An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
An upbeat website for a downtown school

the Southerner Online
Connie Erdozain

Connie Erdozain, Editor in Chief

Connie Erdozain is a senior and this is her fourth year writing for the Southerner. When she isn’t writing, Connie enjoys painting, playing the piano, reading and spending time with her friends.

All content by Connie Erdozain
OLD TO NEW: After the 2024 election, Republican control in the national and Georgia state government is sparking new proposals for education reform. Large national conversations include a removal of the Department of Education, reduction of financial aid, and censorship of class material.

Students, teachers grapple with education reform policy

Sierra Pape, Henry Moye, and Connie Erdozain
December 12, 2024
Quincy Jones, a well-known figure in both music and social activism, died on Nov. 3, 2024 at 91-years-old. Jones was well known for his charisma, talent, and ability to bring people together.

Quincy Jones, renowned producer, composer, leaves legacy of influence and innovation

Connie Erdozain
November 24, 2024
Malek Jandali (right), international composer, founded Pianos For Peace in 2015 with help from community outreach manager Ameer Muhammad (left), creating one of the largest public art displays in Georgia.

Nonprofit Pianos For Peace grows legacy, promotes unity

Connie Erdozain
November 15, 2024
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[Photo] Atlanta recognized first in educated cities by Forbes

Henry Moye
November 2, 2024
Virginia Highland Elementary School served as a polling location for the Midtown cluster. This site has been a consistent location for voters for over 20 years.

Polling locations across Midtown calm on Election Day

Sierra Pape, Connie Erdozain, Brennan Fritts, Henry Moye, and Ayan Amin
November 5, 2024
An AJC investigation into violence in Georgia’s correctional facilities found that 50 homicides have been estimated to occur in Georgia prisons by the end of this year, a 31.5% increase from 2023. This has begun to raise questions about the Georgia prison system.

Georgia correctional facilities confront increasing levels of violence

Connie Erdozain
October 10, 2024
According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, 35.4% of students in APS schools were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, an increase from 21% of students in 2018-19, pre-pandemic.

District combats post-pandemic absenteeism with new interventions

Connie Erdozain
September 9, 2024
The Atlanta Public School 2024-25 school year budget includes the largest teacher pay increase in APS history. It sets the base salary to $61,816, with an average of 11% pay increase for teachers.

[Photo] APS raises teacher salary for 2024-2025 school year

Brennan Fritts
August 26, 2024
Midtown administration has adjusted AP class grading policies, with a larger weighting on summatives and late work deadlines becoming less lenient.

[Photo] Midtown implements new AP grading policy

Abby Ippen
August 22, 2024
Washington has taught at Midtown for three and a half years despite coaching for eight and a half years.

Joshua Washington, teacher

Connie Erdozain
May 6, 2024
In addition to highlighting pottery made from enslaved Black potters in Edgefield District, "Hear Me Now" showcases work from contemporary artists. Simone Leigh's "Jug" is inspired by pottery from Edgefield District.

High Museum “Hear Me Now” exhibition showcases pre-Civil War Black pottery

Connie Erdozain
May 1, 2024
Coming into effect in 2026, the new law passed by the Atlanta City Council will restrict right-hand turns at red lights. While some believe the law will increase traffic, others think the law will make the streets of Midtown much safer.

[Photo] Ban on right turns on red prompts mixed community feedback

Henry Moye
April 18, 2024
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Representatives vote on youth-centric issues

Connie Erdozain and Sierra Pape
April 4, 2024
Senate Bill 344 will allow an 11-day period where guns, ammunition and related accessories will not be taxed.

[Photo] Proposed gun and ammunition tax holiday sparks controversy

Brennan Fritts
March 15, 2024
The Melody is a 40-unit multifamily community developed from used shipping containers. The Melody is the City of Atlanta's first ever Rapid Housing project, and is part of Mayor Andre Dickens' plan of creating 500 housing units for Atlanta's homeless by 2025.

Atlanta opens first rapid housing project to address homelessness

Connie Erdozain
March 11, 2024
AP World History teacher Margaret Edson prepares her class for their upcoming test on revolutions against imperialism. Edson primarily uses a lecture-based teaching style when reviewing with her students.

Secret past: Pulitzer playwright to passionate educator

Connie Erdozain
February 13, 2024
The Atlanta Leaders for 100% Literacy (ALL) movement, which brings together 139 community members from a range of professions, aims to hire a new superintendent who can intervene with students and improve district literacy rates.

[Photo] “Atlanta Leaders for 100% Literacy” demands district focus

Shalin Bhatia
February 12, 2024
Midtown Career and Technical Instruction Coordinator Martha Jones and her thirteen siblings were the first black students to integrate Akron High School in Akron, Alabama.

Making history: staff member integrated former high school

Connie Erdozain
January 30, 2024
Atlanta’s hip-hop movement was not always as prominent as it is today. Originally, the Bronx and Los Angeles were seen as the forefronts of hip-hop. However, Atlanta artists have played a role in making Atlanta a key influencer of hip-hop across the U.S.

50 years of hip-hop shapes Atlanta’s culture, community

Connie Erdozain and Molly Thompson
December 6, 2023
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones proposed a plan to pay teachers an annual stipend, if they completed fire arm safety training and carried a gun in the classroom. His proposal will be voted on in January.

[Photo] Proposal for stipend to arm teachers prompts resistance

Emma Young
November 29, 2023
Atlanta's annual Pride Parade and Festival, usually held in October, fosters community and acceptance of Atlanta's large LGBTQ+ community.

Vibrant Atlanta LGBTQ+ community confronts modern struggles

Connie Erdozain and Sierra Pape
November 27, 2023
On Aug. 1, Virginia Highland Elementary opened its doors for its first academic year. Approximately 535 students enrolled at Virginia Highland Elementary, many of which previously attended Morningside Elementary School and Springdale Park Elementary School.

Virginia-Highland Elementary School opens for first school year

Connie Erdozain
October 24, 2023
APS interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle has pinpointed literacy as one of the district priorities this year to help ensure a successful learning environment for students.

[Photo] District spearheads new goals, focuses on literacy

Shalin Bhatia
October 19, 2023
If adolescent menstruators were informed about what is happening within their bodies, they would feel strong and secure in themselves. Currently, students are taught about healthy relationships, drug use and personal health in General Health, but menstruation isn’t covered.

[Photo] Changing the cycle: instituting menstruation education in health classes

Stella St. Clair
September 11, 2023
Blair Cummings and her son traveled from North Georgia to the Fulton County Jail to support Trump as he surrendered on August 24.

Fulton County takes national stage with historic Trump indictment

Sierra Pape, Connie Erdozain, Diana Jachman, and Molly Thompson
September 6, 2023
Midtown is operating at 110% capacity for the 2023-24 school year, according to a district report. To help solve this issue, the district is working collectively with Midtown through a non-rezoning solution involving four strategies.

[Photo] Joint efforts between district, Midtown address overcrowding

Shalin Bhatia
August 31, 2023
The WGA writer's strike has opened new perspectives to the growing A.I. technology use in large industries and draws attention to a new threat that could likely interfere with large numbers of jobs.

[Photo] Writer’s strike sparks higher concern about A.I. use in industries

Aerin Jones
August 31, 2023
Junior Chloe Harlicka brainstorms ideas for her research project in her AP Research class.

Chloe Harlicka, junior

Connie Erdozain
August 22, 2023
On Aug. 3 the College Board released a statement about the ban on AP Psychology in the state of Florida due to topics discussing gender identity and sexual orientation.

[Photo] AP Psychology banned in Florida, creates concern for future of education

Hannah Silver
August 18, 2023
According to the World Population Review, Georgia has the 4th highest incarceration rate in the United States. For every 100,000 people, 968 people are incarcerated in Georgia, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

Prison conditions raise concern among people impacted by Georgia criminal system, advocates

Connie Erdozain
May 22, 2023
Christopher Escobar, the owner of Midtown’s iconic Plaza Theatre and Executive Director of the Atlanta Film Society, announced that he would be reopening Tara Theatre in May.

Iconic Tara Theater reopens after short closure

Connie Erdozain
May 5, 2023
There has been increasingly more support for the nationwide popular vote among voters in recent decades. The nationwide popular vote allows for a more united and representative nation.

[Photo] Nationwide popular vote more accurately displays US democracy

April 17, 2023
Bolster holds "The Albatross" by Kate Bass and "I am Offering This Poem" by Jimmy Santiago Baca, two poems she recited for the regional Poetry Out Loud competition.

Sophomore Livia Bolster finds passion in poetry, writing

Connie Erdozain
April 17, 2023
Overconsumption, the process of buying things that a consumer does not truly need, is harming our planet. An average American throws out 60-80 pounds of used clothing in a lifetime and fast fashion just further damages our environment.

[Photo] Fast fashion is ruining our consumer culture

Abby Hyken
April 10, 2023
In the 2023-24 school year, two versions of Lunchables with "improved nutrition" will be offered by the National School Lunch Program, an organization that provides school lunches for over 30 million K-12 students in the United States. While the modified Lunchables meet the standards of the NSLP, they pose significant threats to the health of American children.

Implementation of Lunchables meals is an insufficient solution to nutritional discrepancies

Connie Erdozain
April 4, 2023
There has been increasingly more support for the nationwide popular vote among voters in recent decades. The nationwide popular vote allows for a more united and representative nation.

[Photo] Nationwide popular vote more accurately displays US democracy

Katie Sigal
March 17, 2023
Fentanyl can be put in anything, sometimes even disguised as candy tablets. If someone ingests fentanyl the result could be deadly.

[Photo] Fentanyl awareness raises as concerns grow

Hannah Silver
March 3, 2023
Yoyo Ferro, along with other Atlanta muralists, have painted murals for the Forward Warrior 2019 event that span a half mile in the Cabbagetown neighborhood.

Street art takes hold in Atlanta, builds character

Connie Erdozain
February 15, 2023
In the complaint resolution process, a complaint of an alleged violation of HB1084 is made to a school principal, the principal investigates and informs the teacher of the violation, a meeting takes place between the principal and the person filing the complaint and a possible appeals process takes place.

[Photo] District adopts divisive concepts complaint resolution process

Shalin Bhatia
December 5, 2022
Helen Ruffin was a media center specialist at Sky Haven Elementary School in Dekalb County, and served the board of the Georgia Book Award Nomination Committee in 1985. Ruffin founded the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl in 1986 in hopes to have students compete in teams to test their knowledge on specific books.

Read Bowl plans to resurface after 8 year hiatus

Connie Erdozain
December 5, 2022
Several Howard teachers have expressed frustration over policies implemented under Principal McDowell's six-week administration.

[Photo] Howard’s leadership instability frustrates teachers

Greta Gustafson
November 18, 2022
Zweben transitions from her Spanish class.

Midtown's chapter of March for Our Lives is part of the national organization protesting gun violence in schools. After the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Fl, many students felt a call to action to participate in protests against legislation relating to gun protection across various states.

[Photo] March for Our Lives looks to expand club, initiatives

Shay Bowman
November 14, 2022
Early voting in Georgia reaches record-breaking highs as Election Day approaches. Within the Midtown community, students and staff encourage each other to vote.

[Photo] Early voting reaches record-breaking highs in Georgia

Shea Edwards
November 5, 2022
Junior Caitlin Stanley (right) welcomes Hugo Adolfsson (left) to Atlanta with a sign after three connecting flights from Gothenburg, Sweden to Atlanta.

Foreign exchange student shares perspective on gun violence in America

Connie Erdozain
November 3, 2022
AP African American Studies focuses largely on historical movements and how people of African descent have influenced the world, making it an important course for students to take.

Pilot AP African American Studies Course crucial to high school education

Connie Erdozain
October 28, 2022
America has a fascination with the drama and scandal surrounding the British royal family. This is shown through what is published in American magazines and high American viewer levels on televised royal events.

[Photo] British royal family captivates Americans

Katie Sigal
September 30, 2022
Carter talks with sophomore Miniya Kote about her assignment.

New teachers adjust to unfamiliar environment

Connie Erdozain and Shumi Abboushi
September 16, 2022
Stankovic hangs out with his friends at lunch.

Luka Stankovic, freshman

Connie Erdozain
September 7, 2022
With school shootings on the rise, districts and schools are enforcing stricter safety policies. But, these policies are not always a force for good.

[Photo] Current school safety policies not effective as violence deterent

Lily Rachwalski
August 29, 2022
The heavy influence of Schoology has caused controversy over whether paper or online materials are a better fit for students.

[Photo] Head to Head: Do paper materials or technology benefit students more?

August 26, 2022
The idea of a potential shooting is scary for most people, including teens that just want to have fun by attending a high school party.

[Photo] What it’s like to witness a shooting

Shea Edwards
August 16, 2022
Junior Dipesh Aggarwal returns to the dressing room after opening Midtown's 2022 fashion show.

Junior Aggarwal finds passion in arts, fashion

Connie Erdozain
May 26, 2022
Class rank can hurt the mental health of students as they feel identified by a number pitting them against their peers.

[Photo] Class ranking outdated, should not determine academic achievement

Sierra Pape
May 20, 2022
Rapposelli transitions to her math class.

Anna Rapposelli, freshman

Connie Erdozain
May 6, 2022
The senate voted unanimously to make daylight savings permanent. This means that Americans would no longer have to turn their clocks forwards and backward seasonally.

[Photo] Senate passes legislation to make daylight saving time permanent

Maya Rallu
April 18, 2022
A 2013 Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found that over half of the school districts in Georgia continue to use corporal punishment. For the safety and well-being of students, it’s time for Georgia to ban this practice in schools.

The language curriculum taught to high schoolers needs to change. It is too narrow, and focuses on latin-based languages to a large extent. High schools should introduce a more varied language choice, with a broader curriculum.

More diverse options for language classes needed

Connie Erdozain
March 22, 2022
Thomas in his Spanish class.

Gryffin Thomas, sophomore

Connie Erdozain
February 28, 2022
Amid nationwide supply chain struggles and inflation, local businesses and community members feel the effect of a disrupted economy.

Midtown community, businesses struggle with supply shortages

Connie Erdozain
January 28, 2022
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