Why Kony 2012 Fails to Help Uganda

John Santos 
Staff Writer

Columnist John Santos

Kony 2012 appears to be an awareness campaign that no one could argue against. The Kony 2012 video, made by the charity Invisible Children, calls for action against Joseph Kony, a vicious Ugandan warlord who is infamous for using children as soldiers and slaves in his Lord’s Resistance Army. The video encourages viewers to “make Kony famous” by putting up posters and contacting public figures. As of March 19, the video had been viewed over 83 million times on YouTube and has been endorsed by celebrities including Bill Gates and Kim Kardashian.

The video leads viewers to believe that Kony is operating in Uganda with 30,000 children in his army. The truth is that the Lord’s Resistance Army now only numbers in the hundreds, and they are no longer active in Uganda, but in the neighboring nations of Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. The Kony 2012 video shows Uganda as it was six years ago, ignoring the fact that Uganda is no longer a country in conflict.

Many Ugandans have expressed anger about the video. A screening in the Ugandan town of Lira was met with outrage; the audience threw objects and jeered. The Ugandan viewers were angry that the film focused more on Kony and the filmmakers than the conflict’s victims and ignored Ugandans’ recovery.  The Ugandan Prime Minister uploaded a response to YouTube inviting the world to come see Uganda and stressing that they will find that it is a very different place than the Kony 2012 video would lead one to believe.

Scholar Artists: Henry Boyd

Paige Smith
Staff Writer

Henry Boyd poses for a picture.

Henry Boyd has been playing the clarinet with the school band since sixth grade. He has been on the honor roll for the majority of his high school career and is a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. He enjoys physics and chemistry, the latter being his favorite class at Apex.

Besides academics and clarinet, Henry loves to play guitar. “It’s more like an obsession,” said Boyd. He has a band called Light the Atlantic, and that’s his main commitment outside of school. He also enjoys watching movies, though his favorites change with his mood. “Currently, I’d have to say Gone With the Wind,” he decided. In general, Boyd likes music, walking around lakes, and reading. His favorite books include both Outliers and Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, whom he said is “very good at writing interesting non-fiction.”

Boyd is very influenced by school, and he counts a few teachers among his favorites. He especially likes Coach Little, Mr. Oltmans, and Ms. Keller, who “floats on a hover-throne above the scale,” according to Boyd. He plans to attend N.C. State and study computer science engineering and chemistry. When asked about his future plans, Boyd says that ideally, he would be a professional musician with his band, but the back-up plan would be to work towards a career at SAS, where he interned over the summer.

New Movie Leaves Viewers Hungry for More

Frankie Campisano
Arts and Entertainment Editor

 The Hunger Games is Hollywood’s next big thing, hailed as the successor to Harry Potter and Twilight. The first film, which stars Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, and Elizabeth Banks, introduces viewers to a post-apocalyptic America, where teenagers are pitted against each other in an annual fight to the death. The film follows Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by Lawrence, a typical teenager who is engulfed in the titular Hunger Games competing for her life. The Games themselves are devised as a way for the lavish, corrupt government system known as the Capitol to keep the twelve Districts, akin to impoverished, powerless states, in line. Though there are roughly two dozen competitors, the plot homes in on Katniss and her male counterpart, Peeta Mellark, which adds a level of predictability to the plot, keeping the core cast intact for the entire trilogy.
 
The Hunger Games has a lot going for it; a solid script co-penned by the author of the original book series, Suzanne Collins, a cast with strong on-screen chemistry, and successful marketing campaign that has positioned the film to be the next big film franchise for teenagers. Bringing in $155 million at the box office for its opening weekend, the Gary Ross directed film has been a critical and commercial success. But the film’s biggest strengths are also its biggest weaknesses. Ross’ rollercoaster directing leads to many scenes where the excitement and thrill feels entirely manufactured. Scenes of simple dialogue are trumped up in an attempt to make them heart pounding and keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The series’ plot is too heavily lifted from the Japanese franchise Battle Royale, which delivers the same premise with stronger political and emotional messages, while at the same time refusing to pander to young audiences in the way that The Hunger Games does.

Scholar Artists: Gloria Yoo

Paige Smith

Senior Gloria Yoo poses for a picture.

Staff Writer

Senior Gloria Yoo’s passion is chorus; she even serves as a teacher assistant for the class. She has been on the A and A-B honor roll her entire high school career, and she received an AP Scholar Award. Yoo is president of the Book Club and International Club, and she takes care to commit fully to her endeavors.

Outside of school, Yoo enjoys a wide range of activities, including reading, making up random songs, and writing letters and journals. “I’m old fashioned like that,” said Yoo, “Postage mail makes me happy.” Her favorite authors include Jules Vern, Robin McKinley, Rick Riordan, and occasionally Jane Austen. When asked about music, she said, “I just listen to what I like to. There are too many good composers and artists out there.” Her role model is her mom, because “she’s taught me a lot and she’s always been there for me even though we don’t always get along. She guides to the truth of the situation.”

Along with chorus, Yoo’s favorite subject is anything to do with the humanities. Though she does say that “the teacher is a big factor in designing how well I do.” Yoo has applied to many prestigious universities, including Yale as her number one choice. In college, she plans to study psychology and education, and hopes to one day become a teacher. Yoo said that she has a “passion to form education so it focuses on the student and their potential, rather than feeding them information.”

Women's Soccer Hopes to Overcomes Challenges

Jacob Pedersen 
Staff Writer


R t L: Katie Thomas, Kaitlin Walker

Apex Varsity Women’s Soccer would like to get a one or two seed in the tournament.   One of the obstacles preventing that goal is Green Hope.  “Green Hope is the toughest opponent [in our conference].  We lost to them the first time around 2-1.  They’ve been very competitive.  They have given us the steepest competition of any conference team,” said Head Coach Kevin Todd.

The team has not won the State Title since 2007 and has not won the Conference title in two years.  “We have a legacy of winning and winning Conference Contenders for first place.  Green Hope is our toughest match.  I think we can get them next time and at least tie with them in conference [Standings],” said Senior Captain Allison Water.  “Our best games are when we’re in a slow, consistent flow offensively,” said Coach Todd about what plan of attack they’re going to have the next time they play Green Hope.  “The key word is attack.” 

Spring Break on a Budget

Paige Smith
Staff Writer

Eleni Krakowski relaxes at the library.

Not everyone has the funds to go to a ski resort or rent a condo on the beach for spring break. So what can you do when you are strapped for cash, other than sit around the house? Luckily, there’s a plethora of inexpensive activities to fill those hours of boredom.

For students in search of an intellectual activity, museums would seem a logical first choice. The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), for example, has free admission to their permanent collection and reasonably priced tickets for their special exhibits. The special exhibit NCMA will be hosting during spring break is El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote You About Africa, and it follows the work of El Anatsui’s African-inspired sculptures. If you are more of a stargazing type, the Morehead Planetarium offers admission for only $7.25. One could also take a trip to a zoo or aquarium for a rather low price. If you are looking for something simpler, the library is of course free, and books provide an endless source of entertainment for the intellectually inclined.

DECA State Competition Winners

Frankie Campisano
Arts and Entertainment Editor

Advertising Campaign – Tim Merithew and Tyler Rogers – 4^th place

     Laura Brockington, Jenna Blas, Shelby Wilt – 3^rd place.

Apparel & Accessories – Katie Godfrey – State finalist

Business Finance – Mark Tate – 4^th place

Business Law & Ethics Team – Gabby Robinson and Siri Chadalavada – State finalists

Business Services – Paula Crisp and Kayla Roll – State finalists

Buying & Merchandising Team – Dipali Aphale and Karen Cheng – State finalists

Community Service MDA Project – Anthony D’Andreti, Zach Gadwah, Tim Verdi – State finalists

Creative Marketing Project – Mark Tate and Kyle May – 2^nd place

Entrepreneurship Promotion Project – Danny Fredenburg and Shivam Desai – 3^rd place

Financial Management Team – Jeff Valdini and Connor Litton – State finalists

Financial Literacy Promotion Project – Gabby Robinson, Siri Chadalavada, Usman Abbasi – 3^rd place

Food Marketing – Jon Sousa – State finalist

Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling – Alia Capone – 3^rd place

Hotel & Lodging Management – Alia Capone – State finalist

Marketing Communications Team – Collin Gibbons and Tyler Rogers – 3^rd place

Professional Selling – Caroline Lewis – 4^th place

Quick Serve Restaurant Management – Mike Silk – State finalist

Sports & Entertainment Management Team – Zach Gadwah and Kyle May – State finalists

Sports & Entertainment Promotion Plan – Sarah Hesington and Casey-Jane Farnham – State finalists.  Lena McCord, Erica Gilaranz, Beth Fellows – 4^th place

Entrepreneurship Written Event – Jeff Valdini – 4^th place, Mitch DeForest – 3^rd place, and Chris Denison – 1^st place in the state

Finance Operations Event – Dipali Aphale and Karen Cheng – 1^st place in the state

Learn & Earn Gala of Hope Project – Megan Gravley, Katie Godfrey, and Sydney Snedeker – 1^st place in the state

Public Relations Genocide Project – Collin Gibbons, Matt Bigelow, and Caroline Lewis – 1^st place in the state

Apex DECA Sweeps States

Frankie Campisano
Arts and Entertainment Editor

R t L: Collin Gibbons, Caroline Lewis, Matt Bigelow
Photo Credit to Webb Chawla

It has been an eventful year for the Apex DECA chapter. Hot on the heels of a record number of wins at the district level, the association of marketing students delivered a stellar performance at the state competition. Thirty-six Apex competitors placed in one or more of the categories they compete. Apex DECA’s Quiz Bowl team finished in the top six at the state competition. DECA advisor Gary Austin was recognized for five years of service to the organization, and Apex DECA was honored for having the largest Professional Membership in North Carolina. The Apex chapter was also bestowed with the highest membership award given by North Carolina DECA, the Gold Level Membership Award.

There are far more categories at States than at Districts, competition is spread across the board more; however, there are also a few thousand competitors as opposed to a couple hundred, so it all balances out,” Gibbons said. Gibbons also enjoyed a fervor of excitement leading up to the competition. “I was incredibly excited having done very well the previous year; I had high expectations for myself and others since this had already been our most successful year at district competition and regarding membership.” Gibbons earned first place for his public relations project with senior Matt Bigelow and senior Caroline Lewis, and placed third in the Marketing Communications Team Decision Making category with senior Tyler Rogers. This is the second year in a row for a first place finish at the state level for Gibbons and Bigelow, who had previously partnered with graduate Richie Cook.

Taylor Adcox 
Features Editor

“I don’t like V6s,” says Junior Leeann Moffitt.  Her choice of car follows through on her word.  Every morning, Moffitt arrives to school in a silver 1968 Ford Mustang. 

Men's Lacrosse Prepares for Challenging Season

Frankie Campisano
Arts and Entertainment Editor


2012 men's lacrosse team pose for a group picture.

The Apex men’s lacrosse is preparing for an exhilarating spring season. After an exciting season last year with only two losses, the lacrosse team is hoping to build off that momentum and continue with another successful season. Captain Hayden Foster reflected on last year’s season and expects the team play even better this year. “We have learned many lessons as a team, [including] always set the intensity level, don’t let the other team set it; always hustle and never quit, no matter what the score is…That should help our performance and help us win many games,” Foster said. 

Spring Break 2012

Are you spending your Spring Break somewhere cool and exciting?

Send pictures to be featured in Apex High’s newspaper, Legacy!

Shoot us an email here: apexlegacy@yahoo.com

Apex Students Debate World Issues at Model UN Conference

John Santos
Staff Writer

The Model United Nations Club at Apex High School attended the 31^st annual Duke University Model United Nations Conference (DUMUNC), from February 16-19.

Wrestlers Reflect on Past Season

Jonathan Crighton 
Sports Editor


Apex and Holly Springs face off in a
holiday scrimmage tournament.

Coach Simon Little is back as the head wrestling coach at Apex High school. “This is not technically my first season as coach. I was head wrestling coach from 2000-2003. This year, however, has exceeded my expectations. I was not sure what to expect since I hadn’t had much contact with the team the past two seasons.” 

Jo Furtick and Nick Giamoni were two wrestlers who represented Apex High this on February 24 and 25 at the state wrestling championships at the Greensboro Coliseum. “We went through a lot of drilling and running every day, and we also had lots of practices,” said Furtick.  

Neither Furtick nor Giamoni managed to place in the championships, but they enjoyed the experience regardless. “My favorite moment from this season was advancing to states at the last match of the regular season,” Giamoni said. “The best part was being able to eat afterwards. We went to Ham’s Burger Place. It was really good,” Furtick added.

Giamoni has some advice for future wrestlers looking to go to states, “You should work as hard as you can the entire four years because it’s over before you know it.” Furtick said in order to improve from last season, “I want to work out in the offseason, get stronger and place at states next year.”                                          

Robotics Club Applies Engineering Skills

Ciara Healey 
Staff Writer

The Apex High Robotics Club allows students the opportunity to create and program robots for competition. Consisting of nearly 30 students with two teams, the club offers members a great way to showcase their engineering skills.

Nicole Barone Wins Shakespeare Competition

Jake Pederson
Staff Writer

Senior Nicole Barone in her role as the Baker's Wife.

Senior Nicole Barone competed in the English Speaking Union (ESU). The ESU is a Shakespeare competition where competitors can perform any Shakespeare play and one of his Sonnets. She and twelve other high school students from North Carolina performed a monologue in front of a panel of judges at Peace College on February 23. Barone performed Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXX and a monologue from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Barone won the contest saying, “I got an all expense paid trip to New York City, and there I will compete nationally.” The national competition date is on the Monday closest to Shakespeare’s birthday on April 23 and will be performed at Lincoln Center.

The winner of the national level competition receives an all expense paid trip to study acting in England. This competition will help Barone in her college years. “I want to major in Music Theater in college,” said Barone.

Harrison Named State Teacher of the Year

Sarah Muzzillo

Layout Editor


Dawn Harrison, CTE teacher, was recently chosen as State Teacher of the Year by the North Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, a title she feels “honored and happy to have received.”

Teacher Cadets Spotlight Special Needs

John Santos
Staff Writer

The Teacher Cadet Program at Apex High School is an elective class for upperclassmen who are interested in careers in education. Students learn about teaching methods, child development, the history of the educational system, and spend eight weeks observing and helping out with an elementary class.

Peak Players Entertain Full House with Into the Woods

Paige Smith 
Staff Writer

Freshman David Flowers in his role as Herman the Brownie.

The Apex Peak Players’ first musical of the year, Steven Sondheim’s Into the Woods, opened on March 2 to an absolutely packed audience. Into the Woods is the story of various fairytale characters and their journeys to ‘happily ever after.’ They soon discover that upon acquiring their wishes, however, that the traditional ‘happily ever after’ isn’t really all it’s cracked up to be.