A&E

TIKTOK TAKES OVER

Rebranded famous app now attracts millions of teens

HERAN ESSAYAS MANAGING EDITOR

MAYA KALISH FACT CHECKER/AD MANAGER

READ UP — Sophomore Kate Kim makes a TikTok with her friends at school. She makes them during free time in math class. (Photo courtesy of Kate Kim)

Walk into a high school bathroom and there might be teenagers dancing in front of their phones. Other teenagers may be lip syncing with friends to make a video in their classrooms. Recently, millions of students began to create videos on the app known as TikTok, which has taken the world by storm.

Musical.ly was an app released in late 2014 that instantly hooked everyone from elementary school to adulthood. The app allowed people to lip sync to songs or do dances and allowed everyone to show their creativity. As the trend grew, students everywhere began to create Musical.lys, but the widespread trend faded quickly.

In 2017, the company ByteDance purchased Musical.ly and renamed it TikTok. Although remaining the same app, the new version began to attract a different audience. Users, or “musers” as they were called in the age of Musical.ly, continued to use their accounts in conventional ways. New users, though, began to refocus the content on TikTok from lip syncing to humorous videos.

“I started [TikTok] as a joke in Spanish because my friends had it and we decided to make them together,” sophomore Megan Williamson said.

At McLean, students use TikTok as a form of entertainment. Through videos of people dancing or making skits, TikTok users find ways to make every 15-second video creative.

Many, like junior Jessica Lawrence, began using the app as a way to pass time. Lawrence has since become a well-known TikTok user.

“It was my first time in American schools, so I did not know many people. In my free time, I decided to go on TikTok, and I thought it was very fun,” Lawrence said.

As TikTok users continue to post, they often gain a large number of followers and can receive thousands of likes. The number of followers users have is dependent on the types of videos they post.

“I have around 17k followers. I did not realize that I [was building up a follower count]. It just kind of happened because I started making them,” Lawrence said. “They were getting 400,000 views, and then more people started following me. I was [adding] a thousand followers a day at one point.”

Users can submit videos to be posted on the “For You” page, where random videos chosen by the app are featured. These videos often receive tons of likes, with some users gaining over 100,000 likes. TikTok users often have a goal of making it on the “For You” page since they want their video to receive thousands of views or likes.

“I have gotten [on the “For You” page], and I’ve been on Instagram meme pages,” senior Lauren Grobman said.

Some TikTok users recreate trends on the app to become popular. Recently, students recreated a trend where they show their high school day within 15 seconds. Other popular trends include doing specific dances to certain songs such as “Envy Me” or “Geek’d,” and recreating skits.

While Lawrence has taken a break from TikTok fame, she continues to use the app for her enjoyment. Her decision shows the true reason TikTok became popular in the first place—the excitement it creates.

“I don’t have a type of TikToks I make. I just don’t make any dancing ones because I am not that great [at it]. I just do whatever I think is funny because I think the best way to make TikToks is to have fun with it,” Lawrence said.

Users enjoy the lighthearted environment of the app, since everyone makes what they believe is fun. Whether it is a joke, skit or dance, users are able to display videos they believe are interesting.

STRIKE A POSE — Senior Lauren Grobman makes a creative TikTok. She made it to the “For You” page and received over 6,000 likes. (Photo courtesy of Lauren Grobman

DAY IN THE LIFE — Sophomore Megan Williamson makes a TikTok about her day in high school. She hopes to make it on the “For You” page one day. (Photo courtesy of Megan Williamson)

“I love that everyone on there is so unique and funny,” Lawrence said. “Everyone has their own style of making something, so it could be the exact same sound, and a new person will make it something new and funny.”

AVENGE THE FALLEN

Every journey must come to an end

MAYA AMMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Image obtained via Marvel Studios

This was it. The last hurrah, the final battle, and most importantly...the endgame. Possibly the most hyped up Marvel movie to date, Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Endgame shattered almost every existing box office record, grossing $1.2 billion in its opening weekend alone. The conclusion to a timeline of 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, Endgame exceeded the expectations of Marvel fans.

I will never forget sitting in that movie theater lounge chair surrounded by strangers that were all about to experience this movie in a completely different way than me, but everyone had one thing in common—we were all about to watch the most anticipated film in cinema history.

Through 22 movies across 11 years, this series has been a crazy adventure. In this final installment, every unfinished plot and every unanswered question tied together and gave the audience an experience of a lifetime.

These movies have impacted millions of childhoods in ways other franchises could not. This epic conclusion accomplished what Marvel set out to do 11 years ago—create a marvelous universe that would leave viewers entranced for hours on end.

I saw my first Marvel movie when I was 8. I had no prior knowledge of the previous films, but my dad dragged me out to see The Avengers anyways.

A typical 8-year-old would be horrified by that much violence, but I was intrigued. Ever since then, I was obsessed. I have seen every single Marvel movie in the saga.

Seven years later, I was sitting in a theater watching Avengers: Endgame. I had never experienced that much emotion in my life. I had never laughed louder or cried harder.

The storyline resumes a couple of weeks after the ultimate cliffhanger fans were left with in Infinity War—Thanos’ infamous snap. It opens with our heroes devastated from the events of last year’s movie. They are struggling to find a solution to resurrect half the universe, including their friends and family who fell victim to the decimation.

Although it was an action-packed movie, the plot continued to evolve as our heroes met new allies and created plans that could hopefully bring back the vanished and unite as the team they once were.

The growing plot integrated new relationships between family and friends that introduced a new aspect in superhero movies, pulling triggers that brought most audience members to a deeper level of emotion.

The movie theater itself was filled with emotion, leaving devotees sobbing, fans tearing up and others just staring at the screen in awe at the mesmerizing end of an era.

I’m pretty sure I was the loudest crier in the room. At one point I was so unbelievably overwhelmed with emotion that the lady sitting next to me pulled out a box of tissues for me.

Although Marvel has spoken of this movie as being the end of the Infinity Saga, it comforts me to know that the MCU shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Along with Spider-Man: Far From Home coming this July and heroes like the Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther returning to the big screen, the MCU has plans for new heroes as well. New characters like the Eternals and Shang-Chi will be introduced to the MCU in the near future.

Even though I’m sad it’s over, Marvel Studios did what they needed to do to provide an epic conclusion to such an unprecedented saga. There was no better way to say goodbye to this thrilling plotline created by the MCU.

Final rating: 6/6 Infinity Stones

The MCU gave us an emotionally fufilling conclusion that left all Marvel fans shook.

Graphic by Dasha Makarishcheva

APPLE DOMINATES MCLEAN MARKET

What’s behind the company’s success at McLean High School?

ANDY CHUNG DESIGN EDITOR & ZACH HASAN REPORTER

Apple logo obtained via Google under a Creative Commons license

In 1976, Steve Jobs introduced Apple to the world, starting a chain of computers that revolutionized the way we use electronics. Apple followed the creation of the Macintosh computer with iPods, which helped pave the way for modern day smartphones. Since the release of its iPhones, Apple has dominated the electronics industry in the U.S., especially at McLean High School.

Having a smartphone is almost a necessity for students across the globe. Smartphones have the ability to call emergency services, find the location of one’s family members and send messages to anyone in a matter of seconds. It is tools like these that make iPhones a vital tool in any environment.

Features like these persuade people to buy smartphones, but what separates Apple’s iPhones from its competitors?

“Apple is easy to use and you get the most out of your money. They often have new software updates which allows me to always know that Apple is trying to make my phone better,” freshman Richard Hou said.

Apple’s phones are sleek, polished and thin, unlike their competitors. IOS, Apple’s software, is widely considered the “lion” of the software world. Its simple design and instant responsiveness makes the software more appealing and easier to use.

According to CNBC, the simplicity of Apple’s software and their phones’ designs are the reason around 64 percent of people in the U.S. own an Apple product.

Apple products are especially popular among high school students. In a survey of 151 McLean students, 93 percent said they own an iPhone in comparison to the seven percent who own an Android.

Teens are big contributors to the tech industry. According to Business Insider, 82 percent of American teens own an iPhone.

“All my friends have Apple products, and I feel left out,” said freshman Varun Veluri, who owns an Android.

APPLE IS EASY TO USE AND YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MONEY.”

-RICHARD HOU

FRESHMAN

As the demand for iPhones increased, the demand for its accessories skyrocketed. Apple’s popular AirPods are a prime example of this. AirPods are Apple’s second highest selling product, and this is only their second year on the market.

“After winter break, I was amazed by how many kids were wearing AirPods,” freshman Jake McGowan said.

McLean’s strong preference for Apple products may be a result of students’ need to use their smartphones to do schoolwork.

“I’ve always had an iPhone, and after coming to high school, I realized that a phone, preferably an iPhone, is better because Apple has never let me down,” freshman Lily Brumbaugh said.

With technology advancing, the use of paper and other tools is declining.

“We have e-Carts and Google Classroom assignments, and we have to use Blackboard. I need to check Blackboard and Classroom every day to see notes my teacher has posted, announcements, homework, and I’m able to do that by using my iPhone,” Brumbaugh said.

With increasing online requirements, students feel more obligated to invest in smartphones. An iPhone has similar capabilities to a computer, which allows students to use their phones to finish schoolwork and online tests.

“There have been plenty of times where students without phones had to use computers and got no work done,” freshman Ryan Sribar said.

Apple’s dominance has been consistent, and it won’t slow down anytime soon, especially in McLean’s hallways.

T-SERIES VS. PEWDIEPIE

THE BATTLE TO 100 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS ENDS ABRUPTLY

TAYLOR OLSON & PAARTH SONI A&E EDITORS

Photos obtained via Wikimedia Commons

Photos obtained via Wikimedia Commons

The race to the top is finally over, but not for the reason some may think. T-Series’ and PewDiePie’s YouTube channels have the most subscribers of all creators on the site. PewDiePie, a 29-year-old from Sweden whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, had the most followers until earlier this year when T-Series first surpassed him, and they have frequently swapped places since then.

PewDiePie is a well-known individual creator on YouTube. He uploads new content every day, ranging from “meme reviews” to gaming videos. He has been a YouTuber for nine years and spent six of those years with the most subscribers on the platform.

“PewDiePie is like a YouTube legend— everyone loves him,” freshman Einmon Tha said.

T-Series is a popular Indian record label and film production company that started a YouTube channel in 2006. Their content consists primarily of Bollywood music videos and film trailers.

T-Series is a multi-channel network, which is an organization that works in tandem with video platforms. YouTube assists them in many areas, and in return, they earn a portion of the channel’s ad revenue.

Given that YouTube is supposedly a “selfmade” platform, many believe that the most subscribed YouTuber should be an individual rather than a company.

In August 2018, T-Series’ growing popularity led PewDiePie to challenge him to a “race” to the 100 million subscriber mark. This was embraced by many people involved in intenet culture.

“No matter the outcome, this will go down in YouTube history forever,” freshman Cormic McNamara said.

In an effort to help PewDiePie, his fans positively promoted his channel. They put up flyers in support, told strangers to subscribe and even bought billboards with his face on them.

McLean students have also gotten involved in the PewDiePie vs. T-Series movement.

“A couple of my friends [asked me], ‘Are you subscribed to PewDiePie?’... I pretty much had people check my phone to see if I was—of course I was,” junior Saleem Aknine said.

As this movement gained popularity, some people took things too far.

“Something I learned, and hopefully something people can understand, is when you have 90 million people riled up about something, you’re bound to get a few degenerates,” PewDiePie said.

In March, a few PewDiePie supporters defaced a World War II memorial in Brooklyn and posted a picture to Reddit. They vandalized the monument with the message “Subscribe to PewDiePie.” The YouTuber responded, urging fans to stop these hateful behaviors.

“It’s just so disgusting, so disappointing to have my name and community dragged into that,” PewDiePie said. Vandalism was not the only act of violence

connected to this movement. A shooter attacked two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. During a live stream of the massacre, he told his audience to “Subscribe to PewDiePie.”

“It was horrible… I actually have no words... when I first saw it I was pretty much shocked. And the fact that it was under his name, I was more shocked than anything,” Aknine said.

The YouTuber took to Twitter to condemn the attack.

“I feel absolutely sickened having my name uttered by this person. My heart and thoughts go out to...everyone affected by this tragedy,” PewDiePie tweeted after the incident.

PewDiePie released a video on April 28 concerning these violent crimes. He told his subscribers that the PewDiePie vs. T-Series movement needs to end. T-Series has since passed him by nearly two million subscribers, almost completely ending the race.

“I didn’t want hate to win, but it’s clear to me now the ‘Subscribe to PewDiePie’ movement should’ve ended [after the acts of violence],” PewDiePie said.