SINCE 1947 An upbeat paper http://srt5.atlantapublicschools. forLACROSS a downtown school us/grady/ BAND ECONOMY THEN AND NOW Freshman group Fire stations closed, Is surge in student rocks music scene personnel laid off in activism a modern-day on campus city’s budget cuts civil rights movement? p. 12 p. 10 pp. S1-S4 HENRY W. GRADY HIGH SCHOOL, ATLANTA VOLUME LXII, NUMBER 5, Feb. 2, 2009 CNN’S TONY HARRIS INTERVIEWS STUDENTS BY Emm A FR E NCH reasons we wanted to talk to young people was be- studio to film a live interview on Jan. 9. group of students spoke their minds last Decem- cause at that time President-elect Obama’s campaign According to Chillag, Grady students were ber, when CNN reporter Tony Harris visited was very much helped by organized young people who chosen to participate because “the school A the school to interview them in what became a were very excited about the election,” CNN writer and is a historic place in Atlanta and has series of broadcasts titled “Class in Session.” In the in- segment producer Amy Chillag said. “We thought that the diversity [we wanted].” terview the it would make sense, once he was in office, to interview 13 stu- high school kids and talk about what made them so see CNN page 6 d e n t s excited about him and what issues he needs to tackle voiced and prioritize.” t h e i r Four students—seniors Taylor Fulton and Mike thoughts on Robinson, junior Caroline McKay and sophomore the economy, Michael Barlow— made such an impression in the education, race, interview segments that CNN invited them to the the war in Iraq and President Obama’s new administration. “The main ON IN FIVE: (From left to right) Sophomore Michael Barlow, junior Caroline McKay and seniors Michael Robinson and Taylor Fulton relax before filming their Jan. 9 discussion. Housing slump mars Annual Doggies on the Catwalk dazzles local neighborhoods BY MINH LA M ho let the dogs out? Fashion design teacher Mr. BY CARO L IN E MCKAY lapse. After a growing number of ho- WVincent Martinez let the dogs out on his runway earbook advisor and graphic meowners couldn’t pay back banks for the second annual Doggies on the Catwalk fashion Ycommunications teacher Mr. their mortgages, banks suffered sub- show on Jan. 16. Doggies on the Catwalk is a project that Paul Nicolson did everything right. stantial financial losses, dragging the was created by Mr. Martinez to help his students improve He and his wife saved to build a new economy into a recession that affects as designers while also raising money for Pets Are Lov- home in Grant Park for their two- thousands of Atlantans. ing Support––an organization that provides assistance to and-a-half-year-old daughter Alana “The bottom fell out [of the hous- the animals of critically ill and disabled Atlantans. About to grow up in. They helped with the ing market] when we were finishing 300 people attended the show, which raised an estimated floor plans. They picked out pink up our new house,” Mr. Nicolson $3000 for PALS. and purple paint for their daughter’s said. “We put our originial house “We brought together celebrities who have media con- room and large, energy-efficient win- on the market right when the bub- M tacts, which helped get our name out,” said Kevin Bry- dows for the master bedroom. They ble burst. The bank that lent us the INH ant, PALS executive director. “Even though we’ve been L got a loan from a bank to pay the money to build our new home was AM around for 18 years, there are a lot of people who don’t monthly construction mortgage. one of the first to crumble.” realize what we do and how we affect the community.” They had planned for everything BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Better Mornings’ Corinna Allen models except for the housing market col- see DISTRICT page 9 with Charley in senior Taylor Fulton’s dress at the Jan. 16 show. see DOGGIES page 14 comment 3 news 5 people 13 sports 18 ONTENTS Lily Muntzing relates her After a student was mugged In attempts to lose weight Jake Martin criticizes students C experience at President Barack in the school music wing last and improve their health, 36 for their lack of school spirit Obama’s historic inauguration semester, the administration is teachers have started a semester- at sports games and calls for and taking part in history. working to improve security. long fitness competition. increased attendance. 2 commentS I N C E 1 9 4 7 THE SOUTHERNER Feb. 2, 2009 EDITORIAL BOARD SARAH BUFKIN PERRI CAM P I S EMILY EM S HOFF THE SOUTHERNER KALA MARK S LILY MUNTZING Generosity towards Knights. We must not forget that Southerner about debate gives GU S RI C K the reason behind our successful the team as a whole the respect KEELY YOUNG B LOOD fan kind, admirable teams is the overwhelming support they deserve, especially at such an they receive from the audience. To important time as this, where the Dear editors, know that a homeless man who has team is one of the largest in the Subs deserve respect I really loved the article about endured many struggles has taken country but has so little funding We’d like to take this small amount of space to give a shout out to Unk (“Homeless fan stands behind time to come out and support the that it is a struggle to even get a bus a group of people that probabaly have never gotten one from students Knights,” Dec. 10) because he is Grady football team should truly to take the team to tournaments. in their lives. You’ve seen our faces, put up with our insanity and yet such a part of Grady, but I never warm the spirit of the football we never seem to give you the respect you deserve. So, this editorial is really knew anything about him. players. Furthermore, it should Nick Miller for you—the substitute teachers of APS. I’m so glad that Grady has adopted also inspire Grady High School junior We want all of our peers to understand that you, too, deserve re- Unk; it makes our school special. students, who find excuses to not spect. You, too, should be treated like human beings and not the inan- When I read about all the things he come to Grady football games, to Money well spent imate, unintelligent soulless creatures that our disrespectful colleagues went though, it really encouraged finally come. make you out to be. me to stay in school. I’m proud to on security cameras For some reason, the attitudes of students across America change support Unk knowing now about Bree Gray-Jordan when they realize substitutes are filling in for their missing teachers. all the hard things he has faced and senior Dear Editors, Even the kids who display the utmost respect towards teachers at all gone through. It especially makes I appreciate the article on the times turn into mischevious pranksters and those who cry at the sight me happy that Grady is helping Recognition of lack security cameras received through a of anything less than an A-plus on their report card seem to turn into Unk with his alcoholism. What a of funding helpful grant from the American Society for slackers. good cause! Go Unk! Industrial Security. (“Cameras secure We lie to you. We tell you we have to go “make up a test.” We tell hallways, grounds remain uncertain.” you that we never have a seating chart. We tell you that of course we’re Alix Youngblood page 9) The article expanded on allowed to turn on Days Of Our Lives in math class. When you try to freshman Dear editors, the reasons for the state-of-the-art give us work, we talk above you. When you try to quiet us, we bla- I appreciate the article in cameras and why so much money tantly ignore you. Even more ridiculous, we’re not ashamed of looking Lack of school spirit the previous issue of The has been invested in security. Now, you dead in the eye and telling you that “Yes, it took me 20 minutes to Southerner regarding the debate no one can ignorantly accuse Grady get water,” and “No, I don’t know where this hot Wendy’s hamburger is highlighted by fan team’s expansion and battle for of wasting money on something came from.” necessary funding (“Debate team pointless. Yes, the cameras help the Don’t get us wrong—whatever desire comes out in others to make membership expands, funding administration catch skippers, and the lives of substitutes miserable, comes out in us as well. But we’re Dear editors, shrinks,” Dec 10). The debate yes, Dr. Propst can call your name taking a stand to put a stop to it. So, Grady students, let’s all remem- I thought the article entitled team does not get a lot of attention on the loudspeakers if you are do ber that substitutes are people, too. p “Homeless fan stands behind around the school, even though something wrong. It seems like too Knights” by Miles Gilbreath was most members dedicate hours of much, but in the end, the cameras phenomenal. It was refreshing for free time to practicing. Our debate were set up to keep our campus The Southerner to shift its focus team attends a tournament just safe and to provide a better learning Ready for ‘Change’ from the participants in sports to the about every weekend and brings environment.