’ve had throughout high school who, in spite of state assigned standards and mandated tests, have somehow managed to imprint upon me the value of learning. Complain about the hard teachers all you want, but at the end of the day, you might find that during all those analytical essays and SAT vocabulary and historical facts, you actually learned a little something. Can You Hear It? Then It's Real Music By Eli Roberts erobertsprowler@gmail.com Throughout my time here on Earth, I can safely say I’ve been through a great many phases in terms of musical taste. I used to like country music for a time, then I got into Blood on the Dance Floor and Sleeping with Sirens for a little while, then I went through a phase where I listened to nothing but dubstep. I’ll admit, from time to time, I poke fun at the music I used to listen to and pretend I’m above the people who still listen to it. Most of us do. However, there’s one thing that really bothers me. If you judge other people and their personalities based on their music tastes and get cocky with the notion that your musical interest is “real music” and anyone else’s is “fake music,” then that’s rather sad. Stereotypes can, to an extent, be accurate. However, it isn’t good if you let others run the way you view other people. Every genre has stereotypical fans. I hear a lot of people saying that a certain genre’s fans are annoying, obnoxious, stupid, et cetera. The thing is, every genre has fans who are crazy and make the whole genre look bad, no matter what their stereotype. So many people say, “This generation’s music sucks!” Well, 8 perhaps the popular music that gets played on the radio sucks to you, but keep in mind that there is other music out there. If you go beyond the most common music, I guarantee you will find something you like and think is worth listening to. This sounds rude, but it has to be said: You are not superior for listening to the music you listen to. If you listen to old music and think you’re better than everyone for it, you might need a reality check. If you think you were born in the wrong generation and no one else listens to good music like you do, you might need a reality check. If you decide that you’re too good for other people who listen to different music, guess what? You might need a reality check. Your music is not real, and theirs isn’t fake. Music is music, and different people like different music for different reasons. PROWLER Opinion Make Choices For Yourself--They Could Change History By Mary Katherine Laverty mlavertyprowler@gmail.com We all have times when we must make a decision that will affect our lives, whether it is temporary or something that will later affect us in the future. These decisions vary from deciding which college to choose to deciding whether you are going to speak out and stand up for something you believe in rather than sitting on the sidelines. No matter how big or small your decision, it is ultimately a decision only you can make. The decision is not for your parents or your peers because you are the one who has to live with the consequences. I have been in multiple situations where I felt as if I had to have a heart-to-heart with everyone in my life before I made an important decision. I had to make sure that everyone agreed with what I was doing for fear of making the ever-so-frightful wrong decision. However, I eventually came to my senses and realized that it does not matter how others feel about a decision for me. I must make the decision I feel most strongly about or the decision that is best for my future. Why is it that so many of us feel as if we have to take a poll before making a personal decision? Maybe it is insecurity or fear from decisions made in the past. But a life of constant fear is not worth living. There is a powerful, eye-opening quote by Mary Frances Berry that says, “If Rosa Parks had taken a poll before she sat down in the bus in Montgomery, she’d still be standing.” Do not continue sitting in your bubble of comfort and security-step out and make a decision that may change your life, whether it ends up being the best thing that has ever happened to you or the worst. Everyone should have someone in their life they feel comfortable going to for guidance. Rosa Parks’ decision ultimately changed the world, and she was not a woman who was going to let anyone else’s opinions get in her way. Why should you? Affordable Care Act: Not so Affordable By Ethan Gibson egibsonprowler@gmail.com The United States is now living in the fifth year since the Affordable Care Act was passed (or “Obamacare”, but that term seems to have disappeared from mainstream media now that the law has failed). Americans have been hit hard with doubling premiums, costly penalties, and loss of healthcare. But don’t worry, Mr. President has made sure that everyone gets their “fair share” of healthcare havoc, even you. One thing is for sure, young people will be hit hardest by the new healthcare law. US News reported that the average 27-year-old male will be paying 235 percent more in healthcare premiums. Those numbers spiked even higher when looking at individual states. Millennials were major supporters of the Obama administration back in 2009, but they are beginning to reconsider their grave error in judgment. Despite being the hardest hit by the law, young Americans aren't the only people having to eat the costs of Obamacare. The Health Research Institute (HRI) reports healthcare premiums will rise 7.5 percent across the board. Lawmakers probably should have ignored Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) when she infamously said “you have to pass the bill to know what’s in it,” but lawmakers took her advice with great pleasure and now every American is having to pay for it, including you and me. The Affordable Care Act includes a stipulation that is causing college tuitions to rise. The stipulation includes a halt of subsidies to private lenders for companies who provide student loans, and completely federalizes the system. 9 Universities know that students can now get low-interest, easy loans from the federal government, so they jack up their prices to take advantage. Not only will America’s youth be paying for bad healthcare, most of them won't even receive healthcare. Instead, they will pay costly penalties because they can’t afford healthcare. In 2014, The Affordable Care Act mandated anyone who is not insured pays a $95 penalty or one percent of your income, whichever is higher. In 2015 the penalty will increase to $695, or 2.5 percent of your income, whichever is higher. Healthcare is an essential service to life and has saved millions of lives in the United States since its implimentation. Over time, our healthcare quality has and will continue to rise, unless government continues to get in the way. Let healthcare insurance be between the patient, the doctor, and the insurance company, and get government out of the way. PROWLER Opinion Create a New You and something to think about. Instead of over thinking and working myself up, I think of new ideas for my journal. The best part about creating things is that it can’t be bad. Everyone’s By Lauren Young interpretation of art is lyoungprowler@gmail.com different. Anything that you create holds meaning be It’s that time of year again when everything starts getting crammed togeth- hind it, and is special. From er. Our minds are crowded with due dates, the stick figure you draw in math to the Mona Lisa, tests, and the impending doom of the future. All of us get sucked up into the whirl- it is all art, and that’s what makes it so calming. Being wind of life and forget to actually enjoy it. We all need to take a step back sometimes more creative has made me and take a look at the big picture, and may- see the world in a whole new way. I spend less time be paint one of our own. I am one of those people who forgets to be happy. I get so jumbled in school and friends that I neglect happiness and how it is essential to our lives. I get so caught up in putting other people first that I forget about myself. But I have discovered recently what draws happiness back into my life. Art. Drawing, painting, and sketching. All of these things remind me of what it is like to be happy. I am not great at art. I guarantee you that I am not the next Picasso or Monet. My drawings are amateur at best, but that isn’t the point. Whenever I draw or paint, I can get all my thoughts to slow down and get my focus back. It’s like the whole world slows down, and I can finally breathe. I would much rather deal with the chaos of art supplies slowly taking over my room than the rambling thoughts in my head. One of my favorite ways to be creative is through my copy of Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith. The book is full of creative things to do that will eventually help you destroy the book. There are things from taking the book in the shower with you to doodling over the entire page. The possibilities are truly endless. It gives me something to look forward to every day, 10 stressing and more time enjoying the masterpiece that is life. "To create is to destroy," said Keri Smith in Wreck This Journal. Photo by Lauren Young. PROWLER Opinion Mandatory P.E. Classes: Outdated Discipline or Encouraging Exercise Oldschool Effective By Katherine Hancock khancockprowler@gmail.com Although PE was instituted as a salubrious mainstay in schools across America many years ago, it is now an outdated and sometimes ineffective tool used by the government to try to ward off childhood obesity. That is why physical education at the high school level should not be made mandatory. While PE classes are shown to provide the daily activity and lifestyle encouragement that many children and teenagers need to maintain a healthy weight, a 50 minute class cannot, especially in the most severe cases, remedy all the health problems of students. For example, most kids with severe health issues are genetically predisposed to having an unhealthy weight. An additional reason to make basic PE an elective choice rather than a requirement is because of the ever-increasing standards for academic rigor in the high school and college admissions environment. It is not unlikely in the competitive world of admissions for merely one academic AP or Honors class to be the deciding point between acceptance, waitlist, or denial from a college or university for a student. Although skipping PE for an academic course does not guarantee college admission, having one extra star on your chest never hurt. US News reported in 2011 that from 2010-2011, more than 7.6 million students played school sports, and of those 7.6 million students, 55.5 percent were high school kids involved in sports. Chances are, they get as much, if not more, experience, lifestyle encouragement, and enjoyment out of the extracurricular sport as they would in a PE class. The school can’t make anyone sign up for a 5k or go for a hike in the neighborhood; self-motivating for these activities takes some gumption that can’t be obtained from one semester of PE. While physical education classes have proved beneficial to youth in America, the results don’t start and end with classroom-taught fitness skills. PE is a great way to introduce students to fitness goals, healthy habits, and physical training, but cannot instill a perfect lifestyle on its own. By Brittany Brown brittanybrownprowler@gmail.com Some students think that PE is a waste of time and that PE class has no value whatsoever because running a mile every week will do students no good in the long run. However, students are missing the key point of why we have gym and why the coaches make them run that mile. Physical education prepares children to be physically and mentally active. It exists in an effort to keep children healthy. Being obese or simply not exercising can ruin your health and state of mind, and sometimes PE in school is the only exercise a child gets. PE is an incentive and an outlet for health, especially in the age of the iPhone and Netflix. Children aged 8 to 18 spend about seven and a half hours per day on electronic devices. That does not include the other hours spent in a lethargic state while texting, or 30 idle minutes spent talking on the phone with others each day. Having PE in school also helps students’ relationship with their peers. On free days, students get to enjoy free time and play basketball, foursquare, badminton, and volleyball with their friends. Students can also walk laps around the gym and have a conversation with their peers or coaches. Physical activity has also been linked to academic success and keeps students well-rounded. Regular physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety, increases self-esteem and overall body strength. It can also help maintain proper levels of blood pressure. Grade point averages have been known to increase by a few points if you are active rather than inactive. Quality physical education programs are needed to increase self-responsibility and enjoyment of physical activity for students so that they can be physically active. PE can be life changing for today’s students because it offers them a well-rounded opening to develop their bodies and minds, and to expand skills that will drive them to success in physical and academic aspects of education. 11 PROWLER Feature Research Before Going to Beautiful Lengths to Endorse Charities By Brittany Brown brittanybrownprowler@gmail.com Facebook, social media, and news media websites abound with pictures of young girls who choose to donate their hair to an organization called Locks of Love. These young girls believe they are helping to create human hair wigs to donate to children suffering from cancer. Unfortunately, that belief is not necessarily true. A recent online article explains how a girl with leukemia, Maggie Golden, requested a human hair wig from Locks of Love. Golden and her family completed the extensive application process, but the request was denied, and she was offered a synthetic hair piece instead. Golden was told that the Locks of Love organization only gives real-hair wigs to kids with long-term hair loss. According to the Locks of Love website, most of their human hair wigs go to kids with alopecia areata, a disease that causes a person's hair to fall out due to an immune system deficiency that causes follicle damage— not children suffering from cancer. According to Locks of Love Director, Lily Robbins, “[Golden’s] situation needed an immediate solution, which is why a synthetic wig was offered. She could not wait four to five months for a custom prosthe- sis to be made for her. Our hair pieces are given based on the child’s situation, [and the wigs] are custom-made from donated ponytails for each child’s head.” Although Locks of Love restricts hair donations to specific diseases, there are many charitable organizations that donate human hair wigs to children who have lost their hair to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or alopecia areata. Wigs for Kids, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, and Children With Hair Loss are great substitutes for Locks of Love. If you are considering cutting your hair to donate to cancer patients, please consider one of these organizations. The Science of Binge-Watching By Maya Lavinier mlavinierprowler@gmail.com Rocking ratty sweatpants and unbrushed teeth, bleary-eyed fans of every television show imaginable regularly succumb to the allure of binge-watching. For those uninitiated into this phenomenon, binge-watching is the practice of neglecting every aspect of your life and personal hygiene to watch every single episode or even multiple seasons of a show in succession. Over 61 percent of Americans admit indulging in this slothful passtime. A variety of online services like Netflix, Hulu, and others are now making binge-watching more easily accessible to viewers. What takes the crew of Sherlock two years to make, a viewer might watch in a span of about five hours. Now for the science: according to KidsHealth.org, teens between 15 and 18 who watch more than two hours of TV are shown to be more likely to be overweight. Drooling in front of a screen all day only encourages unhealthy eating. Further, the schedule promoted by binge-watching lowers attention spans and leads to less sleep and erratic sleep patterns. According to a study by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, people who watch more than 4 hours of TV a day are 80 percent more likely to suffer heart disease. Binge-watchers often report a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in anxiety, and an overall feeling of dejection once they finish a show. In contrast, binge-watching can also be a good thing when done in moderation. Shortly after semester finals, the TV channel HBO encouraged the practice, suggesting students reward themselves for studying for exams by binge-watching HBO. Fifty-four years earlier, FCC Chairman Newton Minnow directed a speech to the National Association 12 of Broadcasters, condemning the addictive nature of television entertainment and what it can do to our minds. “I invite each of you to sit down in front of your television set... for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you...I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland,” said Minnow. Binge-watching, however, hasn’t hurt the television industry which still gains over 121.1 billion dollars in revenue each year from binge-watching fanatics who willingly pay for subscriptions. An increasing number of Americans binge-watch, and the practice is becoming even more commonplace worldwide. Whether spending an evening catching up on The Walking Dead or marathoning old Shingeki no Kyojin episodes, practice safe binge-watching this February. PROWLER Feature Hipster Hangouts: 5 Dates on a Dime Katie Atkinson katkinsonprowler@gmail.com Is it love in the air? Or is it just the smell of anxiety emanating from those who don't know how they can shell out enough money to pay for Valentine's Day dates this year? Not to worry. Here, we have compiled a list of five things to do this month that will awaken the hipster at heart and won't end up breaking the bank. Photos from weburbanist. com, queenbeecoffee.com, telegraph.co.uk, shreveporttimes.com. 1. Geocaching. While arguably not the most popular dating go-to, geocaching is a great activity for those who are adventurous at heart. Geocaching is a real life treasure hunt that calls for participants to find "caches" (containers) by using GPS-enabled devices to navigate to specified sites. Forget the outrageous dinner wait times. Hop in the car with your Valentine and go on an adventure! For more information visit: geocaching.com. 2. Trivia or Bingo. Offering a twist on the usual dinner date, Mellow Mushroom hosts Trivia Night and Bingo Night on Tuesday and Sunday, respectively. Share a calzone with your cutie and flaunt your competitive side for this fun alternative to a traditional night out. Trivia Night starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Bingo Night begins at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. 4. Thrifting. One man's trash is another man's treasure, right? Maybe your Valentine will agree. This activity is both fun and feasible. Take a trip to the local Goodwill or venture out to more hole-in-the-wall locations and spend time sorting through the used goods offered there. By the end of the day, it won't be just the low prices that will have your heart skipping a beat. 3. Graffiti Hunting. If street art tickles your fancy, graffiti hunting is a great goto. If you can spare the trip to Atlanta, there are many locations that are just waiting to be gazed upon. Krog Street Tunnel, for instance, is well known for its decorated walls. Other forms of street art can be found in places like Little Five Points as well. This activity is a great alternative for those who can't bring themselves to shell out High Museum admission money. 5. Coffee. If you and your sweet are craving something sweet, grabbing coffee is the way to go. Queen Bee Coffee in the McDonough Square is one location that offers affordable drinks and snacks as well as a romantic ambiance to boot. You and your date can score some treats and spend the day lounging on the store's couches while sharing conversation. 13 PROWLER Culture Treat Yourself to Yes Please By Katherine Hancock khancockprowler@gmail.com Known for zany roles in hit movies and TV shows such as Baby Mama, Mean Girls, Saturday Night Live, and Parks and Recreation, Amy Poehler is an actress and comedian who has made quite a name for herself on both the silver screen and the red carpet. Now, Poehler has stepped out from in front of the video camera and picked up paper and pen to make room for herself on your bookshelf in the form of her autobiography Yes Please. It is fun, interesting, and allows readers to get to know Amy apart from the Pawnee Parks Department and SNL’s Weekend Update. The book begins with a look into Poehler’s childhood and upbringing. Born in Newton, MA, she describes her experiences with both the best and worst parts of growing up in the lower middle class, noting the fabricated adventures of seeking neighborhood danger for fun, but also falling asleep to the sound of parents “arguing about car payments and tuition”--real life dangers that most readers have probably experienced themselves. Poehler brings herself increasingly closer to readers through stories of childhood experiences, like the time when a mistake on stage during an elementary school production of The Wizard of Oz led her to fall in love with improvisation. Stories with relatable sentiments pepper the entire book; for example, when Poehler describes the summer she spent waitressing after graduating high school and before starting college, she says, “I was relieved when I had to leave and head to college… I was aching for what came next. I felt my whole life stretched out before me like an invisible buffet.” Seniors, raise your hands if you feel Amy on this. Such anecdotes help readers feel like Poehler is someone just like them who occasionally brushes up against celebrities and appears on the stage of the Primetime Emmy Awards next to Tina Fey (who also happens to be Poehler’s “comedy wife”). Readers get as much of an inside look at a life of improv and show business as they do Poehler’s personal life thanks to her vivid and candid stories and lessons learned from her time in the improv troupe Upright Citizens Brigade, SNL, and Parks and Rec. Poehler recounts stories of glory like when she played Hillary Rodham Clinton next to the actual Hillary Rodham Clinton, or when she performed as a heavily pregnant woman while she was actually very pregnant. This autobiography is smart, heartfelt, and humorous, offering perfect amounts of sarcasm, poignancy, and sage advice to keep readers of all ages and all interests entertained and involved. As readers near the end of the book, they will start to feel like Poehler is sitting next them with her scrapbook open. Say “Yes Please” to taking her up on this experience, and save lots of room for laughter along the way. Rating: 7 out of 10 Better Than: The Book With No Pictures, Bad Habits: A Book of Confessions About Confession Not as Good as: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) You Might Also Enjoy: Not That Kind of Girl, Bossypants The Imitation Game Cracks the Code for Winter Hit By Sarah Johnson sjohnsonprowler@gmail.com Right from the start, The Imitation Game is an entertaining yet emotionally moving film. Based on the novel Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges, both the novel and film are very engaging. Though World War II is the main focus of the film, if you look a little deeper, you see that it is also about the silent war of homosexuality. Benedict Cumberbatch (Star Trek: Into Darkness, Sherlock) gives an excellent performance as Alan Turing, most specifically when he is with or talking about the machine he invents to defeat Enigma. Another outstanding performance is given by Keira Knightley (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Pirates of the Caribbean), who plays the beautiful and smart, Joan Clarke. The Imitation Game could not have come at a better time. While this movie is about war and homophobia, we must ask ourselves, how much has changed? Many of us have progressed from “fixing” homosexuals to embracing them. But despite how far we have come, homophobia still exists. War is still present. No matter who we are fighting, whether it be Al-Qaeda or 14 ISIS, war still exists in our lives and puts fear in our hearts just as it did in The Imitation Game. As a historical drama, The Imitation Game shows us to always move forward, and reminds us of all the loss and heartache the world has seen. This film is extraordinary, and I highly recommend it. Rating: 9 out of 10 Better than: Boyhood, Foxcatcher Not as Good as: The Theory of Everything, American Sniper You Might Also Enjoy: Cake, Big Eyes PROWLER Culture My Favourite Faded Fantasy-- My Favourite New Album By Eli Roberts eroberts@prowler.com Eight years is a long time to wait for something, especially if that something is a much-anticipated album. Damien Rice, an Irish folk musician, recently released a new album titled My Favourite Faded Fantasy after eight years of silence. After the release of his album 9 in 2006 and his first completed world tour, his career seemed to fade into a fondly nostalgic memory. Until late 2014, that is, when the world finally saw the release of My Favourite Faded Fantasy and his announcement of his most recent and currently ongoing world tour. My Favourite Faded Fantasy combines Rice’s older, more acoustic style with a newer style that consists of orchestral instrumentals and falsetto vocals. Songs like “It Takes A Lot to Know a Man” and “Colour Me In” seem to revisit the style of 9 and even that of his first album, O. Others, like “My Favourite Faded Fantasy,” the title song, and “The Greatest Bastard” bring in new elements and a variety of instruments, a contrast to his usual gentle guitar and piano backing. Of course, Rice still plays it safe when it comes to subject matter. He is known for writing his songs about things like heartbreak, cheating, unrequited love, and dysfunctional relationships, and this album stays true to that. However, despite the fact that his songs are all similar in meaning, never once do they seem repetitive or alike in any way. Each track on the album is emotional in its own respect and pulls at the heartstrings with unique lines and ethereal melodies. The only complaint I have with this album is the fact that it only has eight tracks on it-- a disappointing amount of music for such a long waiting period. My Favourite Faded Fantasy both impresses and haunts with its wonderfully deep lyrics and gorgeous instrumentals. After eight years of anticipation, I can safely say it was worth the wait. Rating: 8 out of 10 Better than: Simple Times, 9 Not as good as: Our Endless Numbered Days, O You may also enjoy: Rhythm and Repose, Down the Way Find Out Why Girls Girl Lena Dunham is Not That Kind of Girl Mitchell Mobley mmobleyprowler@gmail.com Not That Kind of Girl, memoir of Girls writer, director, and lead actress Lena Dunham, has made waves for its unapologetic and honest portrayal of what it is to be an unconventional twenty-something. Published Sept. 30, Not That Kind of Girl is a collection of essays, letters, lists, and emails written by Dunham about events in her life that made her who she is. The book is arranged into five sections, each composed of loosely-related essays, lists, and other works, about various aspects of life like “Love & Sex,” “Body,” and “Friendship.” Dunham subtitles her memoir A Young Woman Tells You What She’s Learned, and through multifarious and embellished stories from her childhood and college days, she relays how she has learned a great deal about herself and relationships with those around her. Awkward exes, first times, and absurdities abound from Dunham’s childhood as the daughter of two artists to her adulthood as an HBO series star. HBO doesn’t hand out a TV series to just anyone, but it’s evident from the first page of this memoir why Dunham got Girls: her writing style is unique and entertaining. She almost seems to subscribe to the Jack Kerouac school of thought wherein she performs crazy acts simply because they will be good to write about later. Her syntax is vivid and jarring: “he bought me a hamburger--he is the one who ended my vegetarian streak, for which I will be forever grateful because I grow strong on the blood of animals.” Dunham keeps the reader’s interest with surprising and often hi- 15 larious turns of phrase (“I’m obsessed with the curtains in your van!”) that at times seem like stream-of-consciousness writing. Not That Kind of Girl is an entertaining and lively collection of stories from an award-winning actress and director’s early life. Notably missing are stories from behind the scenes of Girls, or notes on her creative process--likely a disappointment to fans-but this can be overlooked in favor of the wit and absurdity Dunham brings with Not That Kind of Girl. Rating: 6 out of 10 Better Than: Find Me, The Funny Thing Is... Not as Good as: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Bossy Pants You Might Also Enjoy: Yes Please, Dad is Fat PROWLER Culture Selma Stirs Social Sympathy By Devyn Mode dmodeprowler@gmail.com It comes as no surprise that Selma is one of the greatest films to come out in years. The content alone--the fight for equal voting rights by Martin Luther King Jr. and other activists of the 1960s--is captivating and powerful. It is the direction, writing, and acting, however, that evokes viewer emotion, reminding them that these events were not simply a part of history but are still prevalent in today's society. David Oyelowo (Interstellar, Jack Reacher, The Last King of Scotland) gave a moving performance as Martin Luther King Jr. and was among one of the greatest aspects of the film. Another notable performance was that of Stephan James (Home Again, When the Game Stands Tall, Perfect Sisters) who brought to the screen the powerful character of John Lewis. These two actors alone made the film worth the time and money. It is first-time writer Paul Webb, however, who created a production that made myself and every other viewer in the theater cry from beginning to end. Producers spared no brutal scene or heart-wrenching murder, but rather, used those events of the past to call attention to modern-day police brutality and racism. Selma illustrates that power of a movement and determination of a people in both a sophisticated and daring way. I would not just suggest the movie to a friend, Selma, released in early January, is a historical film based on the events in Selma, Alabama in the 1960s. Photo from imdb.com. but to every American. Rating: 9 out of 10 Better Than: Foxcatcher, The Theory of Everything Not as Good as: 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club You Might Also Enjoy: American Sniper, Django Unchained THE RIGHT DOCTOR IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A GOOD HELMET. nta, Inc. All rights reserved. If your child has a head injury and your pediatrician isn’t available, come to Children’s. Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating pediatric concussions. Learn about head injuries at choa.org/concussion. 16 Dedicated to All Better PROWLER Culture Dad is Fat Brings Laughs and Sympathy By Hannah Matthews hmatthewsprowler@gmail.com Comedian Jim Gaffigan endures a parent’s worst nightmare: he and his wife live in a two room apartment with five children in the Big Apple. The struggles he faces seem impossible to bear, but he somehow manages to look at the situation with humor. In his book Dad Is Fat, Gaffigan takes a break from parenting to share the various escapades of his family including, but not limited to, taking his children to church, going to the park, exploring the sights of New York City, and meeting other crazy parents. Before reading even begins, laughs are guaranteed. The insulting title on the cover can be credited to one of Gaffigan’s many children; the sentence was the first she ever wrote. Gaffigan’s stubborn pose on the cover accurately portrays his state of mind as exposed in the novel. In the novel, Gaffigan’s never ending sarcasm and self-deprecating humor make his situations relatable, even to high school students. I’ve never changed a diaper, but after reading Gaffin’s quest to do so, I feel like I suffered through it with him. While you may be scared of having children after reading this book, at least you’ll be able to laugh at the trials of this dad. I didn’t expect to find humor in the trials of a parent, but somehow, I did. The irritated dad on the cover of this book has quite the story to tell. Photo by Hannah Matthews. Rating: 6 out of 10 Better Than: Food: A Love Story, My Dog: The Paradox Not as Good as: Hyperbole and A Half, How To Tell if Your Cat is Trying to Kill You You Might Also Enjoy: Seriously…I’m Kidding, Yes Please Based On the True Story of Chris Kyle, the Deadliest Sniper By Jordan Pridgeon jpridgeonprowler@gmail.com Directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven, Grand Torino), American Sniper made 104 million dollars in its first four days in theaters. Said to become the top R-rated film of the year, American Sniper is based on the story of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, portrayed by Bradley Cooper (The Hangover part I, II, and III, Everybody’s Fine). The film also stars Taya, Kyle’s wife, played by Sienna Miller (The Edge of Love, Interview, Casanova). The movie begins with Kyle’s childhood where he shows potential for becoming a sniper. After calling it quits with his high school girlfriend, Kyle realizes he has a higher calling in life. This leads to him quit his job as a rodeo star and join the Navy SEALs. The movie takes viewers through his intense training, falling in love, war scenes, and losing himself in trying to help others. In between his treacherous and life threatening tours, you learn about how war affects the person he is and how his two children and wife lose sight of the man he was. This movie will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, but it may make them cringe at some of the more gruesome and spine-chilling scenes. Inspirational at the least, the 160 kills Kyle made in his career saved more of the SEALs and Marines lives than 17 any other SEAL team member. He spent the tours chasing a terrorist sniper known as “The Butcher.” This leads to Kyle becoming known as a legend and hero throughout the military community and back at home. From losing friends to changing his life, you never lose interest for a second. This must watch movie to leaves movie goers in silence. If there’s one movie to go see this year, this is it. Rating: 9 out of 10 You Might Also Enjoy: Lone Survivor , Zero Dark Thirty Better Than: Green Zone, In the Valley of Elah Not ss Good as: Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker PROWLER Sports Varsity Girls Basketball Shoots Through Season By Sydney Steele ssteeleprowler@gmail.com The Union Grove Varsity Lady Wolverines dribbled their way to the end of their basketball season, fighting for every win they earned. “The team is not always judged on winning and losing but how they work as a whole,” said Mr. Nick Ellis, athletic director. The Union Grove team faced their ultimate rival, Ola Dec. 5. The Union Grove team scored a triumph of 33-25 over the Mustangs. They faced Ola again on Dec. 20 and won again with a score of 42-31. “The girls are just a good team; they probably pass too much because they don’t mind sharing the ball,” said Head Coach Dock Gammage. The whole team has improved since the first game and they are hoping to get into the top four region tourney. “We are striving to become a team that plays as one and we are doing our best which is all we can ask of each other,” said Hannah Ambrose, junior. In the Jan. 6 game against McIntosh, the ball simply did not bounce their way with a score of 42-34. Some of the key players on the team were Rickese Brooks, junior, and Shade Tate, senior. “We haven’t been doing as we planned, but we have five regular season games remaining and plan to win all hopefully,” said Rickese Brooks, senior. The Lady Wolverines secure another win Sat. Jan. 24 against Locust Grove with a score of 3528. Photo by Jordan Pridgeon. The team dominated the court against Locust Grove Jan. 24 and won with a score of 35-18. “Based on wins and losses, people might say we have not had such a good season, but we all love playing as a team and we are definitely capable of great things,” said Kara Spivey, sophomore. Wrestlers Pin Down Major Win at South Metro By Jordan Pridgeon jpridgeonprowler@gmail.com Attending more tournaments than ever, the Union Grove Varsity Wrestling team has had one of the busiest season in years. The team won the South Metro Tournament and placed in the top six at State Duals. "This is the best season we've had in several years, and we've placed top two at a lot of big tournaments," said Noah Craft, senior. According to Coach Chad Kollert, what makes the team work is that everyone has their own skills they bring with them to the team. More recently the team has really brought those skills together. "Leading up to the State Tournament you could really see the change from an individual to team mindset, especially showing in the match against Alexander at State Duals," said AJ Spencer, senior. Some of the key players were Davion Farley, Justin Gittimier, Justin Ruffin, sophomores, and Noah Craft, AJ Spencer, Luke Parker, Ian Sehumchur, seniors. "We've had the best season that I have ever been a part of here at UGHS; great team chemistry 18 always helps in everything we do," said Parker. The Union Grove Varsity Wrestling Team get second at Area. Special Photo by Kate Dougherty. PROWLER Sports Boys Basketball: Overtime Champions By Jordan Pridgeon jpridgeonprowler@gmail.com Starting off their season with a win against Luella Nov. 18, the Union Grove Varsity Basketball Team was down by 13 but in overtime they came back and won 74-71. “We played surprisingly well considering it was our first game of the year," said Head Coach Russ Atkins. The team had several close calls including the Luella and Locust Grove games where both were won in overtime. On Jan. 13 the team had another win against Starrs Mill with a score of 51-49. "I like our work ethic and believe we will be playing well when the Region Tournament gets here Feb. 10," said Coach Atkins. Some of the seniors who have stepped up this year and had a positive impact on the team's success are Nate Williams, Khalil Williams, Robby Fouch, and Cameron Lindsey. "We plan to make a big push in the coming weeks even though we started off things pretty slow, but the season's picking up," said Fouch. According to Coach Atkins, each player brings a different skill of great value to the team as a whole. Saturday, Jan. 24 the team lost to Locust Grove with a score of 52-50. Boys fall short of a win against Locust Grove Sat. Jan. 24 with a score of 52-50. Photo by Jordan Pridgeon. 19 PROWLER Man on the Street What is Your Dream Valentine’s Date? “Jennifer Lawrence in District 12,” said Govinda Khara, senior. “Mellow mushroom with Melanie Iglesias,” said Julian Novoa, senior. “Beyoncé because she is flawless,” said Phelix Stewart, freshman. “A picnic with Michael Clifford,” said Gracie McVey, freshman. “A trip to the moon with Haley Atwell,” said Tj Johnson, junior. “Anywhere with my boyfriend,” said Lexi Morris, sophomore. 20 “Ice skating with Theo James,” said Sarah Joiner, junior. “A concert,” said Isatou Jata, senior.