The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
The award-winning voice of North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.

The Chant
Ashu Ebot-Tabi

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor

Ashu Ebot-Tabi is a senior at North Cobb, & is enrolled in the Magnet program; this year marks his 4th semester in North Cobb. His passions include comic book related media (no preference between Marvel & DC), video games (mainly The Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Mega Man, Super Mario Bros., & Sonic the Hedgehog), watching TV, & reading. He hopes to attend UGA to become either an entertainment journalist or creative director for a video game studio, with his dream job being Creative Director at Marvel Games.

All content by Ashu Ebot-Tabi
Various customizable avatars gather together near a beach in the recent Nintendo Switch game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In the midst of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, several NC seniors fear they may find themselves robbed of the ultimate senior year experience: Prom; to remedy this situation, several seniors decided to create a dedicated prom lobby in New Horizons as a way to give the class of 2020 a way to experience this once in a lifetime event.

NC students assemble to host senior prom online

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy editor
March 31, 2020
Anxiety among children, & those of high school age specifically, has become a major epidemic in recent years. According to a February 2019 Pew study, 70% of American teenagers consider it (along with depression) a major problem in their communities, an issue compounded among higher achievers. To remedy this, the school district will be showing a short film titled Angst this Wednesday night from 6 to 8 p.m; afterwards, a panel will take place to further educate attendees on mental health. For more information, visit this website.

Anxiety strikes again

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
February 24, 2020
A legacy sport for the Olympic Games, two versions of hurdles exist: the first sees 10, 3 feet tall hurdles spread out across a 110-metre track, while the second sees them spread across a 400-metre track. Bumping into hurdles or tripping carries no penalty for runners, though most Olympic coaches advise them to clear them cleanly.

Call of the contestants: 5 athletes to look out for in the 2020 Summer Olympics

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
February 10, 2020
The yearly Groundhogs’ Day ceremony took place this past Sunday the 2nd in Punxsutawney, Philadelphia; with Punxsutawney Phil managing to see his shadow this year, expect to see an early spring this year, as evidenced by the shining sun and high temperatures today.

Early spring

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
February 3, 2020
World War meme: why jokes about the apocalypse aren’t as bad as you think

World War meme: why jokes about the apocalypse aren’t as bad as you think

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
January 14, 2020
A massive fire rages over the Omeo region of Australia, with CNN reporting that “three fires have form[ed] a...blaze bigger than...Manhattan.” The wildfires in Australia started early September with small fires spreading across New South Wales before spreading to the greater Sydney region. With the effects of climate change ever-present in Australia and a massive drought only adding to the problem, it seems like these flames will not fan out any time soon.

Sunburnt country: the Australian wildfires explained

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
January 10, 2020
The entertainment landscape of the 1990s continues to leave an immense impact on pop culture today, nearly 30 years after the decade’s start-with such generation-defining films like Jurassic Park and Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, legendary TV shows like Friends and Rugrats, iconic musicians like Tupac and the Spice Girls, and acclaimed video games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Metal Gear Solid, this decade continues to exist in the cultural zeitgeist; images from left to right, clockwise: an Toys-R-Us advertisement for the Nintendo 64, the logo for the late 90s music service Napster, the cast of HBO’s Sex and the City, the first edition of 1997’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, a Best Buy ad warning of the Y2K bug, and a poster for 1996’s Space Jam.

Longing for laser tag and the littlest pet shop: an analysis of 90s nostalgia

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
December 19, 2019
The Varsity Basketball teams for McEachern and NC line. The two teams faced off this past Friday, December 13 in a home game, which lasted from 6:00 to 7:30. Though the Warriors put up a good fight, they lost the game 57-54 after a short stint in overtime; their next game will take place this upcoming December 18 against Marietta.

Family feud: NC Varsity girls face off against McEachern Indians at Family Night game

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
December 18, 2019

Is Disney the hero or the villain?

Ashu Ebot-Tabi and Dominik Perez
December 18, 2019
Crates full of various clothing related to graduation lies in several crates in the main cafeteria. Representatives from Herff Jones came to NC today to remind seniors to place their orders for all caps, gowns, and tassels; students can also visit their website to place their orders anytime.

Graduation time

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
December 16, 2019

Joke’s on you: debunking the Joker controversy

Ashu Ebot-Tabi and Madeline Powers
November 21, 2019
A crowd of gamers watch in awe of the 2018 invitational tournament for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. As one of the most popular competitive games in recent years, it makes sense that NC’s own eSports club would play this game. The club, founded by juniors Liam Phillips-Denson and Aaron Wilson and overseen by Mrs. Cox, provides the gaming community at NC an opportunity to play their favorite games with other like-minded students. They meet the second and fourth Monday of each month in room 115.

NC forms new club for electronic enthusiasts

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
November 14, 2019
A variety of military-based decorations across NC; from left to right, clockwise: a military wreath of flowers, a board showcasing the names and ranks of servicemen related to NC staff, a folded flag and plaque honoring those who gave up their lives in the service of the nation, and a row of flags planted in front of the school. This Veterans Day, NJROTC members presented their colors for all to see, carrying on this decades long tradition.

Veterans Day

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
November 11, 2019
Georgia House Representative Ed Setzler spoke about his role in the local government and important issues concerning students in the Performing Arts Center at NC during a town hall meeting on November 1. Set up by seniors Noemi Carillo and Chandler Quaile and moderated by Magnet Program Coordinator James Auld, all second period government classes spent that period and SPEAR in the hour-long meeting, listening to Setzler and other Georgia representatives, including Randy Scamihorn, Keli Gambrill, Ginny Ehrhart, and field representative for Barry Loudermilk, William Anderson.

Townhall preps NC seniors for future civic engagement 

Erin Grier and Ashu Ebot-Tabi
November 6, 2019
A local NC student diligently takes an English test, carrying on the school’s tradition of academic excellence. Recently, the 2019 College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) came out for NC. Overall, a 4.8% increase from the score last year presented itself, rising from 79.8 to 84.6. The school also saw notable gains in all 5 of the platform’s components: more specifically, AP Course Completion grew by 6.2%, Literacy scores rose up 4.1%, and Pathway Completion increased by 5.1%.

NC tests increase

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
October 28, 2019
The members of the 2019 senior Homecoming court walked the field this past Friday during the halftime portion of the Homecoming game against North Paulding. Court members, clockwise from the top left: Cat Kulat, Trevor Bacak, Sydney Thomas and Josh Dixon (who eventually won the title of Homecoming Queen and King, respectively), Baldwin Ndongo, and Grant Wooten.

NC senior Homecoming court showcase

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
October 23, 2019
The final poster for Joker released two weeks before the film’s release. The new film, based on the iconic DC supervillain of the same name, stars Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy. Directed by Todd Phillips (War Dogs), the film tells the tale of failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck who, after society constantly rejects and neglects him, becomes a symbol of chaos and unrest in a 1980’s Gotham City.

DC’s Joker tells a dark and complex story about modern society

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
October 11, 2019
A logo for the Magnet Council, created by NC senior Ashu Ebot-Tabi. The council, first founded under the leadership of former Magnet advisor David Stephenson, consists of over 30 elected Magnet students chosen by current advisor and former AP Human Geography teacher James Auld; they meet the last third Monday of every month from 7:45 to 8:10 in the Magnet Lounge.

Magnetic magistrates: how the NC Magnet Council shapes the future of the program

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
October 7, 2019
Those in Mrs. Krupiczewicz’s Master Orchestra class, Mrs. Jenna Essenburg’s AP Seminar class, and working in the counseling office (from left to right, in order) go about their daily business, seemingly unaffected by the recent break. The September break, which lasted from the 21 to 29, serves as the first major one in the year: students partake in a variety of activities during this time to unwind, chief among them the Georgia State Fair, which commenced this past Friday and October 6th.

NC comes back from break

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
September 30, 2019
Senior Chandler Quaile eagerly fills out a sheet of paper in the freshman academy, hoping to end up the lucky winner. Sponsored by the Chant and promoted here by senior staffers Haley Kish and Nia-Simone Sherwood (not pictured), this event sees students attempt to guess the number of M&M’s within the jar pictured above: those who guess correctly will win a wristband ticket for the upcoming Music Midtown. The competition starts Monday, September 9, and ends this Wednesday, September 11.

Music Midtown guessing game

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
September 9, 2019
A vintage Dreamcast box set (containing from left to right, clockwise: Sega Dreamcast system, controller, copies of Sonic Adventure, Chu-Chu Rocket, Quake 3 Arena, Vanishing Point, and Metropolis Street Racer, and a second controller) lays on a table. Released on September 9, 1999, in North America, the console marked the end of Sega’s tenure as a console maker. Though a failure in its time, due in large part to the company’s prior failures and stiff competition from the Playstation 2, the console now holds a reputation as the most influential consoles of all time.

Dreams of AGES: The legacy of the Sega Dreamcast, 20 years later

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
September 10, 2019
Three signs of fake “wokeness” and why they hurt activism

Three signs of fake “wokeness” and why they hurt activism

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
August 28, 2019
Assistant Principal Alexia Bultman sits in her office in the 600 hall, examining documents from administration. Bultman took the position of Assistant Principal at the start of this semester, already making her mark on campus by implementing the new school dress code. Unknown to most students, Bultman actually attended NC as a teen graduating among the class of 2000; during her time, she gained notoriety for her dedication to the Lady Warriors softball team, playing the sport all four years.

Bultman Returns to NC: This Time as Assistant Principal

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Co-Copy Editor
August 26, 2019
The characters of Doom Patrol (left to right: Negative Man, Robotman, Crazy Jane, Cyborg, and Elasti-Girl ) appear in a promotional photo for the show. The Doom Patrol first appeared in 1963’s My Greatest Adventure #80. Initially conceived as the “World’s Strangest Heroes”, the team comprised of outcasts not unlike Marvel’s X-Men; the team reached their peak popularity when writer Grant Morrison (New X-Men, Batman, JLA) wrote for the team in 1989.

Youth Patrol: How DC’s Doom Patrol captures the Gen Z experience

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Copy Editor
August 16, 2019
A tribute to the graduating members of The Chant

A tribute to the graduating members of The Chant

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
May 17, 2019
A sign outside Assistant Principal Stephenson’s office lies undisturbed, displaying the days left in the school year; as shown, today marks the final day for seniors. The Class of 2019 celebrated their achievements with more than just a sign, though: the Senior Walk, held for the first time this year, saw the class walk across the halls cheered on by sophomores and juniors.

4 Days ’til summer

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photgorapher
May 17, 2019
The protagonists of various live-action films based on Japanese anime are compiled together. From top left, in clockwise order-Scarlett Johansson as Major Killian in Ghost in the Shell (2017), Emile Hirsch as Speed in Speed Racer (2009), Nat Wolff as Light Turner in Death Note (2017), Masataka Kubota as Ken Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul (2017), Justin Chatwin and James Marsters as Goku and Piccolo in Dragonball Evolution (2009), and Sota Fukushi as Ichigo Kurosaki in Bleach (2018).

The rising (picture) show:  the advent of anime adaptations

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
May 10, 2019
The NC Band and Orchestra practices one last time before the Orchestra’s Spring Concert tonight; during this practice session, the two groups allowed the Special Education classes to practice on their own instrument. Though the two groups playing together may seem like a recipe for disorganization, they actually worked well together. This chemistry plays a large role in the success of tonight, as while the event itself may not deviate from the norm of their concerts, an additional player in their group must fit in with the group. “This concert is the final concert during the spring for the orchestra, and our full program is orchestra and band playing together. And it has every instrument: all the strings, all the winds, all the percussion. We’re playing a pretty normal program, so 15-20 minutes, and we’ll also be playing with United Sound”, sophomore Patrick Dill said.

Orchestra’s last hurrah!

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Photographer and Reporter
May 7, 2019
Seniors Chike Asuzu and Rola Goke-Pariola stand together after receiving their superlative sash. Both students serve on Tribal Connections (TC), the student governing body for the entire school, and thus play a crucial role in the functioning of the school. Asuzu and Goke-Pariola let their school spirit show on social media and at school sporting events, attending pep rallies and hyping up the crowd.

Most likely to tug your heartstrings: NC seniors receive superlatives

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
May 3, 2019
Magnet juniors Abigail Bierman and Abbey Blosser pose in their best superhero pose in honor of Avengers: Endgame which released Friday, April 26. The movie made fans endure an emotional rollercoaster as viewers laughed, cheered, and cried. “It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster since I did not know if I should be cheering or crying the whole time. Overall, the movie was fantastic even though I am upset with how it ended,” Bierman said.

End of an era: Avengers: Endgame is a poignant but messy conclusion to modern Marvel

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
May 2, 2019
The Class of 2019 enjoyed themselves during their Senior Carnival, held on the main football field. Set up by Tribal Connections and held during third period, the carnival served as a fun-filled time for seniors. Including activities like dunk tanks with teachers and admin inside, bouncy houses, obstacle courses, and tug-of-war—as well as fresh off the grill burgers and hotdogs— the carnival proved an exciting time for all in attendance.

Seniors celebrate the end of the year

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
April 26, 2019
Shrek’s hut, used for the NC Theatre Department’s upcoming performance of Shrek The Musical, lays in the back of the stage. As the main set for the play, the majority of the student performers will play out their roles around this locale. First performed in 2008, seven years after the animated movie released, Shrek The Musical retells the events of the film (and the 1990 book it adapts), but with additional backstory for Shrek and Fiona. The NC production will essentially serve as a retelling of the original, with no notable difference.

Shrek sighting at NC!

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Photographer and Reporter
April 19, 2019
Shazam!, the latest film in the DC Extended Universe. Directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out, Annabelle: Creation), the film stars Zachary Levi (Tangled, Chuck) and Asher Angel (Jolene) in the title role, with other actors including Jack Dylan Grazer (IT) as Freddy Freeman, Mark Strong (Zero Dark Thirty, Kingsman: The Secret Service) as Doctor Sivana, & Djimon Hounsou (Without You I’m Nothing, Amistad) as the wizard Shazam . Based on the DC Comics character of the same name (formerly known as Captain Marvel), Shazam! tells the story of 14-year old foster child Billy Batson who gains the ability to turn into a superpowered adult by uttering a single magic word: Shazam.

Shazam! review: Latest DC movie electrifies superhero genre

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
April 10, 2019
The NC educational and administrative staff prepares to partake in the annual faculty breakfast. Hosted by students from Chef Chelsea Bodenhamer’s Culinary 1 class, the breakfast consisted of keesh (containing spinach as well as bacon and sauteed onions), traditional English muffins, chocolate and blueberry muffins, and an assortment of beverages like water and juice. Held every year, the Culinary 1 and 2 classes each prepare the base for the keesh in addition to its fillings, with the Culinary 3 kids preparing the muffins and juices.

Administration hosts annual breakfast for staff

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
April 9, 2019
Josh Hollis sits in the principal's office, discussing the logistics of the incoming turnover of power within the administration. Running for senior class president, Hollis decided to take the position of Principal as a way to pack back the community that granted him the platform and status he flaunts. Hollis ran a campaign for Senior class president using his natural charm and leadership abilities.

Power to the pupils: Students now running NC

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photgorapher
April 1, 2019
Absolute power: the virtue in dictatorships

Absolute power: the virtue in dictatorships

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
April 1, 2019
A night to neglect: The case against going to prom

A night to neglect: The case against going to prom

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 22, 2019
Prom season: Is it really worth the hype?

Prom season: Is it really worth the hype?

Ashu Ebot-Tabi and Dehlin Lee
March 22, 2019
After three days at LGPE, the NC Band continues to hone their musical skills by practicing new music with Director Pannell (seen in red shirt). Though LGPE already came and went, the NC Band still plans to continue with their work; most notably, the band will perform at the Heritage Festival this Friday & Saturday, an event that will see bands and choral groups from across the nation perform in the PAC, and then tour Atlanta.

NCHS Band marches forward after successful show at LGPE

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 20, 2019
A hired technician replaced the normal lights in the panel, located under the courtyard hallway, with a new LED bulb. Known as Corn Cob LEDs, this version of the eco-friendly bulb gains its name from a resemblance to the eponymous vegetable. A recent creation in clean energy, benefits of these bulbs include longer lifespans and comparable energy output relative to tradition luminescent bulbs.

Let there be light!

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 15, 2019
A compilation of various Captain Marvel comics released since the character's growth in popularity. First introduced as a supporting character in 1973, Captain Marvel now finds herself as one of the central members of the Avengers in the comics, as well as Marvel’s most prominent female character. The film seems to take inspiration from writer Kelly SueDeconnick’s 2012 relaunch on the character (the comics that propelled her to the front of the Marvel Universe, as well as the classic Kree-Skrull War story, wherein the two eponymous alien empires battle for control of the universe, and the Avengers find themselves in the crosshairs.

Higher, further,…flatter? How Captain Marvel became Marvel’s most divisive film

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 12, 2019
The set-up for the elective registration sits dormant in the media center, waiting for the counselors and students to fill them up. While NC students already listed the electives they desire for next year (as the elongated packet contained all that information), the actual registration lets students see what their class schedule next year might look like, and accommodate their selected electives to provide the most relaxing semester possible.

Elective registration awaits the students preparing for next year

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 8, 2019
The NC-Harrison JROTC team basks in the glory of their achievements at the Area 12 Championship event. Held once every year at the start of March, this event evaluates all the ROTC groups in the Cobb region and beyond for various military skills, including general and advanced knowledge on military history, as well as the intricacies of military marches.

NC ROTC preps for (and shows out at) regional drill meet

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 7, 2019
Outside NC, the sky sits in a grey, sallow state. This Friday marks the 5th day in a row that the weather remained in gloomy, with the constant downpour of rain serving as another marker of consistency; it seems like the trend will continue on for at least one more day, as weather predictions list a 100 percent chance of precipitation for Sunday. This gloomy atmosphere seems like it found a way within the school walls, as the often colorful school halls now look far less lively.

Where are you, sun?

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
March 1, 2019
#OscarsSoSnobby: How the Academy’s culture hurts the film industry

#OscarsSoSnobby: How the Academy’s culture hurts the film industry

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
February 25, 2019
An example of a student working on the snowflake hearts. All of these crafts take minimal time to complete, averaging in the range of 6-9 minutes; in addition, the only materials needed to create them likely exist on one’s house. Assuming they are not located in one’s home, purchasing cost should not exceed the $10 limit.

DIYs for your Valentine: Five easy-to-make paper crafts for your paramour

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
February 14, 2019
Eighth-grade students from Barber Middle School sit in the Performing Arts Center, listening intently while Principal Moody and Assistant Principal Williams deliver a speech about what to expect as high schoolers. The students also came for a tour of the school (hosted by TC), so as to help them better acclimate to their soon-to-be school; another set of kids from Barber came on Thursday, with their tour mostly taking them through the science and social studies halls.

NC welcomes and prepares rising freshmen

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
February 8, 2019
The Intro to Culinary Arts (ICA) students practice their knife skills by chopping onions, garlic, bell peppers, and an assortment of other vegetables. This activity, as well as the others like it, serves two purposes for the Culinary students. The first purpose seems fairly straightforward: creating food for the students to eat and share with their classmates. The second purpose, while less obvious, deals with teaching the student chefs how to perform specific culinary skills using the designated food product to practice.

[Photo] A recipe for intrigue: past and present diffusion of Culinary recipes at NC

February 7, 2019
Anaya Cheyenne participates in an activity for Ms. Cotton’s 3rd period Spanish class. Despite living the life of a singer, Davis still must meet all the requirements demanded of a NC sophomore. When prompted on how she balances school with work, she noted the exceedingly demanding schedule she follows, though she still manages to keep up.

Singing in the choir of capability: NC’s resident celeb

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter, Photographer
February 4, 2019
In Mrs. Ellis’ office, a small glass jar full of an unknown amount of Skittles lies. It serves as a raffle for the Warriors for the Kids (WFTK) sub-committee in Tribal Connections. Students simply pay a small fee of $1 to guess the number of Skittles in the jar. Should they guess correctly, they will win the following items: Chick-Fil-A merchandise, gift cards, and a complimentary basket.

How many skittles in the jar?

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
January 18, 2019
Created by the NC Relay for Life (R4L) club, this banner lists the name of those in the Acworth-Kennesaw community, as well as NC as a whole, who survived their own bouts with breast cancer. It reads “Win the Fight!,” in reference to their goal to both eradicate cancer and improves the lives of those affected by it.

Pink ribbon support

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
January 17, 2019
Doctor Gorlin aids a student in the analysis of DNA near the end of his second period biology class. Admired by many of his students (current and past) for his willingness and joy at helping his students in any way he can, Gorlin clearly puts as much time into his work as he can, admitting that to “I was pretty much here every morning from 6:30”, so as to finish as much work as possible.

A send off to a Warrior: Remembering Dr. G

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
December 18, 2018
Initially developed by second-party developer HAL Laboratories in 1999, Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai did not initially plan to include Nintendo characters in the game; rather, the initial concept, Dragon King: The Fighting Game, featured four tall, thin, unnamed characters fighting in a general mountain area. However, Sakurai then decided to make an unsanctioned prototype with Nintendo characters, which eventually got released as the original game in the series.

Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Nintendo at its finest

Ashu Ebot-Tabi, Reporter
December 16, 2018
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