Viewpoints

Freshman Mackenzie Caudill shares her love and knowledge of the graffiti culture in Athens.

The ODYSSEY editorial board endorses Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

This year’s Presidental candidates’ unusually high unfavorably ratings are leading many voters towards minor parties. Should they vote third party or pick the lesser of evils?

Senior Kennae Hunter discusses her feelings about being in her final year at Clarke Central High School.

A video from 2005 was released on Oct. 7 featured Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump uttering vulgar things about women, which is only the most recent example of Trump’s sexism.

Sophomore Caedmon Churchwell details life with three brothers, and how he has been affected by them.

Senior Fajr DeLane received some shocking news on the evening of April 20th, 2016.

Anyone can benefit financially from Donald Trump becoming President with a few simple investments.

In light of the recent alleged sexual assaults in Clarke County School District, Digital Managing Editor Aneesa Conine-Nakano discusses consent and why it needs to be emphasized in schools.

Freshman broadcast staffer Flora Lechtreck writes on her love for thrills through extreme sports and exciting adventures.

The Kardashians are highlighted far too much in today’s society, when in reality, they’re just regular people surrounded by fame.

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ character as a politician has been overlooked due to his seemingly “radical” and “unrealistic” beliefs.

Fourteen years after her adoption, 16-year-old Hannah Gale addresses her birth mother in an open letter.

As a kickoff to the Athens Jewish Film Festival, the documentary “Hate” reveals anti-Semitism which has remained in parts of Europe.

Freshman Ana Aldridge looks back to the reasons behind her decision to be a vegetarian until the age of 20.

Standardized tests like the American College Testing, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) all pave the way to college. These scores affect what college one can get into, or if one goes to college at all.

News Editor Jurnee Louder discusses why she has gotten “information” along with Beyonce and many other young girls.

Junior Kennae Hunter speaks on her experience as an African-American teenager.

News Editor Jurnee Louder reflects on her own experiences with discrimination in Downtown Athens and how it can be stopped.

Words are harmful–especially if they’re what’s standing in the way of getting help. Being…

Abrupt changes can cause dramatic differences in one’s life. Instead of looking at the negatives, Copy Editor Christina Kurian turned her focus towards the brighter aspects of moving. In fact, what she expected to be the worst experience of her life, became the most memorable instead.

Print Senior Copy Editor Tierra Hayes questions whether she is “Proud to be CCSD” after the district’s failure to communicate an alleged rape on Cedar Shoals High School’s campus.

After hearing inflammatory remarks from Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, senior Tiernan O’Neill looks back to three words on the seal of the United States of America.

High school is probably not going to be what you’re expecting. Let me save you the trouble.

Freshmen staff writers Jordan Butler and Ashley Lawrence debate the use of technology and social media. Hover on the photo and click the circles to read each editorial.

As technology and smartphones grow in prevalence, people are becoming too preoccupied with social media to actually appreciate what is happening in the present.

Freshman staff writer Ashley Lawrence explains the importance of social media and technology and the role it has had in her life.

World renowned British actor and director Alan Rickman died of cancer Jan. 14 at the age of 69. His fans now grieve and show gratitude for his characters and roles in their lives.

A reflection on the passing of ,and personal goodbye to, David Bowie, England born, nationally renowned, music icon.

Freshman Valeria Garcia-Pozo recounts her experience with a back brace after being diagnosed with scoliosis and the challenges that came with it.

Senior Fajr DeLane explores a higher realm of knowledge, people and inspiration through her journey out to Salt Lake City.

Sophomore print Viewpoints writer Phineas Alexander shares what he is grateful for this Thanksgiving holiday, and why people should celebrate their thanks year round.

Variety writer Kieffer Farber faces constant comparisons to mother and sister.

After attending “A Conversation with Alice Walker” on Oct. 15 at the Morton Theater, sophomore Suncana Pavlic discusses her discoveries with the connection between Alice Walker and her family.

As Halloween approaches, many people begin searching for the perfect costumes. However, most stores only have costumes that are overly sexy for what they are supposed to represent.

The story of Malala Yousafzai is one that people in our culture generally have no experience with, but the movie He Named Me Malala manages to make Malala’s story both relatable and empowering to people of any background.

Print staff writers Graham Collins and Jamia Echols share their thoughts and memories of Halloween and how the holiday’s traditions have effected them.

Comedian Amy Schumer has achieved fame with jokes that, for some, blur the line between purely comedic and inflammatory.

Junior Sophie Fernandes speaks about her idea to begin a Women Studies club at Clarke Central and why she feels it is important.

In a recent viral video, YouTuber Nicole Arbour takes her comedic skills and makes the Internet cringe as she rants about overweight people.

Freshman Ana Aldridge looks into the roles that gender and intelligence play in teen girls’ lives.

Cambridge High School senior Sutton Dunwoodie reflects on his time at Governor’s Honors Program, a four week summer program featuring teacher nominated rising juniors and seniors from a variety of subjects.

Senior Tiernan O’Neill attended the Governor’s Honors Program, a four-week summer program in Valdosta, Ga., for rising upperclassmen.

Senior Tierra Hayes looks into her fears of being just another high achieving student.

Amelia DeLamater shares her similarities and differences with her mother, and how their relationship works.

Junior Amelia DeLamater has struggled with her self confidence about her height her whole life. At 16 years old, she is learning to accept being 5-foot-10.

Brutality, torture, hatred and massacre are far too common right now for journalists and humans alike. That’s got to change.

Sophomore Jordan Rhym reflects on the good and the bad of having a sibling leave for college.

Junior Sara Goodie defends pit bulls, her favorite breed of dog, and explains why they do not deserve a bad rap.

As part of Clarke Central’s JROTC ceremony, Senior Fajr DeLane delivered a speech about America’s Resilience. With her permission, the speech is printed here.

Cedar Shoals High School BluePrints Magazine Sports Editor Matteo Castile predicts a Cedar Shoals High School victory.

Straight Outta Compton shows how N.W.A. rose to stardom and gives a glimpse of the police brutality and the hate African-Americans endured in the early 80’s.

As the WWE exits the worst period in its history, there have been issues in bridging the gap from the former generation to the newer, “improved” generation.

As journalists, we aspire to communicate with the community in order tell their stories no matter how difficult the task is.

Freshman Dalace Thomas writes a letter to her cousin, Jalen Thomas, who passed away in March.

Should I be offended? Probably not.

Gov. Nathan Deal’s latest education crusade for “opportunity school districts” is poorly planned and dangerous.

School should be a place where we shape our understanding of the world, so where are the tough conversations?

Popular culture’s obsession with serial killers and mass murderers is sick and inappropriate.

Being Latino is an identity; it goes beyond physical appearance and stereotypes.

You’re sitting in 4th period goofing off when it hits you: It’s May 11. School ends in ten days.

There’s nothing un-American about the Advance Placement United States History Curriculum.

The current movie rating system, which was revised in the 1990s, gives unrealistic ratings in a world where censorship is impossible.

New feature documentary “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” highlights the unmatched fervor of the women’s movement during the ‘60s and ‘70s.

The time one takes to read a text can lead to an hour on your phone, time that could have been used completing something productive. Phones, nowadays, can be a towering distraction in one’s life.

Since I was a toddler I was told that I was adopted. When I’m 17 I plan to go back to Guatemala and find my birth mother.

Rapes are at a record high at universities in the U.S, however colleges are doing little to bring justice to victims.

“How are you Jewish? I thought you were Asian.”

I never knew what made me different.Though dealing with Asperger’s syndrome is a challenge, there are ways to overcome the disability.

Freshman Violet Merritt explores three conflicting ideas and their detrimental effects.

On January 6, 2015 many painted their ring finger pink in honor of Leelah…

With a multitude of projects, tests and homework, Clarke Central High School sophomores have…

On Sept. 26, 2014, the kidnapping of 43 college students in Mexico sparked international outrage and brought attention to the continuing corruption in the country.

To freshman Grace Polaneczky, the fellowship of the Athens area is a very positive…

It’s hard to explain the terror of being a black man in America until you witness people who look just like you murdered once a month. I’m 6’2”, young and black, why should I even have to consider putting on a hoodie every morning?

Many react negatively to GOP staffer Elizabeth Lauten’s snide remarks on Facebook about Sasha and Malia Obama’s behavior and dress at the annual turkey pardoning.

It is cliché these days to thank a member of the Armed Services — “thank you for your service” is so easy to say, but what does it actually mean?

13 members of Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff attended the “We the Media” National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C. from Nov. 6 – 9. The convention, organized by the Journalism Education Association-National Scholastic Press Association, hosted over 6200 attendants from across the globe.

Although students are encouraged to use the health resources provided for them at the public clinic Teen Matters, it is hard to do so because of the clinic’s non-flexible hours.

Ella Sams combats her low self-esteem through her art.

To the Georgia Department of Education, the newly implemented Student Learning Objective tests are a way to measure teacher and student performance. To administrators, they are just another thing that “must” be done. To teachers, they’re a pain. To students, they’re unsettling.

Sophomore Grace Walker at age six on tour with mother Shelley Olin in 2005.…

People talk a lot.

A 2007 study by the University of Arizona found that, on average, people speak around 16,000 words a day. What if we could break that down? Maybe we talk about school, weekend plans, family. Now let’s go deeper.

On August 14, student-produced signs protesting the enforcement of the CCHS dress code appeared…

On May 20, you are going to see two Densons on the ballot, surprisingly.

For Ben and Donna Slaboda, parents of seven, their priorities lie in family over finance.

Moving from one town to another can be scary, but moving to a new country is definitely something else.

Contemporary rappers such as Tyga, Lil Durk and 2 Chainz are often blamed for “ruining” rap music when, in fact, their craft is simply a reflection of modern society.

On her self-titled album, BEYONCÉ, the R&B queen unleashes the Magna Carta of pop feminism.

Lady Justice may be blind, but she certainly recognizes wealth.

Most babies go to sleep to lullabies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “Rock-A- Bye Baby.”

Outer space! FBI hijinks! Computer romance! Parental estrangement! Somali pirates! AIDS! Slavery! Leo DiCaprio doing cocaine! The 2013 film season was jam-packed with thrills, chills and soul-aching despair

Every day I have the same routine. Wake up, eat breakfast, take a shower, go to school praying that my next class will approach soon, never taking my eyes off the clock until school’s over. Then I go home, do my homework, and prepare for another painfully repetitive day.

Clarke Central students voice their opinions on the stricter tardy policy.

“It’s a white man’s world.”
My father instilled this idea in my mind years ago. I didn’t want to believe him, but when I stepped into kindergarten, at Athens Christian School, I was wrong.

Thanksgiving is a time when families gather to feast together and while the feast will continue, what I am thankful for will not.

A new teaching technique has been implemented for the 2013-14 school year, where teaching is done through videos and work is done in class.

When watching the 2012 edition of the Clarke Central High School vs. Marist School game, I was awestricken at the fashion in which the War Eagles and their triple option offense dominated in the second half, as they sauntered to a 30-13 win against CCHS.

What truly makes us happy? Features writer Mary Merritt speaks about how happiness can be achieved in us all.

The majority of students at Clarke Central believe in Gay Marriage, and those that do not have a harder time expressing their views without fear.

Clarke Central High School Chemistry students learned the value of having a teacher when left without a teacher earlier this year.

Opinion is divided over the renovation of the Jack R. Wells Housing
Community -commonly known as Pauldoe – off of Hawthorne Avenue.

“I have to tell you something sad — nobody died or anything, but…”

12 years I lived undocumented, and in those 12 years I saw how my mom would come home from a long day at work and try and hide her tears of frustration from my brother and I.

Illegal immigration is the act of entering a country without consent or documentation of the government.

“We are overfed but undernourished. As a whole, we are starving on a nutritional level.”

Freshman Claire Elliott-Gower has called Canopy Studios her second home for the last decade, and she has learned much more than just acrobatic tricks.

More than half of the students are failing to meet the state standards in reading and math.

Team chemistry is not created in a lab; it takes trust and friendship.

Sympathy. Everybody has at least of little bit of it in his or her heart. And having two broken wrists, I am getting a lot if it from everyone.

By JENNY ALPAUGH – Print Managing Editor Clarke Central High School currently utilizes Education2020…

I was 13 years old and at a Christmas party when I saw 2004 Clarke Central High School graduate Eve Carson for the last time.

Washington D.C. lawyer and fervent supporter of gun rights Gayle Trotter has become the hero of women rights in the past weeks.

“Welcome to a world through Glass.” A very sleek, white and pristine web page is displayed before me. I click to explore, my curiosity fully piqued. Images of the future appear. Your standard eyeglass frame, stripped of typical lenses, dons a lone prismatic one to rest on the brow. Glass opens a window inside of this lense making viewing possible without stopping normal activity.

The 2012 film season was one widely-regarded as a revolutionary year for movies. Curveball independent films like Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild surprised us with their emotional depth, and big-time, epic blockbusters such as Zero Dark Thirty and Argo held us on the edge of our seats. On Feb. 24, the much-anticipated Academy Awards will select the best of the best. But for now, we’re picking the winners.

Never has a room of at least 50 football players gone silent so fast.

Motherhood: the planet’s most intense job.

The BSA came out with a press release Jan. 28 of last week suggesting they are reassessing their current membership policy along with how they define that final portion of the Scout oath.

A dozen Clarke Central High School students, guided by faculty sponsor Laverne Fortson seek approval of a school dance line for 2013-14 football season.

The hype is almost unbearable. There’s the release of the nominations months ahead of time, the careful planning of movie marathons to make sure you see all of the bests and finally, there’s the iconic red carpet before the event.

Who needs a beach umbrella cover if they don’t have a beach umbrella?

As I walked into the first floor restroom, the faint odor of paint hit me. The graffiti on the walls that had made me both chuckle and cringe had been shrouded by a shiny coat of beige.

Two Clarke Central High School students argue whether student teachers provide a helpful service or are detrimental to the learning environment.

Art is important; that is undeniable. But whether or not art is being fully appreciated by Clarke Central High School students is debatable.

At the end of a distribution day, I wince every time an ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, a product that a 26-person staff slaved over, lies on the floor or in the recycling bins. So why do we do it in the first place?

Every year, the Clarke Central High School Drama Club puts on three to five productions. They spend countless hours rehearsing and the cast members expend boundless effort in order to produce each show.

You walk towards the room. A few kids stand in the hallway right outside the door. Inside, some students have their heads down, some have their headphones on and some work furiously to finish their homework. Few speak to each other. The teacher tries to call the attention of the class to no avail.

Two fresh, new presidential candidates were preparing for war, arming their fearsome troops of campaign interns and rallying civilians to support their side as they marched through en route to the battle fields of swing states.

House Bill 797, also known as the proposed “Charter Schools Amendment,” seems harmless at first glance.

Chicago teachers took a strong stand when they made the decision to strike, but how long until it is forgotten?

The Clarke Country School District has implemented Google Apps for Education: a good addition or an inefficient use of time?

The community stresses that we should exceed the standards set for us, but are we challenged to even meet them?

On Tuesday nights, students from Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School take their place in a courtroom. They begin to review the day’s juvenile court cases for Athens Peer Court.

CCHS students choose the next U.S. president in this video.

On Tuesday afternoon, one minute before dismissal at Clarke Central High School, my class’ blaring chatter is interrupted by a sound over the P.A. speakers.

I am not racist; I view, speak to, interact with and love everyone the same, regardless of race.

Kunming is the capital and largest city of the of Yunnan Province in Southwest China, home to more than 6 million people, including Clarke Central High School senior Jiacheng “Chris” Zhao.

While some students recite the Pledge of Allegiance and stand for the National Anthem, others choose not to do either.

In today’s educational system, when teachers, faculty and staff hear the phrase “budget cuts”, it sends a shiver down their spines.

In the 1960 election, Sen. John Kennedy, D-Mass., won a close victory over Vice President Richard Nixon.

I sat in advisement watching the same low-budget, 1990s film I had seen in freshmen health class.

Each spring, the Clarke Central High School community eagerly prepares for the end of the school year.

Finally, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution has been proved! Sorry, non-believers: you’re wrong; man most certainly shares a common ancestor with apes.

This is what we have been told: Ron Paul is a crazy old man, Newt Gingrich

The rise of the Occupy Wall Street move­ment has presented our nation with an identity crisis. For centuries, the United States has been a nation led by the rich, for the rich.

While walking down a hall in Clarke Central High school, I was once told by a group of students that I was “swagged out.”

You are a freshman at Clarke Central High School and have found yourself in a sea of 1,500 other students. Besides the familiar faces of your relatively quaint middle school graduating class, nearly every person is a complete stranger.

The halls of Clarke Central High School have experienced another form of decoration this year. Teachers have photos of themselves scotch-taped to the walls outside of their respective classrooms with an adjective that describes them.

When a political candidate needs to boost their approval ratings, they generally seek one thing– an enemy. An enemy can serve as a scapegoat for most any of the candidate’s failings.

With complete transparency, I am between 20 and 30 years old. I spent four, wonderfully confusing years

Coming from an urban neighborhood in Syracuse, N.Y., my first introduction to neighborhood violence was a frightening experience.

Coming into the 2011-12 school year, I joined the ODYSSEY staff as nothing but an eager student wishing to grow my passion for journalism.

On March 22, 2011, Athens resident Jamie Hood allegedly committed the terrible crime of shooting two Athens-Clarke County police officers, killing one and

After a weekend of camping with her family, your peer opens her backpack to find the knife she forgot to remove before returning to school. She is making no effort to conceal it, unaware that she is in violation of the Clarke Central High School Code of Conduct.

I have always been afraid of The Scantron. Yes, to me it has always been a living creature–not human, though, always too monstrous and precise for such sheer mortality. And, of course, The Scantron is never wrong, thus denying the basic foundation of humanity: error.

On Friday, Jan. 27, Vassar College Early Decision II notifications were revealed to 254 applicants across the country and the world at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Early Decision Plan candidates bind themselves to attendance, if admitted.

“…And on the second page of the syllabus, you need to make a change. Final exams are now worth 20 percent.”

Throughout the years, American culture has made a tradition of idolizing pop stars. We devour every shred of information we can forcefully suck from these star’s personal lives via television shows and tabloid magazines. In the past 50 years, though, a specific brand of celebrities has become progressively more and more popular: child stars.

Hungry after second block, I rushed to our school’s lunchroom but was stopped before I could even enter the Miller Jordan Jr. cafeteria.

Alright, so here’s the deal. Right now, I’m sitting at a computer with my feet up on the desk because I produce my best writing when I’m comfortable.

Though the ID policy has been put into affect for over two months, students started to ignore it the day after it began.

It all began in elementary school. The idea of trying to keep a certain image around my classmates was a big deal to me.

Former Clarke Central High School students Martay Mattox and Alan Posey are now members of South Eastern Conference football powerhouses

The First Amendment seems to change each day as the Internet is used more each day.

Much can be learned from a culture so different than our’s

Prepare yourself for homecoming 2011

Stop by room 114 to grab a copy of the latest issue today.

You have 32 minutes stuck in the middle of the day. What will you do with it?

A former staffer gives the DUI process

September 11, 2001: another day that will live in infamy.

By CALEB HAYES – Editor-in-Chief I never thought I would see it again. A…