![IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Junior Zalie Mann performs “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” an ensemble piece from the fall musical Sweet Charity, to prospective students during the Fine Arts Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 8. The showcase is a compilation of performances and demonstrations from each fine arts strand offered at McCallum. This show is put on so that prospective students can see if they are interested in joining an academy or major.
Sweet Charity originally ran the weekends of Sept. 28 and Oct. 8, but made a comeback for the Fine Arts Showcase.
“[Being at the front in the spotlight] is my favorite part of the whole dance, so I was super happy to be on stage performing and smiling at the audience,” Mann said.
Mann performed in both the musical theatre performance and dance excerpt “Ethereal,” a contemporary piece choreographed by the new dance director Terrance Carson, in the showcase. With also being a dance ambassador, Mann got to talk about what MAC dance is, her experience and answer any questions the aspiring arts majors and their parents may have.
Caption by Maya Tackett.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/53321803427_47cd17fe70_o-1-1200x800.jpg)
![SPREADING THE JOY: Sophomore Chim Becker poses with sophomores Cozbi Sims and Lou Davidson while manning a table at the Hispanic Heritage treat day during lunch of Sept 28. Becker is a part of the students of color alliance, who put together the activity to raise money for their club.
“It [the stand] was really fun because McCallum has a lot of latino kids,” Becker said. “And I think it was nice that I could share the stuff that I usually just have at home with people who have never tried it before.”
Becker recognizes the importance of celebrating Hispanic heritage at Mac.
“I think its important to celebrate,” Becker said. “Because our culture is awesome and super cool, and everybody should be able to learn about other cultures of the world.”
Caption by JoJo Barnard.](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/53221601352_4127a81c41_o-1200x675.jpg)
Community Reacts in Horror to Jan. 6 Capitol Chaos
Samuel Corum/Getty Images/TNS
Pro-Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol following a rally with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Congress held a joint session Wednesday to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results.
January 8, 2021
Five days after the new year began, protestors stormed the Capitol building in Washington D.C. while Congress was attempting to confirm the Nov. 3 presidential election. Many people across the political spectrum feel it is time for the violence to stop and for America to be reunited.
On Wednesday, hundreds of people lined up outside of the Capitol building, protesting for President Donald J. Trump to win the electoral college votes. The protests began to increase in size and numbers and became too much for the Capitol Police to handle. According to The Washington Post, the protestors were able to push past the police and trespass into the Capitol building, killing four people in the process. Senators took shelter and the counting process was stopped until it was safe to continue. Many Americans were stunned by what happened and were ready for the violence to be stopped.
“Regardless of anyone’s political view, today’s events were disgusting,” said freshman Claire Russell. “Being one of the largest countries in the world, it’s stupid to be fighting and injuring people over differences that have basically been settled. There are more important things to focus on and our focus should be set on those things.”
Following the events that occurred at the Capitol, senators and politicians urged for the protestors to stop and go home. The protestors breached the Capitol and destroyed windows and doors. They were also able to invade offices, including the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
People from students to teachers to politicians are all wondering what the next step for America is. Many want to focus on making it to President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, while others want to continue to protest for President Trump. No matter the side, most people agree that whatever next step is taken, it needs to be done in a peaceful manner.
“As a nation, I believe a step in the right direction would be for the president to accept defeat and call off his supporters. In a democracy like the United States, there is no reason for the results of an election to be so unaccepted and unpopular just because one side doesn’t like the results,” said freshman Rania Ishoof. “The results are a product of what the American people want and claims of fraud and rigging are absolutely unjustified. This might be just one step in reducing the great divide that currently separates our country.”
Regardless of party affiliation, most people had the same reaction to the chaos. As a smaller community, students and teachers have learned what has gone on and are ready to move on to the next step in the right direction no matter where that is.
“Honestly, I am still trying to process what happened today. As a historian, I know that it takes the benefit of distance in order to understand the implications of current events,” said social science teacher Dr. Jacquelin Grant. “It is crucial that each individual understands how to evaluate what they are seeing, hearing, and otherwise being exposed to. Our students are being readied to take their place as contributing citizens who cannot be duped into undermining our laws. Our students help me to feel hopeful for the future because they are practicing these skills now.”
This story was originally published on The Raider Voice on January 7, 2021.
