THE GRYPHON TIMES Friday, February 12, 2021 Volume 13 Issue 3 UA Spirit Week Tolbert Debuts New Podcast By William Stewart Goes Virtual University Academy sophomore Briana Tolbert has found a creative By Sylvia Halliburton way to voice her opinion on more mature topics of the world—topics During a traditional school year, Spirit Week is a time often left to adults. when students and staff get to participate in different Her podcast, “New Generation themed activities to keep school fun and not just about Speaks,” is a platform she created for school work. With schools relying on online schooling students in middle and high school to due to COVID-19, having a Spirit Week through the com- have a chance to voice their opinions puter screen can be a little difficult. on topics ranging from Black Lives University Academy‟s Student Council made it work, Matter to mental health. though, and it turned out to be a success. “So much had happened in 2020 During UA‟s Spirit that was life-changing, so I found Week, there was a series myself always making a post on of interesting events and Snapchat or having a deep conversa- themed days to partici- tion on it with friends and family, and pate in. Many people I wanted these topics to be heard so I ended up engaging de- started a podcast,” Tolbert said. UA sophomore Briana Tolbert has started a podcast called “New Generation spite the fact that it was When she got started, her first Speaks.” Tolbert is involved with cheerleading, debate and Student Council virtual. challenge was coming up with the at UA. Monday was “Fan name of the podcast. Once she over- Day,” when students came this, she tackled her next task of becoming comfort- this could hopefully lead to change in society. and staff wore gear pro- able with recording herself speaking. The podcast already has a few followers, with fellow moting something they So far she has released two episodes. The intro episode classmate Chloe Williams being one. support or believe in. allows listeners to get familiar with the podcast and how the “We are the same age, so I think she'll talk about some Mr. Blakemore and Ms. Tuesday was “Twin Day bi-weekly episodes will work. Her second episode, about things that I'll probably relate to and agree with.” Kwenin dressed alike on & UA Lounge.” Stu- the BLM movement, stars guest speakers Alesia McFadden Although Tolbert does not want podcast hosting to be “Twin Day.” dents found someone to and Jyaira Ware, who speak about the deeper meaning of her permanent career, she wants to keep doing it for as long twin with, and later on in the movement. McFadden and Ware are both UA sopho- as she can. the day, an event was hosted on Zoom for people to so- mores. “I have started promoting my podcast through social cialize with their peers and people they normally wouldn‟t Tolbert has high hopes for her podcast and how it can media,” Tolbert said. ”I feel like that's the best way to pro- talk to on a daily basis. help her fellow peers and community. She hopes that by mote things nowadays cause it's free to everyone.” Wednesday was “Go Green Day,” when everyone starting this podcast, she might influence other students and You can find updates about the podcast on Instagram, wore green and was encouraged to do something positive kids her age to start building a platform for themselves Twitter and Facebook at the handle, for the Earth. The last day of Spirit Week, Thursday, was where they can express their feelings about topics in the @NewGenerationSpeaks. “Among Us Day,” when everyone dressed up as their world. She also aims to help young people become more Tolbert hopes to release new episodes bi-weekly. favorite “Among Us” character, and a game night was comfortable with talking about serious topics. Ultimately, Check out “New Generation Speaks” on Spotify. held in the evening on Zoom so people could gather and play the game together. Shyionna Thatcher, StuCo‟s president said, “The job of StuCo before COVID was to plan events and create ways to build a stronger sense of community within UA and outside of it. We didn't want to allow this roadblock Cheering Through a Pandemic to be the reason why we didn't even try to plan something By Zahara Jordan for the students.” The StuCo team The University Academy cheerleading team is in the many more challenges have come that the squad has had to was pleased to find a midst of a different kind of season. rally around. way to facilitate stu- Since the world is facing a pandemic, many schools Lindsey said, “The biggest challenge for me would be dents still having fun have temporarily stopped the mask. Having asthma and during this virtual sports, like cheerleading, alto- cheering with the mask on is diffi- school time period. gether. However, some cult to do, and doing the cheers Thatcher said, “I schools, including UA, are that are on the longer side takes can say that StuCo is taking proper precautions so awhile to learn, as well.” simply glad that we they can still have sports One other struggle has been were still able to while keeping their athletes not being able to cheer at some connect and commu- and staff safe. away games due to restrictions set nicate during such On the Gryphons‟ Upper in place by other schools. difficult times.” School cheer team, there are Both Davis and Lindsey said The process of nine girls, and the coach is cheering for football season was finding activities for Ms. Susie Jackson. Tryouts easier than cheering for basketball Spirit Week wasn't took place last August, and games because they were able to as challenging as the practices started soon after. pull their masks down sometimes group expected it to The team has been able to since they were outside and could be. In dealing with cheer at a selection of football be more socially distanced. this pandemic, people have been forced to get creative to and basketball games through- Despite the challenges handle adversity and entertain themselves and others. out this school year. COVID-19 has presented for the Spirit Week was a prime example of this. Although sports have con- Gryphon cheerleaders, team mem- Ms. Amanda Adreani, a Student Council sponsor, tinued at UA, many coronavi- bers have still managed to enjoy was pleased with the outcome of the event, and she espe- rus-related changes were themselves and also have fun in cially enjoyed the “Among Us” night. made, specific to each sport, to the process. “I think that the game night was the highlight of the promote health and safety. Lindsey said, “My favorite week for me. It really made my heart happy to see stu- Freshman cheerleader thing about cheerleading is the dents hanging out and laughing together—that's some- Bria Davis said, “Cheering connections I‟ve made with the thing I really miss about being in the school building!” during COVID is hard because other cheerleaders, and the games she said. we have to cheer with a mask are always fun to attend.” UA cheerleaders have persevered through Planning the event was new territory for Ms. Adreani on.” Davis said, “My favorite COVID-19 challenges to support the Gryphon and her students. “I think we were all a little nervous UA senior Tyler Lindsey, thing is the excitement of the football and basketball teams this year. about how it would go. A virtual Spirit Week was new another cheerleader, said, “It‟s game. I‟m on the court watching territory—something StuCo has never had to attempt be- been pretty interesting. I‟m surprised how much we were the game and cheering the team on and getting them hyped fore. And I'm so glad we went for it,” she said. able to cheer. Of course, we have to follow guidelines, so and excited to win.” Since Spirit Week was a success, StuCo plans to host staying safe is the main priority. But cheering in a mask is Even though COVID-19 has disrupted a normal cheer additional virtual game nights events coming up on Feb. difficult but doable.” season at UA, the cheerleaders are glad that they still get to 19 and 26. Stay tuned for details! There are many challenges that come with cheerleading cheer at games and have fun while doing so. even in “regular” times, but in the midst of the pandemic, 1 Teacher Feature: Ms. Hadjian, Lifelong Learner By Ryleigh Hayes Ms. Darya Hadjian is a second year Hadjian said she has enjoyed being able to watch her kids Spanish teacher at University Academy. develop while spending more time with them. One pan- Before working at UA, Ms. Hadjian demic downside has been the lack of energy she has seen worked for the Johnson County Depart- in her students. ment of Corrections at the Juvenile Ser- “[Another challenge has been] watching my babies vices Center. This past experience inspires and students struggle without peer to peer interaction. I her to help teachers keep their students think that is so essential and not offered much,” she said. motivated in the classroom rather than at a Ms. Hadjian is a mother of two, and while she correction center. teaches UA students, she is also helping her children Ms. Hadjian has many goals for her- learn virtually this year. Thankfully, her mother, self. She aims to help all her students be- “GrannyKins,” has been able to assist.