Issue 126 December 2014
Apr 06, 2016
2 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
News
Bulletin
Child Abuse and Poverty
Lone Wolves Terrorists
Slow Poke Law
Date Rape Prevention: Nail Polish
Communication Arts Festival
Holiday Features
Halloween
I am Thankful for…
Holiday Wish List
Features
Spotlight Porsche
Foods I Miss
Custom Guitars
Sports
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons
SEC Rivalry Week Comes to an End
Cross Country Season Wrap-up
Opinions & Editorials
The Negative Effects of Texting
The Benefits of Minecraft
Pro-Gay Marriage
Anti-Gay Marriage
KIQ Staff:
Editor: Jessica Lublin
Advisor: Shilpee Kathuria
Layouts: Jessica Lublin, Shilpee Kathuria, Sydney
Pipes
Pg. 3 Compiled by Shilpee Kathuria
Pg. 4 Caroline Holmes
Pg. 5 Jack Abram
Pg. 6 Sara Edge
Pg. 7 Sean Nemesh
Pgs. 8-9 Jacob Smith
Pgs. 10-11 Noah Terpstra
Pgs. 12-13 Trey Reid
Pgs. 14-15 Sydney Pipes
Pg. 16 Tyler Harrell
Pg. 17 Kevin Kemple
Pgs. 18-19 Hayden Draycott
Pg. 20 Jake Martin
Pg. 21 David Wells
Pgs. 22-24 David Wells
Pg. 25 Zachary Katz
Pg. 26 Matthew Cowart
Pg. 27 Matthew Dalluge
Pg. 28 Joseph Murphy
Front Page (from left): Rachel Fisher with Harley the
dog, and Morgan McCurley, Dosa the dog (center), Loki the
dog and Ethan Reisch
Table of Contents
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 3
Upper School
Bulletin Cause of the Civil War
Debates
By Drew Dickerson
In Brad’s American History class, the
students debated the cause of the Civil
War on Tuesday, December 9. The topic
of this debate is slavery (pro) vs. states’
rights (con). In the con, the states’ rights
group will be trying to prove that the
states’ rights caused the Civil War. The
pro-slavery group will be working to-
wards proving that slavery caused the
Civil War. After each group gathers their
information they will try to prove the oth-
er side wrong through debate, by contra-
dicting the opposing team with the evi-
dence they gathered through research.
My personal opinion of this de-
bate is that it is an intriguing, and thought
-provoking assignment. I also enjoyed
attempting to counter the other groups’
facts, and information that was gathered
by them.
I feel fortunate and lucky to be at
MSA and more so in Vaidehi Ralla-
palli’s homeroom, as I got inspired
to learn more about the 3D printer
she constructed this summer. I
learned all about 3D Printing this
summer, as I went to a 3D printing
camp at Southern Polytechnic Uni-
versity. After designing two differ-
ent key chains, we designed a min-
iature Frisbee (mine was more of a
ring), and had it printed overnight.
We then built small printers, at-
tempted to used them, and disas-
sembled them for the next group.
I am excited because on a
daily basis during breaks, I get to
work, practice, design, and learn
more about 3D printing in
Vaidehi’s homeroom!
3-D Printing:
The Wave of the Future
By Sam Wolfe
Ph
oto
by
Va
ideh
i Ra
llap
alli
Team con or pro–states’ rights is repre-
sented by Drew Dickerson, Brandon
Carr, Boris Huffman and Victoria Tosca-
no at the podium.
Photo by Shilpee Kathuria
Grandparent’s Day
By Sophie Bonds
Grandparent’s Day was
recently held at Mill
Springs Academy on Fri-
day, November 21. Many
grandparents attended to
see the school and meet the
teachers and staff mem-
bers, and our own peers.
The Band and Chorus both
performed for them while
they ate breakfast. The
band played ‘Requiem’
and ‘Where the streets
have no name’. The
grandparents attending al-
so had the opportunity to
take a picture with their
grandkids, which are shown
below. Overall, grandpar-
ents’ day was a good expe-
rience. I look forward to
next year’s grandparents’
day as well.
Photo by Carolina Ayerbe
Sophie Bonds with her grandmoth-
er, Nancy Bonds, enjoying Grand-
parent’s Day 2014.
4 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Many children in America are dwelling within poverty. According to “Feeding America,” the sta-
tistics are staggering: “In 2013, 14.7 million (19.9 percent) children under the age of 18 were in poverty.”
Unfortunately, it is also quite common globally. Many of these children living in poverty are being subjected
to a negative cycle of abuse in impoverished households. The American Psychological Association states
many reasons this cycle occurs. One of the many numerous factors seem to be harsh conditions, neglect, ex-
cessive stress, and similar abuse from generation to generation. Their research indicates socioeconomic sta-
tus directly and significantly effects the possibility of child abuse in a home.
Also, there is an obvious marked increase in stress in lower income homes. Socioeconomic status is
directly connected to education. It procreates large gaps within achievement levels, absenteeism and be-
tween 60 and 70 percent higher dropout rates than the national average (APA, Harris, 2005). Poverty is a
reliable predictor of child abuse among low income families, especially those with family exposure to sub-
stance abuse, crowding and violence which is stressful to all members of a household. According to the Na-
tional Coalition for Child Protection Reform, “Abuse is three times more common in poor families and
“neglect” is seven times more common.” Childwelfare.gov states, “increased prevention programs and so-
cial support programs to improve parents age-appropriate expectations for their children” as a way to help
stop the cycle. In addition, their research suggested “that one-third of all individuals who were maltreated
will subject their children to maltreatment”. They have established education programs to give parents in
welfare homes and in social welfare cases proper knowledge about child development, unrealistic expecta-
tions and appropriate versus inappropriate punishment.
We need to stimulate concern and stop the violence. We need to increase public awareness of these
statistics and the large amount of children that will continue this cycle in America unless we find the utmost
compassion within us enough to help.
What Can Be Done?
A Look at Cycles of Poverty and Child Abuse By Caroline Holmes
Images of children being revered instead of neglected.
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-ab
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A haunting image of a child in terror.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 5
When you think of terrorism, what
images come to mind? Images of
9/11, Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram,
the IRA, or even American Militia
Groups likely come to mind. But
organized and large terror groups
are beginning to become less com-
mon and effective as global mili-
taries and law enforcement focus
on combatting these groups. Be-
cause of this, a new type of ter-
rorist is becoming more common;
the lone wolf. These are people
who work alone in order to commit
terroristic acts. The reason
this concept is so appealing to
terrorists is that it signifi-
cantly lowers the risk of detec-
tion by authorities if you have
minimal people aware of your
plans.
By Jack Abram
Lone Wolves:
The Changing Face of Terrorism Possibly inspired by these inci-
dents, this year there have been sev-
eral lone wolf attacks in North Amer-
ica. On October 23rd, a man with rad-
ical Islamic beliefs attacked two New
York Police Department officers with
a hatchet, severely injuring both be-
fore being killed by gunfire. On Oc-
tober 22nd, a man holding similar be-
liefs attacked the Canadian Parlia-
ment building in Ottawa, Canada,
killing one Canadian soldier and
wounding others before being shot and
killed by the Sergeant at Arms.
Closer to home, on June 6th, a
former TSA Agent holding Sovereign
Citizen beliefs attacked the Forsyth
County Courthouse in Cumming, Geor-
gia. He had several weapons as well
as supplies for taking hostages in
his car. Luckily, he was shot by a
Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office depu-
ty before he could gain access to the
building.
The Forsyth County courthouse is shown after lone wolf
attack.
wsbtv.com
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Aftermath of the New York hatchet maiming.
6 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
The state of Georgia passed a new law called the slow poke law, because slow drivers were causing accidents on the state’s freeway. They were not moving over to the right lanes when the faster drivers were approaching them. This effects a lot of faster drivers on the freeway and has caused acci-dents. It also causes people to be late. Slow drivers would drive in front of faster drivers that were approaching them and would not move over and get out of the faster drivers way; it has become a problem. Now in the state of Georgia, if a faster driver is coming up from behind, you must move over into the right lane. When people don’t move over when someone faster is coming up on them, it causes accidents. The law was passed on July 1, 2014 Some people are upset; they feel if they are going the speed limit or a little over they should not have to move over to where the really slow drivers are going slower than you. Other people feel it is a great law that will really prevent accidents.
Slow Poke Law:
A New Change for Georgia Drivers By Sara Edge
Drivers should not drive in the passing lane.
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Many drivers debate how fast is too fast and how slow is too slow.
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Slow drivers can cause accidents on highways.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 7
Date rape drugs have been a
problem for the past 30 years up until
now. In the past, there have been
many different types of ideas to pre-
vent people from date rape situations.
Some worked while others didn’t do
anything.
But now four undergraduate stu-
dents (Ankesh Madan, Stephen Gray,
Tasso Von Windheim, and Tyler Con-
frey-Maloney) at North Carolina State
University have invented a special
type of nail polish that can trigger the
types of drugs such as “roofies” that
could knock you out. These same four
male college students have made a
nail polish that could save a girl’s
night or others at risk. Their nail
polish changes different shades as it
is dipped in a drink that has been al-
tered or drugged.
Who would have thought nail
polish could do all of this? Some peo-
ple believe that it is important to
have this, but this nail polish almost
says it’s a woman’s rather than a
man’s responsibility to keep rapists
away, which many disagree with.
Some think that the nail polish is
great and others think differently. If
rapists are still out in the community,
some people somewhere aren’t doing
their job.
By Sean Nemesh
College Students Invent Date Rape
Prevention Nail Polish
The four inventors of the date rape prevention nail
polish pose in front of North Carolina State
University with a version of their product at work.
twitter.co
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gee
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The nail polish is marketed as a beauty product.
8 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Communication Arts Celebrates
Appalachian Culture with this
year’s Stupendous Festival
By Jacob Smith During the first week of December, Communication Arts put on their annual fes-
tival, this year honoring Appalachia. This is a region stretching up the eastern
United States. The main events of the festival included speeches and costumes
by seventh and eighth graders, where each portrayed a different character.
Teacher Chelsea Michelson’s sister, Jana and her band performed traditional
Appalachian ballads and songs, with dancers teaching the students dances of
the region. Many craftsmen, such as soap and quilt makers, came to the festival
to showcase their crafts. There was also plenty of food and drink, including
fried chicken, baked goods and several different varieties of down-home corn-
bread. This festival was a huge success, and we hope that next year’s will be
just as exciting!
Jana, Lon and Micah were the entertainment for the
Festival. Their band is called, and they were joined
by Senior Levi Smith on banjo (in the center).
Alana Green proudly stands next to her display of
Mother Jones, firebrand activist, the basis for her
project and costume (including gray hair)!
David Cicco portrays Johnny Cash, world renowned
country singer and originally from Appalachia.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 9
Maxwell Davis, Nic Allen and Miles Robinson
happily pose in costume in front of the many
cool displays and exhibits.
Headmaster Robert
Moore enjoys the food
and festivities.
Communication Arts students used milk jugs to cre-
ate these imaginative a d colorful masks in the tradi-
tion of Appalachia.
Photos by Shilpee Kathuria
Yikes! Senior
Johnny Ray’s
mask looks like it
is coming to life.
Cole Reed puts on a bright smile
and is enjoying dressing up as au-
thor Homer Hick-
man.
Nolan Waits looks handsome and
dapper in his 10-gallon cowboy hat
and stands next to his project on Er-
nie Ford, a famous singer and televi-
sion artist.
(Clockwise from Center Front): Alana Green, Miles Robinson, No-
lan Waits, Ryland Hughes, Cole Reed, David Cicco, Parent Becky
Lamp’l, Amy Lamp’l, Andrew Liban, Brennan Burstein, Jack Buck-
ley all gather around the Apple Butter they made and jarred.
10 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Faculty members Chelsea Michelson, Taniah
Jones, Kay Morrison, Mateo McConnell, Carol
Adams, and Claire Christerson proudly show
off their costumes as they wait for the lower
school parade. Entries for this year’s newest Halloween feature:
The Decorate a Pumpkin Contest.
By Noah Terpstra
Halloween… it is a special time for many. It is a chance for many
people to express who they are without being judged. The Halloween
Party this year, held on Friday, October 31, was a perfect place for
this! Sherry Robinson, Keith Muma and the dedicated Level L’s: Cole
Landy, Jeremy Border, Nicole Thomas, Quint Foster, Brandon
McCormick, James York, Devin Orkin, Devin Hazzard, Ryan Sarver,
Johnny Ray, Mike Martin, and Corinne Davenport created a festive
and spooky atmosphere. There was lots of candy, music and some
wonderful dancing entertainment provided by Jack Minozzi, David
Wells, Tommy Ray and Mac McCullough. Rachel Lamp’l even brought
a miniature pony! It was one of the highlights of the year!
The annual Pumpkin Smash is a big hit, as always!
Counterclockwise: Ross Morella, Charlotte Sumner,
and Devin Hazzard all take a swing at the pumpkin
as others watch on.
Shilpee Kathuria mimics Paul Stanley’s
makeup from KISS (French Kiss).
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 11
Carolina Ayerbe rocks her two heads with
Jaime Gutierrez, while Vaidehi Rallapalli
secretly photobombs them.
Freshman Megan Brown, Cartwright
Ayres, and Emma Harris pose outside
the Great Room.
Sandra’s advisory comes together for a group pic.
From left to right: Charlotte Sumner, Trevor Murr, Sandra Weston,
Richard Brooks, Daniel Schmidt, Scott Collins, and Boris Huffman.
In front: Brooks Buce
Zombie Soccer Player
Sean Roberts seems una-
ble to stand still.
Bulldogs Fan Michael Smith is arrested by
Police Officer Tommy Ray.
Connor Bollinger has a little fun as the
photographer snaps a picture of him and
Sandra Weston.
Shepherd Jaime Gutierrez grins with Salt Sandra
Weston on one side and Pepper Alicia Miller on the
other.
There goes the pumpkin!
Matt Rankin sends
pumpkin bits flying as
he takes his turn at the
Pumpkin Smash.
12 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Collected by Trey Reid
PANTS.
I’m thankful for my wonderful family and being able to come back to MSA! -Chase
I am thankful for my friends, family and my life and that I have such great things and
opportunities in life! -Anna Alex
I am thankful for the staff and students at MSA and for god and the world. -Vaidehi Rallapalli
I am thankful for controversial topics, geopolitics, and modern literature.
glasbergen.com
I am thankful for all the great teachers we have at MSA as well as the coaches and
principals. -David Cicco
I am thankful for my wife, life and this awesome job.
I am thankful I only have to write one of these.
This awesome meal. I am thankful for life.
I’m thankful for my
sense of humor. My Musical talents.
I’m thankful for dogs.
I am thankful for my friends and volleyball and basketball Girls.
I’m thankful for everything good that has happened in my life.
I am thankful for all my friends, family and pets. -Lizzie
I am thankful for my Mom and grandma
and my teachers and peers. Jordan
I am thankful for my advisory kids! They are my sunshine away from home! -Carolina
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 13
I am thankful for the exploded stars supplying me with the basic
elements needed to support life on earth.
I’m grateful there are no clowns here, because I hate clowns.
My ADHD.
I am thankful for the awesome kids in my majorly cool advisory. -Gail
My imaginary friends, and Steven, the ankle-biting elf.
I am thankful that my job is to hang out with hilarious kids
and teach them science! #Best Job Ever
I am thankful
for Unicorns.
I’m thankful for my friends, family and Megadeth. -Hayden
Existing.
leftunattended.com
New opportunities and
old friends.
I am thankful for
Greg Bodeep.
I am thankful for my friends and family.
I am thankful for being able to go to this school.
I am thankful that my
dad is in good health.
The internet.
Everything.
I am thankful for all my supportive friends.
I am thankful for life, theater and my family. -Abby Hayman
I’m thankful for being blonde and pretty
I’m thankful for my Spanish teacher. -Sean
I am Thankful for God and Jesus. -Mathew Petty
I am thankful for my best friends and my family and god. -Nathan Beard
I am thankful for my
friends. -Ty Harrell
I am thankful for my family, my job, my students, and my health. –Sandra Weston
14 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Rhen Avritt: I would love to get a new radio and
give Sherry an Alabama scarf.
Brandon Carr: I would like an awesome Christian friend and
give Boris apples.
Joseph Dalton: I would like Golden Gophers and give Coach Phil a championship.
Michael Flannigan: I would like another Championship for myself, and give a
championship to Coach Phil.
Abby Hayman: I would like to tan Uggs with brown bows on the back and I would like to
give Carly Mulligan a new One Direction album.
Chandler Holt: I would like an acceptance from Georgia and I would like to give David
Wells Lucky Charms, so he can give them to Auburn, because they seem to be lacking the
luck factor this year.
Gwyneth Hummel-Levy: I would videogames or fabric, and I would like to give my
friend Ryan a Wii U and Bayonetta 2.
Shilpee Kathuria: I would like a Ford F-150 extended cab,
with a Dosa in the back. I would like to give my students
health and happiness. For my fellow teachers, I would like
to give them wealth and wonder.
What do you want to Gift and Receive? Compiled by
Sydney Pipes
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 15
What do you want to Gift and Receive
This Holiday Season?
Bailey Kiser: I would like a basketball
championship for myself, and a basketball
championship for Coach Phil.
Sydney Pipes: I would like a Kindle Fire or a white Samsung Galaxy tab 4
Nook, and I want to give my friends whatever they like that I can afford.
Connor Samsky: I would like some 50 Cent SMS headphones, and
give Carly Mulligan a date with Zayn form One Direction.
Alex Silverman: I would like some self-confidence, and I would like to
give health and good fortune for all those who are less fortunate.
Noah Terpstra: I would like whatever people want to get me, and I
would like give Mac McCullough, David Wells, and Tommy Ray a music
studio, because they are always singing and dancing.
David Wells: I would like Chandler to hold my hand, and a
prenup for later on.
Sherry Robison: I would like a vacation at the beach, and I would
like to give me husband Terry a round of golf at Augusta National.
Emily Wright: I would like an IPhone 6, and
give Sydney Itzkovitz a puppy.
16 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By Tyler Harrell
The Porsche 918 Spyder makes were introduced to the world at the 2013
Frankfurt Motor Show. As you can see, at the top is a picture of the 918
Spyder. Some insight from a dealership (that I visited) on how they have
progressed with making this car-“We've gone on multiple ride-and-drives
in Porsche's super-advanced hybrid supercar, but the automaker has made
a number of tweaks and changes since then.” This new model is equipped
with a hybrid powertrain, which Porsche says “still produced a combined
887 hp.” Technical director Frank Markus has given a summary about what
makes the 918 work and what it runs off of. The Porsche 918 has a 4.6
liter, with a V-8 engine that provides a 608 hp with 9150 rpm. This ve-
hicle also sounds great with the twin exhausts coming out through the V
shape that you see in this picture.
“Markus described the exhaust note as
“intoxicating." With the Exhausts at
the top of the powertrain, it helps to
keep the engine and the rear bumper
cool and not melted. Markus also said
that, “Sitting in the front of the car
is a 127-hp electric motor that sits at
the front axles and another (154 hp)
towards the back between the engine and
seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.”
This Porsche 918 sider can
go from 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 sec-
onds flat. When in zero emissions
electric mode this supercar will
make the same run in just under
seven seconds.
Pictures provided by autermo.com
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 17
By Kevin Kemple
Food on the east coast and the food on the West coast are very
different. Restaurants vary with food and where they are located.
There are some restaurants that are on the West coast that are not
on the East coast and vice versa. There are also drinks that are
mainly used on one side or the other. I have personal experience
with these differences since I have lived in California most of my
life, and then I moved to Georgia.
One of the main things that I miss from the West coast is
Pepsi. On the East coast, they have Coke which is the most popular
soda here. I prefer Pepsi over Coke because of the sweetness. Even
though you can still get Pepsi on the east, most restaurants won’t
have the option of Pepsi; they will only have Coke. Pepsi and Coke
also own other sodas that you drink regularly. Coke owns Fanta,
which has fruity flavors; they also own Sprite. Pepsi owns Crush,
which has fruity flavors as well; they also own Mountain Dew.
The biggest restaurant change I noticed from the west to
the southeast was In-n-Out Burger. In-n-Out’s restaurants are only
located on the West coast, the farthest east restaurant is located in
Texas. Five Guys is the In-n-Out for the east coast. Many people ar-
gue over which one is better and I prefer In-n-Out. In-n-Out is much
better overall with the foods and drinks, while Five Guys is mainly
focused on the fries and the burgers. In-n-Out is a lot more kid/
family friendly than Five Guys because it has commercials that are
targeted both to kids and adults while Five Guys just targets its
commercials to adults.
On the plus side, Five Guys doesn’t make very many com-
mercials. I mean, when was the last time you saw a Five Guys com-
mercial?
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Pepsi and Coca-Cola are rivals .
Five Guys is a popular restau-
rant in the East coast.
In-n-Out Burger is located only on
west of the Mississippi.
18 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By: Matt Haverland I wanted to ask some of our new Upper School students some questions about themselves. Welcome new Mustangs! Please answer the following:
1. What school did you originally go to? And tell us a little bit about it.
2. What is your favorite thing that relates to school?
3. What is your least favorite thing about school?
4. What are some things that you like or that you are interested in? What are your hobbies?
5. Are you street smart or book smart? Explain.
6. Do you prefer PS4, PC, or Xbox One?
7. Are you working for the Shape-Shifting Reptilian Aliens that are controlling the Earth by taking on human
form and gaining political power to manipulate our societies, or are you just one of them?
Answer seriously! We have to know!
1) I went to Northwestern Middle
School, and it was very fun and
the people were fun and cool.
2) Leaving school.
3) Going to school.
4) I enjoy watching TV. My hobbies
are eating and sleeping.
5) Street Smart: I can’t explain it. I
just am.
6) PS4.
7) I’m one of them.
2) Art, Forensics
3) The rules and dress code
4) No comment.
5) Street smart.
6) PS4
7) Neither, hate government.
Jansen Redler Kevin Kemple
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 19
1) I went to Lanier High. It’s like
right next to Lake Lanier and
the school was really fun.
2) Wrestling or PE.
3) Math, and homework.
4) I’m the vocalist in my band,
Mosh pits, and football.
5) Street smart.
6) Xbox.
7) Yeah. I’m gonna take over the
world and enslave you all.
1) Woodstock High School;
a lot of people.
2) Science and history.
3) Literature
4) Soccer, art; I draw, play
soccer, and play Xbox.
5) Both. Some of my
friends helped me with
street smarts.
6) Xbox One. I have a 360.
7) Bruh.
Sean Roberts
Joseph Dalton
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20 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By Hayden Draycott
Every musician has a favorite guitar or instrument, but some have designs so
iconic it would be criminal for anyone but them to play these. While some are
more for visual purposes, some musicians desired a sound that they could not
obtain with any other guitar but the ones of their own imaginations. Here are
ten of the coolest and most iconic guitars of rock and roll.
1) Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat
1984 should immediately come into mind whether you see
this design on the guitar or anything else for that matter.
Built by Eddie with his own two hands, the guitar’s name is
a combination of Frankenstein’s monster and the Fender
Stratocaster. From great stings and amazing pickups, Eddie
has not hesitated to admit and show that this guitar has it
all. He created it using combined parts such as neck boards
and pickups from different guitar companies like Fender,
Gibson, and Charvel, as he wanted essentially a “mix” of all
their sounds, or a way to both visually and musically play all
of these companies products at the same time to create his
own sound, and the sound he created has gone down in histo-
ry. While he has still updated and changed certain parts of
it for a continuing source of new sounds, for the past 30
years, the Frankenstrat has been his main weapon and he’s
even made a couple more different versions of it with differ-
ent coloring. But it has always been the original, first ap-
pearing on Van Halen’s second album, 1979’s Van Halen II,
that Eddie has used to create the riffs for some of his signa-
ture songs, including Jump, Hot For Teacher, Unchained,
Panama, and many more. A full replica is on display at The
Museum Of American History in Washington D.C., and EVH
guitars also makes copies for all die hard Van Halen fans, if
you should wish to partake in purchasing one.
Eddie Van Halen both
inspires and discourages
guitarists everywhere.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 21
2) George Lynch’s Skull And Bones
Definitely one of the most underrated guitarists ever.
George Lynch, the lead guitarist of the pop rock/metal
band Dokken was one of the first guitarists to use ESP
guitars upon their introduction in the late 1970s, and
their guitars remain his main weapons of choice to this
very day. In 1986, he was the first guitarist to get a full
endorsement of them, and until then, he had played gui-
tars styled with cool camouflage and flame designs, but
right as the recordings for Dokken’s fourth studio album
Back For The Attack, commenced, he decided he wanted
something new to show exactly how bad ass he and his
band were. So, with ESP, he designed this guitar that
simply kills you when you see it, kills you when you hear
it, and kills you when you do pretty much anything with
it. While he doesn’t play it as much nowadays, it defined
the sound of Dokken in their heyday.
3) C.C. Deville’s Skull guitar
Glam metal band Poison has members with wild hair, wild
clothes, and wild stage personas, so it’s not a surprise that
they have some seriously crazy instruments as well. C.C.
Deville took guitar design to a new place with the B.C. Rich
guitar company when they designed this deathly instru-
ment. While many aspiring guitarists may cite George
Lynch as a bigger inspiration, Deville’s guitar is still as big
an eye catcher as his own skull guitar.
CC Deville gets wild for
the camera!
George Lynch circa
late 1980s.
22 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By Jake Martin Quarterback Matt Ryan has been with the At-
lanta Falcons for seven years, including this one and
the Falcons get to the playoffs but never to the Super
Bowl (even with the incredible stats that Matt Ryan
has). WHY? The events that lead to the playoffs in-
clude the team playing well, so that they can earn a
spot in the playoffs : they win lots of games and score
lots of points.
Because I believe that Matt Ryan can take the
Falcons to the Super Bowl if he played and executed
the plays before the playoffs, which are amazing and
considering how good his football stats are. There are
a couple of problems.
The Falcons don’t really ever do well at away
games, but when they do play better at home.
It all goes downhill in the playoffs, even if the Fal-
cons were doing the best they’ve ever played.
Unfortunately, they haven’t well good for the
last few years. Also, this year, they are probably not
making it to the Super Bowl, because their win-lose
stats are worse than the usual teams that get close or
make it to the Super Bowl.
However, they are number one in their division,
the NFC South. I don’t think the Falcons should be
number one because of how bad their season has gone
so far. They are 5-8, which is terrible to be number
one: I could respect it is it was something like ten and
two but they are not. Although they are over that
OTHER team in the NFC South that has the same rec-
ord– I CAN respect that!
Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons: Why always Post-Season
but Never to the Super Bowl?
Matt Ryan throws one of his many well-
executed passes.
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Year TD’s Games
Played
2014 32 12
2013 40 16
2012 46 16
2011 46 16
2010 47 16
2009 44 16
2008 43 16
Matt Ryan Statistics
2008-2014
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 23
The smoke cleared and the victors rose from the ashes of what we like to call rivalry week. Rivalry week is
the last regular game of the college football season. Teams must overcome their greatest rival to rise to glo-
ry, or fall to the earth for 365 days of immense ridicule from your rival’s fan base.
The biggest rivalry of the week was the Iron Bowl, which featured the 15th
Ranked Auburn Tigers
going down to Tuscaloosa to take on the first ranked 1st Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year’s game was the
biggest Iron Bowl in history played in Auburn. Alabama, the 1st ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, lost to the
4th
ranked Auburn tigers on a missed 57-yard Field goal returned 109 yards for a Auburn tiger touchdown
as time expired. The final score was 34-28, and the game also determined who would play in the SEC
championship. As you could see this year’s Iron Bowl had a tall order to fulfill, and it did not disappoint
with the highest scoring Iron Bowl ever played as Alabama overcame a 36 – 21 deficit. Alabama then
played in the SEC Championship on Saturday Dec 7 against the 14th ranked Missouri tigers.
A few of the notable scores from rivalry week also included 2nd
ranked Florida State Vs Florida Ga-
tors, with 24-19 FSU victory due to two missed field goals by the Gators. The last real big game featured 4th
ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs vs 10th
ranked Ole Miss Bears with the Bears completed their season
with a heartfelt upset 31-17 over MSU. Due to the Mississippi State loss, Texas Christian University (TCU)
will receive a playoff bid as the 4th
seed making the play of bracket a week before it officially is set as 1st
Alabama, 2nd
Oregon, 3rd
Florida State and 4th
TCU.
By David
Wells
SEC Rivalry Week
comes to an End
Alabama’s Crimson Tide and the Auburn
Tigers square off at the line of scrimmage.
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Due to a crucial MSU loss, TCU has a shot at the
play-offs.
24 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
Ladies and gentlemen, we need to give it up to the 2014 Mill Springs Academy
Cross Country Mustangs! They did what no one in the school except for
Coach Victoria Fairley-Jones and Coach Brittany Emge thought they could
do! They took the Georgia Independent School Athletic (GISA) division II
Boys State Championship.
The boys dominated completion with the first and second place spots
going to Mill Springs runners Devin Hazzard in first and Sam Lynch in sec-
ond place. Cole Landy finished in 5th place becoming an All-state runner he
was immediately followed up by 6th place runner and All-state runner Johnny
Ray. Austin Palmore finished in 18th place followed by James York in 20th and
Quint Foster in 21st.
The girls Cross Country team finished in 5th place with Sophie Davis
finishing 6th overall. The other girls ran great as with Alana Green finishing
17th and Nicole Thomas finishing 38th as well as Alli Kogoy finishing 39th and
Anna Alex finishing 40th .
Great show from all the girls and guys: the Mustangs truly worked their hard-
est this season as you can tell. Some of the Mustang runners we be competing
in the nationals race we wish them luck and go Mustangs!
By David Wells
From rear, left clockwise: James
York, Brandon McCormick, Sam
Lynch, Austin Palmore, Johnny
Ray, Quint Foster, Cole Landy,
Sophie Davis, Nicole Thomas, Ala-
na Green, Alli Kogoy, Anna Alex
and Devin Hazzard.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 25
Coach Victoria Fairley-Jones gives us an UPDATE as
we go to press:
After winning the AAC Championship, the GISA Re-
gion 1AA Championship AND the GISA State Cham-
pionship (first team to win a State Championship in
school history) , six Mustangs advanced with high
placement through the USATF State and SE Regional
competitions and will finally wrap up the 2014 this
weekend in Myrtle Beach competing with over a thou-
sand other runners from across the country!
This list includes:
Devin Hazzard
Sam Lynch
Johnny Ray
James York
Quint Foster
Sophie Davis
Cole Landy (Captain)
Austin Palmore makes
the long run look easy
at State.
Cole Landy and Johnny Ray pass the crowd by in a blur at the State meet.
Devin Hazzard and his amazing win
make the home page for the GISA
website.
The lovely ladies of cross-country enjoy a moment of respite together from
the competition (from left): Alli Kogoy, Sophie Davis, Alana Green, Anna
Alex and Nicole Thomas.
26 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By Zachary Katz and Jessica Lublin
Texting can be dangerous. No one is arguing with the car crashes or
accidents that happen when certain individuals are texting while in
transit. Texting can also take away hours of sleep; staring at a screen
all night waiting for a text sure can take a toll on texters the next
day. So why do so many people text?
Some individuals text as a way to keep in touch. Others do it
simply as entertainment in a boring situation. As texting becomes the
norm, kids find that they can get away with texting their friends dur-
ing class or during other important occasions, resulting in a lack of
focus and interest in the people around them. Due to the ability to
text, face to face conversations are occurring less and less on a daily
basis.
As much as texting seems to help remove seclusion by giving you
the ability to communicate whenever and wherever, it also causes seclu-
sion by isolating you from those around you. Texting doesn’t require
every minute of every day, but many kids and teens seem to think it
does. Some kids and teens seem to think that something bad has happened
if the person they are texting doesn’t respond within a five minute
time span. Others are addicted, plain and simple.
Our school understands the effects of texting. They encourage face
to face conversations and discourage the isolation that texting can
cause. The rules are here to help, not hurt. So put down your phone and
go socialize with your friends. Don’t spend all your time texting when
there are opportunities to make new friends right in front of you.
Stepping outside your comfort zone may be difficult at first, but the
benefits far outweigh the negatives in the long run.
clker.com carcrashne.blogspot.com cartoonaday.com
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 27
By Matthew Cowart
SLIME CREEPER
Is Minecraft good or bad for you? Now I chose this subject because I enjoy the game and I play it in my
spare time or on a rainy day. I know that not everybody likes the game but there are a good number of
you guys/gals that do like it and this is for you. Minecraft can help with hand eye coordination and
problem solving. An example of this is Redstone. Redstone is a fictional mineral in Minecraft, acting
as electrical wire to build electronic circuits, circuitry gates, pistons, dispensers, and other ma-
chines, and the player must learn how to navigate all these uses.
Minecraft is also an appropriate game as well. For example, if you go to options and multiplayer and hit
chat, you can turn off the chat feature so that your child would not see any unfriendly words put in
chat by other people. Also, it’s an appropriate game because it is not as violent as other games like
first-person shooters.
Now I believe sandbox games are better for you. I say this because I think that a violent game can lead
to violent behavior like fighting with your brother or sister or being rude to your parents or using
foul language and curse words (none shall be listed). Now some people might say that computer games will
encourage childhood obesity. Now this is true if you are playing games all day long, but I believe that
most people have enough self-control to limit their time on the computer and go outside and exercise
rather than burn their eyes out by playing too long.
Block By Block
Mining Gameplay pictures provided by Mathew Cowart Bunny on a Melon
28 Kickin’ It Quarterly December 2014
By Jack Abram
Darren Wilson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 14th, 1986. When he was young, he grew up in the
suburbs of Saint Louis Missouri, becoming a police officer when he was a young adult. He began his career
with the Jennings Police Department, which was plagued by multiple lawsuits and complaints, of which Wilson
had no involvement. However, these claims took their toll on the department when an officer was found to have
committed a wrongful shooting and a Lieutenant stole money from the federal government. The Jennings Po-
lice Department closed down, and entered a contract to be policed by the Saint Louis County Police. Wilson
then got a job with the Ferguson Police Department, where he continued to serve without much notable events
occurring. This changed on August 9th, 2014, when he shot a suspect by the name of Michael Brown and lit the
fuse to the powder keg that is Ferguson, Missouri. On this day, Wilson was driving to a convenience store to
take a report in reference to a strong arm robbery that had occurred. While driving to the store, he encoun-
tered Michael Brown and a friend standing in the middle of the street. He stopped his car and rolled down the
window, asking them to please use the sidewalk, before realizing that Brown matched the description of the
robbery suspect. He tried to open his door twice, with Brown slamming it shut both times. On the third attempt,
Michael Brown attacked him, and Wilson tried to stop his punches by blocking with his left arm. Unfortunately,
this meant he did not have access to his pepper spray or baton. At some point during the struggle, Brown tried
to reach for Wilson’s gun, which resulted in Wilson drawing it and firing a shot at Brown. Brown proceeded to
run behind a nearby apartment building, and Wilson pursued, it being his job. While approaching, Brown came
out and charged at Wilson, giving him legitimate reason to fear for his life. Wilson fired multiple shots until
Brown stopped moving. This force was appropriate legally, because the officer had legitimate reason to believe
he would die if Brown were able to get his gun. Under US and most state laws, a police officer may shoot
someone if they pose an immediate threat (or the officer has reason to believe they pose said threat) of death
or extreme bodily harm. Because of this, I believe the actions of Darren Wilson were justified and that the
events in Ferguson would have eventually happened regardless of the Brown shooting, due to deep racial ten-
sion and distrust in law enforcement there.
Provided by: cbsnews.com
Provided by: usatoday.com
Many show their support for Darren Wilson
and the police.
December 2014 Kickin’ It Quarterly 29
By Samuel Mishkin
Michael Brown Jr. was born on May 20, 1996 to Lesley McSpadden and Michael Brown Sr. Brown
graduated from Normandy High School, completing an alternative education program. His teachers
said he was "a student who loomed large and didn't cause trouble,” referring to him as a "gentle giant.”
At 11:51 AM on August 9, 2014, just eight days after the graduation, a convenience store security cam-
era captured video of Michael taking $48 dollars of cigarettes and assaulting the clerk. At 12:01 PM,
Wilson encountered Brown as Brown was jaywalking on the street. Wilson started to use excessive
force by shooting Brown with a fully-loaded pistol several times while Brown was unarmed. Within 90
seconds since they first encountered each other, Brown was confirmed dead. A court case of the Fer-
guson shooting started weeks after the actual event and on November 22, the grand jury ruled that
this case will not be indicted because of the lack of evidence that is valid for the case. Honestly, this is
racial discrimination and stereotyping. This isn’t the last act of injustice, and I believe that this must
come to an end. Even though Brown did resist arrest, it does not mean Wilson had to draw out his gun
(even though that was his only self-defense item on him) and shoot him. Actually, police officers are
not even allowed to shoot anyone in the area that Brown was shot. This was, once again, an act of
excessive force and is in no way a legitimate act of justice.
mashable.com
rollingstone.com
stlouis.cbslocal.com
Protestors against the shooting of Michael Brown
march across our nation, as well as other nations.
pri.org
30 The Horseshoe Review December 2014
In Vain
By Matthew Murr
If I died today, may my life not be in vain.
May it be a celebration of my pain that no longer takes my life away.
If I did die today, I would rejoice and find your pains and try to take them away.
Even though it is impossible because of the memories you have made with your past
pains.
I may be babbling on about your and my pains
But note your hearts are red, your lives are gold so don't throw your life away for a silly
little pain.
If I died today may my life not be in vain.
May it be a celebration of my pain that no longer takes my life away.
If I did die today I would rejoice and find your pains and try to take them away.
Even though it is impossible because of the memories you have made with your past
pains.
I may be babbling on about your and my pains.
But note your hearts are red your lives are gold so don't throw your life away for a silly
little pain.
You may have a “friend" or two, but in this case the truth
Is that only one person knows you and has seen your pain.
Or you have told them your story and they do not judge you and your pain
Then you have a real friend that will explain their own pain to you.
But as for me, I have no "friends” to talk to about this pain
They judge me and leave me and laugh at my pain
They don't respect what I have left in my life so all I do is cry about my pain
Just as many others have done, but their lives have been taken away by so called "friends"
They opened up to for the first time in their lives about the beautiful pains.
I, too, have lost light and attempted to die,
Despite of all the ones who laugh at others pains.
But in the end someone will always lose the fight to their pain
But now they will love on in the world of heaven and no more pain.
32 The Horseshoe Review December 2014
After Life
By Jessica Lublin
Some contribute to flowers,
Others go to trees,
Some travel on the wind,
And in the air we breathe.
Some travel long and far,
Through space and time and light,
Others stay so close and near,
In a baby, rocking through the night.
The universe is big and broad,
And us a tiny dot.
Time will long forget our face,
But never fear, says I.
For we are there, so far and near,
In every dark and light.
Every atom somewhere new,
Waking to eternal life.
34 The Horseshoe Review December 2014
Seasonal Affective Disorder
By Lauren Crisp
Our love was an early spring
That bloomed in February and stayed warm
Even through the unseasonable blizzards
That late winter brought to bury our love
Though it sometimes wilted on the southern heat of sum-
mer,
Our love was quenched by your smile
That was the late afternoon shower
Which refreshed the colors that swirled behind your eyes.
But when in the fall the leaves did change
So did your affection to another
Who was younger and perhaps a giddier spring than I.
So here I am, winter in October
When not even the Georgia sun
Can melt the ice in my lungs that used to be
The breath of “I love you”