The Eagles’ Volume 38 Mills E. Godwin High School Issue 7 2101 Pump Road April 27, 2018 Richmond, Virginia 23238 Eyrie Priceless godwineagles.org Fighting the epidemic Godwin organization works to combat drug abuse within schools photo Eagles’ Eyrie 2016 photo Kathryn Chamberlin l to r: Harrison Derr, Jenny Derr, Chris Herren, and Jordan Derr at the Chris Herren drug A Project Purple meeting on April 23. School leaders met awareness assembly in 2016. Jenny Derr spoke about her late son Billy. to speak about substance abuse at Godwin. are facing substance abuse ings, as well as having speakers Ben Grott tinued to struggle with addiction, ented man who loved sports and issues. Also around that time, talk at lunches. News Editor seeing counselors, and eventu- popular rap culture. Derr and other parents contin- Project Purple also participat- Today, addiction touches the ally entered a full time treatment Derr decided the only way to ued to meet as they prepared ed in Red Ribbon Week, where lives of many, even the God- facility in 2014. make change was for their family for Chris Herren, a retired NBA Derr and Anne Moss Rogers, an win community. The desire for Billy then relapsed after a to start raising awareness and player, addict and now motiva- addiction, suicide, and mental change led to the creation of year and a half of sobriety in sharing Billy’s story. tional speaker, to come and talk illness speaker, talked about project purple 2016, but seemed to be back “I remember calling Billy and to the Godwin community. Derr their sons’ issues with substance Project Purple is a substance on the right track. Derr, howev- clearing it with him. He was su- believes these events started abuse during lunch. abuse and mental health aware- er, died of a heroin overdose in per supportive. I think he would the group’s momentum. In the future, Project Pur- ness organization created at April 2016, succumbing to his be really proud of me and proud On April 25, 2016, Herren ple plans to have more guest Godwin in 2016. It was partially addiction. of how we have advocated for so travelled to Godwin to give his speakers share their messages inspired by former NBA bas- Derr still struggles to cope many,” said Derr. story and describe his experi- with students. On May 2, Tom ketball player Chris Herren’s with the pain of losing her son. In regards to Project Purple, ences with substance abuse. Bannard will speak to seniors Project Purple. “To lose a child...I still can’t Derr is pleased with its progress Herren’s life was taken over by about substance abuse preven- The project materialized say that and not cry. The pain is so far. drugs as he drank and smoked tion at the collegiate level. He when a group of parents and indescribable. It is always with “I’d say I am most proud of marijuana at the beginning of is part of Rams in Recovery, an administrators concerned about you,” said Derr. the willingness of the staff, led high school, leading to cocaine organization at VCU dedicated the community’s issues with Derr believes Billy’s sub- by Mrs. Dunavant. She truly has and other drugs. to promoting recovery from substance abuse attended an stance abuse resulted from a lead with compassion and an After the Herren event and addiction. assembly at Godwin about the combination of factors. The ad- open mind and heart,” said Derr. the leave of Principal Smith, Dedicated volunteers have topic. diction disorder could have been Throughout her physical and Godwin Principal Leigh Duna- been key components to Proj- After the assembly, most caused by a severe car accident emotional journey, Derr now vant continued the effort, leading ect Purple’s success. Derr’s of the parents including Jenny triggering his brain when he has goals for Project Purple and to the expansion of the group Derr, a current volunteer and was young, his experimentation substance abuse awareness in and the renaming to Project Pur- project as it builds momentum. committee member for Project with alcohol and marijuana, a general. ple after Chris Herren’s project. Derr’s son, Billy Derr, attend- narcotic prescription as a kid, Derr is pushing for increased “I believe it is important for ed Godwin from 2007 to 2010. the assembly’s content. or how he was given a Vicodin control of prescription medica- us to address the issues of sub- During his senior year, the family “The presenter, while well by someone after they had their tion in the home, challenging stance abuse and mental health discovered his drug problem. intended, missed the mark on wisdom teeth removed. unnecessary prescriptions from through prevention, interven- “We were so caught off so many levels. She spoke a lot “We had no clue what ad- doctors, and raising aware- tion, and recovery efforts,” said guard,” said Derr. “We knew he about heroin use, but spent no diction was or how taking these ness to the fact that addiction Dunavant. had been drinking and smoking time talking about what drugs pills just one time could have is a brain disease, not a moral This school year, Project weed, but we had no clue about lead to heroin, as it doesn’t start triggered the disease,” said Derr. choice. Purple has reached new levels Xanax or pain pills. That began there,” said Derr. Derr continues to emphasize “I hope people will also learn of impact, such as continual use our journey, along with his, in Derr then contacted and met the fact that her son was more that if they know or love some- of the WellNest, a trailer convert- battling his substance abuse with former Godwin Principal than just an addict. Despite the one who suffers from addiction, ed into a comfortable space for disorder.” Beth Smith to talk about resourc- negative label of “addict,” Derr they are not alone, there are yoga and open counselor meet- After high school, Billy con- es for parents whose children describes Billy as a family ori- resources,” said Derr. Table of Contents News.........................2 Sports........................3 Opinion....................4 Center.......................6 Features....................8 Sports commitments pg. 3 Earth Day pg. 4 Student-led protests pg. 6 Ashley Zhu pg. 9 Flair..........................10 2 FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 NEWS THE EAGLES’ EYRIE EAGLE NEWS LOCAL NEWS NATIONAL NEWS - Throughout the country, teachers have been pro- room on Mondays dedicated to the national Drop students participated in a school walkout. This walkout testing their low wages. In West Virginia, Oklahoma, Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) program. The goal for and Kentucky, teachers are participating in “walkouts” D.E.A.R. was to have students learn a little more each protest gun violence and honor the 1999 Columbine to push for increased salaries. Although the average week from reading while also providing a break from teacher salary appears to be increasing year by year, typical schoolwork. For the rest of the year, the period - Island at noon to meet before their planned march on ries are about 1.6 percent lower now than in 1999 as Eagle Left Behind organization. the capitol. While there, students could register to vote a result. through registration stations. Teachers are continuing to follow suit as the walkouts towards people with mental health and to improve Bearing signs and chanting “Enough is enough,” the become more popular throughout the country. While relations between students. On April 9, new substance students walked up 7th street to the Richmond capitol the teachers are technically participating in walkouts, abuse awareness activities took the place of D.E.A.R. building. While there, organizers of the rally spoke these actions are more like strikes. The teachers are - about honoring the Columbine victims and their hopes calling their protests walkouts because striking as a cide survivor who told the story of his suicide attempt, for improved gun control. teacher is illegal. explained his depression, and emphasized getting help. - For the rest of the year, No Eagle Left Behind plans tributor and organizer of the event. At the march, he In West Virginia, the governor passed a bill that gave to provide more depression awareness related activites for classes to inform students about those who struggle problem. states have not been so lucky. In Oklahoma, the largest with their mental health. “The overall goal is unifying people,” said Alburger. teacher union has stopped its walkout, as the members “I think the new No Eagle Left Behind programs “We want people to understand that it does not matter believe they have achieved all that they can. Now they during D.E.A.R. will help students have a moment to your political beliefs, race, or religion, because gun are forced to focus on electing candidates who will violence is a life or death issue.” better support their cause. health and the importance of it,” said sophomore Car- As the walkouts have gained popularity, they have occurred more frequently across the country. photo Sarah York photo Megan Crews Snapshots of activity On April 21, the Godwin Athletic Association held a On April 14, Godwin held a community clean up day around Godwin over test drive to raise funds for Godwin sports teams. where students helped improve the looks of the campus. the past few weeks. “I got to see all of my “It is nicer because you get friends, but it took me forever normally see.” “I think it would be bad be- “I think it is a bad idea be- cause some people will have to cause the hallways are chaos.” photos Kathryn Chamberlin THE EAGLES’ EYRIE SPORTS FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 3 One step ahead of the curveball A week Juniors commit early to colleges for prospective sports ahead While still focused on this Jacob Oberle and Aidan I would have preferred to go to, Noah Cornwell year’s Godwin baseball season, so that won’t be a problem,” said Monday, April 30 Gustin Deegan also has his eyes set on J-1 Correspondents Murphy.