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November 12, 1998 South Mecklenburg High School 8900 Park Road Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210 Volume XXV I

Ballenger,
Sabres celebrate during Homecoming week Buchert
Friday afternoon of Homecoming week, selected as
the Student Council hosted .an enter­ Park
taining pep rally focusing on the "De­
Scholarship
cades" theme. Later in the evening, stu­
nomtnees
•

dents participated in the annual Home­

coming parade before the football game . By Nathan Morabito
Sports Co-Editor
To cap off the evening, Rhonda Gray was
crowned Homecoming Queen during the Michael Ballenger and An­
drew Buchert were selected to
half-time of the game against Butler. represent S o uth Meek in the
N . C . St at e Park Scholarship
Left: 1998 Sou t h Meek
competit ion. Mike and Andrew
Homecoming Queen Rhonda
were chosen as finalists from
Gray
among seventeen applicant s at
B w· eu.t display the sc ol .
Bl!!,Jo1w e t: e
their Sabre p 'de at the oat­ The Park Scholarship i a
squad .led the crowd at the
ball game against Butler full scholarship t o North Caro­
pep rally Friday afternoon
Fiiday evening. lina State University, covenng
t u it ion and fees, room and
board, te xtbooks, academic sup­
plies including a computer, and
living expenses. Scholarship re­
c ipient s are selected based on
exemplary cha ract er, st rong
mot ivation, intellect ual prom­
ise, and personal integrity.
A long with these criteria is
the expect at ion that the Park
Scholarship recipients will one
day make import ant cont ribu­
tions that will better society. . In
addition, candidates must not
only have demonstrated high
achievement and exceptional
leadership in their scholastic
work and extracurricular act ivi­
ties, but they must also possess
unusual apt it udes and I or un­
common talents.
The Park Scholarship was
established at N.C. State in 1996
.
w it h a grant from t he Park
Foundation of Ithaca, New York
School system nullifies exam exemption policy to fund an inaugural c lass of 25
sc holars. A pp roximately 60
scholars will be chosen from a
By Andrew Buchert of-Course tests. Last year, South penalize kids," said Knox, "but have a negat ive effect on school pool of applicants nat ionwide
Editor Meek Principal Dr. Jim Knox re­ we are t rying to give them more att endance, but they plan t o this year.
q uired that cumulative end-of­ opport unities to learn how to be compare the absentee rate at the Michael and A ndrew will
In early Oct ober S uperin­ q uarter tests be given in classes successful at test-taking." end of this school year to the submit their polished applica­
tendent Dr. E ric Smith and the with an EOC, but st ill allowed The former system-wide average of the past few years to tions to the University by mid­
School Board made the decision for exam exempt ions in those exam exempt ion policy was determine if and how att en­ November, and will be notified
to terminate the exam exemp­ c lasses. "One concern is how based on both grades and atten­ dance has been impacted by the of their st at us by late December.
tion policy of Charlotte-Meck­ our testing program in this dis­ dance records. Any st udent s policy change. "For the stu­
lenburg high schools in an effort t rict will support the state test­ with unexc used absences were dent s who have higher goals Index
to better prepare st udents for ing program," said Knox. automatically required to take and expect at ions set for them­
st ate, as well as college, testing A second c oncern is that t he exam, regardless of t heir selves, I don't think it 's going to Editorials..................... Page 2
programs. The high school prin­ many st udent s may enter col­ grade or number of absences. affect them very much," said News........................... Page 3
cipals had been debating the is­ leges and universities without But at the t ime that this policy Knox.
Features...................... Page 4
sue for over two years, but were having ever had any experience was inst it ut ed, the state A BC " Y es, I underst and t he
unable tq reach a consensus. with midterm and final exams. program had not yet been estab­ moaning - and the groaning that Technology.................. Page 5
The development of t he Often college professors only lished and the primary foc us comes with a change, but t he Centerspread........ Pages 6-7
state Board of Educat ion A BC give one or two tests per semes­ was student attendance, rather change is not t o hurt , " said A & E .......................... Page 8
testing program has presented t er, and st udent s' grades in than test ing. Knox. "The change is to posi­ Faces in the Crowd.... Page 9
the need for periodic cumulative those courses are based solely School officials do not be­ tively support students and put Sports................ Pages 1 0- 1 1
assessment of st udents in order on their performance on those lieve that the nullification of the them in a better position to be
to raise their scores on the End- exams. "We are not trying t o Senior Mysteries.......Page 1 2
exam exempt ion polic y will successful."
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 Viewpoint I Page 2�
Students enrolled in AP courses should Quick Take
not be required to take the AP Exam on Opinions
Just because a person completes a year in an AP class, it does not mean that he is necessarily So many students, so
few classrooms
ready to take the AP Exam. There are many factors that contribute to a student's readiness.
Rain, s leet, snow. These are
the hardships d is gruntled
By Jennifer Samuels Jus t because a person com­ US History exam and scores a to the discretion of the school,
postal workers have vowed to
Staff Reporter pletes a year in an AP c lass d oes five, the highest score possible. as to whether he or she is ready
fight against in order to per­
not automatic ally make him They may choose to take an AP to take an AP test and pay for it.
form their job.
AP tests . For mos t students ready to take an AP test. There social studies their senior year A teacher is judged based on
But should students have to
these annual tests are the cumu­ are many fac tors that contribute as well, but what is the point in how well his or her s tudents
endure the same conditions?
lation of a long, hard year spent to a s tudent's readiness . First of their taking the test? They can­ perform. It happens on s tate
It seems that in almost every
in an AP c lass . The purpose of an; there will always be people not score any higher; they have ABC tests, s uch as the tenth
Charlotte-Mecklenburg high
takin g an AP class, after all, is in AP classes who receive fail­ already earned a year 's worth of grade Writing Test, and on the
school, students will have to
not only to receive extra quality ing grades . In most instances, credit. By forcing s tudents to other v arious End-of-Cours e
m a ke the d a i l y trek from
points, but also to prepare for this is an indication that the stu­ take the tes t they are taking tests that count for the ABCs .
s c h o o l b ui ld ing to traile r,
these tes ts that can earn college dent w ill not do well on the AP away testing space and spend­ AP tests are no different. How
fighting the bitter cold of the
credit. H owever, what if a s tu­ exam. To insis t that they take a ing unnecessary money, in 'ad­ a teacher's students do on an AP
w inter m onths as well as the
dent does not want to take the test that they will most likely fail dition to the added stress that a exam is perceived as a reflec­
sweltering southern heat in
AP tes t? Should s tudents be is not only unfair, but somewhat test like this brings . In a subject tion on his or her teaching. For
the spring and early summer.
forced to do s o? humiliating. It is not right to like English, students usually do examp le, if the w hole c l ass
Is it just me or are there too
In pas t years s tudents did not force s tudents into s ituations better on the AP test after tak­ failed, school offic ials would
many s tudents? How are we
have to take the AP tes t if they that they d o not feel ready to ing two years of AP English in­ s uspec t tha t s omething w as
supposed to learn effectively
d id not w an t t o . This year, face. On the other hand, there s tead of j us t one. Students wrong with the teacher. By forc­
if the overwhelming number
though, the rule has changed, are many people who perform should have the option of wait­ ing s tudents who feel unpre­
of people in our classes con­
stating that all s tudents enrolled adequately, even exceptionally, ing. pared to take an AP exam j ust
stantly dis tracts us? As well,
in AP c ours es are required to in AP c lasses but s till d o not feel Then there is the iss ue of for the s ake of taking it, the
for those s tudents who are in
take the exam for that c lass . that they would do well on the money. Each AP test is partially teacher is being set up. Failure
higher level classes s uch as
School officials feel that if a s tu­ tes t. The decision should be paid for by the school system. w il l look bad on the teacher's
AG and AP, the teacher 's at­
dent spends a year in a class pre­ theirs, not the school's . The student's total cost comes to p&rt.
tention is d raw n from the
paring for a tes t, then he should Advanced Placement c lasses about thirty d ol la rs per tes t. The whole p oint of h i g h
needs of the students to con­
have to take it. They d o not are offered in all of the core sub­ Take into c ons ideration that school is t o prepare s tudents for
trolling a c lass that large. So,
want students taking advanced jects, and even in s ome elec­ there are some students who are adulthood. A large part of this
not only does the teacher have
placement merely for the two tives . However, most colleges taking m ultiple AP tests, and is decision-making. People w ill
more w ork, but the s tudent
ex tra q uality points it offers . w il l only accept one AP tes t this adds up to a lot of money! not alw ays make good d ec i­
loses s omething as well.
This j ud gment is not fair. I t score for each subjec t (one math It is a waste of money for a s tu­ s ions, b u t they are theirs to
should b e u p t o the students, not c redit, one English, one s ocial dent to take an AP test in a sub..: make. The decision to take an Laura Stinson
the school officials, to decide s tudies, and so on). Say, for ex­ jec t where it is not necessary. It AP test should be the student's, The Butler Echo
whether they take the test or not. a s tudent takes an AP should be up to the s tudent, not not school officials ' . David W. Butler High School
Matthews, NC

... 0./
\ I
Lack of school spirit is
...
\
-

·�m
�uch too evident in sports clru����--..���
opportunities for all

and student activities In my first three weeks of

school I have learned that any­
one can handle AP courses if
What happened to the crowd of students wear­
he or she is willing to apply his
ing red and black, showing their Sabre pride? or herself.
It has nothing to do with AP
By Cat Traphagan when we don't even s upport courses being a "white thing."
Staff Reporter our own school? We ought to I, being an African-American
be proud of South. We have so female, find the atmosphere of
Number 39 leaps across the much to boast about. For in­ an AP c lass very comfortable.
white line into the end zone for s tance, we have an awesome The students are focused and
the w inning touc hd ow n . music department. Our choirs d o not d isrespec t one another
Flashes of white, black and red have performed in such presti­ for having opposing points of
blur together as his teammates gious cities as New Y ork and view. I am succeeding in this
This lone Sabre supporter's only company is the cold metal rush towards him. The South Toronto, and have won numer­ env ironment, and I believe
Mecklenburg football team is ous awards for excellence. The that anyone else who is will­
bleachers. marching band w as invited by
ecstatic . ing to work can too.
But number 39 does not share Superintendent Dr. Eric Smit:P. to Lauren Dicks
the excitement. He is not look­ perform for G ov ernor J i m The Shakerite
ing at his overjoyed teammates, Hunt's v isit t o Charlotte las t Shaker Heights High School
but ins tead is d iscouraged by month. Shaker Heights, Ohio
the cold, gray bleachers that are Our drama d�artment meets
supposed to be filled w ith a and exceeds the national goals
crowd of rowdy students roar­ for the year 2000. The drama de­ Non-activism does not
Editor-in-Chief
ing with approval. He notices partment als o puts on student mean racist
Andrew Buchert the weary parents that are too written, s tudent direc ted plays
tired to stand and cheer. He through Honors Drama A and If we force people to inter­
Sports Co-Editors Photo�raphers act with each other in the name
takes off his helmet and heads B.
J. T. Crook Walter Boyle for the locker room wondering And don't forget about our of racia l unity, we are not de­
Nathan Morabito Chris O'Connor if it was worth it to win. ROTC p rogram. Every year s troying racism, we are de­
Where is the crowd s torming they bring back a number of tro­ stroying cultural identity. Rac­
Business Mana�er Adviser ism only exists when people
the field, overwrought with ex­ phies and awards from various
Nicole Ewing Mrs. Jerry Berry citement? What happened to competitions. are judged based on their skin
the energized crowd of students Our s occer teams h av e color, not when they choose to
Centerspread Editor Staff Artist interac t with people of s imilar
wearing red and black to show ranked as high as seventh in
Megan McKnight Laura King backgrounds .
their Sabre pride? What hap­ the state, and our cross country
pened to the fun of showing off team just last month won first Who said that the end of the
Reporters Civil Rights movement had to
your school and being proud of place in the Southwestern 4A
Jessica Ambrose Natalie Smith your team whether they win or Championship Conference. have a whole bunch ot people
Jason Nark Catherine Traphagan lose? What has happened to If inv o lv ed s tud ents c are of d ifferent colors s itting with
school spirit? enough to participate in these each other? No, the purpose
Jennifer Samuels Larisa Yasinovskaya
Students only spend four. ac tiv i ties , we s ho u ld c a re w as a colorblind s ociety that
years in high school; four years enough to support them. It's accepted any c ulture no mat­
The Sabres ' Blade s taff w ill accept any and all letters, articles,
l
editorials, etc., but cannot guarantee ublication. We reserve when they are free of the vari­ high time we stop complaining
ous pressures of the real world. about the accomplishments of
ter what the skin color.
the right, however, to edit any m ateria for obscenity, misinfor­ Paul Schuler
mation, or othe( necesss ary correc tions . All opinions expressed So why not enjoy it? other schools and look at our
The Banner
in The Sabres ' Blade are those of the individual writers and not Why are we talking about own s uccesses . It's time to
University of North Carolina
the staff as a whole. If you have any q uestions, please feel free to how great other schools are and stand up and cheer for South's
at Asheville
come by B-10. how much money they have awesome achievements .
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 !Page 31
Private school issues strict drinking policy
School holds parents and students accountable for off-campus
incidents involving alcohol
By Jennifer Samuels in t heir homes for whatever policy (policies at some other former Providence Day student reasonable," said Jainey Bavishi,
Staff Reporter reason (parents may be out of sc hools a re not as stric t) . who now attend s Northwest a senior at Country Day School.
town, for example.) . . .bec omes Country Day principal Mr. Ted School of the Arts, had this to Stric t d rinking p o l ic ies,
The subject is intoxicating, but clear to the school that particular Koskores said, "My sense is that say in regard s to d rinking particularly Country Day's, are
the facts are sobering. Statistics p arents allow these kinds of students would much prefer it policies at private schools: " I not all bad. There was a reason
show that eight young people situations to occ ur, the school if the school did not get involved believe that d rinking rules in that they were created in the first
die each day in alcohol-related reserves the right to separate in off-campus situations. Some private schools are absolutely place: to try to reduce underage
car crashes. Of the forty percent that fam i l y from our sc hool students are upset, but I also feel ludicrous. This is an issue that drinking and the tragedies that
of 16-to-20 year-olds who d ie community." In other words, if that most students understand is between the students, their resu lt from it, from arrest to
from motor v ehic l e c ra shes, the school becomes aware of a that the school is thinking of the peers, and their parents. The even death. "There have been
about half of these (38.9%) were d rinking p arty hos ted b y a well-being of its students." school has no right to intervene some problems in the past," said
caused by alcohol. Alcohol use s tudent at his or her house, It seems that everyone has an into the personal lives of the Mr. Koskores, "but we are most
is the number one drug problem whether the parents were home opinion on this subject, whether students. By doing so, they are deeply concerned with doing all
among teens. or not, the student and all his or or not they attend Country Day just making the problem worse. that we can to avert tragedies in
Teenagers are dying every day her siblings who attend Country School. After an article about We w il l learn from our own the future. At the very least, it
from alcohol-related incidents, Day w ill be expelled . Country Day's d rinking rules mistakes. Pu tting a rule on will generate d isc ussion. We
ranging from c ar c rashes to I t should b e apparent t o most appeared in the Living section drinking will just make us want feel that people will be more
alcohol poisoning. What can be people that this policy is very of the Charlotte Observer about to rebel". prudent and careful. Our hope
d one t o help c om b a t the strict, perhaps even harsh. It is a month ago, many letters to the After the student bod y of is that this w il l res u l t in a
problem? Priv ate schools in a good e x a m p l e of the "no ed itor began pouring in. A Country Day got over the initial decrease in drinking, but we are
Charlotte are trying to solve this tolerance" attitude that police young man from Charlotte Latin shoc k of the p o l ic y, many aw a re th at this is an uphill
issue by setting up d r inking and other offic i a l s in the Sc hool w rote in d e fend ing students realized that it is for battle."
polic ies that are fairly stric t. Charlotte-Mec klenburg area teenagers' right to party. This their ow n good . " The new
Especially notable is the new have begun to adopt towards letter w as followed by other p o lic y at first seemed Statistics about teenage drinking
drinking polic y at Charlotte underage drinking. But is this letters from people associated outrageous and invasive into taken from the National School
Country Day School. The policy new policy too severe? After all, with the school, saying that the the private lives of students, but Board Association and the 1996
states that " . . . i f i l le g a l Country Day is the only private sc hool d id not c ond one after being thoroughly National Survey of American
substances are served at a party school in the area w ith such a d rinkin g . Nand i C ohen, a exp lained, it seems fair and Attitudes on Substance Abuse

AVID rogram leads to great success

By Jessica Ambrose and d oubt appeals to scholarship
committees.
Another advantag e of the
program is the early c ollege
Advancement Via Individual preparation. While most high
Determination, also known as school students do not begin to
AVID, is offered for students inv estigate post grad uat ion
interested in pursuing a four options until their junior year,
year college degree following AVID students are encouraged
h igh school. Though only in its as freshmen to tour c o l lege
second y e a r at So uth, the campuses and begin exploration
program has p roven q u i te into future careers. Students are
successful. also able to speak with college
The AV I D p rogram i s advisers to learn about what
designed specifically for those must be done in order to pursue
s tud ents w h o are highly individual interests.
motivated , yet w h o a re not Instructors in this program
eq uip ped to manage the are required to attend an intense
Adv anc ed P l ac ement lev e l training session for one week in
c o urses rec ommend ed for Newport News, Virginia. The
students planning to attend a training a s s i s ts teachers in
four year college. The intention prov iding necessary guidance
is to aid these students in higher for partic ipating studen ts. " I
level courses to ensure future think teac h ing i n the AV ID
success. Students are placed in program is probably the most
an adv anced c u rr ic u l u m in rew ard ing thing I have ever
order to improv e chanc es of Walter
d one, " s aid M rs . H a l lings.
acceptance to a college of their Mrs. Narona Desmond, one of South's AVID coordinators, is a strong advocate of "What I try to do, as an AVID
choice. the program, which is in its second year at South Meek. teacher, is say to the students
Judging from last year's End c h a llenging c u rric u l urn Mecklenburg County last year, comfort of seeing familiar faces that they need to take
Of Course Test scores, the AVID inc luding supportive feebac k w as one of only three high during the school day appeals responsibility for themselves,
program has ac hiev ed i ts from instructors, who act not sc hools offering AV ID to to many freshmen and i t and help them come up with a
p r imary goa l . M any of the only as teachers, but also as freshmen as an elective course. gua rantees e a s y acc e s s to strategy for success."
s tud ents enroll ed in the mentors. The AVID program at South missed assignmen ts. A l s o C lear ly, such effo rts are
program scored well on these P a r tic ipants of AVI D a re w orks v ery c losely w i th beneficial to students involved rew ard ing. Student responses
state administered tests, which enc o u raged to foc us on F reshman Foc u s, eac h w i th this program a re the assert that AVI D has been
can be attributed to the fact that attainment of personal goals containing similar subject units. tutorial sessions held each week. helpful in their c lasses and
the program stresses a focus on through d e terminati on and Though the two programs are Local college students come to d efinitely w o rth the added
acc omplishing goals through c ommitment. Mrs. N arona often c omb ined , AV ID d oes South in o rd e r to p rov id e effort. "So far in the program, I
individual dedic ation. Though Desmond, one of the school's have its own original focus and assistance in the subjec t area h av e lea rned how to s tudy
the scores are ind icative of a AVI D c oord inators said, " It curriculum. requested by the AVID student. harder, take efficient notes, and
more effec tive learning style, [ AV I D] is not for ev e ryone The AVID program has many Though the ultimate goal for how to work indiv idually and
overall success of the program bec ause AVID students must benefits that are unavailable in participants in AVID is to attend in a group," said freshman AVID
w i l l n o t be ev id ent until sign a c ontrac t that requires the trad i tiona! learning a four year college following participant, Jason Miller.
freshman participants graduate. them to study two hours every method s . " One maj or high school, the program can be M r s . H a l l ings reiterates,
"Then we'll be able to look at night, take Cornell notes, and be advantage for freshman is that useful for stud ents fac ing " What w e [ the teachers] are
their grades and their PSAT good role models." Students they c an see each other financial barriers. In the face of trying to do in AVID is show
sc ores, as w e l l as their SAT accepted into the program often throughout the d ay, " inc reasing tuition costs, most everyone that everybody c an
scores to j udge what progress exhibit those qualities displayed c ommented Mrs. Hal lings. students hoping to a t tend ev entually be succ essful in
has been mad e, " s a id M r s . by an advanced student and While middle school provides college compete for scholarships c ol lege p reparatory c lasses.
Vanessa H a l l ings, an AVI D there is an obvious motivation an opportunity for students to of some sort. The AVID program Even if a four year college is not
instructor. to succeed, inc luding a definite attend uniform c lasses with the encourages stud ents to take the students' main goal, they
The program provides AVID interest in attending college. same people, high sc hool Advanced Placement courses as c an still push themselv es to
students with the benefit of a South, a pioneering school in operates much differently. The j uniors and seniors, which no excel."
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 I Page 4 �
Teacher Spotlight: Historian Scott Kelly is
captivated by the mysteries surrounding the Titanic
Kelly lectures on the mysteries that surround the maritime disaster, and
has several articles published in historical journals
By Andrew Buchert curse on the casket of an Egyp­
Editor tian mummy. The c asket had
been g iven to a Br itish museum
Scott Kelly, an E/L/P teacher after everyone who had come
in his second year at South, has into contact with it became mys­
been fascinated by the infamous ter iously ill or died. When a
s inking of the R.M.S. Titanic photographer died after taking
s inc e his e ar ly childhood in a picture of the c asket, the mu­
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is seum dec ided to ship the c asket
now shar ing his know ledg e to America, by w ay of the Ti­
with South Mee k and the Char­ tanic.
lotte area. Kelly has lectured on Dur ing his lec tures Kelly
the mar itime disaster to schools, uses some of his 250 slides, and
clubs, and c ivic organiz ations displays his extens ive collec tion
for the pas t eleven years, and of over 300 fr amed photo­
has published four articles, two graphs, prints, newspapers, and
of which are on the Titanic, in other memorabilia of the Titanic
histor ical journals. that he has c ollected. He prides
Kelly's interes t in the Titanic himself on never having used a
beg an even befor e he c ou ld script for any of his lec tures. " I
read. His grandparents owned kind o f j ust put up a s lide," said
a copy of Walter Lord's novel A Kelly, "and I can talk as much
Night to Remember, "which is like or as little as I want about each
the bible of the Titanic disas ter," one."
Kelly said, "and I was fascinated Kelly is a member of the Ti­
by the photographs of the ship tanic histor ic al soc iety, which
in there [L or d's novel]." ser ves as a research base for in­
As he grew older and w as for mation on the luxury liner. In
able to r ead, his interest pr o­ August of 1994, Kelly was the
gressed into a hobby. Kelly be­ sole lecturer at a fund r aiser for
gan c ollec ting anything that he the Gr aveyar d of the Atlantic
could get his hands on c oncern­ Mus eu m in C a p e H a t ter as ,
ing the Titanic, amass ing many North Carolina.
- books and hundreds of articles. n
A t the same time he developed Scott Kelly displays his model of the Titanic and a newspaper headlining the disaster. nomics, Legal, and Political Sys­
a profound respect for the hun­ Since that time Kel ly has ex- ing in Ireland," he s aid, "and Nova Sc otia, w her e the u n­ tems classes at South, Kelly is
dreds of people who lost their panded his lecture in both con- from there I traveled to Belfast, c l aimed b o d ies that w ere c urrently teaching two courses
lives when the " uns inkab le" tent and audience. After im- where the Titanic w as bu ilt." brought ashore fr om the ship at Queens College in Charlotte:
luxury liner s tr uc k an iceberg pressing his high school teach- There he saw many of the or igi- were bur ied," he said. History of the R.M.S. Titanic and
and sank 500 mi les off the c oas t ers with his talk, he found him- nal plans of the ship and the In Kelly's lectures, w hic h Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. His
of New foundland on April 15, self speaking at other schools tools that were used to carve the r ange in length from 45 minutes masters degree is in Wes tern
1912. Of the 2,227 passengers and to other groups . In 1993, as woodwor king on it, as well as to an hour, he presents an over­ Civilizations w ith an emphasis
aboard the ship, only 703 sur­ a secondary educ ation major in the ac tual rooms in which it was view of the Titanic, its cons true­ on Egyptian histor y, and he is
vived. college, he published an ar ticle designed. tion, and the sinking of the ship. planning to lead a tr ip to Egypt
Kelly's career as a lec turer entitled "The R.M.S. Titanic: While in Ireland, Kelly also In addition, he talks about the this s u mmer for inter es ted
began in 1987, when he was in Unr aveling its Mysteries" in The visited Queens town, the mod- famous people who w er e on South Meek students.
the ninth gr ade. "My teacher Stone House Review, a Slippery ern city of Cobh, which was the board the ship and the fate of So what does the Titanic ex­
dared me to ge t up in front of Rock University (Pennsylvania) last place the Titanic docked. In s ome of the cr ew members . per t think of James Camer on's
the class and talk [about the Ti­ journal, and the piece had soon Eng land, he tour ed "Pr obably the best par t of my blockbus ter movie? "We could
tanic], and I wound up standing c ircu l a ted thr oughou t the Southampton, the home por t of lecture, is the discussion of the have d one w ithout the love
up and talking for about 40 min­ United States, Canada, England, the ship and the home to most mys ter ies that surround the di- s tor y," s ai d Kelly, s mi l ing .
utes," he said. " I didn't think and Austr alia. of its crew, where n umer ous saster," he said. "There were s o many interest­
bac k then that ten years from Kelly has toured most of the monuments dedicated to the Of the many stories that are ing people who were on board
now I'd still be lectur ing and it Titanic-related sites throughout crew members killed on the ship connec ted to the sinking of the and so many great stories that
would have gotten as big as it Europe. "I had a unique oppor- have been built. "One place that ship, Kelly says that the favor­ they didn't have to make up a
has," said Kelly. tunity to do my student teach- I would like to go to is Halifax, ite seems to be the supposed fic titious one," he said.

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The Sabres' Blade

November 12,1998 Techno log !Page 5 �
Access to the Internet provides students with unlimited
resources, but it introduces many dangers as well
By Jessica Ambrose s t udents hav e , " s a id Mrs .
Staff Reporter Ca rro ll . "They [ the s tudents]
have the most accurate info rma­
Ava i la b l e to s t ud e n ts a t tion at their fingertips. "
South, the Internet and its poli­ Access to the Internet may
cies have become a major con­ prove beneficia l for students as
cern among students and ad­ they begin to explore career op­
ministrato rs a like. In o rder to portunities . Many employers
obta in p rivi leged use o f the a re now searching for computer
Internet from South Mecklen­ literate applicants who a re fa­
burg, s tudents a re required to miliar w ith the fas t grow ing
return the " Internet Acceptable field of technology. Many busi­
Use Agreement" form with their nesses are now converting to
signature, as well as their par­ Internet use instead o f publish­
ent or guardian's signature s ta t­ ing and printing on paper due
ing that all regulations are un­ to the fact tha t the Internet is
derstood and accepted . s imp ly more convenient and
The " Internet Acc eptable cost effec tive. "If we can raise
Use Agreement" form was de­ the level of comfort with the stu­
vised severa l years ago by a se­ dents on the computer, I think
lect group of teachers, adminis­ we have given them a service,
trators, parents , and s tudents no t only here, but a lso when
fro m the Cha r lo tte-Mec klen­ they do go o u t into the
burg a rea. Terms of this agree­ workfo rce," said Mrs . Ca rro ll.
ment are s tandard thro ughout Because of the increasing depen­
the C ha rlo tte-M ec klen b u rg dency upon computers, they
Schoo l System and are not s ub­ have become an essentia l ele­
ject to change a t the d iscretion Miriam Carroll teaches both students and faculty the latest computer technology. ment in functioning in the busi­
of individual schools . By sign­ ness community.
ing this form, parents are taking educational too l and it is a privi­ the Internet was origina lly de­ three years ago, and South was Tho ugh acc ess to the
full legal and financial respon­ lege," said Mrs . Miriam Carroll, veloped to ensure quick com­ o ne o f o n l y a p p ro x ima tely Internet provides students with
sibility for their child's behavior the Internet instructo r for the munication between the gov­ twenty-five o r thirty schools to unlimited reso urces , it intro­
while online. computer lab in A-b u i ld ing. ernment and major universities, receive online serv ices a t tha t d uces many dangers as well.
Evolution o f policy pertain­ St ud ents w ho abuse us e o f as research projects progressed time. The sheer amount o f informa­
ing to Internet us e has b een Internet resources are subject to at the universities. Eventually Internet resources present tion pertaining to any s ubjec t
quite drama tic . Only two years revocation o f all privileges, a businesses became interested in many advantages over reference imaginable has some convinced
ago, teachers were required to one to three day suspension, or the potential benefits available books . While books o ffer use­ tha t their privacy has been jeop­
stand d irectly behind and care- possibly exclusion, depending from utilizing the Internet for ful informa tion, the Internet is ardized. "There just aren't a lo t
.,...,._.-.[Link] ob v a y stu dent re­ upon the sevetit offe marketin . Soon after, schools more convenient and is more up of sa feg uards to E rotect people;
sea rching online. Now, allow­ The intended purpose of pro­ saw the need to acquire such to date. Neither television nor tha t fs my major concern," re­
ances for s tudent respons ibility v iding access to the Internet for valuable information in order to radio is· as valuable a so urce, ma rked M rs . Ca rro ll . Most
have been made and only the s tudents is to expand available broaden accessible resources . giving only bits of usually bi­ Internet users are not cautio us
" Internet Acceptable Use Agree- resea rch materials fo r educa­ The d ec is io n t o implement ased in'formation, in comparison and filters can be surpassed . The
ment" form is needed. tional purposes only; it is not for online resources as too ls to en­ with the Internet's vast array o f filters used at South work well,
"Students need to under­ recreational use. hance learning in Cha rlo tte­ data. "The Internet is one o f the but are no t capable of blocking
stand that it [the Internet] is an According to Mrs. Carro ll, Mecklenburg schools was made most exciting opportunities the all inappropriate material.

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The Sabres' Blade

November 12,1998 In-Depth I Page 6 �
Sobering Facts The high on the rise There are many different types of addictions.
about Alcohol By Nicole Ewing damaging their heart, kidneys,
Business Manager liver, bone marrow and other
1. Two out of five people in the vital organs . In the worst sce­
United States will be involved It is the newest drug craze. nario, they can s uffer from sei­
in an alcohol-related crash at Sniffing. Why spend money on zures, comas, and Sudden Sniff­
some time in their lives. alcohol and pot when the same ing Death Syndrome.
effect comes from a can of paint To get the effect, thes e
or Lysol? Inhalants are the third products are either "sniffed"
2. Just one drink can affect a mos t abused subs tances among through the users nos e , or
person's ability to drive. 12 to 14 year-olds in the United "huffed" through their mouth.
States, and hundreds of kids die Symptoms of abuse are red or
3. Drunk driving is the number each year due to inhalant use. runny eyes and nose, sores
What most teens don't realize is around the mou th, unus u al
one killer of teens and young
th a t inhaling prod u c ts like b reath, d azed appe arance,
adults. paint, magic markers, w hite c o rrection fluid and pen
out, lighter fluid, hair spray, air marks on clothing, and loss of
4. Drinking coffee or taking a fresheners and over 1,000 other appetite .. Side effects include
cold shower won't lower the products can cause death on the headaches , freq uent nos e
firs t try. bleeds, loss of senses, abdomi­
amount of alcohol in your
bloodstream. � Unfortunately, this is drug nal pain, fatigue, weight loss
abuse caused by perfectly legal, and nausea. This is not a very

�
common household prod ucts · glamorous lifestyle. If you
that are easily accessible to teen­ think that it is harmless to go
agers . Last year, over a million into the kitchen cabinet and get
5. Having a designated driver young people used inhalants to a can of cleaner to use for get­
get high. When misused, in­ ting high, think again. Unless
won't protect you from other
halants can cause serious, irre­ you want to end up like a veg­
types of alcohol-related acci­ versible brain damage by dis­ etable, lying in your bed for the
dents. solv ing the fatty tiss ues in the rest of your life, stay away from
brain. Users are also at risk of these harmful inhalants.
6. Over thirty-eight percent of
drowning accidents are alco­

Are you putting yo

hol-related.

7. Fifty-nine percent of fatal

falls are linked to alcohol.

Serious problems that are

8. A can of beer, a glass of
wine and a mixed drink all
have about the same amount

Are you smoking

of alcohe�-

�
�·•-
•
-
�

400,000 Americans die every year

9. Alcohol affects every organ
in the body. Contrary to popular belief smoking does NOT make
one more sophisticated and older, and if anyone thinks
10. Alcohol can increase your
risk of cancer of the mouth,
so, they are misinformed. Here are the real facts.
throat, stomach, liver and
116 EARLY CONSEQUENCES OF SMOKING
lungs.

*General decrease in physical fitness .

11. One hundred thousand
* Increased coughing and phlegm.
people die every year as a re­ 80
*Slower rate of lung growth ( by adulthood it may result in re­
sult of alcohol use.
D II D
duced level of lung function).
*Greater susceptibility to respiratory illness and artery disease.
- . There is no safe level of
12 Drinks and Smokes Smokes Neither Drinks nor Smokes Drinks * Decrease in the ability to tas te and smell.
alcohol use for pregnant *Restriction of oxygen flow to the brain-which can lead to stroke.
women.

13. Alcohol is addictive.

14. Nearly fourteen million

A license to kill
By Natalie Smith control the fact that we are in­ people into a vehicle made for are inv incible and that s uch
people in the United States - far fewer people is a practice of things w il l nev e r happen to
Staff Reporter experienced, but we can control
one in every thirteen adults -­ our driving habits on the road . which many teens are guilty. them. Since this is the case, all
abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Driving is one of the high­ For thrills, many participate Cramming seven people into a teenage d r ivers need to as k
lights of the. teenage years . Most in car surfing. In car surfing, a back-seat made for three, or five thems e lv es s ome important
15. Alcohol is high in calories, teenagers look eagerly toward person rides on the outside of people into a front seat made for questions : How would I feel if
the day when they will receive the vehicle while it is in motion. two is not wise. There are not the life of my sibling, my best
it can make you gain weight.
their d river 's license because it Even if the vehicle is moving at enough seat belts for everyone, friend, my boyfriend or girl­
gives them a new sense of free­ what seems to be a slow speed, and should the car be involved friend, or the d river I passen­
16. If you have alcoholism in dom and independence. How­ a person can slip or be thrown in an accident, mos t, if not all , gers of another car was lost in
your family, you have a higher ever, teenage driving often re­ from the outs ide of the car of the pass engers w o u ld be an accident that was my fault?
risk of becoming an alcoholic. sults in calamity and tragic fa­ should the driver have to s lam thrown from the car. Most teen­ How w ou ld my parents and
talities . Las t year, car crashes on the brakes . Oinking , jerking agers w ou ld s ay that they family feel if I died or were para­
killed more teens than AIDS, the steering wheel of a car in would never engage in any of lyzed in an accident? Hopefully,
17. When people mix alcohol the answers will bring reckless
·d rugs, homicide, or s uicid e . order to make it swerve back the above practices, but add to
and sex, they are less-likely to Surprisingly, most o f these acci­ and forth across the road, is an­ the list speeding and tailgating d r iv e rs to change and good
practice safer sex (increasing dents are not alcohol related . other common activity. This, and nearly all of us are culprits . drivers to continue their good
their risk of getting a sexually Teenage drivers, like it or not, too, is hazardous because at any There is n o use quoting trite habits.
transmitted disease like HIV . a re inexperienced . This , time the driver can lose control statistics or telling horror s to­
coupled w ith recklessness and of the car and skid off the road, ries of accidents involving teen­
(Information courtesy of age drivers because the truth is
carelessness, yields disaster. As especially if it is raining. Finally, Some information taken from
Amethyst) teens, we may not be able to piling enormous numbers of that most teenagers think they Reader 's Diges t.
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 \ Page 7 �
Brain-
The
�w Scrambling
Marijuana Quiz
' Let's talk about sex, the birds and the bees. We all know what it
is, but do we know the ramifications of "doing it"?

/ Studies show that smoking

*Nearly 65% of all ST D's (sexually transmitted diseases) occur in
fivejoints a week may expose
people younger than 25
*HIVIAIDS is one of the most common, deadly diseases. Right you to as many cancer-caus­
now it is the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 25 ing chemicals as smoking a
pack of cigarettes every day
and 44.
for a week. Take this quiz to
*Most people who become infected with HIV/AI DS got it through
find out the real mind-bending,
unprotected sex or sharing drug needles.
eye-opening facts. Check your
*Gonorrhea is a bacteria that can cause sterility, arthritis, and heart
answers against those printed
problems. More than one million cases are reported every year.
below.
*Over 80% of women and 1 0% of men show no symptoms of gon­
orrhea, yet they can still infect others.
1 . Marijuana is:
*Syphilis is a bacteria that, if left untreated, can lead to disfigure­
a. A drug that changes
ment, mental disorder, or death, along with damage of the nervous
how the brain works
system, heart, brain, and other vital organs.
b. A green, brown or gray
*Syphilis is spread through kissing, intercourse, and pregnancy.
mix of dried, shredded
*The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) affects one out of four Ameri­
flowers and leaves of
cans each year.
the hemp plant
*HSV causes sores in the mouth, and on the genitals, and remains
(cannabis sativa)
in the body for life.
c. Illegal (think fines and
*The best way to protect yourself from STD's is simple: abstain
jail)
from sex altogether. However, if you are having sex, always use a
d. Sometimes rolled into a
condom; it has been shown as the best way to prevent the spread
cigarette called a joint
of diseases.
or smoked in a pipe

ur li in dang er ?
e. All of the above

e 2. Which of these can happen

within minutes
of smoking marijuana:
a. Problems remembering

���laguing our generation . . . what just happened

b. Distorted sight, sound,
ime, and touch_

your life away?

c. Loss of coordination
Compiled by Larisa Yasinovskaya
d. Increased heart rate
(Information provided by, CDC, TIPS, COHIS, Holt Health '94)
and anxiety
e. Embarassing or hurtful
because of problems due to smo king. . . that's one out of every six deaths! mistakes

3 . Which of these might be

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF SMOKING REASONS TO QUIT
signs that someone has
* Emphysema - the inability to breathe. requiring an oxygen tank. * Save money - at two dollars a pack, save $ 730 a year, (that's a been using marijuana:
* Chronic Bronchitis - the buildup of too much mucus in the lungs, down payment on a car !) a. Giggling and silliness
resulting in cons tant coughing. * Don't have to waste money on cosmetic surgery for premature for no reason
* Lung Cancer - 90 % of cases are caused by smoking, and it can
kill the individual.
* Death

EFFECTS OF SMOKELESS (CHEWING TOBACCO)

wrinkles, !=igarette burns, and yellow stained teeth.
* Avoid chemotherapy for cancer.
* An oxygen tank does not seem like a good accesso y.

WAYS TO QUIT
� b. Red, bloodshot eyes
c. Forgetfulness
d. Acting paranoid
e. Any of the above

4. When smoked every day,

* Early signs of gum d isease. * Alter smoking and chewing patterns .
* Lesions in the mouth. which has more cancer-caus­
* Delay smoking or chewing by drinking water or juice or chew­
* Cancer in the mouth, throat, tongue, cheek and gums . ing chemicals:
ing on gum, toothpicks, or a snack.
* Disgusting yellow teeth, gross breath, smelly hair and clothing. a. A joint
* Think about how much better NOT smoking is .
b. A pack of cigarettes
c. Both are harmful

The dangers of drugs 5 . Smoking marijuana when

driving is dangerous because
By J.T. Crook used illicit drug among teenag­ vey found that 1 1 . 3 percent have been hit over the head it:
Sp orts Co-Editor ers . Its greates t danger is that it of the civilian population re­ about the dangers of drug ad­
a. Slows responses to
leads to the use of more danger­ ported using it during their life­ d iction. They have seen the
Drug use is a problem with ous drugs. A recent s tudy has time. Cocaine can also lead to " . . . your brain on drugs " com­ sights and sounds
teenagers in the United States . shown that teenagers who use serious addiction. Snorting it mercial so many times that they b. Makes it harder to
On any given weekend there are it are 266 times more likely to can also wear a hole in your have memorized the entire com­ judge distances
parties that offer the use of illicit start using cocaine. Its effects nose, leaving the user walking mercial by heart. Despite the c. Increases the chances
d ru gs s uch as marij uana and are well known. It leads to a around with a lifetime case of dangers, many teenagers have
of getting in a car crash
cocaine. Many teenagers think lack of motivation and a lack of the sniffles . It can cause a heart tried illicit drugs . If ed ucating
that it is cool to get high on energy. That lack of motivation attack when too much is taken, today's youth is not the solu­
weekends . They live life with­ is what changes a good student and can totally cons ume a tion, the only way to keep teen­
out a care. They do not think into a failing s tudent. It literally person's life. A cocaine junkie agers off of drugs is to inform
that there are consequences for makes the user stupid. When a can live his life waiting on his them of what the dangers are.
their actions. Well, there are. pers on is high on marijuana addiction. Unless treated, a per­ Hopefully they will learn that
These consequences can take a their speech will make no sense son addicted to marijuana will they are putting their life in dan­
promising life away and return and they will seem to have the spend the rest of their life as a ger.
Answers: 1 . e; 2. a,b, c,d or e; 3. e;
only addiction and worthless­ intelligence of a four year old . slave to a mere white powder.
4. c; 5 . a , b, and c
ness . C ocaine i s generally re­ Ever s ince they took DARE
A common feature of many garded as the mos t frequently in elementary school, teenagers ( Information courtesy of Amethyst)
weekend parties is marijuana. used illicit drug among the en­ have been lis tening to how (Information provided by
Marijuana is the mos t w idely tire population. Recently a sur- bad d rugs are for them. They Social Issues Research Services
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 Arts & E nterta i n ment I Page 8 �
Interested in time travel? The Renaissance
Festival offers a unique way to go back in time
By Cat Trap hagan Ever w onder what it is like
Staff Reporter to get s tuck in a maze? Wonder
no more because you can try to
Whether you are looking for w eave your w ay through a
good food or old fashioned fun, mind-boggling maze complete
the Renaissance Festiv al is the with s lides at the end .
place to go! It cos ts a mere ten Time for lunch? No problem.
dollars to w al k through the There is a w ide array of food.
gates of time into a magic a l The king's personal favorite is
world where kings and queens the huge turkey legs, more tan­
parade among the fairies . talizing than Me Donald's
Upon entering you w ill en­ ever d reamed ! If you are inter­
counter many peasants going ested in animals, there are el­
about their d aily duties but they ephant and c amel rides . Be
are not too b us y to s top and careful, though because camels
share their colorful life s tories . are known to spit. Test your
There are beautiful flower gar­ a im at the Vegetable Jus tice
lands to try on, and there are booth as a loud mouth joker
even ·costume rentals for those tests your temper. If your aim
brave enough to travel into the is acc urate you might get the
time warp themselves . pleasure of landing a tomato
Moving along, you can find right in his mouth. Don't for­
the queen and king's court with get the highlight of the day, The
an occasional princess gracing Royal Jous t! It is good versus
the c rowd with her presence. evil. Pick your s ide and cheer
They w ill teach you how to on your knight. Who knows ?
bow to royalty and they might Maybe good w on ' t w in this
even tell you what s ide to sit time. As the d ay comes to a
on at the joust. Along the w ay c lose, your feet may be aching,
there are blushing flower girls so hail a man-powered carriage
selling beautiful roses w ith a to whisk you back to the gates .
bashful laugh. As you get But don't forget to pay your re­
deeper into the fantasy w orld spec ts to the king and queen!
you will find Leonardo's Flying From hardy turkey legs to
Machines whirling around and elephant rides, the Renais­
around . You w ill discover gyp­ there, selling enchanting wares . methods within. It costs one sense of humor all their own as sance Festival has something
sies who are eager to dance a There are jokers, musicians and dollar to view the horrific de­ they fight a historic al duel. Mer­ for everyone. Hurry and buy
jig, and it's possible that you artists that please your every v ices used to inflict pain on lin, the royal magician, can be your tickets before the mys ti­
will get recruited to pran e whim. But w atch what you those who chose to violate the fo1lnd playing his harp w ith his cal world is closed until next
along with them. say because there is a medieval­ king and queen's laws . magic dragon, telling tales of year.
There are merchants, here and s tyle prison w ith all the torture The Spanish duelis ts have a chilvary. The Festival ends November 15.

Looking for somethi ng out of the ordinary? How do South students spend their
Believe it or not, there are many cool places in weekends?
Charlotte to beat your weekend boredom Cruising

Charlotte Climbing Center Silver Screen Cafe

Alcohol/Drugs
,
,
Church Activities
6 1 9 S. Cedar St. 4 1 20 E. Independence Blvd.
333-7625 535-8333 Paying Job

For you outdoorsy people who A unique experience. .. they

Playing Sports
can't make it to the mountains. serve in front of the big screen!
Movies

I I
Pop's Main Street Ice Cream Manor Theatre
Vacation
Stonecrest Shopping Center 607 Providence Rd.
540-0 1 00 334-2727 Hanging Out
.- Independent movies that allow
Homeade ice cream and frozen 0 � � 00 � 1 00 1 � 1 � 1 00 1 � 200
novelties. a break from Hollywood.

La-Dee-Da's The IceHouse The Everest experience

1 942 East 7th St. 400 Towne Centre Blvd.
889-9000 By Jennifer Samuels tragic s torm on Everest in 1996,
372-9599
Staff Reporter which resulted in many deaths .
Restaurant with antique gift New ice skating arena near
This storm is documented i n the
shop and live music. Carolina Place Mall. Educational films are not al­ film, and listening to the firs t­
ways boring. Proof of this can hand accounts of people who
Seven Seeds CoffeeHouse Dilworth Diner Omnimax Theater be seen in the film Everest. cur­ experi enc ed the s torm and
1 2 1 3 W. Morehead Street 1 608 East Blvd. Discovery Place rently playing at the Omnimax d eath, is heart-w renc hing.
358-0 1 06 333-0 1 37 30 1 N. Tryon St. Theater at Discovery Place. It is However, the bravery shown by
shot with an IMAX camera, al­ the expedition featured through
Local bands perform here A '50's style cafe with a great 372-6 1 62
lowing all the swoops, turns, and their c ontinued chase of the
regularly. atmosphere and good food. Education with a thrill! wide pictures to be experienced summit after the storm is inspir­
in a grandiose splendor. ing. Do they make it to the top
Delightful Evening of Drama Everes t d oc uments the at­
tempt of a group of c limbers
and get down s afely? Go see
the film to find out! It's running
Fou r on e - act p l ays for t h e l ow p r i c e of $3 ! from around the world to scale date has been extended to No­
the great mountain. This film is vember 25. It seems that people
far from boring, and it is ac tion­ j us t c an n o t get enough of
L o n e l y P l a n e t by S t even D i e t z packed . Whether using ladders Everes t. A few months ago the
to c ross c rev ic es many miles movie broke the top twenty
D i n n e r W i t h t h e Ta y l o rs by Anna Wi l l i ams on deep, or sc aling the sheer ice films in the nation, an unprec­
Th e C i n d e re l l a S y n d ro m e by Ni c o l e Meade walls of Everest, there is d anger eden ted fea t b y an IMAX
R D i re c t o r' s W o rs t N i g h t m a re by Jacki e Dau t e l at every tum. movie. The IMAX experience
is incredible. Bring the moun­
Howev er, this film is n o t
merely an action flick o r travel tain to you - go see Everest to-
Th u rsday, Novem ber 1 2 at 7 :00pm @ South Meek Auditorium
. log . I t. w. as. made . during .the day! . • . . .... . .....
.

�------�--����-
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 Featu res \ Page gJ
Faces in .the Crowd
What could
be done at
South to
Dena King : A dedicated Sabre who is known for encourage
her involvement in many extracurricular activities school spirit?
"If. the audience was more
By N icole Ewing school and the community have involved in pep rallies we
Business Manager not gone unnoticed. Her would be more pumped and
awards include, "Presidential so would all of the athletes."
If you have not heard about Award," "Miss Lady Like," and Demarius Alexander, 12
Dena King and her accomplish­ "Who's Who among American
ments by now, you must have High School Students." Her "South Meek should put on a
been under a rock for the past greatest achievement is being talent show to showcase
four years. This senior woman nominated as South Meek's Sabre talent."
has been involved in many ac­ DAR Representative. Amy Smith, 9
tivities and has been recognized As you can see, this lady Sa­
for numerous accomplishments bre has her head on straight. Af­ "Open a campus coffee
for her active interest through­ ter high school, she hopes to at­ house that is run by South
out the community. tend either UNC-Chapel Hill, Meek students. The money
The list of clubs that she is ac­ NC State or Davidson where she to build it could be raised by
tively involved in could go on plans to major in business man­ the student body."
forever. She is a member of Ex­ agement, and then attend law Rebecca Moore, 12
ecutive Council, the president of school. With her variety of AP
Gospel Choir, vice president of and AG classes and her full, "Offer more after school
Sisters with Vision, and a mem­ well-rounded schedule, there is programs and activities that
ber of BETA Club and National little doubt that she will succeed are entertaining and have
Honor Society. Walter Boyle/Staff Plzotograplzer in anything and everything she interesting ideas, logos or
Her extraordinary efforts in Dena King bas been recognized for her many contribu- puts her mind to. mottos."
•
tions throughout the community. Akil Landers, 9

Chris Gordon : An outstanding student athlete "We should have a weekend

-long carnival at South that
includes acts, shows,·games,

who e els i n cross cou ntry and track food, etc."

Loiane Camargo, 12

By Chris O'Connor the school record for that event. "Include more decorations
Staff Reporter An acti·ve member of with our school colors
Somedra. Chrris builds scenery during S irit Week."
Chances are you've prob­ and op7rates lights for drama Kel ly Busher, 9
ably seen Chris Gordon running productions. He has designed
around ampus after school or the lighting for Senior Follies "Promote South Meek
working behind scenes on a the past three years, andhe sports so that more students
recent drama production. Wel l helped build the sets for will want to attend the
known for his success as a run­ Somedra's Gold in tile Hills, Tile games."
ner on the cross country and Odd Couple, and Black Comedy. Dylan Mauerhan, 10
track teams, this junior is also a He also plays bass clarinet in the
dilligent student who strives for South Meek band. "I think that there should be
excellence in all of his pursuits. In his spare time, Chris en­ more pep rallies, dances, and
Chris has run on the varsity joys playing football and spend­ other student activities."
cross country team at South for ing time with friends. He works Leslie Cunni ngham, 11
the past three years, and is cur­ at LaStrada Restaurant and At­
rently serving as captain for the lantic Construction Company. · "Activities that include all
second consecutive year. He has " Chris is an outstanding different groups of students
also lettered every year in track, student and athlete who cares and not just certain cliques
and he was a part of the 4x800 deeply for South," said cross would help to get more
relay team that placed first in the Walter Boyle Plwtograplzer country coach Brian Zelk, "and people involved. If popular
conference meet in 1997 and set Chris Gordon, captain of the cross country team, is I have much respect for him." activities included more than
known for his athletic stamina.
sports, more people would
be encouraged to partici­
pate."
Me Mullen Creek Laura Paradise, 10

8302 Pineville-Matthews Rd. "We should have signs

promoting upcoming games
Charlotte, NC 28226 and more schoolwide events,
instead of class and club
(704) 543-6265
oriented events only.
Ira Tol ley, 10

"More people could come to

South Meek games. We
should also have people

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activities."
M ichael Benfield, 11
Eat at a Great
"Encourage the band to be
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Bob Henderson, 12
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'
our sports teams more, there

sJa6o}:l aaJuow pue Ja6uauea 1 ae 4�!W :SafJaJSAW JOfUaS OJ SJaMSU\f would be more spirit."
Brandon Jackson, 12
..,. ... ., . .... Jf . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
��----�------------------
·,
· .J
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 Sports ! P age 101
Different Cross Country wins Conference ChaiDpionship
perspectives
on the NBA Team dedicates victory to Ben Robinette
lockout By Chris O'Connor
Staff Reporter
followed by John Lakas, who
placed sixth with a time of 17:01,
team wanted to bring horne the
championship to honor the
win the conference." During the
awards ceremony after the race,
Which voices are also qualifying for All-Confer­ memory of Ben Robinette who Chris Gordon announced to the
being ignored? In one of the closest confer-
ence meets ever,
ence. Brendan McHugh, who died earlier in the season in a crowd that the Sabres were

There are more sides to the the Sabre cross

locko u t s t o ry than j u s t t he country team
spoiled, overpaid player against brought horne
the greedy, business-like owner. the Conference
By my count, there are three . Champ ionship
sides that are being left out. I for the first time
want to voice all of the sides of in over twenty­
the lockout which could cancel five years. To
the entire NBA season. This is claim the cham­
what I believe to be the view­ pionship, the Sa­
point of a journeyman, a rookie, · bres had to beat
and a fan. longtime power­
The Journeyman house East
I don't know what I'm going Meek, a team
to do. I don't exactly fit the that has won the
mold of the flashy, spoiled, and c o n fe rence for
overpaid superstar. I have eleven of the last
earned the NBA minimum sal­ twelve years.
ary for five years in a row. I The race
have played for six teams in the started with East
last four years and am currently taking an early
unsigned by any team. I don't lead as the Sa­
even know where I'll be when bres decided to
this thing is over. Sure, I do get w a i t to make
paid pretty well during the sea­ their move. The
son, but what do I do when my top East runners
career is over. The average NBA maintained their -- --

career is four years. I am only lead until the Sa- Conference Champs: Back Row from left to right: M. Presslar, M. Monosoff, N. Morabito, D. Goodson, B.
twenty-six and I have no idea b : es began to Freyer, M. Ballenger, W. St. George, B. McHugh, S. Harmaty, N. Smith, Coach Zelk, C . O'Connor. Front Row: J .
what I am going to do with the p 1 c k them off Nark, J . Sauzier, M. Fay, T. Iyoob, A . Neill, J . Landivar, J . Lakas, C . Gordon, J . Hsu.
rest of my life. near the two
mile mark. Alexi Neill was able qualified for All-Conference by traffic accident. After the acci­ d"e d i c a t i n g the win to Ben.
to catch up to East's leaders, but placing ninth with a time of dent, the Sabres came together When asked about his view
J . T. C rook finished just short of their one 17:24, said, " We've all gone and decided that they would do the team 's ucce t
and two man. However, -th throu 1 · a a , w a ev r was n c
·
a!!!�---..:
ary to win Gordon rep ied, "1 am proud or
bres were able to catch East's so .we all knew what we had to the title for Ben. They rallied to­ the performance of the team this
Sports pack in the final mile as they put do, and we all rose to the occa­ gether as a team as they stepped year. The fact that we had he
their second, third, and fourth sion". Chris O'Connor placed up their workouts and focused strength to con uer the highest
Commentary man in front of East's number twelfth in the meet with a time on their goal. Co-captain John mountain from a start in the
three. This gave the Sabres the of 17:26, which earned him the Sauzier said, "Ben was an out­ deepest hole is an awesome
The Rookie advantage that they needed to final spot on the All-Conference standing runner, and an ex­ demonstration of the overall
·-
This lockout is one of the win. team. Chris Gordon, in an ex­ tremely hard worker. It was his maturity, determination, and
most confusing things I have Alexi Neill led the Sabres traordinary display of tough­ spirit inside each and every one most importantly the willpower
ever seen. I have spent my sum­ placing third with a time of 16:50 ness, battled an inj ury for the of us that enabled us to commit to move through the tough time
mer working out and getting which qualified him for the All­ entire race, and still managed to ourselves to each other and to to achieve success."
ready for a tough season ahead, Conference team. When asked finish with a time of 17:39.
about the team's success, he said This was an important vic­
if there ever is one. My agent
and I have not even begun to that, "We couldn't have done it tory for the Sabres not only be­
bargain with my team about the with out the outstanding efforts cause it was their first champi­
size of my contract and bonus. of the other six guys." Neill was onship, but also because the
What if I do not live up to the
Injuries hamper Sabre
size of my contract? After this
long lockout is over, I do not
think that the hometown fans Football amc. CARO llNA
are going to like me if I disap­

22
point them. I really don't know By Jason Nark fensive linemen have been in­
what my future holds.
The Fan
Staff Reporter j ured, which has left quarter­
back Jason Peterson open to
PAVl ll ON
I have been buying season Even though the record blitzing defenses. Three line­
tickets from the local team for might not show it, the 1998 Sa­ backers have been sidelined for
twenty years. I have stuck with b re football team has played most of the season due to a va­
them even when they were in well this season. Many injuries riety of injuries, along with start­
the division cellar. I pay for tick­
ets that take a large chunk out
have hurt the Sabres' offense
and defense, but the remaining
ing tailback Jamal Harper.
Looking past all of the inju­ 15 NOW HlRlN G
of my year's salary. My wife players have really stepped it ries, the Sabre football team has
complains about that but I think up. "We have had a disappoint­ pulled together to try to make
it is worth it. She j ust does not ing year but not in the terms of this a season to remember.
understand. I love the atmo­ the effort of our players. Our Many players have had out­ WE OFFER:
sphere, the smell of the coli­ players have tried hard every standing performances such as FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES!
seum, and the music that they game. We are not happy with fullback Cameron Stinson, who COMPETD'IVE WAGES!
play. Fans like me are a part of our record but the kids have rushed for 200 yards on twenty­ FUN WORKING ENVIRONMENll
the game, so why haven't we tried and really done the best one carries against East Meek. FREE MOVIES FOR YOU AND
been consulted? Why are they they could and played some out­ Cameron also contributed on YOUR FAMILY!
trying to take basketball away standing football," said Coach defense with thirteen tackles, a
from us? Shaughnessey. He was proud of caused fumble, and a fumble PLEASE APPLY IN PERSON.
the way his team played against recovery. He was honored as APPLICATIONS ARE IN THE LOBBY.
West Charlotte and Indepen­ BE SURE TO SEE A MANAGER OR CALL
After reading my column, I WBT's player of the week.
HUMAN RESOURCES TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT
hope you understand that there dence. As for next year, things can
is more to the lockout than j ust The major factor contribut­ only get better. Quarterback Ja­
the greedy superstars against ing to the Sabres' 2-7 record has son Peterson will be returning
been injuries. Seventeen play­
ano. CAROl1}4A PAV1l10}4 22
the greedy owners. For the sake along w ith tailback J arnal
of all parties involved, I hope ers missed a total of fifty-nine Harper, leading receiver Anre' 9S'41 SOVTH BOVL£VARD
that the player's union and the games altogether this season, in­ Clauson, and nine starters in­ C HARLOTT£ . }4C 28213
cluding thirteen starters who
owners will come to an agree­
ment soon and the season can have missed an average of five
cluding members of the second­
ary linebacking core, and offen­
(7\}4) 643-26/t\}
begin. games each. Three starting of- sive line.
---- -- ---

The Sabres' Blade

November 12,1998 Sports \P age 111
Soccer ends season in disappointment Lack of
respect for
Despite a strong start, the Sabre s must wait another year for a the Panthers
postseason playoff spot Do you support the Carolina
Panthers? From what I have
seen this season, I would ven­
By Laura King ture to say that most of the Pan­
Staff Reporter thers' hometown does not. The
"fans" of our city have not been
As Sabre soccer w raps up faithful to their football team
their 1998 season, they boast a which they wanted so badly a
successful record of s i x teen few years ago.
wins, four losses and two ties, The Carolina fans are partly
having outscored their oppo­ responsible for their pathetic
nents in conference matches by record of 1 and 7. Does being a
a margin of sixty to eighteen losing team mean the fans no
goals. The team spent most of longer need to support them?
their season ranked in the top An example of the disrespect
ten of the North Carolina Soc­ they have received, was in their
cer Coaches' Association state recent loss to Green Bay. They
poll. They remained in the ninth were losing by a large margin
spot for most of their season and early in the game, so the "fans"
were once ranked as high as sev­ predicted a blowout and left the
enth in the state. Seniors Ian game early. The Panthers ended
McConnell and Josh Fisher have up losing that game, but not
had memorable seasons; sopho­ w ithout a fight . They had a
more Drew Llewellyn led the chance to win with just seconds
team in scoring with twenty­ left, but they were lacking a
two goals, and Greg Arent and major factor, fan support.
Chris Wyer each have added Another problem w ith the
A Butler defender challenges Forward Mike Ingram as he tries to add another fans of Charlotte, is that they
thirteen goals.
goal to the Sabre's 5- 1 victory last Thursday night. only go to home games if the
The Sabres currently hold the
sixth spot in the Observer ' s the Sabres were also the first chored in the top ten for much season. In addition, South's jun­ weather is nice. Real football is
Sweet Sixteen with one match team to hold them scoreless. of the season. ior varsity team was outstand­ b e s t in b a d wea ther, b u t
remaining on their schedule. H o w ever, despite their out­ Even if the Sabres fall short ing this season. They defeated Carolina's fans w ou ld rather
They recently defeated power­ standing accomplishments this of the playoffs, Coach Lynch Myers Park in the teams' second watch the game on TV.
house Myers Park, a team which season, an extremely tough con­ will not be disappointed with matchup by a score of 1-0, edg­
has been considered by many to ference and a recent 3-1 loss to his team. " Even though the ing out the Mustangs by one
be the state's best, by a score of rival East Meek may prevent the chances of making the playoffs win to claim the conference Nathan Morabito
3-0. Jeff Tate scored an unas­ Sabres from making the state are not good at this point, I am championship with a record of
sisted goal in the first four min­ playoffs. The top three teams in still very proud of the guys and thirteen wins, two losses and
utes to p u t the Sabres ahead our conference go to the play­ their accomplishments this sea- two ties. Coach Lynch takes Sports
early, and tough defense pre­ o ffs. S o u th c o m p e tes w i th o , he said." urse, ther ride in -the- aeromplishments of
vented the Mustangs from ever Providence, Myers P�rk, and is always next year. The Sabres this year ' s squad and hopes to
equa i zing. It w as the Mus­ East Meek, three teams which, have a strong core of varsity compete for the state champ"ion­
tangs' first conference loss, and like the Sabres, have been an- starters returning for the 1999 ship next season. The biggest issue of respect is
the Kerry Collins dilemma. The

Lady Sabres tennis team completes a biggest cheer that Collins re­
ceived this season was after his
Associated Press requested removal from the
successful season College Football starting lineup, and later his
departure to New Orleans.
By N icole Ewing we plan to do is improve." court." she said.
Top 25 Although the majority of fans
Business Manager E l len Abb o t t, Kim Rogers, Their final record for the 1998 dislike him and think he is a ter­
Nicole Ewing, Eleanor Martin, season was 5 and 2. Only three 1 . Ohio State 8-0 rible player, he really has true
After long and successful sea­ Annye Scrogham, and Becky seniors will leave, so the young 2. Tennessee talent. His talent was evident in
7-0
son, the Lady Sabres tennis team Orr, went on to compete in the team is looking to surprise the the Panther's run at the cham­
3. UCLA 7-0 pionship in 1996 when he was
ended thei r year in a tough individual tournament. The competition next season. One of
match against Providence while doubles teams of Ewing-Martin these seniors is Annye 4. Kansas St. 8-0 one of the top starting quarter­
competing in the regional tour­ and Scrogham-Orr, both lost in Scrogham. "The past four years 5. Florida 7- 1 backs in the NFL. His problems
namen t . In re g u l a r season the conference round to the top the team has really beaten the 6. Florida St. 8- 1 began in a regular season game
matches, the team placed third seeds. The two singles players, odds and I am happy to be a part 7 . Texas A&M against Kansas City last year.
8- 1
behind Myers Park and Provi­ Abbott and Rogers, had wins in of such a great group of girls." He p layed one of his worst
8. Wisconsin 8-0 games as a Panther and conse­
dence which earned them a spot the conference round, and went Next year, their goal is to im­
in the regional team tourna­ to regions. Senior Kim Rogers prove in the rankings and make 9. Penn State · 6- 1 quently, the fans called for his
ment. They crushed E as t ­ is happy to have made it so far it as far as they can in the tour­ 10. Arizona 8- 1 removal from the game. From
Gaston 8-1, and then lost t o the after p laying for four years. naments. Sophomore Ellen 1 1 . Arkansas 7-0 then on it was the "fans" versus
Panthers. "I am very pleased " Each year has helped me to Abbott said "Being close and 1 2 . Virginia 7- 1 Kerry Collins. Charlotte's fans
with our season," said Coach improve my game and become w orking as a team show we 1 3 . Notre Dame 6- 1 drained the passion for football
Art Abbott, "we reached our a stronger person physically and have the potential to rise above out of him. Do fans in other cit­
1 4 . Nebraska 7-2 ies consistently yell derogatory
goal of coming in third, and all mentally, both on and off the the other teams."
1 5 . Syracuse 5-2 remarks to their starting quar­
7-0 terbacks? If the answer is yes,
Q i c:y•s
tie. Tulane
.. .. tie. Vir. Tech 7- 1 then the city has a bad team.
Unfortunately, in Charlotte the

S-te!�khe»
1 8 . Missouri 6-2
majority of the fans do not sup­
.. S E! 19. Georgia 6-2 port their team. If you were
7671 Pineville-Matthews Rd. 20. Texas 6-2 Collins, would you want to play
2 1 . Oregon 6-2 for a team whose fans could not
Cannel Commons * 542-8597
22 ... Michigan 6-2 stand you?
23. Ga. Tech
Since the Panthers had a great
6-2
Hiring:
team in 1996, when they made
Now 24. Miami 5-2
the Conference Championship,
25. Air Force 7- 1
waiter/waitress the fans of Charlotte expect a
solid team every year. No team
cashier can have a winning record sea­
This poll comes
prep eook/eook son after season. The fans must
from the Associated be patient and stand by their
Press in the team when they need it most.
Apply in person. 1 1 /2 /98 Charlotte Next time the Panthers play, try
to support them even if they are
Observer losing, and please do not leave
early.
 The Sabres' Blade
November 12,1998 !Page 1 2�
Senior Mysteries The '90s: Everything old is new again
By Natalie Smith with a '90s twist and are slightly also seen in the media. A popu­
Staff Reporter altered to give them a more lar c ommercial for The Gap
modem look. Bell-bottoms, for shows young adul ts in khaki
Bell-bottom pants, platform instance, are no longer the psy­ pants dancing to the lively mu­
shoes, and ' 70s funk music. chedelic-colored spandex pants sic of the Brian Setzer Orchestra
Sound like scene from an old we remember from the ' 70s. and finishes with the slogan
Shaft movie? Well, it isn't. To­ Rather, the concept of the "bell "khakis swing."
day, things such as these can be Another example is music
found everywhere amongst the sampling in which artists take
teenage population. The rea­ cuts from o1d songs and use
son? The ' 90s are the decade of them in their own. This is most
imitation. Never before has common in R&B and rap music.
there been such a widespread F o r e x a m ple, Sean " P u ffy"
resurfacing of trends from past Combs is one of the most popu­
decades as there are now. Fash­ lar rappers in our decade. Ironi­
ion and music from as far back cally, though, he is noted for be­
as the twenties are immensely ing a sampler of music from the
... . popular and styles thought to '70s and '80s. Even alternative
By Nicole Ewing By Chris O'Connor
have died out long ago are com­ rock music of today could be
Business Manager Staff �eporter
ing back with a vengeance. thought of as a derivative of, or
If you are looking for a tutor, Clothing and fashion from at least comparable to the pro­
This senior mystery is a very
past decades have become a tes t-filled rock music of the
this month's senior mystery is important part of the student
the guy to ask. He is at the very huge part of styles in the '90s. 1960's.
government. He is not only in­
The '60s, for example, brought So, what's behind this wild
top of his class, President of Se­ volved in politics, but he is also
us capri pants, tailored shirts fascination with the past? There
nior Class Council, and a mem­ very athletic. He plays line­
and beatnik tops. The gangster is no single reason. However,
ber of many academic clubs backer for the varsity football
look of the 1930s pinstripe suit in the opinion of many there is
such as B ETA Club, National team, and has even been nomi­
is also making a comeback in nothing definitive about our
Honor Society, Spanish Honor nated for the athlete of the week
men's as well as women's fash­ decade, and there is uncertainty
Society, and DECA. Don 't think award . Away from school, he
ion. Platfom shoes from the '70s bottom" has been applied to or­ about what life will be like as we
that he only has brains; he also spends his time working at Cel­
have made such a colossal re­ dinary blue jeans, and thus are near the 21st century. As a result,
runs cross-country and plays ebration Station. After high
turn that, in addition to heeled born the flare leg jeans. attentions are focused on the
Park Sharon Basketball. Need school, he plans to attend either
shoes, many sneakers and ten­ Music of prior decades has past and that which is already
another clue? If you ever eat at NC Central or NC State and
nis shoes are being made with also come back with a bang. The established. Variety also plays
Copeland's Restaurant, your would like to become a lawyer
the platform- style sole. The re­ most obvious example is the a role. With about seven de­
salad, appetizer, and desert or a sports agent. If you are still
turn of Mary Jane shoes brings new the Swing craze that has cades since 1920 to choose from,
might be made by this chef. Can puzzled by this senior mystery,
back memories of the 1920's swept over the nation in recent teens can sport anything from
you guess who it is? If not, turn to page 9 to find out who
flapper. What, though, prevents months. Reminiscent of the late flare legs and platforms to the
check Page 9 for the answer. he is.
the return of these retro fads 1930s and the early 1940s, Swing radical look of the hippie era;
from seeming just p lain old­ music and dancing are primary and they can listen to anythil
fashioned? The fashions never forms of entertainment for from Glenn Miller to the Rolling -�...:c
return exactly as th y o iginally many teens. The influence of e Stones. Yet, the most important
w�re. Instead, they come back comeback of the Swing era is reason is: it's just fun.

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