Featured Articles

October 9th, 2020

The Season of Pumpkin Spice, Fall Football, and Cozy Sweaters

By Samantha Marsans | Photo by Samantha Marsans

Autumn has arrived and at long last, sunny and crisp days pair with warm, fuzzy sweaters and a steaming cup of apple cider. But what do people want exactly? Not everyone, of course, would enjoy pumpkin spice in the form of a latte over a candle or watching football instead of going pumpkin picking. This prompted us to poll over 300 people in the Apex community to figure out what exactly do the citizens of Apex consider the best part of autumn.

When considering the most favorable aspects of fall, the choices included: the crisp weather, cozy sweaters and blankets, fall festivities, football, fall foliage, seasonal candles and scents, and pumpkin spiced everything. Due to autumn's cult following, the results of this poll poured in within the first few minutes. Based on the plethora of ads depicting suburban women bonding over steaming mugs of pumpkin spice lattes, it would be reasonable to assume that seasonal food would be the clear champion. To much surprise, the food category had actually ranked the lowest with only 1.1%. Even seasonal candles and scents ranked higher at 1.4%.

Within the first hour, it became abundantly clear that Mother Nature's work, for 63.6% of people, made up the best parts of autumn. Cozy sweaters and blankets ranked second, however, at 17.9% and fall festivities came in third with 10.1%.

Upon consideration, it makes sense that crisp weather would come in first as it makes up the entirety of autumn. Without the cold weather and breezy sunny days, there would be no need for cozy sweaters or warm beverages and without fall foliage there would be no real way to mark the passing of time. Not to mention how hot, rotting pumpkins on a front porch would not fit in with the fall aesthetic.

Covid-19 Threatens Small Businesses

By Avery LeMay | Photo by Avery LeMay

Regardless of size, no business prepared for a pandemic, but many larger ones could survive this. However, many local businesses face a different situation. Throughout the pandemic, Congress has approved $700 billion to support small businesses. Unfortunately, this money could not keep all businesses operating. According to the Washington Post, in May, over 100,000 businesses had to close for good.

With the money from Congress, local businesses have received loans from organizations or their county, with some organizations like the Small Business Association providing loans up to $150,000. Again, this proved insufficient; "The process was too slow, and the money covers only about two months of expenses, if that, even though it's likely to be months before restaurants, gyms and stores are full again," said Bridget McGinty, a Cleveland restaurant owner.

Despite many businesses having to close, some still can stay open but have been forced to adjust to a new way of operating. All businesses require a face covering, and in some cities like Denver and even states like Arizona, curfews exist. Many restaurants have still decided that they will no longer be letting customers dine in, but will allow takeout.

The pandemic hit local restaurants the hardest, with most small business closings being restaurants. This, however, has caused many of them to come up with new ways to keep sales up. Many have introduced curbside pick-up and meal donations. "You buy two meals; we donate one" specials help give back to the community while keeping up sales. Restaurants in downtown Apex like Scratch and Salem Street Pub have added additional outdoor seating to maintain sales.

Covid-19 has impacted every small business in one way or another. Readers may be asking themselves, "What can I do to help?" One surefire way to support local businesses would be shopping and eating local.

September 18th, 2020

Remote Learning v. Face-to-Face

By Julia Rowland | Photos by Julia Rowland

Welcome, one and all, to the 2020-2021 school year. Directly following the announcement that AFHS would be entirely virtual for the first quarter of the new semester, concerns and challenges surfaced as an entirely new set of rules went into play. The first few weeks of school have been filled with unheard of changes to the educational system and the implementation of extremely unique learning techniques. The changes to an average school day for teachers and students have caught nearly everyone off guard, leading to technical difficulties in classrooms and uncertainties regarding how and when to turn in assignments. Still, the problems that arise with learning via computer can also be matched with numerous benefits. Now the question remains: How different will online learning be?

The term "a new normal" has been tossed around since the beginning of the pandemic, and, in the case of schools, "a new normal" may be more true than most students realize. One main difference between online and in person learning has to do with the daily school schedule. Instead of heading from class to class each day with only a lunch break in the afternoon, the asynchronous instruction time which lasts about 40 minutes after the live portion of class, gives students time to work on their homework, ask their teachers questions, decompress with some down-time, or chat with their friends. These brain-breaks can be very helpful for students who prefer having time after class to study or relax without having to go to another class immediately. Besides, with online learning, many students can work at their own pace. "I like how we have scheduled Google Meet times because it keeps me on a little bit of a schedule but I like being in person better because it's easier to quickly ask questions and communicate with other people" says Abby Cowell, a junior at AFHS.

Study groups represent another reason why face-to-face school differs from online. Now that schools, libraries, and almost all locations where students can hang out and study for school have been either closed down or pelted with restrictions, it inevitably becomes more difficult to find somewhere to form a study group with friends. However, thanks to the convenience of the internet, now study groups can be created anywhere. By using platforms such as Zoom, GoToMeeting, and ol' reliable Skype, students can share their screens, discuss projects, play Kahoots, or just talk and catch up. It may not be the same as hanging out in person, but it can still allow students to absorb and retain the material better while also chatting with friends.

Remember the good old days when teens had to wake up at 5:00-6:00 in the morning to get ready for school, have a quick breakfast, and then dash out the door to catch the school bus? It seems like so long ago, considering that today's students can wake up later, go to school in pajamas, and eat breakfast during class. This shows another important deviation from the norm. When asked to describe online learning, Nicholas Willets, an AFHS junior, states that "it has its perk(s) like the fact that I get more sleep." Since sleep deprivation has been such a problem for teenagers, proven by the most recent National Sleep Foundation study that showed how "more than 87 percent of high school students in the United States get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours, and the amount of time they sleep is decreasing," online learning may give students more time to catch up on the years of sleep that they usually miss. After all, getting more sleep has been proven to have innumerable benefits, including improved physical and mental health.

A survey asking students at AFHS about how virtual learning has been going so far has led to a variety of responses, with the consensus being that students mainly prefer in person learning, though online has not been substandard so far. Bree Lavender, a sophomore at AFHS, says, "it's very different from what we usually do, and it's a big change. It's something that I can definitely get used to though and I think it'll be a good semester." This likely has a lot to do with the extraordinary amount of time and effort teachers and staff have been putting into classes in order to make this transition even smoother. Ella Kate Clodfelter, an Apex Friendship sophomore, feels that "the teachers are all doing a good job!" By moving classes online, sorting out tech difficulties in classrooms, being approachable and willing to help the students struggling with new procedures, and even getting certified to teach different classes due to the lack of available teachers, the staff at AFHS has been going above and beyond to make this year as accommodating and easy to navigate as possible.

After being asked in a survey how they feel about online learning, a majority of students have said that their teachers make it so that learning virtually can be far more manageable. "I think it's gone pretty well so far, all the teachers are doing a really great job at making sure everyone understands things and that everyone has the tools they need to learn the new material. They have all been really kind and understanding and overall I think AFHS has done a great job with virtual learning," AFHS sophomore Gabrielle Spehar commented.

Although the changes that have enveloped this school year may seem like too much to handle, and uncertainties still cloud the future, having hope can be very important to retaining a positive mindset. This year, it would be a good idea for students to hope for the best while preparing for the worst and try to make the best out of a chaotic situation. By doing so, AFHS truly can make today, and every day, a great day.

May 27, 2020 

Predictions for the 2021 School Year

By Julia Rowland

As the 2020 school year came to an abrupt end, leaving high school seniors mourning the unsatisfying end to their 12-year journey, underclassmen have begun to wonder what the future holds for the year 2021. Will there be more online school? Will rising seniors be able to walk across a stage? Will students participate in the activities that they have been invested in for so long? While no one has all of the answers yet, read on to hear some predictions for the 2021 school year.

While the future cannot be known, the fact remains that students will be returning to vastly different circumstances around the world whenever schools reopen. In fact, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made an announcement stating that state education officials will be partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in an effort to "revolutionize" and "reimagine" education from grades K-12 whenever schools reopen. They hope to incorporate more technology, in order to make learning more effective. A more extreme example can be seen with the replacement of teachers with an education software program in a school just outside of Detroit. With educators now relying more heavily on technology, one has to wonder what will come next for education in all schools.

Setting aside questions about technology and new policies regarding the education system, there have been many students feverishly waiting for news on what schools will look like when they do finally open again. Though not much information has been released yet, it can be assumed that numerous changes will be made in school budgets, seeing how they rely on state and local revenue. Due to the economic issues prevalent in the world today, there will likely be far less money put in schools. The lack of money in the budget coupled with continued social distancing could potentially lead to fewer extracurricular activities such as art, music, and physical education as part of the school day. The time may instead be dedicated to academic core subjects. As of right now, no one can say for sure. Still, students should prepare for changes.

More speculations have been flying regarding what school will actually be like. Will there be social distancing in classrooms and cafeterias? How many times a day will students and teachers wash their hands? State Board of Education chairman Eric Davis believes that students will be experiencing many changes. "We're going to be doing a lot of hand washing," Davis said at a virtual town hall meeting. "We're going to be really focused on hygiene. We probably will not be gathering in large groups. We may be eating lunch in our classrooms." There may not be as many, if any, extracurricular activities, and there could be rotating classes or teachers using technology to teach their classes.

Although many of the potential changes to the coming year have not been made clear, there will be positives to the situation all students have been put in. Colleges around the world sympathize with students and have been making changes to accommodate these circumstances. Juniors who have yet to take an SAT may not have to. Colleges worldwide have begun dropping the requirement for SAT scores for 2020 and 2021 students. In fact, some have been considering dropping them permanently. While not all schools have embraced the policy, around 51 schools announced over the past month that they will "drop the requirement of SAT or ACT score for admissions next year, including Colgate University, Vassar College, Williams College, and Boston University, among others." Colleges do not plan on making this experience more difficult. In fact, many have been putting a good amount of effort into taking pressure off of students so that they can succeed.

All of the numerous changes that will be occurring in the 2021 school year cannot be completely predicted; however, until it arrives, students can still speculate and wonder what the future of education holds. No one can really change the circumstances of the next year, so the best that students can do is change how they view them. After all, these next few years will be history in the making, so we might as well make it good.

How The Theater Department Got Their Show

By Daniela Paris | Photos by Abby Robisch

When Athena Reaves, the AFHS theater department head, heard of the possibility that the spring production of Cinderella would have to be canceled due to COVID-19, she immediately began brainstorming ideas with Mr. Whitley, the AFHS tech theater teacher, and Mrs. Brooks, the AFHS dance teacher, to make sure the hardworking cast and crew still got to experience the show.

School musical productions often take months to plan. For Cinderella, a musical that involves an array of time-specific costumes and sets, planning began months in advance, Reaves said. The musical overall took about five months of planning with the production staff and three months of working with students. In October of 2019, discussions began for designs, casting, and costumes, and Reaves applied for the show's rights and royalties. By December, the cast began meeting for rehearsals, and by January, a team of student designers had started working with Whitley to develop the set.

By March 12th, news had begun spreading of the Coronavirus and possible school closings-Reaves, Whitley, and Brooks, discussed this one Thursday morning, and Reaves suggested inviting parents to the next day's tech rehearsal. Whitley and Brooks loved the idea, so after running it past Mr. Kasapidis and Mr. Wight, Reaves and Kasapidis drafted a formal letter inviting the cast, crew, and orchestra's parents to the dress rehearsal. At that day's rehearsal, she informed the entire cast, crew, and pit how Friday's tech rehearsal would go.

That night, however, problems arose when Governor Cooper called for the cancellation of all gatherings of more than 100 people. "I was scared we weren't even going to get our tech rehearsal that day," Reaves said. She got up early the next day to meet Mr. Wight at the school, who confirmed that the tech rehearsal would continue-the Governor's order wouldn't go into effect until the following day. "I hugged him with tears in my eyes. I couldn't speak. All I wanted at that point was for these kids to perform for their parents," Reaves said.

"The performance itself was beyond words," Whitley said, adding, "While it was still a rehearsal and we ran into bad transitions, costume malfunctions, missed cues, and the like, the students realized that this was their one chance to lay it all out and they did...While not ideal circumstances, I believe that performance was the best possible scenario and for what it was, it was perfect."

Reaves agreed, saying, "This was one of the best experiences and memories of my life... It was brilliant to watch the kids in character, diving in, just putting all of their hard work into this one production. The parents loved this performance. They were clapping and cheering them on. They loved it. I loved it. It was such a memorable moment. The kids were so grateful, the parents were so grateful and I was so proud."

Marysa Gavankar, a senior who worked as the stage manager for Cinderella, said the tech show became especially memorable as the last day of her senior year, even though some minor mishaps occurred. "None of us expected that it was going to be our only performance, so it was quite a shock when we found out. I spent most of the day trying to write cues and get everything ready. I even remember crying in the tech booth an hour before [the show] opened because I didn't have black clothes to wear. Yet despite everything, it all came together beautifully. I'll never forget that show and I truly believe it was the best production our school has ever done... Cinderella made my last day of high school absolutely magical, and I wouldn't change it for the world," she said.

All in all, though Reaves managed to get some money back from rented costumes, backdrops, and lighting instruments, the theater department lost around six thousand dollars, Whitley and Reaves said, mostly from rentals, royalties, and construction costs. The loss will have a large impact on how the department will run in the future, and will bring some cutbacks. Reaves and Whitley anticipate reusing the Cinderella set for next year to save money, and possibly producing more modern shows in order to cut costs on costumes and props. "We do what we can to keep going," Reaves said.

Regardless, the experience came with some positives. "I was absolutely astounded by everyone's ability to overcome the awful situation and put on one of the most amazing and truthful performances I have ever seen," Whitley said, adding that the situation stressed for him the importance of giving back to his community and supporting those around him. "​This whole COVID experience has been difficult... We all have had events canceled because of it," Reaves said. She continued, "My heart goes out to all of the students who aren't going to get their last musical performance, their last prom, their graduation. I've learned so many things-we can do anything. But most importantly-I relearned how much I love my community at AFHS."

How Does AFHS Feel About Online Learning?

By Julia Rowland | Graphs by Julia Rowland 

Remote learning. These two words have the capability to make students either smile or gag. The first few weeks of online learning have come and gone, making days blend together. The many pros and cons remain extensive, and most students have had time to form a concrete opinion about whether or not they like online learning so far. In a survey given to AFHS students, mixed results show that teens have varying reactions and emotions about learning from home. Read on to see the results of the survey and learn how AFHS students have reacted to online learning.

What To Do While Stuck Inside

By Julia Rowland | Photo by Julia Rowland

With the words "social distancing" becoming more infamous with each passing day in quarantine, many people have begun to feel the effects of the current state-wide lockdown. The importance of social distancing cannot be overstated, as it has the potential to "flatten the curve" and stop hospitals from being overloaded. Although all residents of North Carolina have been vigorously encouraged to remain indoors, this does not mean that mass boredom must derive from these most unfavorable circumstances. Read on for a list of activities to alleviate boredom while stuck inside for quarantine.

Virtually Explore The World

The magic of the internet can provide a multitude of opportunities for entertainment during quarantine for restless travel-lovers who feel confined by their four walls. By visiting websites such as vjv.com, anyone can be virtually transported to numerous famous locations from the Taj Mahal to Venice, Italy. Another place to virtually visit could be the Smithsonian National Zoo. The Smithsonian holds many exhibits that contain live cameras, so visitors can see the animals in their habitats from the comfort of their own homes. Though cabin fever will likely get worse before it gets better, with the expansive world wide web so accessible, others can get away from their mundane surroundings and explore the world virtually from home.

Attend a Live-Streamed Concert

Ever wonder what it would be like to see multiple famous musicians perform live? Wonder no longer, because due to the current worldwide quarantine, performers have begun to live-stream their music for their fans to enjoy from a screen. #PayItForwardLIVE, a weekly live stream starring the biggest names in entertainment, will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET/5PM PT. Be a part of this musical movement and witness an unforgettable concert via the internet by visiting #PayItForwardLIVE.

Forget Fandango and Stream From Home

Break out the popcorn and find the remote, because new movies will now be available for streaming. Though it can be boring to sit at home all day, finding fun ways to pass the time can be the key to maintaining one's sanity during these uneventful days, and no better cure for boredom exists than movie night. Platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ offer a wide variety of movies and TV shows to enjoy while stuck in the house, and other movies recently filmed have begun to be released to the public to rent. Instead of paying for movie tickets and overpriced theater snacks, gather up the family and binge whatever show looks intriguing that day. Not only will it be a great way to bond and spend some free time, but there also won't be any loud movie-goers to shush.

Keep a Journal or Write a Blog

The year 2020 will always be remembered, written about in history books and taught to children and grandchildren long after the crisis subsides. Due to the historical significance of this time, a few moments a day could be spent writing a journal, or a blog for those who prefer typing, recording impressions and thoughts about this chapter of history. If not for oneself, perhaps journaling could benefit historians in the future. "As historians, we rely on those daily reports to figure out what actually happened on the ground," said Victoria Cain, an associate professor of history at Northeastern University, adding, "It really offers us insight into how society and culture worked at a time of tragedy, or crisis, or just chaos."

Catch Up On Sleep

The importance of getting enough sleep can be fairly self-explanatory, especially to those who must wake up at the crack of dawn each morning, and although sleep has often been a luxury that many teens cannot afford due to a lack of flexibility with morning schedules, now that online learning has started being implemented, students can finally sleep in more and get the rest that they need. According to The Department of Health and Human Services, "deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults." With the newfound free time that teens will be experiencing indefinitely, catching up on years of improper rest can end up making an impactful difference.

Finding ways to pass the time may not seem like a priority with everything going on in the world; however, underestimating the importance of keeping spirits high and maintaining positivity could lead to poor mental health. Try watching a movie or virtually visiting the zoo whenever boredom creeps up in order to seize each and every day while staying home.