By: H. Whitehead
Imagine, because if you’re not affected with bipolar disorder, that’s all you can do, that every moment of your life, no matter what you’re doing or where you are, you’re on a rollercoaster. They are fun for the average seven minutes they last at amusement parks, but if you had to ride one for a year or two years or the rest of your life, conducting your life from your 4th-from-the-front seat, it would get more than old. It would become a nightmare. There are currently approximately 12.6 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 64 million worldwide affected with this particular disorder. Though the list of symptoms and the overall effect on daily life is common, it is a type of brain ailment that makes it very specific to the individual as well. This makes it difficult to treat, and it usually takes a series of hit-and-miss attempts at finding the right prescriptions in combination with the just-right therapies to recommend. But this practice of trial-and-error has also given the medical field a variety of options as well, and it has given patients a better chance of finding what works for them. One of the hardest aspects of this disorder, as is the case with many psychiatric and metaphysical conditions, is that it is completely internal. There is rarely, other than behaviors and their consequences, any symptoms or outward physical signs of such a condition. That makes it all the more difficult to deal with for loved ones, work associates and schoolmates to accept as “real.” Taking advantage of the information, age, and its main conduit, the internet is raising awareness and making available material to make that less of a problem. Socially, that challenge is more intense than just awareness because of how dramatic the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ can be. Equally as difficult is acceptance of the condition for the individual, not only in how it affects their daily lives but what impact the treatment requirements may bring. There’s not really a way to “get used to it,” or as many insensitively demand, “get over it.” As with most of what makes life difficult, what we all need to exercise toward each other is understanding, compassion, and hope for an effective, actual cure.
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By: K. Marcantel
The annual school art show will be taking place in the new auditorium on Thursday, May 18. The show will last from 5-6 p.m., the Jacket Pride band will play their spring concert from 6-7:30 p.m., and One-Act Play will perform student-directed plays from 7:30-8 p.m. High school art teacher Nikki Perot and middle school art teacher Angela Bradshaw have been planning the art show and choosing student pieces for months, teaming up with graphic design teacher Leonard Wiley, photojournalism teacher Amanda Ware, OAP directors Krystal Woodley and Katilyn Woodley, and band director Jeremy Hendrix to make it possible. “This year, we are combining all of the arts together,” Perot said. “We will have the high school and middle school visual art show, which includes my art classes, Mrs. Bradshaw’s art classes, Mrs. Ware’s photography class, and Mr. Wiley’s graphic design class. Each high school art student will have a minimum of 3 pieces in the art show. Each piece represents the efforts given throughout the school year. Many students have learned new abilities, and some have found their strengths in using new mediums. I am very proud of these accomplishments.” Once pieces have been collected for the art show, student’s names are marked off a list, insuring every art student has 3+ pieces in the show. Each piece will be matted then marked with a name tag, making them ready to be set up. After the art show, the high school band will perform multiple musical pieces for the annual Spring Concert. “We are playing John Williams (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, ET), The Incredibles, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Avatar,” Hendrix said. “We also have some traditional marches that we will play. The band is sounding great, and with the other arts joining us, it should be a great night.” High school and middle school creations will be shown throughout the foyer of the auditorium as well as the walls of the outer aisles going toward the stage where One-Act Play students will present 3 scenes for 10 minutes each. They will perform a comedy (Crimes of the Heart), a children’s play (Charlotte’s Web), and a drama (Gray Matter). “I like that the student-directors will expose the audience to several genres because of their choice of plays,” Krystal Woodley said. “I’m very excited because this is the first fine arts showcase to marry all the fine arts in artistic matrimony.” Along with art pieces, graphic design creations will also have their place in the art show this year. “The art show is a good opportunity for the community to see talented student’s work because it [graphic work] usually doesn’t get past the bulletin board in the hall,” Wiley said. The high school and middle school art show, the Jacket Pride band Spring Concert, and One-Act Play student-directed plays will be on May 18 in the new auditorium, starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. There will be many eye-catching visual art pieces, entertaining and classic Disney music, and various riveting performances for everyone to enjoy. By: H. Horton
You’re in the ring. There are only 4 of you left, and the judge is ready to pick the grand and reserve champion. You continue to watch and smile at the judge as he sends two out, and it’s just you and one other person. He continues to talk about the two animals in the ring when he finally say, “And this fine animal right here is our Grand Champion,” and points at you. The results from the 2017 Farm City Week are in, and our FFA members did great. Our FFA program definitely has many things to be proud of after this show. “I was kinda nervous in the ring because the judge would look at my pig then look at someone else's, and I had no idea what he was thinking,” sophomore Carson Caudle said. “I was honestly proud that I eventually made the sale.” Many of the FFA participants saw all their work come together. “I showed my steer and got grand champion and then showed two heifers and got champions with them,” sophomore Kacee Gasper said. “I also won senior showmanship.” Some people say that the exciting part of the show was the sale, A.K.A. the end. “The most exciting part was the sale barn because of all the good food and finally the end of it,” Carson said. Others had a different opinion. “The most exciting part of the day for me was winning grand champion and then winning senior showmanship!” Kacee said. All in all, our FFA kids and their teachers have plenty to be proud of, and we as a school should be proud of all that they have done. You wake up and go into town to get your hair, nails, and makeup done. You are pushing the time to go out to eat. You put on your beautiful dress, and now you are ready to go. You meet your date and take great pictures. Time to eat and head to prom.
This year’s prom was held on April 1st at Doodley Dee’s Farm. It started at 7 and ended at 11. “The chocolate covered strawberries were really good,” junior Annabelle Ellis said. “It was a beautiful venue, but the dance floor wasn’t quite big enough.” While some students enjoyed the chocolate covered strawberries, others enjoyed their senior prom with their class for the last time. “I had a really great time at prom, and Doodley Dee’s was very pretty,” senior and prom queen Sarah Findley said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to hang out with my senior class one last time.” The prom king and queen had some very similar opinions about prom. “The venue was very nice, and the door prizes were really good,” senior and prom king Caleb McCracken said. “All together, it was a really fun and exciting night.” Not only the students enjoyed prom; even some teachers had a great time. “I thought the food was great,” English 4 teacher Krystal Woodley said. “Especially the dipping sauce that accompanied the meat pies; they were superb. I also appreciated the wide variety of cupcakes.” The students of the month for April are Mary Grace Roos and Cade Shaffer.
Mary Grace Roos is the daughter of Andy and Kara Roos. She is involved in flagline, band and softball. Her favorite class is geometry. Outside of school, Mary Grace likes to read and write. In the future, Mary Grace plans to attend Stephen F. Austin to pursue a degree in nursing. Cade Shaffer is the son of Melanie and Phil Shaffer. Cade is involved in football, basketball, and track. His favorite classes are athletics and geometry. Outside of school, Cade likes to be outdoors, study and play video games. In the future, Cade plans to go to college and start a beef jerky company with a friend. By: B. Patterson
Netflix’s recently released series, 13 Reasons Why, has become the talk of the month. Fans everywhere are raving about this tragic, bitter-sweet series. This amazing show has taken over the internet and is a raw, yet satisfyingly intriguing, example on the truth of bullying and all of its consequences. Alison de Souza of The Straits Times (Singapore) says, “It is also a thoughtful, moving rumination on loneliness, social persecution and unintentional cruelty and how they can devastate even a charismatic, clever and seemingly confident human being.” Paul Dailly of TV Fanatic says, “If you were looking for a thought-provoking series that makes you think about the world we live in today, then 13 Reasons Why should be on your watch list. It’s nice to see an adaptation that compliments the source material.” Matthew Gilbert from Boston Globe says, “The drama is sensitive, surprising, consistently engaging, and, most important, unblinking.” 13 Reasons Why is an honest, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of show. People should definitely consider watching this series. It teaches a lesson that even though people may not think so, the little things do matter, and that is all it takes to drive someone over the edge By: S. Carson
Every year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Earth Day is a worldwide event where people do things to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970 and is now coordinated globally by Earth Day Network. There are many things you can do in the community to help our environment. If you would like to also help out a neighbor, you could offer to help someone clean up their yard. There are many people who could use some help with their yard work in the area. This is taking care of the Earth and preserving its beauty. Sharing why it is important to take care of the planet can help educate people. For example, you could tell a younger sibling why littering is bad and why it would help to recycle. This simple act can help the world. Consider making your yard a haven for animals with flowers, bird baths, squirrel feeders, etc. Birds help keep away pests and are beautiful to look at. This act could be an entry to a good conversation about Earth Day and preserving animals in nature. Trees provide oxygen and can be very beautiful when maintained and taken care of properly. For Earth Day, you might get your kids out and have them help plant a tree. This is a good way to spend time with family and tell them a few things about trees and why we should take care of them. Lastly, you could make a garden. Many people love to garden. This is a easy and fun way to celebrate Earth Day, and anyone can garden. So get out there, get your hands a little dirty, and dig into Earth Day! After all, Mother Nature could use some help. The spring band concert will be May 18 in the new auditorium.
“My favorite piece of music would have to be The Incredibles,” band director Jeremy Hendrix said. They have many strengths going into this concert. “One of our biggest strength is definitely the director,” Hendrix said. “Secondly would have to be our seniors.” The students performing feel it will be a show that should not be missed. “I think we are going to do good,” senior Michael Mathis said. “I'm confident in our ability.” By: C. Barras
As the softball season comes to an end, the girls feel overwhelmed about how the season went. There were many failures and successes, but overall, they are still proud of how they did and how much effort they put into the season. “The season didn’t go as great as we were hoping it would go, but I’m glad I got to meet the seniors that are leaving,” freshman Corrina Hall said. “Win or lose, I love the game, and I’m proud of our team.” The team cared about how much effort they put into what they did either during practices or out in the field. “We practice every single day from 2:34 p.m. until 5:30 p.m,” Corrina said. Everyone on the team has a story about what made them become better at the sport. “Whenever I was smaller, my aunt played softball, and I wanted to be like her,” Corrina said. “As I started playing myself, I enjoyed it a lot.” Many of the students are excited to see how next year turns out for them. They will continue to grow with each other and love the game. By: M. Durrett
As regular track season comes to an end, our regional finalists are getting ready to compete, and they are very excited. “I am super excited to compete and miss school,” junior Brandon Wilkerson said. While the track season ended for those who did not make it to regionals, many still feel that they accomplished what they wanted to this season. “I feel like I accomplished a lot,” freshman Corrina Hall said. “I beat seniors. Even though I didn’t advance to area, I still did great, and I got top 8.” Many feel they have improved. “I feel I did better than I did last year,” junior Frankazia Boyd said. Even though there are many different events in track, the team still takes the time to help and push each other along to do better and do their best. “Everyone made everything better,” freshman Carly Barras said. “They pushed me to do a lot better in my events.” The regional track meet will take place in Whitehouse today April 28 and tomorrow Saturday April 29. |
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