AHS THE FULL MOON Page 1

Albemarle High School’s

Online Newspaper Written for students by students!

Dear Readers, This is the first issue of The Full Moon for the 2010-2011 school year. But what is The Full Moon, exactly? It’s Albemarle High School’s online newspaper, written for AHS students by AHS students. But it really isn’t a “paper” at all. The Full Moon is completely different. Since it’s online, we can include things that we never could in a traditional newspaper, like color pictures or even videos. It’s also environmentally friendly– no trees killed here! The staff of The Full Moon wants to write articles that are informative, interesting, and enjoyable to read. But we can’t improve our articles if we don’t know your reception to them. If you like something, or don’t, tell us! We would also love to hear about any ideas for future arti-cles. If you’re interested in writing for The Full Moon, or have anything else to say to us, email us at ahsfullmoon@live.com or contact A.C. Futterer, Andrew Allen, Sophia Pastorini, or Mr. Moran. -Anne Carlon Futterer Chief Editor

Ask Jasmine Jasmine Little

Dear Jasmine, What do you do if your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend wants to get back together? -Lost Love Dear Lost Love, Try to remember how the relationship was before you guys broke up. Was it something he/she did or you did? Or just a mutual reason? But because people do change, try getting to know him/her now and see if it’s what you’re looking for.

Dear Jasmine, What do I do if my teacher and I can’t get along? -Frustrated Pupil Dear Frustrated Pupil, It’s sad to say, but you won’t get along with everyone in your life, even adults. Because he/she is your teacher you have to re-spect him/her. Maybe your person-alities don’t match, but everyone, including teachers, acknowledges hard work.

If you would like to ask Jasmine a question, send it in an email to ahsfullmoon@live.com.

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CONFLICT: DARFUR Anne Carlon Futterer

If you have been following current events in recent months, then the term “Darfur” is probably very familiar to you. Dar-fur, a region of the African nation of Sudan, has been in a severe state of crisis since 2003, and it is still ongoing. Hundreds of thou-sands of people have been killed and millions have been displaced and live in refugee camps. The entire region and country are in desperate need of help, and Albemarle High School senior Hailey Napier plans on giving some aid and support. The conflict in Darfur, in western Sudan, began in February of 2003, when opposition forces attacked government troops in retaliation for the troops’ failure to protect African villagers from attacking Arab nomadic groups. The Arabs (mostly “Arabized” Africans), who are Muslim and primarily from the North, see themselves as superior to the black Africans of the South. From the time of the first attack, citizens of Darfur have been subject to murder, rape, torture, kidnappings, and the burning of homes and villages by Sudanese government forces, Arab militias called Janjaweed, and armed opposition groups. According to Amnesty Inter-

national, over 300,000 men, women, and children have been killed, and 2.6 million have been displaced. Although humanitarian organizations have tried to provide aid for the people of Darfur, their caravans are often at-tacked by different groups because of the supplies that they carry. Many nations have pledged money to help the region, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Sudan’s President, Omar al-Bashir, on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide. However, the conflict is still happening, and al-Bashir is still in power. There is so much more that can be done to end this crisis. Hailey Napier researched the situation in Darfur for her graduation project. She found it surprising that so little has been done by the interna-tional community regarding the conflict, and that the United States, despite

knowing about the genocidal practices happening in the country, has not intervened. For her graduation project product, Hailey held a walk to raise money for “Schools for Life,” an organization started by Pfeiffer student Shamsoun Dikori. Shamsoun, who is originally from

the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, wants to build a school in his home country. Hailey’s walk not helped give children in Sudan a better education, but it raised awareness about the tragedy happening a world away.

A village burns in Darfur, Sudan (Henry Jackson Society)

Book Review: The Catcher in the Rye Sophia Pastorini

The Catcher in the Rye. You’ve probably all heard of it, and if you’re taking AP English Literature with Mr. Johnson your senior year, you’ll probably read it. However, I recommend getting a head start on this fabulous book. Although you may think that it’s a mistake to read it when you’re going to be reading it senior year anyway, I disagree. I read the book my sophomore year and when I read it for class this year, I was able to gain extra valuable insights, which is the case every time you re-read a book. The Catcher in the Rye is a narrative of an adolescent who is coming of age. For Holden Caulfield, the process is an un-pleasant one. Telling his story from a psychoanalyst’s office, Holden steadily reveals his insights on society. He is convinced that the world is full of phonies, hypocrisy, and selfishness. Holden values the innocence of childhood and is nostalgic about his own early days when thinking of the superficiality of adulthood. The novel explores the idea of finding oneself at a time when the world seems to be antagonistic. Holden’s journey to capturing his identity ultimately leads to his maturity and a better understand ing of the world. The stetting of the story is the wonderful New York City, and many of its scenes involve trademarks there. So, if you decide to read this story for no other purpose but to gain some understanding of the city, then go for it! Either way, this book isn’t one you want to miss out on.

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Celebrity Guess-Who Anne Carlon Futterer and

Hailey Napier *Answers on following page

1. My first job was as a grocery store bagger .

2. My nickname, Abbey Dawn, came from the street

in Canada where I grew up.

3. I’m the youngest of five sisters.

4. My mother’s first marriage occurred in Zimbabwe.

5. I’m fluent in French.

6. I attended the same high school as Paris and Nicky

Hilton .

7. My idol is great hockey star Wayne Gretzky.

8. I liked writing poetry as a child.

9. My favorite cereal is Fruity Pebbles.

10. I attended N.C. State University.

Answer choices: Justin Bieber, Bradley Cooper, LeBron James, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, Zach Galifianakis, Gucci Mane, Snoop Dogg, Avril Lavigne

Can you

guess my

secret?

Did You Know…? Vy Nguyen

“Stressed” is “desserts” spelled backwards.

Children grow faster in the springtime.

Proportionally, hash browns have more fat and calories than a cheeseburger or a Big Mac.

Ronald McDonald is recognized by 96% of American children, second only to Santa Claus.

In Quitman, Georgia, chickens may NOT cross the road.

First cousins may marry in Utah, but only after they’re sixty-five years old.

Facebook is the second-ranked website overall in the U.S., behind Google.

The average Facebook user has 130 friends and sends 8 friend requests per month.

On average, right-handed people live nine years longer than left-handed people.

Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a “Friday the 13th.”

40% of women have hurled footwear at a man.

President George W. Bush was once a cheerleader.

Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn’t wear pants.

Raising Retirement Hailey Napier

In France, there have been riots happening continuously for the last few weeks. The government has proposed raising the retirement age from sixty to sixty-two. This is a very important issue for the people of France, who think that this decision is unfair. However, in America, the retirement age is sixty-five. Why should the French think that they’re unlucky?

The French police have used tear gas to try to calm the rioters in the streets, but it did not help with the crowd at all when they were keep-ing the rioters from getting to some fuel. The fuel had not been distrib-uted to the houses since the riots started. Hopefully the riots will end soon. Lady Gaga has postponed her tour of France due to the riots. So for all the Gaga lovers, stop your riots!

Protesters set fire to cars in Paris.

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Graduation Project

Topics Anne Carlon Futterer

If you’re a junior, you might have already started writing your research paper for your graduation project. However, that’s only one part of the entire process. You also need a product to demonstrate what you learned through your research. Thinking of product ideas can be a daunting task, here are some ideas that seniors are using for their products.

Julianne Mullen Topic: Is holistic medicine beneficial to modern-day medicine? Product: Job shadowing, showing acu-points (where you put acupuncture needles) on a fake arm

Will Brown Topic: Advancements for treatments for cardiovascular diseases Product: Make a video about cardiovascular diseases and their affects on the community

Austin Rogers Topic: Landscape Architecture, golf course design Product: Scrapbook of scenic golf holes in the area

Richard Lor Topic: Animation Product: Make an animated video

Simone Stovall Topic: How the internet affects the music industry (illegal downloading, etc.)

Product: Campaign add about piracy and a video to teach children about internet etiquette

Hailey Napier Topic: How can America help Darfur? Product: Organizing a walk to raise money to build a school in the Nuba Mountains (in Sudan)

Tiffany Myers Topic: What influences on classical music? Product: Composing a flute solo

Answers to “Celebrity Guess Who”

1. Snoop Dogg 6. Lady Gaga

2. Avril Lavigne 7. Justin Bieber

3. Serena Williams 8. Gucci Mane

4. Katy Perry 9. LeBron James

5. Bradley Cooper 10. Zach Galifianakis

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Are you stressed out right now? If so, you’re not alone: 85% of teens say that they feel stress occasionally, and many

feel it on a regular basis. It can come from schoolwork, sports, jobs, friends, a break-up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a

fight with a parent. It’s extremely bad for your health: people who are stressed are twice as likely to catch colds and other vi-

ruses because their immune system has taken such a beating. Sometimes everything in life seems to be piling on top of you all

at once, and it can make you feel like you want to go crazy!

Although you may feel like ripping your hair out, before you actually do, realize that there are some very helpful,

healthy ways to cope with your stress! It’s very important to note that turning to alcohol or drugs to deal with whatever is go-

ing on in your life is neither healthy nor safe. Many people develop dangerous addictions later in life from using alcohol,

drugs, or other unhealthy substances to cope with difficult things in their lives.

Here are some simple, easy ways of better managing your stress!

Talk to someone you trust (a parent, teacher, family member, or friend) about what’s stress-

ing you out. Blow off some steam and listen to any good advice that they might offer.

Do something relaxing. Take a nap, read a book, listen to music, get a massage, dance- any-

thing that’s enjoyable and calms you down.

Exercise regularly. Exercise helps to boost endorphins, chemicals in the brain that make you

feel good and can help to combat stress.

Get to work. If you’re stressing about a school project, don’t waste time worrying about it; procrastination

only makes things worse. Work hard to finish the job early or on time, so that you know that you did your

best.

Take a break. If something seems too overwhelming, take a five or ten minute break from whatever you’re

doing. Close your eyes, relax your muscles, and breathe deeply. It helps more oxygen to reach your brain,

which allows you to think clearer.

Remember- everyone feels stressed out at some point or another. You can’t stop life from happening, but you can

better deal with all the things that it throws your way!

Stress Release Anne Carlon Futterer

Spotlight on Artwork: Andrew Allen

Bob Marley Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Evan Rachel Wood

If you would like your artwork or poetry featured in The Full Moon, send an email

to ahsfullmoon@live.com.

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Journey to the Monster Ball:

A Reflection of Lady Gaga’s

Concert Andrew Allen

Lady Gaga certainly is one to build anticipation. As

the lights dim, a giant screen flashes images of her in vari-ous outfits, set to a techno beat. Unfortunately, the count-

down doesn’t begin for another twenty seconds and by then I’m about ready to wet myself. Finally the shadow of

Gaga appears behind a giant screen as the intro to “Dance

in the Dark” begins to play, and thus begins my trip to “The Monster Ball.”

The show, which is structurally similar to that of a musical, is essentially divided into five parts. The plot in-

volves Gaga and her friends on their journey to The Mon-ster Ball, a huge gala event, and contains some elements

from The Wizard of Oz. However, these elements are ir-

relevant and only serve as filler for costume changes. And surprisingly, the costumes themselves aren’t important, but

rather the messages Gaga herself is trying to convey. An example: her political views. Gaga adores her gay fans,

and throughout the show, she works in her idea of equality

as much as she can. While performing a softer version of “Speechless”, she takes a telephone number and sticks it

to her piano for the whole crowd to see, asking everyone to call their senator and support the repeal of the “Don’t

ask, Don’t tell” policy, an act that I really admired. But Gaga doesn’t stop there: she constantly reminds the crowd

to express its sexuality and individuality as well as donate

to help homeless homosexual teens. Although Gaga never states what “The Fame Mon-

ster” really is, the message is pretty clear. Besides convey-ing the ugly side of one’s self-indulgences, the Monster

itself clearly represents a dark portrait of an individual’s

fears and shameful desires. The concert in itself also paints a more psychological picture of Gaga’s personality than

any intimate interview she’s probably ever given. With witty lines, dark humor, and high school recollections, this

performance allows one to infer the true motivations be-

hind her stage persona. I could list how amazing and uncannily profound

each of Gaga’s performances are, but what would be the point? The masses are perfectly aware of who Gaga is and

they don’t need any explanations from me. So what exactly is The Monster Ball? It’s a destination to one’s acceptance

of his or her unique identity. How does one get there? As

Gaga would say, “Find your freedom in the music.”

All of Lady Gaga’s costumes are amazingly

creative and outrageous. (Andrew Allen)

Quotes to Live By Kenya Sellers

“A man who dares to waste one hair of time has not

discovered the value of life.” Charles Darwin

“Everything in life is luck.”

-Donald Trump

“I love life because what more is there?”

-Anthony Hopkins

“Life is a long lesson in humility.” James M. Barne

“While there’s life, there’s hope.” -Marcus Tillius Ciaro