Spirit Week

All pictures taken by Chief Photographer Jake Pedersen. 

Monday: America day

Perry Goeders dispays her patriotism.

Tuesday: Fictional Character Day

Meghan Tromba, Skyler Sponaugle,
Crystal Tran, and Caroline Gill dress for
Fictional Character day.

  

Thursday: Class Day

Courntey McCullers, Ciara Healey, Matt Wotus, Sarah Muzillo,
Amanda Nash, and John Santos dress in attire from specific
decades.

New teacher: Jennifer Holt

Sarah Muzzillo
Features Editor

From: Holt is originally from and grew up in Albemarle, North Carolina. She currently resides in Raleigh near N.C. State.

Jennifer Holt

College: Holt attended college at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she received a B.S. degree in science and biology.

Previous jobs: Before coming to Apex, Holt worked in Union County and Wakefield High School as a science teacher. Currently, she teaches both academic and honors biology.

Motivation to become a teacher: “I didn’t originally go to college for teaching. UNC had a teaching program that I decided to join, and I soon discovered that I loved being around people.”

Reason for choosing subject: “I like how you can relate science to the real world. Biology has more relevance to somebody’s life, so it’s easy to make the class relatable and fun.”

Feature Athlete: Jalen Ware

Jake Pedersen
Chief Photographer

Senior Jalen Ware is an accomplished multi-sport athlete. Since seventh grade, he has dominated in every sport he has played, including winning MVP in Track and Field. 

Jake Pedersen (JP): What sport(s) do you play?

Jalen Ware (JW): Track and field and football.

JP: Why do you play sports?

JW: I play sports mainly because I like the competition, but also because I feel lazy if I don’t exercise daily.
JP: What awards have you won?

Senior Jalen Ware hands off baton

JW: As of right now, I am a three time All American in USATF and I am also the MVP of the Apex High School Track Team.

JP: How long have you been involved in each sport?

JW: I’ve been running track since seventh grade and this is my first year playing football.

JP: What is your dream future occupation?

JW: I would like to be a pharmacist or psychologist.

JP: What’s the most rewarding thing about playing sports?

JW: Winning.

Support breast cancer awareness in October

Courtney McCullers

Sports Editor

One in every eight women is diagnosed with breast cancer. Most people will one day be affected directly or indirectly by this awful disease. October was established as National Breast Cancer Month was established in 1985 to raise awareness. Since 1991 the pink ribbon has become a universal symbol of breast cancer awareness and can be seen in numerous places throughout the month. 

There are various ways to be involved this October. Donations to official breast cancer organizations such as the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (komen.org), the Pink Ribbon International (pinkribbon.org), the National Breast Cancer Foundation (nationalbreastcancer.org), and the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) is the most direct way to be involved. 

Fundraising with companies, friends, and schools can also generate money towards a cure for breast cancer. You can buy apparel, accessories, office supplies, electronics and automotive items at the Susan G. Komen website and the proceeds will support finding a cure for breast cancer. Additionally, you can collect pink lids on General Mills products for Save Lids to Save Lives. For each lid that is sent in or redeemed online, General Mills will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, up to 2.5 million dollars. Wilmington’s first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will take place on March 2, 2013.

Another way to participate and spread awareness without necessarily spending money includes wearing pink. In addition to wearing pink, you can simply be knowledgeable. Many organizations dedicated to breast cancer awareness have social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, and YouTube. Being aware of this disease is just as important as making donations and supporting the cause.

Ravens, Patriots Set to Battle on Sunday Night

Greg Calarco
Staff Writer

This Sunday night, September 23, the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots will clash at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. There is much at stake for these two AFC heavyweights, as the loser of this contest will drop to a mediocre 1-2 record. That makes this game a must-win for both teams, as each squad knows the importance of obtaining home-field advantage for those all-important playoff games in January. 

The Patriots have gotten the better of their rival in previous years, winning three of the last four matchups. The most recent game between these two adversaries was last January in the AFC Championship Game with a trip to Super Bowl XLVI on the line. The Patriots squeaked out a win at Gillette Stadium, 23-20, as Ravens kicker, Billy Cundiff, missed a potential game-tying field goal with just seconds left. The Ravens only victory in the last four matchups was in the 2009 playoffs when they defeated the Patriots 33-14 after jumping out to an early 24-0 first quarter lead. Unlike the last four meetings, Baltimore will finally have home-field advantage in this monumental clash of Super Bowl contenders. 

New teacher: Rebecca Harden

Matt Wotus
Editor-in-Chief

From: Harden was born in Raleigh but attended high school outside of Memphis, Tennessee. She moved back to Raleigh to attend N.C. State and earn a B.S. in Math Education. 

Rebecca Harden

Previous Jobs: Before teaching at Apex High, Harden taught at Fuquay-Varina Middle School. She came to Apex because she decided she wanted to teach high school.

Motivation to become a teacher/Reason for choosing subject: “I had a teacher in seventh grade, Mrs. Bond. She’s the one that really got me interested in math and made it fun. I just looked forward to going to her class everyday because she was excited about what she was teaching.”

Favorite Number: “Eight. It is everywhere; my birthday, shoe size, everything is eight.”

New movie releases: Fall 2012

Rebekah Gould 
Staff Writer

It’s time to hit the theatres. It could be a family night, date night, or girls/guys night out. There’s something for everyone, so plan ahead because the following movies are coming to theatres soon.

September 14:
Finding Nemo 3D with Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, and Albert Brooks. That’s right, Nemo, played by Gould, is swimming in the sea again with his protective dad, Marlin, played by Brooks, and of course, crazy Dory, played by DeGeneres. Your whole family will laugh all over again. Rated G

September 21:
End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, and America Ferrera. Two best friends work together as police officers going after drug busts and firearms. When they check a routine traffic stop, they find themselves marked for death by the drug cartel. It’s a fight for family and friendship. Rated R

The Perks of being a Wallflower with Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Charlie, played by Lerman, a high school freshman, moves to a new school and finding friends for him has never been easy. Turning things around this year, two seniors welcome him in and show him how high school can be when you find the right friends. Rated PG-13

September 28:
Hotel Transylvania with Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, and Selena Gomez. Hotel Transylvania, operated by Dracula, played by Sandler, has been a nice, relaxing, human free resort for the world’s villains and legends. When a Jonathan, played by Samberg, a human, stumbles in by mistake, Dracula gets up tight and over protective when the boy falls for his daughter, Mavis, played by Gomez. This movie is great for a family comedy night for sure! Rated PG

October 5:
Taken 2 with Liam Neeson, Framke Janssen, and Maggie Grace. Last time we saw Bryan Mills, played by Neeson, he saved his daughter from kidnappers in Paris by using skills he learned from his time with the CIA. When Mills goes on a vacation with his wife, played by Janssen, the father of the kidnapper Mills killed wants revenge.

Frankenweenie with Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Charlie Tahan, and Martin Short. Victor’s dog, Sparky, died and he doesn’t want anything more than to get him back. So Victor, played by Tahan, conducts a science experiment to bring Sparky back to life and it works. Word gets around town and then everyone wants their pets alive again, while others want it for something bigger. Mark your calendars Tim Burton fans. Rated PG

October 19:
Paranormal Activity 4 with Katie Featherson, Katheryne Newton, and Matt Shively. Can you watch it with the lights out? Rated R

Seasonal activities fall into place

Ciara Healey and Sarah Muzzillo

Pumpkin carving is one tradition that
comes with the new season.

Arts and Entertainment Editor and Features Editor

Many people cringe at the thought of summer coming to a close and days becoming shorter, but fun fall festivities are lurking just around the corner. This season, the Triangle area offers various activities that are sure to please people of all ages.

North Carolina’s vast farmlands serve as prime landscapes for annual corn mazes. From September 15 to Halloween night, the trails of the Green Acres Corn Maze in Cary are open for adventure. Green Acres charges $10 per person and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

New teacher: John Teel

Jake Pedersen
Chief Photographer

From: “I was born in Wilson, North Carolina and have lived here in since Apex 1998 and Cary/Raleigh area since 1970.”

John Teel

Previous jobs: “Right before here I worked at West Johnston High School. I worked at American Airlines for 19 years.”

Motivation to become a teacher: “I really enjoy being around younger people. I think that high school students make me feel younger, and since I’m like really up there in years it’s nice to be focused on being younger and feeling younger. Plus I enjoy teaching. I just think it’s one of the greatest jobs that you can possibly have… Teachers have a huge impact on students.”

Reason for choosing subject: “I majored in it in college. I like history. I’ve always liked watching historical television programs and reading history books. It’s natural for me.”

Favorite time period: “I like the Middle Ages to the Renaissance Period. Because of all the creativity that was going on - the music the art, the architecture. I really like that period. When I travel I like to go and visit places that were very important during that time.”

Favorite President: “I like Jimmy Carter. I thought he was a very decent human being. Very caring, giving. Still is. He does a lot of things with Habitat for Humanity.”

New teacher: Nicolette Filson

Sarah Kebea
Staff Writer

From: Filson was born in Winchester, Kentucky but grew up in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Nicolette Filson

Previous jobs: Filson student taught English at Apex with Scott Ferguson during her senior year of college. She earned both a B.A. and M.A. degree from N.C. State in English. After graduating she lived in Chile for six months. Furthering her overseas teaching experience, she taught English in Costa Rica.

Motivation to become a teacher: Filson’s teachers inspired her to become a teacher, both the good and bad ones equally. “The good teachers were the ones who made learning applicable to my life outside of the classroom. They talked about how current events, pop culture, and today's society were a direct result of the educated, curious, and motivated people from our past. The negative experience I had with certain teachers usually had to do with a disinterest in students' lives and a lack of enthusiasm for their subject or teaching in general. I learned a lot from both of them - what kind of teacher I did and did not want to be.”

Reason for choosing subject: Filson was always good at English in school. She finds value in learning what other people have to say and claims that English is for everyone. “It’s the easiest subject to connect to as a human.”

Favorite Book and Why: Filson’s favorite book is Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. She enjoys its social satire, which makes fun of human beliefs and systems. “It’s really funny.”

Divison Races Update

Jonathon Crighton
Staff Writer
The White Sox made an emphatic statement in the American League Central on Monday with a win over the Tigers, and a pair of teams crept closer to the Cardinals in the National League Wild Card race.

Monday's action began with an afternoon showdown between the White Sox and Tigers -- a makeup of a rainout last Thursday. The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but couldn't hold it as the White Sox rallied for a 5-4 victory. The White Sox now sit three games ahead of Detroit in the division.

The Phillies pulled to within 3 1/2 games in the NL Wild Card, thanks to a gem from Cliff Lee, who outdueled the Mets' Cy Young candidate, R.A. Dickey.

In other games of note, the Braves beat the Marlins to further tighten their grip on the top NL Wild Card spot, and the Rays dropped to five back in the AL Wild Card race with their 5-2 loss to Boston.

Tampa Bay's deficit reached five when the Orioles thumped the Mariners, 10-4, in Seattle. Nate McLouth and Matt Wieters each homered to pull them within half a game of the Yankees in the AL East.

Strangely, it was the Pirates and Cubs to finish the night up in Chicago, thanks to a rain delay that lasted three hours and 37 minutes. Kevin Correia threw seven two-hit frames to pull the Pirates to within 2 1/2 games of St. Louis in the Wild Card race.