The HARGER Cookeville High School August 2020 Volume LXXIV, Issue 1 Cookeville High School reopens with COVID-19 precautions Kaylin Moore- Junior, Copy their temperature taken What’s Editor & News Editor by their teachers. If any- Each morning, a brigade of thing is amiss, they are inside? administrative staff, armedsent to the nurse’s office with caches of disposable for further measures. masks, greet Cookeville High Desks are placed six Choir vs. School students at the doors. feet apart where pos- COVID-19 Under COVID-19 restric- sible and students are (page 2) tions, this is the new normal. expected to social dis- A host of new rules have been tance within seating put in place to ensure students’ charts set by the teacher. Algood safety in the midst of the pan- Classroom activities demic. For example, students look very different this mascot are required to wear a mask at year, and not only be- (page 3) all times in the school building, cause of the change back save when eating. So far, this to block scheduling. Math rule has been strictly enforced teacher Donna John- Games by staff in and out of the class- son says her lesson plans (pages 4/5) room. Incorrect mask-wearing and teaching style have it's safe for the students,” Students at CHS are required to wear masks in (i.e. under the nose or under the changed dramatically to said Johnson. “I have sev- a typical classroom. Source: Sophie Simmons chin) has also been corrected. comply with new rules. eral hands-on activities in Upon entrance to their first “Teaching-wise, I stop Statistics that I normally class of the day, students fill and think about every- do, but I am trying to fig- CHS reopening continued (pg. 3) out a health screening and have thing I do and wonder if Mountain ure out a way to do them biking Artificial turf field under construction at CHS (page 6) Juliette Smith- Senior, Sports Editor because of rain, so A new artificial turf field overall we will be at Cookeville High School is playing more,” said Bri- in the process of being com- anna Pharris, a mem- What to pleted after approval from the ber of the lacrosse team. watch? school board in July. Although Artificial turf fields are (page 7) fundraising was put to a halt completely water perme- this spring due to COVID-19, able, allowing games to local donors were able to raise be played in rain or shine. Charger close to $800,000. Construc- “The turf field will be a tion began on Aug. 3 and is huge asset to CHS soccer. Music Men expected to last about 75 days. All in all, soccer is very ex- (page 8) Previously, football, la- cited to use it,” said Audrey crosse, and soccer teams Birdwell, a soccer team have dealt with weather-de- member. Athletes are also hopeful the new field will pendent fields. “We have A glimpse of what the finished field will look like. Source: Julie Baker had tons of games canceled attract a larger fanbase. August 2020 News 2 CHS choir programs brace for COVID-19’s impact Sophie Simmons - Sophomore a final product will be strenuous, Choate COVID-19 has largely affected many aspects has come up with some creative ideas for of daily life here at Cookeville High School. how performances will be done this year. One of the most student-involved activities Winter performances are still not advised impacted is the choral program led by Mi- at this point, so most performances will chael Choate. Choate and other choral direc- be virtual in some aspect, which always tors countywide have specific guidelines that brings challenges. Choate says he wants are based on all available research to keep the final product to be as authentic as pos- students safe in their chorus classrooms. sible so that his students can truly shine. “We basically have had to revamp our entire “I’m looking at releasing a couple of albums approach this year,” said Choate. “Even be- this year in lieu of a traditional Christmas fore we had been given the mandate that we concert, and maybe in the spring we will do were going to wear masks all the time here a pop album that features some students indi- in Putnam County Schools, it had already vidually and in small groups.” said Choate. been determined that in any singing class As for “The Hunchback of Notre you would be wearing a mask at all times.” Dame,” its future is still undecided. Some precautions being taken in the Regardless of the situation, Choate is enthu- chorus room are lowering the maximum siastic about the future of the choral program. capacity of students allowed in the class- “Our approach this year... it may not be room at once, rehearsing on a rotation pretty, but it’s possible. We want to keep what in each class to allow for proper air cir- we do possible for students because we know culation, and of course, the requirement that it’s the reason many of them come to for students to wear a mask at all times. school -- it’s what they look forward to, and it Michael Choate conducts his choral students from behind a plexiglass Although the steps for preparation of feeds their soul. If there’s ever been a time that barrier provided by Life Church. Photo Source: Sophie Simmons music needs to serve that purpose, it’s now.” Modern 5G technology sparks debate among 5G “truthers” “Drew Mattson” - Senior and that 5G technology will be militarized 77 cell towers have been burned down for the purpose of population control. across the United Kingdom. As of May 7th, Notably, conspiracy theorists linked 5G 40 UK cell carrier employees have been to the spread of COVID-19. M. Fioranelli, attacked. While these attacks are uncom- an Italian researcher, published a study mon, they are showing an uprising against claiming that 5G has a similar chemi- 5G technology and what it may provide. cal base to the coronavirus, which has 5G stands for 5th Generation, and been proven false by multiple scientists. promises to provide faster internet speeds Aside from its alleged relationship with to consumers. 5G will allow for better heat rays and COVID-19, 5G has also connection with all internet-connected been attributed to causing several negative devices. Most phones on the market health effects. Cancer, infertility, and sleep operate on 4G, which is what enables disruption have all been attributed to 5G in- video calling and movie downloads; terference. Alternative medicine promotes 5G is roughly 10 times faster than 4G. the idea of “grounding”, which is the prac- One theory introduced by self-named tice of placing your bare feet on the earth’s “5G truthers” is that 5G uses similar tech- soil. Grounding is said to cleanse yourself nology as the U.S. Military’s Active De- of the toxic energy from 5G technology. nial System, better known as a heat ray. COVID-19 is an infectious virus that The ADS emits concentrated microwaves, affects the respiratory system, and 5G is which scald and burn the target. The Ac- the newest cellular network that promises tive Denial System is used primarily for faster speeds. In spite of this, 5G does According to 5G truthers, 5G cellular technology has the same effect as military riot control. 5G truthers claim not and will not give you coronavirus. this military-grade heat ray. Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons that 5G is the same frequency as the ADS, August 2020 News 3 Community disagrees over Algood Middle School mascot Claire Cranford - Sophomore ing officials to change the mascot has “Algood Middle School’s mascot, the depiction of that Native American as a Cookeville and Algood residents have been started by an anonymous user of Redskin, is a Native American depic- symbol of strength and pride is a piece of joined together over the past month change.org and has gained 99 signatures. tion of a strong Warrior. It upholds and history that I want our children and our to either keep or do away with the Al- Cookeville High School alum- honors the many Native Americans who children’s children to see and remember.” good Middle mascot, the “Redskin.” nus Elijah Anderson has encour- lived in Tennessee and were forced out,” Superintendent Director of Two opposing petitions, started on the aged the change of the mascot. Jennings wrote as a reason for starting Schools Corby King has yet to make website change.org, have gained traction “Racism is learned, and Algood the petition. “The word ‘redskin’ is not any sort of final decision on the in support of both sides of the move- Schools never tried to teach the truth negative or derogatory. It packs as much topic, but Jennings plans to pres- ment. Julia Gruber, professor of German of Native American history… though bigotry and insensitivity for Native ent her petition to Mr. King this fall. language at Tennessee Tech University, no one ever said that Native Americans Americans as Black Lives Matter does.” began the petition to change the mascot. shouldn’t be respected, I was desensi- Jennings, along with a Facebook “The word ‘Redskin’ has never had a tized to how our mascot can affect Na- group calling itself the Tennessee Free- positive connotation. The use of the nick- tive communities and considered the dom Force, has organized meetings in name has been condemned by the National savage images that were created by the the Algood Community Center to sup- Congress of American Indians, to which schools community normal. Change port and sign her petition. The meet- virtually all tribes belong,” said Gruber. the mascot, please.” said Anderson. ings are held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on “Additionally, it refers to the horrifying Amy Jennings, an alumna of Algood Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. practice of skinning Native people.” Middle, started a counter-petition in an “For me, the Redskin Warrior is a trib- effort to keep the mascot. As of Aug. ute to the Native Americans who lived in Algood’s sign depicts the debated As of Aug. 23, the petition has gained mascot. Source: Claire Cranford 1,412 signatures. A second petition urg- 23, the petition has 1,733 signatures. our area long ago,” said Jennings. “The French teacher resigns due to COVID-19 School Continued... Sam Vance - Sophomore ...without students having to share only learned of her resignation when system isn’t following Tennes- items. Everything that I do as a teacher The week before the 2020 school they walked into her erstwhile class- see’s COVID-19 guidelines. has to be replicated electronically.” year began, Jessika Bohon, colloquially room and found themselves face-to-face “If 0.50% of the population of a county Along with changes in the class- known as Madame Bohon by her stu- with their new teacher, leaving many are active cases, then students cannot room, signs have also been posted re- dents, resigned from her position as the wondering why she left. In an effort to go to school every day,” said Bohon. garding the COVID-19 guidelines. sole French teacher at CHS. Her students Throughout the school, signs proclaim, find answers, I recently sat down with Putnam County, at press time, has approx- “Social distancing and/or masking Ms. Bohon and asked a few questions. imately 600 active cases of COVID-19. required in this area.” Beside rest- “I resigned because reopening schools That’s 0.75% of the population! room entrances, there are signs that right now is not safe for our commu- Bohon states further that the school sys- say, “This restroom is regularly disin- nity, the students and teachers and jan- tem needs to start thinking outside the box fected.” While a comfort to some, many itors and our neighbors,” said Bohon. to counteract the spread of COVID-19. students and teachers are skeptical about the effectiveness of these signs. This is a sentiment shared by many -- ap- She even goes as far to say that field “I haven’t seen the bathrooms proximately 30% of the student body has schools made out of tarps would’ve cleaned at all,” says junior Evy elected to learn remotely this school year. been better than what CHS is doing now. Breeden. “I thought they’d be do- Bohon, as many of her former “We really need to start using our ing more during the pandemic.” students know, is unafraid to dis- imaginations more instead of just However, with all of the uncer- cuss current events and call out in- waiting around for someone else to tainty surrounding the virus and its effects, information is constantly justice in the world with her classes. make things better!” said Bohon. changing. Because of this, many stu- “Until we have a vaccine, we have Though her beliefs may be viewed as dents are unsure about the school’s to each act like we are the most vul- pessimistic, Bohon holds on to hope that expectations and plans for events. nerable person to the disease. Each things will get better and shares some Though nobody can be sure what of us has to act like if we get it, we encouraging words for the student body. Cookeville High School will look like will die or have permanent damage. “Just remember that this is temporary and in the coming months, one thing is certain: faculty is doing everything This is really what empathy is and things will go back to normal! … You are Ms. Bohon, pictured in her former they can to maintain a sense of nor- how we save everyone.” said Bohon. so strong! Everything will be okay, even malcy during this unpredictable time. classroom. Source: Ms. Bohon. According to Bohon, the school if it isn’t okay right now! Just hold on!”

6 Columns August 2020 Club Spotlight: Mountain Biking Club pedals the pavement Aidan Moore - Senior rougher than most -- I fell 6 times. The hum of tires against pavement, Each time I fell, the excitement and the cool breeze hitting your face, energy of the sport kept me going. I and the feeling of exhilaration in recommend the club to anyone look- your chest; these were the feelings ing for adrenaline and exercise. of Mr. Tony Stone, a biology teacher The club eventually plans to expand at CHS, that inspired him to create to the competitive scene by joining the the Mountain Biking Club last year. National Interscholastic Cycling Asso- Mountain Biking Club is an after-school ciation and the Tennessee League for club that meets on Mondays and Wednes- Mountain Biking to compete in races. days from 3:15 until 4:45. The club To join, you don’t need anything! hopes to help its members work on their The club has five bikes for anyone cycling skills and physical endurance. that doesn’t already have one. If you Each meeting, you ride around cam- don’t know how to bike, no prob- pus, go down various trails, and oc- lem! You will receive instruction from casionally ride around Cookeville. high quality instructors and peers. I attended a meeting of the Moun- The first meeting of the Mountain tain Biking Club, and it was the high- Biking Club will be Sept. 9. Before light of my week. Flying down trails joining, you will need to sign a Leaps that I had no right to fly on -- the ex- application and a liability waiver. Pictured from left to right: Martin Stricklin, Ben Bilbrey, Parker John- perience was the definition of thrilling. “If you’ve got a bike, or you like to son, Aidan Moore, Tony Stone, Matthew Bledsoe, Lee Fickling, and My time mountain biking was ride, come check it out!” said Stone. Parker Foutch. Photo Source: Aidan Moore This month’s Soil Scoop: How to grow happy & healthy succulents Adenine Cavanaugh - Junior need to make sure there is a hole in fer full sun, it is best to place it in of overwatering are yellow and mushy Whether you’re starting a garden or the bottom for water drainage. For partial shade at first and slowly tran- leaves. Overwatered succulents should just want some houseplants, succu- soil, any basic potting soil will do. sition to full sunlight. This tech- be repotted and checked for root rot. lents are great starter plants. You can The actual potting process is fairly nique will allow the plant time to Conversely, you can also under-water find them in a multitude of shapes, straightforward. You can plant your adapt to the higher levels of sun and your succulents. Signs of underwa- sizes, and colors, so chances are you succulents in the same pot as long as prevent sunburns and scorching. tering are black and shriveled leaves. can find one you like. Succulents are you allow for a few inches of space Now that you’ve chosen a home If you treat your succulents with generally easy to take care of, but have in-between, or you can plant them for your succulent, it’s time to water love and care, they will absolutely their own needs like any other plants. individually. However, you must re- and fertilize. Solid fertilizer is simple: flourish. If they’re particularly young, First things first: potting. Most member to break up and score the root follow the instructions on the pack- it may take a while for them to reach succulents don’t have very deep system or the roots won’t take to the age. Liquid fertilizer can be mixed full size, but it’s very much worth the root systems, so it’s okay to have soil and they will start dying quickly. with water; if you have multiple pots wait. Best of luck on your gardening a shallow pot. However, you do Once your plant is potted, you need to attend to, be careful with the fer- endeavors, and have a wonderful day. to find a good place to put it; Succu- tilizer-to-water ratio. Fertilization lents can be kept inside or outside. If should be done once a month, and your succulents are kept inside, make watering should be done once ev- sure they’re near a sunny window for ery two weeks or until the soil is dry. at least part of the day. If your succu- There’s no set amount of water you lents are kept outside, a sheltered area need to use, but it is recommended that with partial shade is a must. Do not you don’t stop until water starts drain- put your succulents in full sunlight; ing from the bottom of the pot. Wa- succulents can sunburn and scorch tering should be done once every two easily, especially during summer. weeks or until the soil is dry. Be careful Photo Source: Adenine Cavanaugh If your succulent happens to pre- not to overwater your succulents; signs Photo Source: Adenine Cavanaugh August 2020 Columns 7 Couch Comrades: What are the youngsters watching these days? Landon Bowling - Sophomore; of seven adopted siblings with incredible “Sweet Magnolias” (Netflix) Parker Foutch - Sophomore “Knives Out” (Amazon Prime) powers. As children, they were forced to (TV-14) With COVID-19 restricting what we (PG-13) train vigorously, and now they are trying This new Netflix original features can and can’t do, many have turned to “Knives Out” is a murder mystery to live their lives as adults. As the end of three best friends that live in the small television to entertain themselves. Be- movie directed by Rian Johnson about the world draws closer and closer, the sib- town of Serenity. Maddie Townsend cause of this, it’s hard to know what’s the death and will reading of millionaire lings must reunite to stop an apocalypse. is a newly divorced mother trying to hip and cool with the youngsters these and father to many, Harlem Thrombey. help her kids cope with their father days. Here are some shows and mov- Thrombey’s family turns on it- “Space Force” (Netflix) (TV- not being around anymore. With her ies that will keep you in the know. self as they try to decipher who MA) two best friends Dana Sue Sullivan the true heir to his millions is, and Co-written by Steve Carell, this and Helen Decatur by her side, the “Community” (Netflix) (TV-14) more importantly, who killed him? show came out in the middle of the trio faces hardship with friendship. Although “Community” came out The real answer will shock you. summer to somewhat mixed reviews. in 2009, it has just recently been You can watch “Knives Out” on Although many enjoyed it, there are Amazon Prime Video for absolutely brought to Netflix and is gaining pop- some episodes that seem like they Cool-O-Meter Ratings: nothing at all, giving you no ex- ularity. The plot revolves around drag on for a long time. Regardless, cuse but to watch this mystery that “Community” - 9/10 seven main characters who attend the main highlight of the show is the Greendale Community College. will leave your jaw on the floor. “Knives Out” - 7/10 actors. “Space Force” features stars The show features rising stars “Umbrella Academy”- 8/10 such as the aforementioned Steve Joel McHale and Ken Jeong as well “Umbrella Academy” (Netflix) “Space Force”- 6/10 (TV-14) Carell, John Malkovich, Tawny New- as Alison Brie, Yvette Brown, Gil- “Sweet Magnolias”- 8/10 lian Jacobs, Chevy Chase and Don- With its second season coming out son, and more. Overall, it’s a decent ald Glover; an unlikely family of earlier this month, “Umbrella Academy” viewing experience if you can sit rejects that constantly finds them- has become one of the more watched through some of the longer episodes. selves in the midst of wacky hijinks. shows on Netflix. The show tells the tale Chargerette gives advice on pet names Dear Chargerette, thing really important to you, make sure My girlfriend won’t stop calling me it’s important to her too. Talk with your sweet cheeks. I often ask her to stop, girlfriend, stand up for yourself, and and she plays it off. It really bothers let her know just how much this means me, especially because I think this girl to you. If she really is the one, some- is the one. We are perfect together, and thing like this won’t tear you two apart. I love her. The only problem is that she However, while honest communica- calls me sweet cheeks. Please help! tion is important, so is compromise. To - Anonymous have a working relationship, you need two willing people. Find out why she Dear Un-Sweet Cheeks, calls you sweet cheeks. Maybe it means Fran Walfish said, “Oftentimes, peo- something to her. You need to be will- ple assume that others close to them ing to possibly step down from this. know what they are thinking, feeling, Choose which battles you want to mondays. needing, and wanting. And, in fact, fight. Maybe the problem here is your it’s a setup for disappointment be- perspective. Could you look at the nick- cause people are not mind readers.” name as a cute little quirk of hers that Since none of us are mind readers, you’re willing to tolerate because you open, honest communication should love her? Or is it actually that impor- be a primary goal for all good relation- tant to you? Either way, you two should ships. You need to make sure your girl- definitely have a talk about this and de- friend understands that you genuinely cide what would be best for both of you. don’t want her calling you sweet cheeks. Chances are, she just doesn’t realize this Hope this helps, is truly bothering you. If this is some- Chargerette August 2020 Columns 8 Charger Music Men review “Alfredo” and more Parker Johnson- Junior, Layout Editor; length of the album, Gibbs lays out verse detailing the events of his Gus Creter- Junior, Co-Editor consistent, well-structured verses young life and how he has grown as Fredrick Jamal Tipton, profession- over The Alchemist’s smooth not only an artist, but as a person. ally known as Freddie Gibbs, is a rap- jazz- and rock- inspired production. “Alfredo” isn’t trying to be an ex- per who has garnered a monumental The production on “Alfredo” is awe-in- perimental album that will change an amount of critical acclaim through- spiring, not to mention Gibbs’ flow entire genre, but it’s about delivering out the 2010s due to his original that synergizes perfectly with said pro- an extremely refined and enjoyable flow, gritty delivery, and consistency duction. Songs such as “1985” feature experience. Throughout the album, throughout many of his most popular Gibbs rapping offbeat triplets through- each song provides an interesting and releases. One of the greatest reasons out the entire track, while also manag- fun listening experience that keeps its for Gibbs’ acclaim is his collaboration ing to rap up and down a singular note. audience hooked for more. For these projects he releases with prominent What Gibbs may lack in vocal variety, reasons, we (Gus and Parker) give The Official “Music Men Playlist” hip hop producers, the most notable he makes up for in pure, unadulterated Freddie Gibbs and the Alchemist’s for the Month of August! being his albums “Pinata” and “Ban- passion for what he’s rapping about. “Alfredo” a combined score of 85%. dana”, released in 2014 and 2019 re- Features on this album include spectively, in collaboration with un- Tyler, the Creator, Griselda’s own More Reviews: derground rap super-producer, Madlib. Conway the Machine, Benny the Gibbs’ partner in crime for his 2020 Butcher, and Rick Ross. All of these Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - “Alfredo” G: 90% P: 80% release “Alfredo” is Daniel Alan Ma- features bring their A-game and Taylor Swift - “folklore” G: 65% P: 60% man, a producer known in the music in- provide entertaining verses that fit Dominic Fike - “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” G: 65% P: 85% dustry as The Alchemist. Together, the very well over the smooth beats. Oliver Tree - “Ugly is Beautiful” G: 60% P: 85% duo creates a concise rap project con- The greatest standout feature on Amine - “Limbo” G: 75% P: 85% sisting of only ten songs with a runtime the album is definitely Tyler, the Cre- Run the Jewels - “RTJ4” G: 85% P: 85% of just over thirty minutes and a hand- ator on “Something to Rap About,” Tkay Maidza - “Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2” G: 90% P: 85% ful of featured artists. Throughout the delivering an almost two minute G - Gus; P- Parker Theatre Happens Here!

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