Halloween is approaching, which means that the inevitable horror movie marathons are within slashing distance. Their arrival means that many terrified people hiding under blankets next to excited friends and family will be asking themselves one burning question: why do people like to be scared? Biologically, the answer may be found in the differences between each individual’s nervous system. The amygdala is a relatively small part of the brain connected to the frontal lobe that controls the fear response. When we become afraid, the amygdala triggers the release of hormones like dopamine and endorphins. These hormones produce the “thrill” that comes from feeling like you’re in danger. The frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that controls rational thinking, prevents the body from fully believing that it is in danger. This is what makes it possible for some to experience the rush of fear without actually worrying about their safety. In other brains, dopamine and endorphins get reabsorbed by the brain more quickly, which reduces the excitement associated with their release. To summarize, some people’s brains are literally hardwired to get excited and enjoy the feeling of being afraid, while the rest of us have to look away in discomfort when the clown attempts to eat the little boy. The answer may also come from a more abstract, psychological perspective. For some people, fear and scary movies allow them to experience and release more intense emotions that they don’t get many chances to in their daily lives. Spring Hill sophomore Jalen Prime echoed this sentiment when I spoke to him about what makes it so enjoyable to watch scary movies. “The adrenaline rush from being scared feels good. It’s a feeling you don’t get very often,” he told me. Many people like to explore taboo topics; horror movies allow those people to have fun exploring the bizarre without actually having to experience real danger themselves. The fact that it isn’t real makes it more okay to enjoy and have fun with. Demonic possessions are not common in most people’s daily routines (text me at 803-470-9930 if they are for you), so being able to experience a danger-free version of them can be exciting for some people. The potential to enjoy a good fright is ultimately a combination of both physical and mental factors. To all of the zombie-demon-chainsaw enthusiasts: be patient with your frightful friends. The structure of their brains might prevent them from appreciating the fun of you jumping around a corner with a knife. To the people who would be too afraid to even stand in a room with a creepy murder doll: maybe try being the one to jump around corners with a knife. If you can’t get a thrill from being scared, you might get one in being the scarer.
Pink Out by Ava Grant
Original artwork by Lilly Reed Black
October is famous for being Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month people from all over the globe join together by wearing pink in support of those battling breast cancer. Cancer is something that doesn’t leave someone; it can be lonely and sometimes feels like it can control a person. The statistics do not lie. The National Breast Cancer Foundation found that 1 in 8 women would develop breast cancer in their lifetime. This organization is helping to raise money for the men and women who fight breast cancer, but they are not the only ones. According to Benefits the US Department of Health and Human Services created The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to help women, who are not normally given much aid, access to “lifesaving screening services for early detection of breast and cervical cancer.” It also provides women whose screenings were not normal help to find the cause and solve the problem. Although there are many organizations and people across the world showing their support against breast cancer, it is crucial for everyone to help out. Our school, Spring Hill High School, has been a key part of promoting breast cancer awareness in our community. Although our impact may be small, it touches the hearts of those whom it impacts. Teachers and students rally together to show their support by wearing pink. COVID has halted us from continuing a key Spring Hill High School tradition, but we hope that that tradition can be reinstated. This key tradition not only shows our support for this battle as a whole, but our support for the individuals both survivors and those who are fighting it now. Students and teachers alike feel that pink out was a way for the school to come together. Ms. Savage said, “Pink Out is awesome because seeing all of the teachers and students come together to bring attention to such an important cause is really inspiring. Our school is so great because we have such a high percentage of people participating to help raise awareness!” So we challenge you to take this into consideration and wear pink. Show your support for those who are battling or survived breast cancer. This could be your chance to make a difference, no matter how small it may seem, and we hope that you do!
The New Reality of Movie-Going by Saina Srivastava
The year 2019 was a movie goldmine. It was the year iconic movies such as Avengers: Endgame, Frozen 2, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, the live-action version of the Lion King came out. The film industry was booming, resealing one amazing film after the other. Then, the world went into utter chaos. Two years later, things have changed. Instead of going to the movies, streaming services have gained traction. Many people don’t go to a movie theater anymore. And why should they? If they can watch something like Black Widow on Disney+ from their couch, it makes sense to take up the offer. For others that go to the movies, there may be an innate fear of catching COVID. The concoction of COVID and the rise of streaming services have changed the cinematic experience. Before the virus, movie-going was a way to interact with friends outside of school and see favorite characters on the big screen. Now, it is more of a secondary option to a streaming service such as Netflix or Hulu. During quarantine, people found a way to cope with the inability to go to movies, and streaming corporations adjusted likewise. But now that most things have opened up, most of the public has no intention of giving up the routine that they have created over the last year. In this day and age, if one was to go to the theaters, there is a different mood. Before, the air buzzed with anticipation of seeing a movie that one has been waiting for. But today, there is a muted feeling of joy that one is finally able to go to the movies. In addition to that, the number of present movie-goers have also dwindled over the past year. Apart from the fear, there is also anxiety surrounding the uncertainty as to whether the theaters may be closed once more. More options on streaming services, comfort, and general concerns have resulted in a lowered number of movie-goers after quarantine, so the theaters that were once jam-packed may be scarce. COVID altered reality as well as the standard of normalcy, and it can be reflected through the cinema-going experience.
Black Cats and Halloween Adoption by Mary Ellen Morrison
Black cats have been branded with the name of bad luck, especially regarding October 31st. Some people will go to extraneous lengths to “stay away” from the luck that follows these darling animals. Where do these superstitions come from? Well, black cats became so common in Europe that they were seen as rodents. There were also some beliefs that black cats helped witches in their witching deeds. So naturally, when these people saw black figures and those illuminating amber eyes down dark ally ways, they were scared, which is how some came to the conclusion that black cats were evil and bad luck. These bad luck superstitions have become a regular “practice,” or fear, in the lives of many. Some have gone as far as torturing, throwing away, and even shooting these little creatures. Others use these cats as “decorations” for the Halloween season and get tossed out when the pumpkins are replaced with turkeys and Christmas trees. People are adopting these cats just for the holiday season and then returning or even neglecting these cats. Now, it has now reached an extent that shelters are starting to limit and even hold all-black cat adoptions in the month of October to ensure the intentions of the owner. There have been numerous encounters of shelters, rehabilitation facilities, and even just civilians having to save these mishandled animals. In efforts to save black cats, different shelters and other animal caretakers are reaching out to make sure adopters are well equipped and able to care for their new family members. Adoption is a large responsibility and making sure an adopter is ready is vital to these cats thriving in their new forever homes for 12+ years.
Last-Minute Costumes by Jonathan Wu
Struggling to pick a Halloween costume? Here are 7 last-minute costumes that you can easily make. Halloween is one of the special occasions where you can really express yourself, whether you’re a classic vampire or a wizard. Unfortunately for some, this occasion is ruined by last-minute planning and the tears of a toddler’s devil-like tantrum. Luckily for you, this list contains one of the most iconic, yet simple costumes out there. 1. Environmently-friendly Aqua Man: Most households have a couple of plastic water bottles laying around, waiting to be recycled, yet they don’t often meet the recycling bin. These water bottles are just there, waiting for something, wanting to serve a purpose. Are you really just going to leave those sad sad water bottles there? Why not use them, with the environmentally friendly Aqua Man costume. Just grab a roll of duct tape and a few of those water bottles, tape them to yourself, and boom. You single-handedly helped the environment and became a superhero with the ability to survive under the greatest depths of the sea.
2. Old man: This is perhaps one of the easiest costumes on this list. The only requirement is that you are in fact a living, breathing, human being. Just grab a sheet of white printer paper and cut a hole for your mouth, and tape it on. If you want to go for the extra mile, shape the beard, and repeatedly say, “get back here you scally-wag” while swinging a stick. Be sure to walk very slowly with horrendously bad posture.
3. A Greek philosopher: The Greeks were one of the first, and greatest philosophers to walk the plane of the earth, and to dress up as them is an honor. All you need is a long white cloth, and wrap it around you, exposing one of your arms, and covering the other. Continue doing this until the cloth reaches the ground, then go back up and tie around the waist. Sadly, this does not grant you the brainpower of a Greek philosopher, which students like us desperately want.
4. Secret service agent: Notorious, and extremely intelligent, secret service agents are iconic with their simple black suit and pitch-black glasses. Grab a couple of friends, get them to wear this costume, and surround one friend that has a casual outfit on. Instantaneously, they will become a celebrity protected by bodyguards. This simple getup will stun everyone at your Halloween party, and you’ll look extremely cool at that.
5. Ghost: A ghost. One of the classic Last-minute Halloween costumes to exist. A simple, yet effective design. Just grab a big white cloth and cut 2 holes, both for your eyes. Cover yourself, and wah-lah. You are now a big and spooky ghost. Be careful though, watch out for the kids wearing ghostbuster costumes.
6: Mummy Yet another classic costume on the list, the mummy is one of the most iconic figures in history, stemming from ancient Egypt, and turned into a movie monster. Just grab a roll of toilet paper and wrap it around yourself, leaving your mouth and ears uncovered. Now go outside, and do your best to make Anubus proud.
7. Deviled egg: One of the only food items on this list, the deviled egg is a wonderful outfit that is very simple to complete. Just grab an egg costume and put on some devil horns, and you’re ready to snatch all the candy from other kids, just like a devil. A very delicious devil.
Halloween Weather by Gavin Rittgers
Hurricane season is beginning its cooldown in 2021 as we move into the final months of the year. Out of the 18 forecasted named storms this year, only four have yet to happen, with two of those being hurricanes and one being a major hurricane. You had better watch out this holiday season because you never know if you might come home after a long Halloween night to a profound realization that your house is at least partially missing.
What does that mean I should wear on Halloween? Forecasts for Halloween this year call for highs in the low 70s and lows in the high 50s, but with the recent trend in weather patterns, it could get into the low 40s on Sunday. So, those of you who came here from the north, rejoice because it’s finally getting cold! What’s this mean for your wardrobe? Well, other than the fabulous costumes I’m sure most of you have procured, it’s probably in your best interests to wear at least a light jacket, but if you’re really worried, I’d recommend a hat and a coat, and maybe throw in some gloves too. That’s all for now, folks, but try to stay tuned in the next issue for more forecasts!