THE

WASHINGTONIAN
SHOWCASE

EDITION

THE WASHINGTONIAN
A product of the Creative Writing Magnet,
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

INSIDE THIS SHOWCASE

2023 EDITION:
'Pressure to Shine' Pg 3-4

It's About Time!

Pg 5-6
Showcase Returns

Kaylen Takes Manhattan Pg 11

Wednesday: A look into Pg 12-13

modern re-telling

Slang: Do we know what

Pg 14
Gen Z's saying?

Ask Ferro Pg 24

Jace White's 'Accidental

Pg 27
Intention'

Wordsmith of the Month Pg 30

Cover Art: "Great Day" by Sabrina Mejia

'Pressure to Shine'
BTW's 2023 Showcase
by Jalaiya Gilmore & Aden Stricklin

“All of your pieces have been cut out

of the Showcase and you have 20
minutes to come up with something
new.” Those were the words heard on
the last day of BTW showcase
rehearsals of 2019 with only 20
minutes of rehearsal left.

Photo by Terron Baldwin

Quite a few participants were crying, from freshman classmates to seniors

who felt that their last time to shine was taken from them. There had already
been feelings of pressure since the beginning of the school year, but now
they are becoming overwhelming as Showcase draws near.

BTW’s motto, Excellence in All Things, was "not developed to create

pressure," Principal Quesha Starks says. "The motto was developed to inspire
students to embrace struggle to achieve their full potential ... We hope that
our students who apply to BTW and who are accepted know that nurturing
one’s gifts and talents is about maximizing student potential."

Some freshmen say their pressure to shine comes more from their parents
than the school. They say BTW's expectation makes them think they have to
push themselves harder because of the great standard the school is held up
to and not wanting to disappoint parents, peers, and teachers. When asked
how they cope with the pressure, some say they listen to music, journal, or
meditate.

"BTW’s students are born to

shine, and accepting a place at
the school requires students to
believe in themselves as we
believe in them to achieve
'Excellence in All Things' "

~Dr. Quesha Starks

Photos by Kynnedi Tate

 BTW’s motto, Excellence in
All Things, was "not
developed to create
pressure. The motto was
developed to inspire
students to embrace struggle
to achieve their full
potential ... We hope that our
students who apply to BTW
and who are accepted know
that nurturing one’s gifts
and talents is about
maximizing student
potential."

Dr. Quesha
Starks

As showcases this year have become ever more competitive, there’s more
pressure to get into showcase without pieces being cut three and four
times, students having to come up with something new each time. When
seniors were asked how they deal with pressure, some read, take time for
themselves, or just deal with it as a sink-or-swim situation.

Teachers when asked about the pressure to shine students feel, all
unanimously had the same response: That all students go through pressure.
Some say that it bothers them when students focus too much on being the
greatest and not enough on having fun.

When asked if students ever come to them with feelings of overwhelming

pressure, teachers say often, especially around Showcase, because they
feel like they haven’t done enough and have fallen short of the school’s
expectations.

Nevertheless, students have overcome this pressure placed on them from

parents, expectations, and uncertainty, to produce the first showcase in
nearly four years.

"We have so much more that we can and will achieve as a school community
in our “New Dawn and New Day,” Dr. Starks says.

"If BTW has produced physicians, attorneys, teachers, Tony Award winners,
and Grammy nominees with limited resources," she adds, "imagine how
much more we will achieve with an instructional space that compliments
the gifts and talents of our alumni, current students, and future students.
Showcase:
It's About Time
by Daryl Ramon Thomas Jr.

It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights. For the first time in nearly
four years, BTW is putting on its premiere Showcase production.

The event is a schoolwide affair, with every magnet having some level of inclusion.
Quite a spark has been lit in the BTW family, and Showcase is close to the only
thing that students can talk about.

“I heard it’s great," said Saif Tanveer, a freshman in the Piano magnet. "I’m really
excited to see how it turns out.”

According to junior Maya Tyynismaa, the Visual Arts students are having an
enjoyable, relaxed showcase preparation experience.

“It’s pretty laid back, we’re just submitting our stuff and that’s it," Maya said. "I’m
very excited; I want my fellow classmates to feel appreciated so I will be there and
support them.”

Not all is well in the house of commons though.

“I hear a lot of people are suffering," Maya adds, "and that it’s a little bit of a
mess.”

Maya’s perspective holds as one of the tamer among showcase participants. Down
the hall from the art room, Musical Theater student Will Miller feels rather
strongly about Showcase.

“I feel like the students aren’t getting much say in what they get to do in their own
show.”
 Dr. Lamese Lockett coaching and preparing vocals for Showcase 2023 Photos by Kynnedi Tate

“It feels like

Will has attended BTW for three years, and this is
it's scripted, his first time getting to participate in Showcase. He
feels a great amount of disappointment in his
it’s not experience.
authentic.
"Showcase is supposed to show other schools what
Make it like BTW’s capable of, bring in students, and just be a
show for the students to showcase their talent," he
we actually
added. "We’re not being allowed to have that
have an creative freedom that I’ve seen in the past.”

opinion in it. In reflecting on his own viewpoint, Will took the

It doesn’t feel time to share some of the feelings he has heard
permeating about the Musical Theater Magnet.
like we do.” Many musical theater students, along with their
-Taylor Franklin performance pieces, have been cut from Showcase

“Let us choose our pieces. The musical theater

magnet has had like five pieces cut. Every time we
do something, she cuts it," Will said. "Now we’re on
a new piece, and we don’t know if it’s going to get
cut or not. Now we don’t know if musical theater’s
going to be in showcase, and that’s one of the
reasons I came to BTW.”

Bandmaster Curtis Hollinger

BTW musicians prepare for Showcase '23

Piano instructor Dr. Lamese Luckett

and Madison Thompson
"New Dawn, New Day" by Bella Dennison, 11th grade, Visual Arts magnet
BTW Awaits New Bell

Road School Opening

~ BY DARYL RAMON THOMAS JR.

Completion, Move-In Date Set for Spring

The tragic fire that consumed the original Booker T.

Washington Magnet High School building forced students,
faculty and staff to be housed in the former Hayneville
Road Elementary.

For the past four years, the visual and performing arts
magnet school has toiled at the Hayneville campus while
waiting for the newly built, state-of-the art building to
finish construction on Bell Road.

At the end of 2021-2022 school year, teachers and

students packed classrooms in anticipation of a
summer move. Then, following a return to Hayneville
for the 2022-2023 school year, the winter was
suggested as the next possible time period.

As BTW approaches winter break and the end of schooling

for the calendar year, The Washingtonian sat down with Dr.
Quesha Starks, BTW’s principal, for an interview to get an
update on the new school.

TW: The question on everyone’s mind, and I’m sure you

get this all the time: when are we moving? Is it confirmed
that winter is no longer the projected time frame?

Dr. S: “We have delays in the supply chain of materials

needed for our new building. The district is on schedule
as far as their [building] timeline, but they have been
impacted by the supply chain. Because of the supply chain
issues, the district’s schedule is dictated by when
resources can come in. Oftentimes, we have people who
ask ‘How can we help?’ This building is contracted out to
architects as well as contractors and all of that must be
board approved. You just can’t have individuals go and say
‘I’m going to build a wall.’ All of that must be board
approved and under contract.”
 "You can't move

W: We keep cycling through these

increments. First, it's the new school year,

ahead of

then winter, then spring, then the new year

again. When a set date is available, will we
be given another increment, or will we
receive a definite time frame? construction,

Dr. S: “Everything has been conditional

based on weather … [and] supplies. I have
and you can't

asked everyone to refrain from saying a

specific date, because if it’s something
move ahead of

beyond your control, you cannot articulate

a specific date. We are going to be moving
code."
into that building, but it has to be done
correctly, and it has to be done the right
Dr. Quesha
Starks
way. You can’t move ahead of construction,
and you can’t move ahead of code.”

TW: Last year, the juniors were told they “If you’ve ever been in a building and your cell

would be the first to graduate from the
new building. Then the rug was pulled out
from under them, and they returned to
Hayneville Road. Is that a concern for this
current Junior class?
Dr. S: “I think we need to focus on this
school being everyone’s school, whether
you graduated in 1996 or you graduate in
2023. The new building will belong not only
to the current students, but alumni as well.
There were alumni who rolled their sleeves
up and helped us move over here when
there was a fire. There were alumni who
worked in a school that was not adequate
for what we were doing. This moment
belongs to all classes, so whether the class
of 2023 gets in or the class of 2024, it’s
important to know that the building, and
the moment, belong to all classes.”
To conclude our interview, Dr. Starks left
some final considerations for the BTW
community.
phone doesn’t work, the same thing applies to
the communication system," she added. "They
can’t begin that [installation] process until the
whole building is completed.”
And finally, “just as if you were to buy a home,
you have to have a home inspection,” she said.
To make sure the building is safe for students,
an inspection has to be done after the building
is complete and after bi-directional
amplification system is installed. Then the
moving process begins.
There are too many hands in this for anyone to
pinpoint a specific date.
“We have an architectural firm that’s working on
this school. They have taken the time to
interview us, to see what our needs are. They
have been awesome,” she said. “We also have
had construction workers around the clock
working in that building, making sure that it will
be complete.”
In the meantime, there are indicators and
variables beyond anyone’s control.

Once the building is completed and all the
resources are made available, the school
leader said a bi-directional amplification
system must be installed.
“So yes, we do have classes that heard ‘You’re
going to move in’, but there was also a
conditional statement put on those
announcements on the news, and that is, ‘if
weather and supplies support the process,’” Dr.

“On 9/11, there were firefighters who lost Starks said. “So if we can pull anything away
from this, that building will belong to every
their lives because they could not
class.”
communicate with people on the outside.
That heightened the concern to make sure
that emergency first responders can hear
and that signals can go through concrete
walls and other structures,” Dr. Starks
explained.

 Taken Into Custody On September 13, Only

To Be Declared Dead Three Days Later.

By Ayah
Habash
This is in no way to create a negative image of the religion of Islam, but to raise awareness about oppressive
governments and those who use extreme religious views to oppress people, a problem that is not only in
present in Iran, but worldwide. In America, we fight similar systems of oppression based on race, gender, and
sexuality.

What happened to Mahsa Amini?

Mahsa Amini had violated Iranian law by dressing in a way deemed “inappropriate”-for
not covering her hair with a hijab. However, it was the questionable details surrounding
her arrest that sparked concerns. In early October, the Legal Medical Organization of
Iran's judiciary determined Amini had died due to underlying disease caused by a brain
surgery she had at the age of eight. Although people are speculating that this is not the
truth, with good reason too. CCTV videos of the event, released later by the Tehran
police, show her collapsing to the ground at the moment of her arrest, along with
eyewitness testimony claiming that she was repeatedly beaten by officers.

From her death, a movement was formed to stop these instances of oppression in the
future, and broaden horizons of Iranian women.

What is the history behind the ‘Islamic’ Republic of Iran?

The ‘Islamic’ Republic of Iran became a theocracy following the Iranian Revolution in
1978. The overthrowing of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, and the rise to power of
Ayatollah Khomeini, changed the country forever. Extremist government policies were
enforced including the banning of music, dancing, tattoos, and the consumption,
distribution, and manufacture of alcohol. Iran became a country that favored an
ideology that completely prohibited so-called “Western views”.

How Does This Relate To Us?

Systems in Iran were built much like systems in the United States: they favor and
protect the wrong people. Minority groups and those who choose to speak out are often
silenced but change is ongoing. In order to create change, we must recognize that the
system is flawed. Mahsa Amini is only one of many women and men who have been
persecuted under Iran's oppressive laws through the justification of their ‘religious’
perspective.
 Kaylen Takes
Manhattan
By Destinee Christen

Kaylen Miles, a Junior and a bass clarinetist in the BTW

Concert Band, is preparing to play in an Honors Performance on
February 4 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

“I am really honored to have this opportunity because Carnegie Hall is

‘THE’ place to play for a musician,” Kaylen said. “I am really excited to
explore New York because I’ve never been on a plane and I’ve never left
the South.”

Kaylen had to build quite the reputation to be considered for this

opportunity. She was awarded the rank of superior honoree in the
Alabama Solo and Ensemble Festival twice. Along with a number of
other accolades, including earning fourth chair from the 2022 All-State
Band Festival, put her in a position where she could earn this
recognition.

“The school has surrounded me with people like me who share my

passions and encourage teachers,” Kaylen added.

In order to be selected, Kaylen had to submit an online application,

complete with a teacher’s recommendation and two audition pieces. She
competed against 10,000 other candidates and was chosen to be 1 of 500
to play. "I am really honored to
have this opportunity
because Carnegie Hall is
'THE' place to play for a
musician."
Kaylen Miles

Kaylen also wants to give thanks to the Band teacher, Curtis

Kynnedi Tate | Photo Credit
Hollinger, for giving her the chance to participate in this experience.
She also expresses gratitude to her parents for always supporting
her. And lastly, she gives a shout-out to a friend and classmate,
Jordan Fitzpatrick, for helping her choose which audition song to
submit.

WEDNESDAY A look into modern re-telling

By Haleigh Lowe and Marchayla Youngblood
A new coming-of-age horror
TV show gained popularity
quickly with teens around the
“Wednesday” acquired about 340
world: “Wednesday.”
million hours watched during the
first week. The reason believed to
Streaming on Netflix, this show
be because of the Tim Burton
follows a modernized
aesthetic being applied to this
Wednesday Addams from
story. Another reason could be the
Charles Addams’s story of The
casting choices, which were much
Addams Family. In the series,
more diverse than other Tim
Wednesday is forced to go to the
Burton productions. Many people
school where her parents first
watched it because of growing
met. Along with her studies as an
actress Jenna Ortega starring as
outcast, she is forced to track
the main character.
clues to figure out the mystery of
ongoing murders happening at
her new school.
“I love Wednesday,” Zestlan
Simmons, English teacher at
Booker T. Washington Magnet
High School said. "She has a
working knowledge of who she
is and stays true to herself
throughout the show.”
Wednesday also had an admirer
throughout the show, which
was odd for many people to see
since she never showed interest
in dating in the previous
adaptations of the Addams
Family.
“It was a solid 9/10,” Alex
Boswell, a senior at BTW Magnet
school said. “It was different
than I expected it to be.”
Though the plot seems very
intriguing from an outside
point of view, actually watching
the show is a little bit different.
Many people say that the show
was not captivating enough and
could not hold their attention
for long.
“It was a little predictable
and had some room for
improvement, but it was also
something good and
different,” said Tanisha
Goldsmith, a junior at BTW
Magnet school.
There are also some people
that felt that Wednesday’s
character was a lot different
than in the original. Some
say her character should have
stayed a little more
traditional, while others said
her character was a more
lovable version of her.
"[Wednesday]
has a whole
working
knowledge of
who she is and
stays true to
herself
throughout the
show."
Zestlan Simmons
'Slanguage': The Exclusive Language of ‘Gen Z’
By Jade Crowell

Many people in today's generation use slang in their everyday

lives when scrolling through social media, posting a story,
communicating amongst their friends, or when simply trying to
get a point across.
(A-R)
These words and phrases have been invented so quickly that
some previous generations of adults have been left behind
confused! That isn’t true for everybody, though. Some adults
from other generations have even caught on to these new ways
of expression and have added them to their own vocabulary as
well.

These catchy terms began on the now most used app owned by
Chinese company ByteDance, Tik Tok, and have spread to other
world-popular platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter,
Facebook, and YouTube. They aren’t restricted to just these apps,
though. You can find these terms anywhere on the internet
nowadays. You may even use this new language and not even
notice it.

Some of this terminology isn’t new and has been a part of

communication in past generations, but has developed into an
advanced abbreviated form which is more convenient for people
now.

Some people might not like the terms invented by the new
generation, but it’s the future. It's hard to stop it. Isn’t it quite Kynnedi Tate | Photo Credit
strange how language can alternate so quickly, maybe over the
span of just a couple of years? Words can go out of fashion
quicker than you can realize.

Here are a few terms to get you acquainted. Happy reading!

Caught in 4k: Catching someone red-handed.

CEO: If you're the CEO of something, it means you've mastered it or you're a pro.
Clapback: A response or comeback after you've been "called out" for something.
DC (Dance credit): Used on TikTok to give credit to the person who came up with the dance that the creator is performing.
Dead: Basically the new “lol” – a short reaction to show that you think something is funny. Can be combined or used on
their own.
Drag: If you drag someone, you're criticizing or making fun of them. This can be equated to roasting someone.
Drip: Another way of saying swag, drip is a term for a cool or sexy trend or style.
E-boy or E-girl: This is similar to emo or goth culture, but they use the internet to express themselves.
Extra: Someone who is out there and enjoys taking things to a new level of flamboyance.
Finesse: Finesse means to trick or manipulate someone or a situation in order to get what you want.
Finna: Finna is a shortened term for saying "I'm going to".
G.O.A.T/GOAT: Greatest of all time.
Ghosting: This term is common amongst the earlier talking stages of a relationship. Ghosting someone means you start
ignoring them or stop texting them back.
Heather: The perfect girl that everyone either wants or wants to be, inspired by artist Conan Gray’s song “Heather”.
High-key: High-key is simply the opposite of being low-key.
Hits different: When something is unique or better than the usual.
I'm weak: Similar to "I'm dead", this is just another term to use when you find something hilarious.
I’m dead: A response to something so funny, outrageous, and/or shocking that the speaker has figuratively died laughing
(or just died).
IB: Inspired by. Used on TikTok to give credit to the person who inspired the creator’s video.
It’s the … for me: Making a remark on a detail that you either like or dislike. Can be used in both a positive or negative
connotation, but is most often used negatively.
Iykyk: This acronym is short for "if you know, you know". It's commonly used in reference to an inside joke or something
only a specific community might understand.
Karen: A middle aged white woman who acts very entitled, is often racist and anti-vax (vaccinations), gives unsolicited
advice from a privileged standpoint and is condescending to everyone around her. Also, everything is an inconvenience to
her and she is always complaining about something. Obviously, it has a negative connotation.
L.: Another simple letter turned into slang, L is the opposite of a W– meaning a loss rather than a win.
Living rent free: If something is "living rent-free" in your head, that means you can't stop thinking about it.
Main character: Teenagers are encouraging each other to romanticize and idolize themselves as the main character of
their own lives the way we all do with main characters in books, movies and tv series.
Main character: This is a phrase used to describe someone who is generally well-liked and charismatic. It can also be used
to describe someone when they're making a scene, but not necessarily in a bad way.
Oomf : One of my followers.
Peridot: Emphasizing the end of a statement.
Pfp: Profile picture.
Pick me girl: A girl who tries to impress others by being different or quirky. Negative connotation.
Rona/Miss Rona: Short for Coronavirus. A less dramatic name to take some of the anxiety out of talking about it.
 BTW Legal Scholars Eye Errors, Fix
2023 Showcase Contract
BTW apparently houses a brilliant team of future legal
professionals.

Principal Quesha Starks said the Law magnet scholars found items
in the contractual agreements reviewed for Showcase that adults
may have missed.

Freshman Jayden Barnes said some of the contractual oversights

dealt with handicap accessibility, liability insurance, and
copyright/royalty issues.

"We looked at the contract," freshman Faith Mahone said. "We

found the errors and talked to Dr. Starks so she could clarify
them."

These issues flagged by the students would be "troubling" for a

client, noted Dr. Cory Creel, the Law Magnet instructor. Dr. Starks
sharing the contract with the Law magnet, Dr. Creel added,
introduced students to the full process of a real-world experience,
similar to a "junior associate" reviewing a case for a client.

"Please take time to celebrate all magnet components who may

not be seen on stage but who have a definite presence and role in
our school community," said Dr. Starks, adding that her personal
attorney is a BTW Law magnet graduate. "We need our lawyers."

"We looked at
the contract ...
found the
errors and
talked to Dr.
Starks so she
could clarify
them."
Faith
Courtesy photo Mahone
Popularity of

gemstone

'crystal' clear
Zil'lah Bennett & Savanna Myers

As Crystals become trendy on social media, Gen Z's interest in the lifestyle has
peaked in popularity.

In 2019 alone, the astrology market's estimated worth was $2.1 Billion. Today Gen
Zers have nearly quintupled the businesses' numbers to $10 billion. Through
several interviews conducted towards the end of 2022, data showed more than six
out of 10 students responded to the topic of astrology. Three classes of each grade
level were asked for their thoughts about crystals. Based on the feedback, more
female students had views about this trend. Most of the students found them more
mesmerizing than life-changing. Less than a handful of students expressed
spiritual attachment.

“Crystals are cute although some use them for various things like anxiety, helping
to focus, and meditation,” BTW freshman Kira May said.

Gen Z´s obsession with crystals reportedly began on TikTok, where one could
commonly find people wearing them as jewelry. The obsession grew quickly as
creators began to sell the rocks on TikTok live, filming themselves filling orders.
The crystal community has continued to expand as creators on TikTok show off
their collections. Today, the trend can be seen as a staple of Gen Zer´s outfits.
Hygiene ...

according to Twitter
JASON GRINSTEAD & MIA STRAUGHN

Recent discourse on Twitter has led many to start questioning each

other on their own personal hygiene practices. Users have been asked
about washing legs and between certain "body crevices”. Some have
answered yes, while some have disgustingly answered no. As crazy as
these tweets are, we could not help but make fun of it.

**THIS IS NOT A REAL TWITTER CONVERSATION. STRICTLY FOR FUN**

BTW Student Launches Book Club

By Chelsye Nichols Terron Baldwin/Photo Credit

From #BookTok to POV playlists to character-influenced songs, the readers and

writers of tomorrow are unapologetically here, and they are not going anywhere
anytime soon.

During the pandemic, a resurgence of readers and writers alike from all walks of life
stridently expressed their love for reading and all that encompasses it.

Research suggests that many secondary students do not read for pleasure and so
educators need ways to encourage more reading. Book clubs, they say, may be one
answer to help combat the issue and inspire a culture of reading in schools today. For
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, though, it's student-driven.

Claudia Hines, a senior in the dance magnet, is leading the frontier by starting her
book club with the help and guidance of English instructor Zestlan Simmons.

The idea, like all good ones, was based upon a midnight impulse among friends on
FaceTime.

The club meets every other Thursday where they discuss their places in the books they
read from the last meeting to then, upcoming meetings with a refreshment break to
converse.

“This affords everyone an opportunity to voice their opinions about how they feel
about the plot or the characters," Claudia explained, "and we can listen to how
everyone perceived it.”
 “Any and all books

are welcome. I’ve

always been kind of

picky about what I

read so even for me,

I’ll be able to explore

different books or

genres and see if it’s

something I do enjoy

or not.”
~ Claudia Hines

The club does not take up dues and the books are self-financed. However, everyone is

given the same link to where they can purchase them.

When asked what Claudia thought about the belief that our generation does not read

anymore, she said, “I don’t have any particular opinion about it. But for the most

part, I just feel like it can lead people to miss out on some really interesting stories

and they never know, they could actually find something they enjoy!”

Ms. Simmons, the club’s facilitator, says that she is honestly just proud that there is a

majorly student-run club that is doing just what they claim.

"I’ve really loved coming together every month to just relax and talk about our

thoughts on each of the books we read for that month,” said Myrissa Stovall, a Book

Club member who serves as vice president.

To bibliophiles, reading is power and reading is freedom. “I often think of how

enslaved people were prohibited from learning to read in order to keep them enslaved

and limit their freedom. When we learn to read and make reading a daily habit, we

are free," Librarian of Congress Carla Aden recently told a media outlet. "We

empower ourselves to learn more, achieve more and discover more about people
beyond ourselves.

“As a librarian who oversees the national library, I am beyond thrilled to see the

popularity of book clubs across the nation,” Ms. Hayden said. “What a special way to

spend our time reading and discussing some of the same books.”
 SHOWCASE

HOROSCOPE
2023
GEMINI- MUSICAL THEATRE
YOUR CO-STAR WILL FIND OUT YOU SECRETLY HATE
THEM THIS WEEK.

CANCER- PIANO
TAKE ALL CRITICISM WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.

LEO- DANCE
REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY GOOD
DANCER IN SCHOOL.

LIBRA-LAW
REMEMBER THAT IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS.

AQUARIUS- CREATIVE WRITING

YOUR STORY IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK.

PISCES- VISUAL ARTS

FINISH YOUR ART PROJECT THIS WEEK

ARIES- CHOIR
YOU’RE GOING TO MEMORIZE ALL YOUR SONGS THIS
WEEK.

TAURUS- PHOTOGRAPHY
IN BACKSTAGE SNACKS YOU TRUST

VIRGO-BROADCAST
YOU DO RUN THE SHOW AND WE ALL KNOW IT.

SCORPIO- CONCERT BAND

TRY NOT TO START ANY FIGHTS THIS WEEK.

SAGITTARIUS- SHOW BAND

RE-EVALUATE THIS WEEK. ARE YOU REALLY BETTER
THAN EVERYONE ELSE?

CAPRICORN- TECH THEATRE

ALL OF YOUR HARDWORK WILL PAY OFF.

Curated By Gabrielle Garrison

"Rebirth" by Hannah Jones, grade 11, Visual Arts Magnet
 Ask
Ferro
How should I balance

my personal and school

life and still be

PLANNERS! Write

everything down

productive? and even use a

friend to help keep

you accountable

My friend keeps messing

with people who are way

too old for them. I’m

Ask your friend why no
worried about their one else in their age group
future relationships from
wants them and what
each of you gains from
them doing this this because the power
imbalance will always be
uneven.

I like this guy, but I

Talk to her about
have a friend who likes
whether or not a

him, but he doesn’t like

significant other is more

important than your

her like that. What do I

friendship. Or whether or

do? not pursuing this guy is

worth it?

Generated by Chelsye Nichols and Caitlyn King

 Abstinence Is Not Enough
By Joshua M. Stout
Editor-in-Chief
According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention,
46% of all new Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STIs)
occur among people between the
ages 15-24. As such, it is imperative
that the youth are given proper
sexual education so that
reproductive health and safety can
be ensured.
One of the most prominent STIs
in Alabama is Chlamydia.
According to the 2020 Alabama
Annual STD Report, the Chlamydia
case rate was 549.0 per 100,000,
ranking the state the 9th highest in
the nation.
After all, Alabama reported the fifth
highest teen birth rate in the nation
for 2020.When asked about how we
can best protect ourselves, Booker
T. Washington’s Coach Michelle
Gravatt said, “Abstinence…you don’t
expose yourself to STIs, you avoid
pregnancy…it allows you to develop
without the pressure of sexual
activity.”
Currently, Access distributes this
same information. However, the
subject of abstinence tends to fall
on deaf ears. So is it really
effective?
BTW senior Timothy Tillman
said, “At a basic level, it's
effective. But as you get older
you should experience things for
yourself…get opinions from the
adults and people around you.”
Of course, even without
abstinence, contraception has
still proven to be an effective
method to lower the odds of
pregnancy.
“Condoms are one of the safest.
In terms of prevention, you still
have the pill, shots, IUDs…that
should all be between the
parents, minor, and a doctor. Not
something for educational
institutes K-12 to become
involved in,”said Coach Gravatt.
With no other options, should
contraception become more
accessible for high school
students? Coach Gravatt
commented,” From an
educational standpoint, no.
High school students are still
minors. Parents should have
input. In college? Absolutely.”
 Without access to contraception and the efficacy of abstinence-

only education on the decline, there’s only one solution left: to

improve the current curriculum. Especially in Alabama, since STIs

are ranked sixth in priority for its health indicators.

To do this, Alabama’s state law would need to undergo a

fundamental change regarding sexual education. The laws currently

don’t require the teaching of sex education, but when offered,

Alabama State Code Section 16-40A-2 sets minimum requirements

for what must be taught. One of the most startling being that:
“An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health

perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the

general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense

under the laws of the state.”

This archaic, outdated way of teaching is unacceptable. It is

impossible to care for the health of the general public while barring

important, developmental information from a sizable percentage of

the population, especially when there’s a growing LGBTQ+ student

body. High school students of all backgrounds should have access to

proper sexual education, and not just a temporal lesson on

abstinence given in Health class for a week.

Not only should STIs and other diseases be explored in depth, but

the dangers and benefits of certain forms of contraception should

also be discussed. There should also be a push for legitimate, face-

to-face sex. education. Classes rather than the limited format of

Access health courses.

 Accidental
Intention
By Jace White

Before everything went black, the light of life was an unappreciated

value.

Going through the days always assuming the next would come. Letting

insignificant, temporary issues permanently frustrate me. Not

considering that worse might come…

It was a game day, so for me basketball and winning that night was the

only thing I could think about. When that didn’t come to fruition, it felt

like the end of the world. I got on the team bus to head back to the

school sulkingly. When we arrived I hurried into my car to head home

and let my night come to an end. I threw in my airpods in an attempt to

tune the world around me out and think about other things, and

regretfully so.

As I approached the Fairview exit, my car began swerving

uncontrollably. Then there was nothing but darkness and rummaging.

The sound of potential death surrounded me, and adrenaline rushed.

When I came to a stop, I was engulfed by fear, frantically looking to

escape my demise.

As I attempted to open the door my vehicle was illuminated by what

seemed to be the brightest white light I’d ever seen. This smack sent me

spinning for about five seconds until I came to another halt. I kicked the

window out to escape the now smoke-filled car and come into the fresh
air of the world. As I got out, it felt like a new life was coming to me.

One where I knew to cherish every moment, every laugh, every

conversation. A life where spreading kindness and joy was of the

utmost importance. A life where helping others realize the importance

of doing the same was all that mattered.

So as I look back I realize I might’ve been in an accident, but God’s

actions had intention. He had purposefully hit me with wisdom, to

never let temporary issues cause permanent frustrations again, a wake-

up call that there were bigger destinies for me.

The Great ACCESS Purge of 2022:

My experience, views

"For any struggling with ACCESS

in the now, consider this a
cautionary tale."

By Damien Johnson

Last year was my first year experiencing ACCESS. Admittedly, I

did all of my assignments last minute, as did many others. This
year there was no time to play around.

Now, new rules have been placed, and ACCESS administrators

began to remove students from their “class” if they did not have
above a certain grade. I was one of those students.

I despise online classes. I feel there is no connection between

the students and teachers. It is not the greatest learning
environment for any student. My instructor is not my pen pal,
and, if I or anyone else ever has an issue, we should not have to
wait three business days for an email back that barely helps.

In-class learning is so much better. I can confidently say I

remember something from my ACCESS Career Prep class much
less than I remember information from my 9th-grade English
teacher. The class didn’t matter to me, and I doubt it mattered
to many others either. Many of the students used the class as a
sort of study hall to work on classes that had meaning to them.

Interacting with teachers is an important part of the class and

learning experience. Typing a strongly worded paragraph to an
image of them does not have nearly the same effect.

I hope at some point during my high school career we get real

teachers back.
Another annoying part of ACCESS is its websites. The sites have been
changed since last year. In my Career Prep class, there were videos,
slide shows, articles, clear instructions, and even games to play that
helped students to apply the information.

This year, all of that is gone. My Health class consists solely of a

black-and-white PowerPoint. My Spanish class is even worse; it uses a
completely different website that is completely brown and incredibly
laggy. Attempting to navigate through it to find the information or
assignments you need has become an Olympic sport.

If you fail to find all the requirements for an assignment, the teacher
will count 75% off the grade and won’t attempt to help you fix the
mistake afterward. It is no coincidence that we don’t like these
classes.

I feel it is unreasonable to remove a student from a class because

they could not find the motivation to do work for the school, that was
unable to even find a teacher they expected them to do. Even
teachers do not like ACCESS. Every day a lump of students pile into
their class to do everything, but work. They are well aware that the
students will find any way to procrastinate doing the work and there
is not much they can do about it. It's impossible to expect a student
to really learn, but for now, it is all we have to work with.

In the future, I hope ACCESS is significantly improved or removed

entirely, but even though I have my hopes, I doubt it is going away
any time soon. For any struggling with this ACCESS in the now,
consider this a cautionary tale. Trust me the extra stress from almost
completely failing a class, added to everything else, isn't needed.
None of us may like it, but this distance learning class is still required
for you to graduate. My advice is to focus and get it over with. Once
you get into the groove of working diligently, it’ll be done before you
know it. If the provided pacing guide is too much, find a pace that’s
easier, but the work has to be put in either way.

Most students need to see who and what they're working with to
succeed in understanding the lesson. If ACCESS continues like this
over the years I predict a major loss of learning and knowledge.

I think teachers and students alike can agree we had enough of that
over COVID.

CW Wordsmith of the Month

For each edition, a Creative Writing learner's work will be published.

The Lady
in the
Violet Dress
By Ashelyn Acosta

Cover by Ebaa Habash, Visual Arts, grade 12

 The Lady In The Violet Dress
by Ashelyn Acosta

She holds the lengthy slim cigarette holder with her white silky glove.
Looking below her glassy high heels a letter slips in between them,
revealing my truth to her. She stoops down. I watched her rub her fingers
to pick up the envelope. Whipping the sheet to her clarity it cited, “She,
who I love most, is concealed behind glass panes…” was the first sentence
on the note.

I awoke, distraught. “The letter!”, I thought to myself.

Shoving through the hefty blanket that was coddling me. I ran to my
closet, lifting the false wooden plank, the letter was still inside. I only
watched her on those midnight dinners, making requisitions for one slice of
Kugel. My mother used to say, “ It is a perfect meal for cold nights.”

A stellar woman indeed, but on all occasions she preferred the Deitsch
restaurant. A simple speculation I suppose; I am a photographer, writer
too. I wish I could believe that I would never bring harm to this woman.
Afterall it is impossible to hurt the fondness of my eyes, delicate skin with
expensive silks preserving it, yet underneath it there are unheard truths.
No tinted marks on your perpetual blonde hair, trimmed ends—but not too
short.

I had a thought that left me wondering if this was to cut ties with the
unperfect. As for my part, you are ideal.

The images I took of you will remain unscathed. I walked over to the
false wooden plank and pulled out the envelope taking out the sheet
reading what was cited:
“She, who I love most, is concealed behind glass panes. Glass limits me
from being next to her, because of it I am unable to speak to her, but in my
desire I hope this letter doesn’t reach you so soon. All I know is my heart
has an unbreakable latch for yours. I feen for my essence in life and to my
surprise I’ve encountered you. So receive these words as an oath of my
undying love for you. Eventually hard glass will shatter revealing my
utmost vulnerability; to this I swear on my soul to always, love you
eternally.” Sealing the envelope, I returned it to the secure spot placing
her polaroids on top.
Caught in the moment of searching for specific lighting and angles I noticed
the sun was no longer at golden hour. I knew this was another lost client.
The afternoon
Standing with lenseshour was approaching
in hand, andthe
I looked far into I was to meet
distance, a model I hired
contemplating.
to promote
When I caughtmya business.
soft glanceI of
quickly arrived
the sun at down
peering the scene.
its lastThere wasbehind
few rays a display
of
thereflections in the town
Deitsch restaurant, pond. II began
immediately needed something
packing up my unique and only. I
items, preparing
began
myself searching for a lens that would be ideal for my model and quality.
for a long night.

 Slamming the door shut behind

She sat near the large window

me, I rushed to my closet shuffling

watching the performance nature had

through my racks of clothes and

created just for her. Unsatisfied, she

scattering my shoes to find the

grabbed her purse, pulling out her

plank where I buried the letter.

cigarette holder and lighter.
Exhaling, picking up the letter and a

polaroid, I slipped them inside my

Her lips held it high as she lit the

shoulder bag. Besuited and

stick with one hand, inhaling, and

perfumed, it was this of many other

exhaling a thin line of smoke into the

nights where I would encounter my

atmosphere.
heart’s desire.
“Enjoy your drink,” he said.
Groomed as much as possible for

her sensitivities I grabbed my bag

Taking a sip from the cup I felt how

and strolled towards the scene in

the liquid entered my veins, as its

which the pond was now the moon's

potency increased. A silver platter

mirror. Along with the night sky’s

was being brought by a man in a

twinkling lights, a singular bright

tuxedo for the lady in the violet dress.

light was enough for me to see. Steam arose from the uncovered

platter, but in between the fumes I

At a distance from where I stood

saw two glistening whites staring

her mere essence raised all

fiercely back into my eyes.
vibrations in the insipid locale. Her

high heels, so glassy and clear gave

Before the man in the tuxedo walked

her a tall aspect, but most

away with the lid he bowed for her,

importantly her fine apparel. My

maintaining his composure. Her eye

eyes had been blessed witnessing

contact with mine was magnetic, I was

her divine figure finesse into every

completely captivated and

crevice of the violet dress

mesmerized by her delicacy, but how

impeccably. could an unworthy man like me hold

her attention when even nature’s

The moonlight became her

beauty couldn’t do so?
spotlight, as she moved elegantly

allowing her dress to twinkle

“This wine must’ve been strong and is

brighter than the stars. Once she

causing me to be delusional,” I

entered I followed behind like a

thought to myself.
guard. Never had I been so close to

her presence, but she was unaware

Without averting my eyesight I placed

of my intentions. Taking a seat on a a one hundred dollar bill on the

stool, placing my bag on the counter

counter saying, “Keep the change.”
I began searching for my money to

purchase a drink. Raising my hand

A glass cup suddenly shattered in

and signaling for the bartender I

the distance, causing commotions and

said, “Sir, your best wine.” disrupting our contact.

He turned away and began

Pulling my shoulder bag off the

preparations. Amongst all the

counter unnoticed, I swiftly vanished

dinners, my eyesight was focused

and inhaled the outdoor breeze.
on her.
 Walking towards the nearby pond I sat on a bench and took my camera out

positioning myself behind by a bush where I could see her, sipping out of a

wine cup. Counting down before I clicked on the button 5... 4... 3... 2...
THUD!

“Sir you’re under arrest!”

Various blinding lights beamed onto my face as I was forcefully pressed to

the ground. “You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can, and

will, be used against you in a court of law… you have the right to a lawye-...”

Everything else went faint. Only my camera remained intact in my hands.

“Pull him up!” yelled a police officer. I was yanked by one arm to stand,

flashlights still pointed at my face.

“The lady,” I said.

“Take him!”
“Wait! This is a misunderstanding”
“Take him!”, yelled the officer.

I was being shoved to walk onto the sidewalk toward the car that was parked

in front of the Deitsch restaurant. By the window, she stood stiffly with the

paper in her right hand and the polaroid in her left.

Watching the commotion of the multiple men dragging me towards the

vehicle with the flashing blue and red lights seen in front of the restaurant. I

remained silent as I passed by the window pane; in that moment, our eyes

spoke so loudly it was as if we had known each other our entire lives.

Inescapably we continued our eye contact when an officer rammed me

into the car saying, “Get in there!”

FLASH!

My camera slipped out of my hands capturing a delicate and permanent

memory that would forever remain intact, to remember the time I devoted

myself to the anonymous woman, but now I rouse for the lady in the violet

dress.
Become A Patron
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 Meet The Staff
Level 1
Zil'lah Bennet
Jade Crowell
Angela Solano
Haleigh Lowe
Savanna Myers

Level 2
Tania Frias
Jason Grinstead
Damien Johnson
Ashelyn Acosta
Level 4
Mia Straughn Kennedy Bibbins
Jamesyn Williams Destinee Christen

Amaya Cleveland
Level 3 Gabrielle Garrison
Ayah Habash Jalaiya Gilmore
Jayda Julius
Chelyse Nichols
Caitlyn King
Joan Matthew
Nykerea Reese
Aden Stricklin Joshua Stout
Daryl Ramon Thomas Jr.
Marchayla Youngblood
 The Leaders
Acting Editors-in-Chief
Aden Stricklin
Daryl Ramon Thomas Jr.
Managing Editors
Chelyse Nichols
Joshua Stout
Editor-At-Large
Jason Grinstead
Layout & Design
Joan Matthew
Ayah Habash
Aden Stricklin
Daryl Ramon Thomas Jr.
Art Director Photographers
Joan Matthew Terron Baldwin
Social Media Kynnedi Tate
Ayah Habash Aleena Anderson
Marchayla Youngblood Zo Brown

@BTW Creative Writing Magnet:

The Fourth Estate

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