Cover art by Kenidee Morgan
Monthly Color: Daffodil Yellow
Hannah Wheeler
Everytime April comes around during spring the color that I most think about is a bright yellow daffodil color always. Since daffodils come up in the month of April would associate it with the color yellow.
Daffodil yellow color represents hope,renewal and new beginnings since they first emerge at the end of winter and the arrival of spring. They can also symbolize self-reflection and self-awareness. This comes from a Greek myth about Narcissus;which also is a smaller version af daffodils. Narcissus’s tale is about a youth that falls in love with their reflection of a pool of water and is unable to pull away. He later dies and then a daffodil grows in place.
Rooting For Our Planet
Grace Nance
A Celebration for The World
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. It raises awareness about environmental issues and promotes actions to protect our planet. The purpose of this day is to inspire individuals to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and conserve natural resources for future generations, making it a vital occasion for environmental awareness.
The Origin of Earth Day
The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin senator, came up with the idea for Earth Day after witnessing the anti-Vietnam War movement's "teach-ins.” A “teach-in” is a prolonged discussion, often at a college, where people engage in protests. After seeing its success, Nelson created an environmentally focused “teach-in.” Nelson was met with incredible support, inspiring similar events on over 120 college campuses within the year. Nelson’s lifelong goal of putting the environment onto the nation's political agenda began to look like a reality. During the first Earth Day, 20 million Americans celebrated it, and by the end of the year, the U.S. government had created the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Importance of Earth Day
Earth Day has become increasingly important as we continue to celebrate it. The main reasons for this significance are the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources and fight climate change. Many believe that the first step is to move away from fossil fuels to create a healthier and more sustainable future. This shift will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the effects of climate change. The truth is, if we continue to harm the Earth, human extinction could be just a few centuries away.
The Role of Art in Environmental Activism
Earth Day has inspired many people to participate in environmental art, which has gained popularity as a means of activism and social commentary. Artists around the world use this medium to express their viewpoints in a non-violent way. Additionally, earthworks art has become prominent among activists. Creating an earthwork involves sculpting the land or making installations using natural materials such as rocks, soil, and plants.
A Greener Future
Our actions today have a crucial impact on our planet’s future and all things living on it. We can all do something to help the environmental cause and inspire change. A healthier future is possible, but we have to work for it. So, what can you do to help this Earth Day? Consider cleaning a road or highway, planting trees, starting a recycling program, or composting. These are all excellent ways to begin your environmental journey.
Musician Spotlight
Salliea Rumer
Phoebe Bridgers is a talented singer-songwriter known for her introspective lyrics and unique sound. She has gained a significant following for her ability to blend indie rock with emotional storytelling. Bridgers often explores themes of heartbreak, mental health, and personal experiences in her music, making her relatable to many fans.
Boygenius is a supergroup formed by Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus. The trio came together to create a powerful blend of their individual styles, resulting in a fresh and dynamic sound. Their collaboration showcases each artist's strengths while also highlighting their chemistry as a group, leading to a collection of songs that resonate deeply with listeners.
Together, Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius have made a notable impact on the indie music scene. Their work not only emphasizes the importance of collaboration but also reflects the diverse experiences and emotions that come with being young artists today. As they continue to evolve, both Bridgers and boygenius are sure to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
Famous April Birthdays
Angelina Karapondo
Albert Einstein was born on April 14, 1879. He is a theoretical physicist. Einstein developed the theory of relativity, which transformed our understanding of space, time, and energy. His famous equation, E=mc², showed the relationship between energy and mass. His work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, contributing to the foundation of quantum theory.
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564. He is widely regarded as the greatest playwright and poet in the English language, Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several poems. His works, such as Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest, have had a profound influence on literature and theater. His exploration of human nature, language, and themes continues to resonate in modern culture.
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452. Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance genius, excelling in art, science, engineering, and anatomy. His most famous works include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, but his notebooks, filled with sketches and inventions, show his visionary ideas in fields ranging from flight to anatomy. Da Vinci’s contributions continue to influence art, science, and technology to this day.
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history, serving as the Queen of the United Kingdom for 70 years and 214 days. Her reign witnessed significant historical events, including the decolonization of Africa and the Caribbean, the Cold War, the UK’s entry and later exit from the European Union, and the transformation of the British monarchy. She was known for her dedication to public service, diplomacy, and maintaining stability throughout changing times.
Senior Spotlight - Daniel Schiel II
Salliea Rumer
For this final senior spotlight, I want to shine a light on Daniel Schiel II. Daniel is a remarkably talented musician who is very involved in the band and the symphonic choir. His musical abilities are matched by his kindness and readiness to assist others, making him a go-to person for support and friendly conversations. In addition to his musical pursuits, Daniel demonstrated his acting prowess in the fall musical "Little Shop of Horrors," where he took on the role of Mr. Mushnik. Those who witnessed his performance can vouch for his remarkable talent and the authenticity he brought to his character
I recently asked Daniel a variety of questions and here's what he said!
1.What was your favorite part of high school??
My favorite part of high school was participating in music programs such as band and choir. These programs allowed me to learn useful skills both inside and outside of music and gave me many opportunities to share the gift of music with others.
2. Are you going to college if so, what college are you going to and what major?
I will be attending The Ohio State University, and I will be majoring in Music Education.
3. What instruments do you play?
I play a wide variety of instruments, but my main instrument is the Euphonium, which I have been playing since fifth grade.
Thank you, Daniel, for shining a light on this high school and being kind to everyone. We will miss you dearly!! Good luck in college, we know you will succeed !!!!!
Expand Your Senses - Midwest Emo, Math Rock, Indie Pop!
Ash Decker
Midwest Emo
Music has lots of genres and within those genres are subgenres. Well, here are three music genres/subgenres. You have probably heard of the genre Emo, however there is a subgenre of the art called Midwest Emo. It's a mix of Indie rock with elements of the classic Emo genre. There is typically less aggression than traditional Emo music, with more melodic and gentle guitar sounds.
Midwest Emo became more well known in the mid 1990s, in the midwestern United States, particularly in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The sound of Midwest Emo is more melodic and sometimes includes influences of Math Rock, being its unorthodox time signatures and complex rhythms. The reason it is considered part of the Emo genre is because of its similar song structure and the style of the vocals. It however has more acoustic and gentle “twinkly” melodies, rather than the aggressive and electric strums of Emo music. (Also has a lot of goofy band and song names) Midwest Emo is mostly sung by bands, but there are singular artists too.
Notable artists include The Front Bottoms, Alex G, Mom Jeans, Tommy Ragen, Pigeon Pit, and (My personal favorite) McCafferty.
Recommendations
Twin Size Mattress- The Front Bottoms
The Weekend- Modern Baseball
the mcdonalds sprite isnt hitting like it used to (but i cant find anything stronger)- Dear Me, Greenwood, idkconundrum
Math Rock
Another not as well known genre is Math Rock, and for the math enthusiasts reading, no it is not rock music about math, I hate to break it to you. It is, however, a genre with unusual rhythms, unorthodox time signatures (like 5/4 and 7/8), inharmonious melodies, focus on instrumental passages, and guitar riffs inspired by emphasis on progressive rock and post hardcore. There are lots of irregular stops and starts too. Math Rock emphasizes instrumentals, with some bands being all instrumentals. With lots of focus on specifically guitar, bass and drums. Along with minimal use of reverb and compression.
There is lots of experimentation with Progressive Rock and Jazz, some bands even include both. The genre emerged from the Indie rock scene in the U.S. in the late 1980s and 90s particularly in Chicago and Louisville, and got its roots from bands such as King Crimson and Rush. Math Rock tends to have a verse-chorus song structure, which is most traditional. The structure that Math Rock has adopted tends to be more abstract and random song forms.
Bands and Artists that play Math Rock are Dance Gavin Dance, American Football, Elephant Gym, Giraffes? Giraffes!, Maps & Atlases, Your Arms Are My Cocoon and many more.
Recommendations
witches- Elephant Gym
At The Turf Behind My Parents’ House- Giraffes? Giraffes!
And I Told Them I Invented Times New Roman- Dance Gavin Dance
Indie Pop
You may or may not know the genre, and you may or may not know if you listen to it. Indie Pop typically consists of more personal lyrics from the artist or band. Something that hits close to home for both the producer(s) and the audience. It's written in such a way that it is meant to be something the listeners can relate to. It may have a lo-fi or bedroom sound/aesthetic. But also has a catchy melody and a unique blend of both organic and electric sounds. Which makes it easy to listen to and remember. Indie Pop is sort of a DIY project for the band/artist, due to the style and tone of the music. It's just an overall freedom of expression. With themes such as love, loss, society, and even politics. It also consists of a mix of acoustic and electric sounds, for a nice blend and enjoyable sound to play in your headphones. Indie Pop has become a mix of many genres, it just depends on the inspiration of the composer(s). Some get inspired by Folk music, Punk, Electric, bedroom pop, and many other genres. Speaking of Punk, Indie Pop originated in the 1970s and emerged from British Punk, and is now its own thriving subgenre cherished and loved all over the world. Some Indie Pop bands and artists are TV Girl, Beach Bunny, Mitski, Baby Bugs, mxmtoon, Sir Chloe, JAWNY, Chappell Roan, Big Thief, and Alex G (some are more Alternative or Pov Indie Pop). Along with some of my personal favorites Cavetown, Mother Mother, and some of BoyWithUke.
Recommendations:
Juno- Cavetown
Vamipre Empire- Big Thief
Honeypie- JAWNY
Author Spotlight - Haruki Murakami
Chloe Angel
Haruki Murakami is a Japanese writer who was born in Kyoto, Japan on January 12th of 1949. Murakami’s way of writing is quite unique actually, with his books interesting to many people, for example his books are translated into over 50 different languages and found internationally. Haruki Murakami became a writer when he suddenly realized he could write a novel (this happened at a baseball game), the novel he wrote was, “Hear the Wind Sing,” which was published in 1979 and so became his career in writing. After his success of “Hear the Wind Sing,” he came out with sequels called, “Pinball, 1973” and “A Wild Sheep Chase”, these three together formed “The Trilogy of the Rat”. Murakami wrote other books too, most of his work is fiction but he wrote non-fiction as well, “Underground”, which is about the Hanshin earthquake and Tokyo sarin gas attack in 1995, Haruki Murakami also wrote personal essays which are titled, “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running”.
Murakami’s most noticed book is “Norwegian Wood”, published in 1987. The story centers around someone named Toru Watanabe, where he goes through loss in romance with two different women, Naoko and Midori Kobayashi. The story is quite sad as it’s intense and all three characters have different ways of grieving. Some fans of Murakami’s work believe that the two girls in the story simply aren’t real people and they’re just apart of Toru’s fantasy.
Overall, Haruki Murakami is a great author and has brough his literature to the entire world. Murakami’s books are eccentric and fascinating. I recommend this author to anyone who likes reading poems and just people who like to read different things.
AI versus Human Art
Benicio Delgado
AI is progressing at a frightening rate. While it has many incredible uses, it should not be used to make images or music. If we let AI grow freely, art as a whole could be under threat.
How AI Generates Sounds and Images
Image and sound generators are the main issue with AI. Image generators process thousands of images at a time, often without the consent of the original creators, to find patterns and structures used to make new ones. The image that comes out will look extremely abnormal. AI “music” generators use a similar system to create songs that contain inhuman vocals and instrumentals.
Why This is a Problem
AI software can be a valuable tool for many, but anyone who wants or has a career in the arts is under threat. As this software improves, it will look more and more realistic. Even now, many major companies use AI to create their marketing. For example, Coca-Cola released an advertisement that was 100% AI-generated last Christmas. While most responses to it were negative, it sets a frightening precedent for the future of marketing.
A Lack of Consent
As stated before, AI does not create images and sounds independently. Instead, it scans through millions of pictures on the Internet related to the prompt given to find patterns used in those images. AI training takes a lot of information, but the information gathered for it is often obtained unethically. Copyright laws do not protect artists when an AI gets trained on their art without consent. AI can freely take pieces of artwork and splice them together to make them match their prompt.
Impact on Income
While many who call themselves artists don’t live off their work, plenty do. Having access to cheap or free image generation will make those selling works online lose clients. There will always be some people who value human work over AI generation, but not everybody has access to those audiences.
Is It Even Art?
Artists study their craft, create ideas, and assemble their pieces. AI takes the hard work of those artists and poorly compiles it into an image in seconds. The person who typed in the prompt put barely any effort into it, but the image generator could put together a complete but overall lower-quality piece. The hard work of the millions of artists that the AI took from receives no credit, but the creator can sell it or act as if they made it themselves.
The Degradation of the Internet
Millions of people have used AI to create content on the Internet. Forbes estimates that 90% of the Internet will be AI-generated by this year. Not only does this hurt real artists, writers, and musicians, but also the AI models that are being trained. AI has started to be trained on other AI-generated images, creating a loop of increasingly worse content being made.
What Can We Do About It?
While we can't take down AI generators, we can make sure everyone is informed about how they work and why they are a problem.
Check the terms of service policies and cookies before you accept them on a website; accepting may allow for AI to be trained on what you do.
Use a digital signature to identify if your work was stolen from you. Digital signatures, unlike a visible watermark, cannot be removed easily. They create an encrypted identifier to connect the art to the artist, protecting your art from being claimed as someone else’s.
Use image-cloaking software to confuse AI models being trained on your work. Image cloaking is a technique that tweaks pixels on images to make it more difficult for AI to find, learn from, or replicate them. This is the best method for those who share their artwork online or on social media. The University of Chicago’s “Glaze Project” provides free software called Nightshade and Glaze. Together, these software programs can protect your art from AI misuse.
For More Information and to Oppose AI-
Nightshade is a service used to send incorrect or inaccurate information for AI all across the internet. It works best for posting art online that you don't want used to train AI
Glaze is also used to protect human art. When AI tries to generate something based on art using Glaze, it will get something inaccurate to what the prompter wanted.
Editor’s Note: We acknowledge the positive uses of AI in jobs like healthcare, but AI should not be allowed to copy human art. The purpose of the software above is not to "mess up" the AI, it is to protect human artists who deserve to have a choice. In addition, if you agree with ideas brought up in this article, I would look into apps you may use such as Duolingo who are becoming more and more AI driven by the day. The issue with generative text is the same as with generative images, it steals from the original writers.
AVATAR is proud to stand with human artists, writers, and musicians. Use #NoAI, #notoaigeneratedimages, and #humanart when posting about art, writing, or music to help us help creatives everywhere!
2024/2025 AVATAR STAFF
Stacey Kuhlman - AVATAR Advisor
Carolina Briggs - Student Editor
Chloe Angel
Benicio Delgado
Ash Decker
Bella Etzkorn
Brighton Hooker
Angelina Karapondo
Sanaa Khandakani
Kenidee Morgan
Ashely Music
Grace Nance
Ezra Perrine
Cindy Scangarella Burga
Leon Schumm
Noah Sims
Link Smitheram
Aiden Sullivan
Hannah Wheeler
Thank you for your support of arts in our school! AVATAR will return next year!