Tag Archives: Melanie Parrish

Features

‘Doctor Who’ reaches its 50th year

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By Melanie Parrish

Don’t blink. Blink, and miss what is quite possibly one of the biggest Doctor Who events since its revival in 2005: the 50th anniversary of the show.

Doctor Who is a BBC show that has become incredibly popular in both England and America. Sophomore Megan Adams described it as a show about “a humanoid-looking alien that travels through time and space, bringing along humans to participate in his adventures.”

Junior Morgan Schultz said that this time-traveling alien, known only as the Doctor, helps his human companions to realize what they have been missing in life.

An alien called a Time Lord, the Doctor has the ability to “regenerate” when he is about to die, giving him an entirely new body and personality. These regenerations are what has allowed Doctor Who to continue for 50 years as of Nov. 23, 2013.

“I like how the regenerations allow the show to change,” said sophomore Patrick Crabtree. “Every episode is a movie-quality episode.” Crabtree said that the way the main character changes is one of the things that sets Doctor Who apart from other TV shows.

The 50th anniversary was commemorated by a special hour and 15-minute-long episode featuring both past Doctors and companions, as well as a special appearance by actor John Hurt as the War Doctor. Many Doctor Who fans, or “Whovians,” are very excited about this aspect.

“I want to see how the Doctor interacts with his past reincarnations,” said junior Bethany Arterburn.

Sophomore Zach Thomerson said that one of the things he is most looking forward to about the new episode is seeing Matt Smith, who plays the Eleventh Doctor, and David Tennant, who plays the Tenth, together.

The new episode of Doctor Who will be shown in theaters TODAY ONLY (Monday, Nov. 25), at 7:30 and 10 p.m. at the Regal Theater in New Albany. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to see the Doctor on the big screen.

Features

Hart Strings share story of success

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By Megan Johnson and Melanie Parrish

Almost two years ago, three young men turned Georgetown upside down, when they came together to form “The Hart Strings.”

FC graduates Ted Hartog, Gannon Yeaton and Jared Murray formed the folk band in February 2012, almost two years ago. Since then, senior John Renfrow and FC graduate Josh Druin have joined the band, as Yeaton and Murray headed off to college.

“The band has become more versatile since it began, thanks to Josh and John,” said Hartog, the lead singer for the Hart Strings.

“I’d seen a poster for their benefit concert and I thought ‘I just have to be in this band’,” said Renfrow.

Hartog continued to explain how the addition has allowed them to experiment more in their songwriting and makes it easier to find their sound. He also explained his thought process when it comes to songwriting.

“At the end of the day, you have to feel like you are singing your own song, your own mind and your own heart.”

When it comes to lyrics, Hartog looks towards his own experiences, “The lyrics for my music comes from the way I interpret certain life events. Whether its a break up or my move to college, I try to write the way that I talk.”

Hartog also shared that his inspiration is just an ongoing need to understand the world around him.

Now, this once small-town band is becoming big. On Nov. 16 and 17 the video for one of the band’s newer songs, “Sharp,” was featured in the New York Denouement Film (NYDEF) Festival. Band members Hartog, Renfrow and Druin were not able to attend; however, their productions developer and director of the music video, Patryk Larney, was there representing them.

Senior Kit Repine shared her experience in working with the Hart Strings. Repine acted as an audience member during the “Sharp” music video.

“We all had to pretend to be really hyped up, so we just jumped around while they shot the scene over and over again,” she said.

Repine said that she had been a fan since last October, long before the “Sharp” video.

“All of our fans are pretty collected and cool,” said Renfrow.

“We appreciate all the loyal support. We just really love you guys. You’re awesome.”

If you would like more information on the Hart Strings and their music visit their website at www.thehartstrings.com

Features, Uncategorized

Electronic cigarettes hit high school

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By Delaney Smith and Melanie Parrish

e-cig graphic
Based on a survey of 200 students.

Formaldehyde is a chemical used to embalm dead bodies. It is used in plywood and some glues, and is a known cancer-causing agent. This dangerous fluid is also a component in both traditional cigarettes and the newer “e-cigs.”

In 2007, cigarette companies came up with a new alternative to smoking conventional cigarettes. These new products are called electronic cigarettes.  Studies have shown that in three out of 10 e-cigs, the levels of formaldehyde come close to the amount in a normal cigarette.

This new alternative has been getting mixed reviews from users and nonusers alike. With electronic cigarettes not having been thoroughly tested yet, it is more of personal opinion on how harmful these products can be to people who smoke them and people around them.

“I don’t think it will hurt people in the long run because they are not harmful like normal cigarettes are,” said senior Timon Stermer.

Sophomore Tristan Barnes disagreed.

“I do believe that these are still harmful because of the nicotine addiction,” said Barnes.

E-cigs still do contain nicotine, which is a very addictive substance, so there is an age restriction on who can buy these. People have to be 18 years old or older to buy e-cigs, just as if they were buying traditional cigarettes. However, this does not mean that it is difficult for a minor to obtain one.

“It’s easy to get ahold of an e-cig because half of FC’s senior class is already 18 and some of them buy them for their younger friends without a problem,” said Stermer.

With these being fairly easy for FC students to obtain, there have been reports of students smoking electronic cigarettes in classrooms while the teachers are gone, in the hallways, and in bathrooms.

“We treat them like a tobacco product. So as of this year, if you get caught in possession of or smoking an electronic cigarette it will result in one day in-school suspension and one day out,” said assistant principal of student development Joe Voelker. Not all students agree with equating e-cigs with traditional cigarettes, though.

“Cigarettes are harmful to you and others. E-cigs aren’t. The penalty should be less stiff,” said Stermer.

One main concern with the anti-electronic cigarette groups is the different flavorings available, such as bubble gum and cotton candy, which are designed to target a younger crowd. According to Health News from NPR, the percentage of students in grades 6 through 12 who have ever used any type of cigarette has increased from 3.3 percent in 2011 to 6.8 percent in 2012.

“Teens are more likely to like the flavor and smell. . . so they may pay more attention to them,” said sophomore Saide Martinez.

“We had several kids caught with these last year, it seemed like we were dealing with them on a regular basis. Since the consequence was raised, we haven’t seen near as many electronic cigarettes in school in the last three or four weeks,” said Voelker.

Still not thoroughly tested by the FDA, there is no way to know for sure if electronic cigarettes are as bad as the traditional.

“Until it is proven that [electronic cigarettes] are not as bad as normal cigarettes, I would not say 100 percent that they are, although there’s always a chance,” said sophomore Zach Yagle.

News, Uncategorized

Vietnam Memorial Wall shines new light on veteran respect

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By Melanie Parrish, Delaney Smith and Megan Johnson

Walking up to the wall is an emotional journey to many of the people there. Tears are shed as people trace over names of loved ones that were lost all those years ago. Not all of the people who gave their lives were killed in battle. Many of them put others before themselves, risking their lives, on Sept. 11, 2001 to help people that could not help themselves while they were trapped in the burning towers when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center.

“I feel that you should treat a veteran with as much respect as you would your best friend,” said  sophomore Aidan Holt, a former NJROTC cadet.

The memorial, which was in Clarksville from Aug. 14-18, displays a small scale replica of the original Vietnam Memorial wall as well as replicas of many other memorials honoring the people who have died for the country. This includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and multiple 9/11 memorials. FC NJROTC proudly carried the honor of posting the colors at 1 p.m. on Aug.15.

“It made my heart hurt for those who have lost [loved ones],” said sophomore Joel Jackson, who attended the event.

Jackson said that he believes the wall honors everyone in the way they deserve, and hopes that people visiting, including himself, would take a moment to remain silent and reflect upon what they had seen.

“The area where the wall was standing was almost silent.”  

This memorial means something different for each individual that visits. 

“It means more than just a wall with a whole bunch of names. I think it meant that people risked their lives for everything that we know,” said Holt.

Some say veterans were treated very harshly when they first arrived home from the war. The wall is intended to honor these veterans.

“When we arrived home in Washington, protesters spit at us and hollered. We were just doing our jobs,” said retired Army Artilleryman Bud Downard.

Former Air Force Captain Jeri Rue agreed that veterans should be treated with more respect.

“They gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We need to do more for the ones that come back that are handicapped veterans and that society needs to do more for them. Veterans are very honored. I just wish the economy was stronger so they would have better jobs for when they come out of service,” said Rue.

About 9,870,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from Aug. 15, 1964 to May 7, 1975. According to Standown.org, about one third of homeless adults in the US are veterans. Veterans represent about 11 percent of the population, meaning that anywhere between 107,000 and 300,000 are homeless and/or out of work. The Department of Veteran Affairs stated that the number of homeless Vietnam veterans is higher than the number of fatalities during the war.

“Veterans deserve good VA (Veteran Administrations). They deserve to be taken care of when they have problems,” said Downard.

Downard explained that during the time of the war that his job as a specialist fourth class was to fire cannons at the Vietnamese. He remembers the living conditions of the war most vividly, as camps consisting of holes dug in the ground with sandbags on top. 

“They gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We need to do more for the ones that come back that are handicapped veterans. Society needs to do more for them,” said Rue.

Holt shared his finial opinion on respecting veterans.

“I think a good way to honor veterans is to show your greatest respect and gratitude to them and their families.”