Ruston High School August 26, 2010 Box Tops What is a BEARCAT

Garrett
Foundation:
History &
Winners
See Page 6
FBLA Nationals
Winners
See Pages 16-17
Bearcat Madness – See Pages 31-32
Chatterbox
Ruston High School
Box Tops
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Outside Our Box (2)
Academia (3-6)
Teacher Spotlights (7-8)
Editorials/Opinions (9-13)
Service and Social (14)
Clubs (15-17)
The Arts (18)
Meet the Staff (19-24)
Student Center (25)
Fun Page (26)
Sponsors/staff (27)
Bearcat Spirit (28)
Sports (29-32)
August 26, 2010
What is a
BEARCAT?
submitted by Mike Milstead
Principal
Discovering New Tech @ Ruston
by Natasha Alva
News Editor
New Tech? What in the world is that? Hey, don‘t feel stupid. A lot of people are trying to figure out
what it is. Thanks to Ms. Cathi Cox, the Director for New Tech @ Ruston, here are many of the answers to your questions about New Tech.
Who: Everyone is invited!
What: Back-to-School Bash
for Lincoln Parish.
When: Thursday, August 26,
2010, 4:30 – 6:00 P.M.
Where: Ruston Civic Center
Why: To Promote and learn
more about Lincoln Parish
Schools, our community, and
our sponsors.
Sponsor: Lincoln ACHIEVE
Booths: 49 community
booths and 15 public school
booths.
Q: What is New Tech?
A: New Tech centers on the students and engaging them in 21st Century teaching and learning through
a nontraditional model and environment. It is technology rich, encourages community involvement,
and helps create global awareness. ―We want to be putting a better citizen or product into the community,‖ says Ms. Cox.
Q: What is New Tech‘s nontraditional method of learning?
A: It is totally project based learning. This means that the students are given a problem and they must
work together with their assigned groups to identify and use resources that will help them find the solution. They will be ―scaffolding‖ or building their solution within a project. First they will start with an
entry document that will state the problem. Next they will receive their rubric. After reviewing their
project rubric, they will collaborate with their group to form a plan to find the solution. Each groups
plan may be different. This will allow students an opportunity to maximize their strengths while addressing their weakness at the same time.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with New Tech? What is its main purpose?
A: Its main purpose is to get students completely engaged in their work so that they can reach their
maximum potential and achieve at higher levels. And this is exactly what has resulted at each of the
nine New Tech sites our team has visited across the country. The hope is that with New Tech we will
be putting more "tools in the student's toolkit" so that they are better equipped for their path of choice
after high school.
For more information and pictures concerning New Tech, turn to page 5.
BEARCATS! All of us have
used that word at some time or
another, maybe even today. It
reflects our interest in our school.
It speaks of our school spirit. It is
a connection to other ―Bearcats‖
who have graduated over the
years and are part of our family of
―Bearcats.‖
Sometimes we
shorten the word and simply refer
to ourselves as ―CATS.‖ I think
of 4 things when I think of us as
CATS.
C = Character (One who understands and does the right thing)
A = Attitude and Achievement
(Can be positive when things do
not go well in order to achieve in
the future)
T = Teamwork (Working together
RHS can become the best)
S = Scholarship (Our top priority
is doing our best in the classroom)
Remember, Bearcats Ever
Alert and Ready, Cats Always
True and Steady. Let‘s continue
to have a great school year, doing
your best in the classroom and
representing our school appropriately everywhere we go.
O
Chatterbox
utside Our Box?
Ruston High School
Oil Spill
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
On April 20, 2010, history was made—the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of
Mexico off of the Louisiana coast. It began with an explosion and fire on the drilling rig
called the Deepwater Horizon. The blast killed 11 people and injured 17 others. Initially, it
was announced that it was just an accident, but it quickly turned out to be a large manmade
disaster. The BP oil spill is now the worst oil spill in history. It‘s worse than the 1989
Exxon Valdez oil spill that dumped over 11 million gallons, and more than the 1977 Hawaiian Patriot that released 30.4 million gallons. The BP oil spill even surpasses the 1979
Ixtoc I oil spill that wasted 140 million gallons.
It is not possible to measure how much oil leaked into the gulf. Estimations vary from
1,470,000 gallons to 4,200,000 gallons per day. After 87 days, the well was capped on July
15, 2010. Unofficial estimates of the total spill indicate that over 190,120,055 gallons of
oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico. The effects of the oil and the dispersants used on the
environment are
still unknown.
The spill has damaged the Gulf‘s
fishing industry
harshly, causing
seafood sales to
go down. It has
caused innumerable losses and
grief for gulf fisherman and other
business owners.
The
tourism
industry is down
also. All along
the coast, businesses are struggling. Because of
the spill, people
are hesitant to
visit anywhere
along the coast.
Beaches
and
hotels are suffering. Some have had to close down. Marine wildlife habitats have been
destroyed. Efforts to clean up this mess are still being put into action. Dawn dish detergent
has teamed up with scientists to wash animals, and the help break up oil particles. And
they‘re not the only ones. Even regular, every day people have gone down to the coast to
help all those affected by the spill. There are numerous ways to help out. If you‘re interested in helping, the internet has many links that will point you in the right direction.
Saluting Outstanding Student
Achievement
Throughout the Bearcat Nation
August 26, 2010
Page 2
Immigration Reform
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
Recently, Arizona‘s
governor,
Jan Brewer, signed a bill into law that
will allow police officers to check any
person‘s immigration status while
enforcing other laws. The law also
requires immigrants to prove that they
were authorized to be in the country,
or risk state charges. Soon after,
Judge Susan Bolton of the Federal
District Court put several parts of the
bill on hold, ruling that they were
unconstitutional.
Now there is apparently much
chaos, as the American side of the
border has become more and more a
place of danger. However, this law is
only the beginning of the immigration
debate. Many states are discussing
following Arizona‘s lead. Many agree
with Arizona and that action needs to
be taken now. However, not everyone
is for it.
In fact, talk of President Obama‘s
administration raising a lawsuit
against Arizona has been all over the
news. Further, the President has decided that he would like to make
changes to current federal immigration laws. President Obama has decided that he would like to pass legislation to address the same immigration reform that has been debated for
the past five years.
Reforms being discussed would be
based on a merit system of some sort
and would make it easier for current
illegal immigrants to obtain green
cards. Talk that it would pardon all of
the current illegal immigrants is also
around. This ―Immigration Reform‖
has only been proposed so far, but the
President is now pushing for it as this
issue continues to gain more coverage.
As part of the latest reform bill, the
President and Congress have approved
$600 million to increase border security and train more agents. This will
include sending several thousand additional troops to the border. This will
help in time with border security;
however, it still does not address the
current status of the illegal immigrants
already in the United States.
As the federal and state governments continue trying to address this
issue, the courts have been called
upon to determine which level of government can enact and enforce laws.
Although most illegal immigrants are
from Mexico and lawmakers focus on
them, there are many illegal immigrants from many other countries as
well. The questions is—what can be
done—and who can do it.
A
Chatterbox
cademia
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Louisiana’s High School Teacher of the Year is a Bearcat
Page 3
by Natasha Alva
News Editor
Each year the state of Louisiana
names a high school teacher of the year.
This honor is awarded to the teacher who
shows the greatest dedication to his/her
students‘ education. They are teachers
who do more than teach. Ruston High
School has the honor of having the 2011
High School Teacher of the Year teach-
ing in one of its many classrooms. The
exemplary teacher who holds this title?
Well her name is Mrs. Stephenson; English teacher at Ruston High School.
Mrs. Stephenson had already been
named District and Regional Teacher of
the Year and rightly so. She engrosses
herself into her students‘ education. She
even took the ACT last year to see if the
test changes over time and make sure
that she is doing all she can to prepare
her students to take the test also. For
many people, the ACT is not an experience that they will choose to put themselves through even if it is for the benefit
of others.
Congratulations Mrs. Stephenson for
being named Louisiana Teacher of the
Year and thank you for all the effort and
work that you have put into improving
and educating your students! It is making
a difference and it will continue to do so.
2010-2011 LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL CALENDAR
PARISH WIDE INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF WORKDAYS
(9 MO SUPPORT STAFF NOT INCLUDED)
ALL STAFF FACULTY MEETINGS AT SCHOOLS
(9 MO SUPPORT STAFF ARE INCLUDED)
STUDENTS‘ FIRST HALF DAY OF SCHOOL
(FULL DAY FOR EMPLOYEES)
MONDAY, AUGUST 16- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
18,2010
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2010
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010
STUDENTS‘ FIRST FULL DAY OF SCHOOL
MONDAY, AUGUST 23, 2010
LABOR DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
COLUMBUS DAY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2010
THANKSGIVING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER
26, 2010
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(HALF DAY OF SCHOOL)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31,
2010
END OF FIRST SEMESTER (FULL DAY OF
SCHOOL)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2011
PRESIDENTS‘ DAY
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2011
TESTING – PART 1
TUESDAY, MARCH 22 – THURSDAY, MARCH 24,
2011
SPRING BREAK
MONDAY, MARCH 28 – FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2011
TESTING – PART 2
MONDAY, APRIL 11 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25,
2011
EASTER
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 – MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011
*STUDENTS‘ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL – HALF DAY
THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2011
*INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF WORKDAY – HALF DAY
(9 MO SUPPORT STAFF NOT INCLUDED)
FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011
Advisory Period?
by Gray Taylor
Graphics/Design Editor
Something new this year is the Advisory Period
between third and fourth hour classes. For those who
do not know, students will report to their homeroom
for twenty-five minutes each day, except when we
have Pep Rallies This will be used for the reading
program, GEE review, studying, doing homework,
and even for peer tutoring. In addition, clubs will
meet as announced during the Advisory Period, except
for FBLA, FFA, and FCCLA, which will have their
own hour-long meetings as announced separately.
2010 – 2011
Bell Schedule
by Polly Michelle Gwan
Academics Reporter
This incoming school year, many things have
changed, including the bell schedule. This year school
starts at 7:40, finishes at 3:23, and you only have 4
minutes in between classes, unlike last year when we
started at 7:50, finished at 3:20, and had 5 minutes to
get to class.
The changing of the bell schedule will allow RHS
to make way for the new advisory period in the schedule. To allow it to be added, and to eliminate wasted
time spent in the hallways, the time reduction between
classes is being implemented. Refer to your handbooks for more information.
A
Chatterbox
cademia
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 4
Surprise, We’re Back!
New Faces in the Faculty
by Amber Brown
Senior Editor
by Natasha Alva
News Editor
Okay, so now that school is back in full swing and everyone is getting used to their
schedules, the first edition of this year‘s Chatterbox has already been published, processed, printed, and passed-out! See, before the 2010-2011 school year was officially under
way , many Bearcat faculty and students were hard at work helping better RHS, including
the band, peppettes, ambassadors, Chatterbox, staff, and many more. And, thanks to the
diligence and hard work of those team members, here we all are, in a nice, safe, and clean
environment!
Well, this year‘s Chatterbox staff is trying our best to make this school‘s newspaper
the best yet! We will all gladly take suggestions from anyone willing to offer them. As
everyone already knows, this is a paper ―for the students, by the students.‖ We are also
trying to cover more things that are happening outside of school, as well as in it, including
local, state, and national news! Teachers and students, please feel free to submit articles
anytime for consideration into our newspaper, so that everybody feels welcome in our
Bearcat Nation! This paper is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, and it has reached those
expectations so far. I don‘t plan to allow anything to stop us on our way to being the best!
The Chatterbox is a part of the NSPA, and we were rated 2nd Class last year. Setting the
bar even higher this year, we are working hard to earn a 1 st Class rating as we strive for
the distinguished national All-American rating! Let‘s all have a great year, Bearcats!
With each new school year, there come a few changes. These differences in
the school may be minimal or much larger. For example, each school day has had
an additional thirteen minutes added (yes, my fellow students, this is a terrible
change but we must endure). There is also New Tech @ Ruston, which happens
to be a colossal alteration and improvement in how a hundred freshmen are being
taught. Another example is the new teachers who will be gracing Ruston High
School with their presence.
Ruston High has nine new faces that will be hanging out in the teachers‘
lounge. You may recognize and know a couple because they were student teachers and such from last year. First up are David Aguillar and Jill Cheek who will
both be teaching science and girls‘ basketball. Next are William Major and Allen
Whitaker who will be in Special Education. Third up is Britton Kilpatrick, who
will be teaching Math. There is also Darryl Savage who will teach Math at New
Tech. Mindy Martin will be the new choir and piano instructor and Kelsey
Whitlock will be in the Freshman Academy teaching Social Studies. Last but not
least is Beth Yenser who will be teaching English. Welcome new teachers to
Ruston High School, home of Rusty the Bearcat. Have a wonderful year!
We Went to Nerd Camp!
by Whitney Durrett
Photographer
During the week of August 2nd through August 7th, six upcoming sophomores (Elena Till, Melanie Maxwell, Paige Ward, Hannah Tinsley, Whitney Durrett, and Joshua Pate) spent the week at Louisiana State University Shreveport at an Animation and Visual
Effects Physics and Rocketry Camp. They learned how to build a rocket out of household items, make 3D animations, and put together a video. Melanie Maxwell said, ―I liked getting to learn more about using the [Mac] computer, making new friends, and getting to hang out with the ones I already had!‖ Joshua Pate also had something to say about the camp: ―It was fun and we learned
valuable information!‖ At the end of the week a team/school was awarded a trophy for overall best. Minden High School won 1 st
place, followed by Caddo Magnet School in 2nd , Parkway High School in 3rd , Ruston High School in 4th, Green Oaks High School
in 5th, and Plain Dealing in 6th. All teams worked hard and had a great time! The students from Ruston often called the camp ―nerd
camp‖, but it turned out that they all had a lot of fun!
Hola!!! Otra Vez
by Stephany Arias
Senior Reporter
Bienvenidos!!! Esperamos que este nuevo año escolar sea uno de los mejores. Yo al
igual que mis compañeros de Chatterbox queremos darles la bienvenida a todos nuestros
viejos amigos pero también a esos nuevos estudiantes a los cuales se les hará un poco
difícil acostumbrarse a la escuela en general y a los profesores. Pero animo porque este
será un año magnifico. Y aquellos nuevos estudiantes que quisieran saber sobre Chatterbox o FBLA no tengan pena de acercarse a mi o a cualquiera de mis compañeros. Tanto
Chatterbox como FBLA enseñan mucho sobre la vida,
en el mundo real.
―Tradition. Pride.
Bearcat.‖
A
Chatterbox
cademia
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 5
To the Graduating Class of 2014
Bearcat Open House!
submitted by Mrs. Pruden
Freshman Academy Coordinator
by Elizabeth Smith
Business Manager
Welcome to Ruston High
School! The next four years of
school will be filled with opportunities to excel, challenges to overcome, and memories to share.
During this exciting time, be sure
to remember that your freshman
year is the most important year of
your high school career. Now is
the time to become involved in
one of the many clubs and organizations that Ruston High has to
offer. Try something new and you
may just surprise yourself with
what you can accomplish. Set
high academic goals and make
plans to reach them. The grades
you make during your freshman
year can lay a solid foundation to
build upon during the next three
years. So, come to school ready to
learn and keep your grades up,
and never be afraid to ask for
help. The 9th grade faculty wishes
you the best of luck and looks
forward to working with each one
of you during the 2010-2011
school year.
Open House is set for
September 16, 2010 at
RHS. This is a day where
every Bearcats‘ parents,
guardians, family members,
and friends get to visit the
school and their students‘
teachers.
Guests will meet in the
auditorium and the RHS
PTC will discuss membership and their mission at
RHS. Afterward, guests will
visit each class for a few
minutes as they follow their
students‘ schedules. Everyone is encouraged to attend,
and meet their teachers and
get information on their
students‘ classes.
New Tech @ Ruston: Kick-Off Celebration!
by Amber Brown
Senior Editor
On August 17th, 2010, a ―dinner, meet-n-greet, and more‖ was held at Argent Pavilion at the Joe Aillet Stadium on the LA Tech campus in honor of New Tech @ Ruston. Principal Mike Milstead began the
―celebration‖ by blessing the food and then recognized Mrs. Cathi Cox for stepping up and helping make this
dream a reality. Ms. Cox gave a huge thanks to Mr. Danny Bell, the superintendent of the LPSB, because none
of this would be possible if he hadn‘t trusted and believed in RHS from the very beginning. She also thanked
the many local businesses and partners who have helped make this possible, and then introduced all of the
New Tech @ Ruston staff, who have traveled across the country for this program. Mrs. Cox gave the floor to
Mrs. Letendre, her ―right-hand woman,‖ who thoroughly explained the packets that the students‘ parents received at the dinner. Mrs. Cox and her staff concluded the evening by showing a video that the staff made
about the first project their students will be working on together. The video also said thank you to all parents
for helping their children with their education. After dismissal, many people stayed to converse with the New
Tech @ Ruston staff about their questions and to gain an even deeper understanding of what a great program
New Tech will be. Good luck to all teachers and students in New Tech @ Ruston. It is going to be a great year!
New Tech‘s Coach, Mrs. Collins,
will be assisting Mrs. Cox.
Mrs. Cox‘s ―wing woman‖
Mrs. Letendre
Discovering New Tech @ Ruston
(Continued from page 1)
Q: What needed to be done to establish New Tech @ Ruston High?
A: First, the School Board among other people needed to be convinced that New Tech was a very beneficial
program. Next, funding was needed. New Tech requires that there is a one to one ratio of students to computers
and other forms of technology. Also, because of the nontraditional teaching taking place, classrooms need to be
twice the size of a normal classroom. Then you also need excellent teachers and of course, willing students.
Q: How many students are involved?
A: 100 freshmen, or in other words, one team in the Freshman Academy. Within four years there should be
400 students, freshman through seniors, involved in New Tech.
Q: What did these students have to do to be admitted into New Tech?
A: The students only needed to be incoming freshmen and apply. To actually enroll, it is also required that you
have passed the 8th grade LEAP and be on a diploma track. Because so many students applied for our first
year, a lottery system was used to randomly and fairly select the 100 students.
Q: What is the hope for New Tech in the future?
A: First, we would obviously like for New Tech to expand as rapidly as possible in order to positively affect
as many students as possible. Our staff strongly believes that this initiative will have a major impact on student
achievement. Because all students deserve the opportunity to experience fully engaged teaching and learning,
not just at Ruston High School, it is certainly hoped that this dynamic, project-based model will begin showing
up in more and more traditional classes as well as trickling down into the middle grades and out into other
school campuses. Plus, we already have districts outside of Lincoln scheduling visits and it has somehow managed to generate early buzz at the national level. Hopefully, all of the efforts being put into this program will
also gain further recognition for Ruston High and Lincoln Parish. Who knows? Maybe, one day, this
"nontraditional" approach will become the norm for the parish and thus become the "new" traditional model.
Mr. Bruner, Principal Milstead and Superintendent
Mr. Danny Bell discuss New Tech @ Ruston.
The NT@R staff watch their work come to life.
―Empowering Students
For Success In The 21st
Century.‖
A
Chatterbox
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Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 6
The Garrett Foundation Supports RHS
by Lauren Townsend
Assistant Editor
The Garrett Foundation is a board of faculty and supporters of Ruston High that awards funds to clubs
and aspiring organizations every year. This year, $2,700 is being given to Ruston High to support the
Chatterbox and the RHS Hall of Champions. Of the $2,700, $1,700 is going toward the Chatterbox and
$1,000 toward the RHS Hall of Champions. Dr. Pat Garrett came last Thursday, August the 21 st, to present Mr. Bruner, the Chatterbox Advisor, and Coach Anderson, the RHS Track coach, with separate
checks.
The Garrett Foundation started fifteen to twenty years ago when an anonymous alumnus of the 1940‘s
gave a generous amount of money to Dr. Garrett and his sister Loyce Garrett Miller, asking that it be used
in the memory of their parents to support Ruston High. The Garrett family consists of more than students
and teachers; they were a major part of RHS academics, athletics, spirit, and tradition. Dr. Garrett‘s father
was a coach at Ruston High starting in 1937, and his mother came to RHS in 1950, to be an English and
Latin teacher. Both of them taught using techniques that not only helped students with impressive grades,
but also helped students who required extra assistance. Dr. Garrett came to RHS as a student and was a
part of the Chatterbox staff. His sister was an English teacher at Ruston High. Many people still honor
and praise the Garrett family through generous donations to the Garrett Foundation.
Mr. Bruner will be using the Garrett Foundation Award to buy the Chatterbox a laptop and a digital
camera that will be used to improve the school‘s newspaper; it will also be used to help out with printing
costs. Dr. Garrett and the foundation‘s committee decided to support the Chatterbox because he considers
it ―the mouth piece‖ of RHS because it allows students to communicate freely in front of the entire
school. They are also supporting the Hall of Champions because Ruston High trophy cases are continually
running out of space to place and display awards and trophies. With the money, Coach Anderson will be
able to make more room for trophies, plaques, and photos of champions that will be displayed in the Hall
of Champions. Ruston High School can never fully express the gratitude it has for Dr. Garrett‘s family
and the Garrett Foundation.
At the end of Dr. Garrett‘s interview with the Chatterbox Assistant News Editor, he stated, ―We all
need to know our legacies, and if you don‘t know your heritage, you‘ll miss a richness that brings value.
That is what this foundation, this administration, and this school have always stood for.‖ With the Garrett
Foundation‘s and the students‘ support, Ruston High will be able to move forward and prosper in pride,
confidence, and spirit. Ruston High thanks Dr. Garrett and his magnificent foundation for supporting Ruston High and its Bearcats.
Coach Anderson, Principal Mike Milstead, and Dr. Pat Garrett
discuss plans for the Hall of Champions
Mr. Bruner accepts the award from Dr.
Pat Garrett and the Garrett Foundation.
Dr. Pat Garrett presents the award to Coach Anderson.
Freshmen Get First Taste of Bearcat Experience!
by Elizabeth Smith
Business Manager
Freshmen began their first day of being a Bearcat with a bang! They were greeted
by friendly faces as soon as they got to the school, thanks to the Kick Off Mentors!
KOM directed the students to where they needed to be: from the gym to the auditorium, and then to their KOM groups. KOM showed the students around the school
and played fun games with them, introducing themselves to the freshmen, and the
freshmen to their fellow classmates in their group.
After spending most of the morning playing games and getting comfortable with
being at the high school, the freshmen were off to go through their normal school day
The auditorium is crowded with Freshman students
and club members on August 19th.
―Mini-Schedule.‖ They got to spend 8 minutes in every class and learn a little about
what their classes were going to be like for the year.
Once they made it though their first day of classes it was time to go to every Bearcat‘s favorite Friday scholastic activity, the pep rally! They did all the cheers that the
Bearcats love to do at pep rallies. They got to watch the talented Bearcat Belles and
Cheerleaders perform. The day ended with the new members of the Bearcat family
returning home to anticipate the great year ahead.
KOM puts on a show for the Freshman
during Freshman Day.
Pep Rally Action!
KOM members!
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Chatterbox
eacher Spotlights
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 7
Name: Mike Milstead
Favorite Team/Sport: Ruston High! All sports
Family: wife, son, and daughter
Pets: dog
Favorite Childhood Memory: wonderful parents
Teaching Experience: 40 years
Favorite Subject: Civics/ American History
Favorite thing about RHS: the students
Position at RHS: Principal
Pet Peeve: disrespect
High School Attended: Weston High School, 1967
College/Major: Louisiana Tech, Bachelor‘s and two Master‘s degrees
If you had one wish, it would be: that RHS excel in all of its pursuits.
Favorite Restaurant: Waterfront Grill
Favorite Quote: ―What‘s in front of you and what‘s behind you aren't nearly as important as what‘s inside you.‖
Is there anything special you want the students to know about you: ―I love RHS!
Name: David M. Crowe
Favorite Childhood memory: thought I could fly!
Family: Margaret J. Crowe (wife), Jason and David Jr. (son)
Favorite team/sport: L.A. Lakers, basketball
Position: Assistant Principal
Teaching experience: 34 years
Favorite quote: ―Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.‖
High School Attended: RHS 1971
College Attended/Major: LA Tech, Physical Education, English
If you could have one wish what would it be: put prayer back in school
Anything special you want the students to know about you: I ran track for Ruston High School in 1970-71. I set a new
school record for the 440 yd. dash at 47.6 seconds. A special person came along and broke that record with a time of 46.91,
April 2010, Trey Hadnot.
Name: Rick E. Cason
Pet peeve: whining
Family: Susan (wife), Julie, Daniel, Laura, David (kids)
Message to the students: ―Grow up. Take responsibility for your actions.‖
Position: Assistant Principal
Favorite quote: ―There is a God and it is not you.‖
Clubs/Organizations you advise: Literary Rally
Favorite team: Tech, all sports
High School Attended: RHS 1975
Most embarrassing moment: too many to list
College Attended/Majors: LA Tech, Health and P.E., Sociology, Adapted P.E., Education, and Administration
Favorite childhood memory: fishing and hunting with dad
Name: Larry Darnell Lewis
Favorite Subject: Business
Position at RHS: Assistant Principal
High School Attended: Grambling High School, 1975
College/Major: Grambling State, Business and Counseling and Education
Teaching Experience: 22 years
Favorite Restaurant: anywhere with good food!
Favorite Childhood Memory: fishing with grandparents
Favorite Sport: basketball
If you had one wish what would it be: that I have a position of influence on the students here
Is there anything special you want to say to the students: ―I believe that there is a way that things should be done and those that know
me understand me.‖
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Chatterbox
eacher Spotlights
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 8
Name: Catherine Letendre
Family: Sgt. 1st Class Chris Letendre (husband), John, Nick, and Matthew (sons)
Pets: Duke, Chevy, and Pete (dogs); Miss Priss and BJ (cats)
Favorite subject: History
Position: Initiative Coordinator for New Tech @ Ruston.
High School/class year: Byrd High School ‗81
College/Major: LA Tech– B.A., M.A., and +30.
Teaching experience: 22 years, grades 1-12. Have been a principal.
Most embarrassing moment: In 1st grade, my teacher told me to wait my turn to go to the bathroom, and when I couldn‘t wait
anymore, I asked again– then wet my pants!
Favorite team/sport: Baseball and football. RHS Bearcats, Atlanta Braves, N.O. Saints, LSU and Tech.
Favorite quote: ―Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.‖
If you had one wish, it would be… for people to see everyone as equals and not to judge by what they wear, the color of their skin,
or where they come from.
Pet peeves: Hypocrites, and rule-breakers.
Name: Pam Pruden
Favorite team/sport: soccer; both kids play
Family: Jeff (husband), Jackson and John (sons)
Pet peeve: unoriginal thinkers
Position: Freshman Academy Coordinator
Teacher Experience: 13 years
High School Attended: Sam Houston High School 1990
College Attended/Major: LA Tech, Ag Education, Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction
Favorite childhood memory: going to grandparents‘ house to watch Dallas on Friday nights
Favorite quote: ―If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.‖ Abraham Maslon
Anything special you want the students to know about you: I love my job!
Name: Cathi Cox
Favorite Quote: ―Anybody can wrestle a bear for a little while.‖ (thanks daddy!)
Family: Big Bill, Miss Minette, and Tiki Bob
High School Attended/ Year: Cedar Creek High School, 1977
Position at RHS: New Tech @ Ruston Director
College Attended and Major: Louisiana Tech, BS/MS/Ed Specialist
Favorite Team/ Sport: I‘m a Bearcat and Bulldog far across the board!
Pet Peeve: lack of character/integrity, fake people, laziness, excuses, and irresponsibility
Clubs/ Organizations you advise: ACHIEVE Coordinator for Lincoln Parish
Is there anything special that you would want the students to know about you: I learned to walk again at age 31, I‘m full of
metal.
Favorite Childhood Memory: laying under the blinking Christmas Tree with my brother as we looked through the Sears Wish
Book
If you could have one wish what would it be: To have met and had a conversation with Elvis
Teaching Experience: Choudrant High School 16+ years, Louisiana Tech 9 years, Lincoln Parish ACHIEVE 4 years
Most Embarrassing Moment: ―Confusing Lonestar and Rascal Flatts to their face when working at the ACM Awards in
Las Vegas— it still haunts me!‖
Dear Teachers: Concerning Your Spotlights...
by Natasha Alva
News Editor
Teachers, we thank you for your participation in filling out our ―Teacher Spotlight‖ questionnaires for the Chatterbox last year. We ask that when you receive the questionnaires this year that you please fill out it out again or please e-mail the Chatterbox ([email protected]) and notify them to use your spotlight from the past
year. Also, please let the Chatterbox staff know if you would like a new picture taken or your picture from last year to be reused. We prefer to use ―action‖ shots—but you
are the bosses. Thank you for your cooperation in making the ―Teacher Spotlights‖ possible; the students really enjoy reading them.
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ditorials/Opinions
Ruston High School
Chatterbox
August 26, 2010
Oil Spill
by Jocria Thompson
Social Reporter
Some students were very interested
in the oil spill, and other students didn't
even know it was happening. I have
asked many people their opinions about
the oil spill and received several good
answers about it.
A sophomore said that the oil spill
was very dangerous and it could has
really affected the people who live near
the Gulf of Mexico and even some people here. Other students stated that it is
the biggest oil spill that has ever happened, and many wonder what will happen to our food supply and drinking
water.
Ms. Freeman stated, ―When I initially heard about the explosion on the
Deepwater Horizon in April, my first
thought was sadness for the families of
the eleven men who were killed. I then
began to hear about the quantity of oil
which was spilling into our gulf waters.
It is difficult for us to comprehend the
magnitude of the oil spill or predict the
outcome of its effects. Twenty years
ago, the Exxon Valdez spilled about 20
million gallons of oil along the coast of
Alaska. Dispersants and other clean
Designed by Gray Taylor
Chatterbox Graphics/Design Editor
www.birds.cornell.edu
Page 9
methods were used to the spill. In 2007,
more than 26,000 gallons of the oil remained in the sand along the shoreline.
Even today, if you visited the area and
picked a rock on the beach, you would
find oil beneath the rock. The BP spill
released about 207 million gallons of oil
along the gulf coast. BP claims to have
recovered about one-fourth of the oil,
which would leave about 53 million
gallons in the gulf. However, data from
several sources suggest that the actual
amount of oil in the gulf is about 80%,
or about 170 million gallons. Based on
the data from the Valdez spill, we will
have to contend with oil in the gulf waters for many decades to come. The
south can expect long-term economic
effects due to loss of tourism, fisheries,
and recreational sports on the gulf
coast‖.
One ten year old said that it might
affect some of the food he enjoys eating
such as seafood and vegetables. I have
asked myself the same question and
personally I don‘t have an answer to it,
but I am praying that somebody will
find it.
Opinions vary on the effect the spill
will have on the environment as well as
on Louisiana‘s economy. What do you
think about it?
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ditorials/Opinions
Ruston High School
Chatterbox
August 26, 2010
Page 10
What Do People Think About Immigration?
by Stephany Arias
Senior Reporter
Over the years, the government and citizens of the United States of America have been trying to work out an Immigration Reform Bill. Some people are
against it, and some are not. Today you can find out the opinions of some of your fellow RHS students. Even if you do not agree with these opinions, please
keep in mind you need to respect them.
―I feel that as long the immigrants are going about in a legal way, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I am not one of those people who think they
are taking our jobs; I honestly believe that they deserve to live the life we do.‖ (Amber Brown)
―There is nothing wrong about immigration. People want to make a living and actually do something with their lives. So, they come to the
U.S.‖ (Benicia King).
―I say the more the merrier!...as long as it is legal.‖ (Gray Taylor).
―Um… Well… it is okay as long as people move to countries legally.‖ (Elizabeth Smith).
As we see, some young students think that immigrants are not taking American people‘s jobs. They just think that immigrants can come over to America as long as they are
legal. Immigrants are not ―aliens,‖ as everyone else seems to call them. Immigrants are people just like you and I are. They are trying their best to better themselves and support
their families. They just want a better future for themselves and their families.
The Great Year Ahead
by Patricia Duhart
Reporter
As a new student at Ruston High, I have to say I‘m ecstatic to experience the new activities and people of Ruston High School! Every school year
is different from the last. From the new teachers and activities of a new school, the excitement is overwhelming. Walking into a new year of school
also brings new yet harder teachers. Rumor has it that your junior year is the hardest, but every year was said to be your hardest. Going up a year is
always another chance to bring your grades up and face the new challenges of more advance classes. Besides the classes and work, the new clubs and
sports of a new year balance the school year out. Since I‘ve been at Ruston, one thing I could not help but to notice was the love for football the entire
school has, which makes me excited to kick off the Bearcat football season and the other sports here at Ruston High! Over all, I feel that attending
Ruston High will put a great year ahead of me!
Shout Out to the Custodians!
by Keekee Williams
Sports Reporter
The Chatterbox sends out our first shout out to all of our custodians. We just want to thank you guys (and ladies) for hanging in there all these years and
cleaning up behind the big kids who litter the hallways. Everyone knows that you work hard to clean up and make sure our school stays presentable and
sanitary. We also know that it takes time, hard work, and lots of patience to deal with the students (especially the freshmen), as well as the teachers. To my
fellow students: don‘t ever disrespect our great custodial staff because they are just like teachers - we depend on them to keep our school a place that is
clean and safe so that we can learn and have fun. They deserve our respect too. Even though their jobs may not appear appealing to everyone, their work is
critical to our needs and education - and it must be done. So, to all the custodians who work so hard all day long doing jobs that too often are overlooked,
we hope that you have a great year at RHS and that you take the time to read this newspaper. We give this shout out to you, thanking you for all that you do
for us - and are grateful for the pride that you put into your jobs and Ruston High School. Thank you!
Think Before You Vote
by Benicia King
Education Reporter
Well, homecoming is coming early this year! To be exact, it‘s coming in September. So get your dresses
ready, dates checked, and just start planning ahead. Also, that means you have to vote for the homecoming
court. Be respectful with your votes, and think smart. Don‘t just vote for your friends or the ―popular kids,‖
consider the ones who honestly deserve it. Hey, just have fun during the homecoming season!
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Chatterbox
ditorials/Opinions
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Study Skills for High School
by Amber Brown and Christian Amos
Senior Editor and Sports Editor
Info from: www.Buzzle.com
High school is a busy time, filled with many activities, leaving little time to study. Incorporate study skills to optimize this time. Throughout high school you should find the perfect
balance between studies, extracurricular activities, and social life. There are few techniques
that have always proved effective for learning, and can help you achieve that perfect balance. Here are some study skills for high school.
Create a Schedule
―Procrastination is a thief of time.‖
The key step to effective studying is to make a schedule and follow it. This will include
distributing how many hours and which part of the day you will spend studying. Among the
vital study skills for high school students, is the ability to prepare a schedule that takes into
consideration the time you will spend doing assignments or homework, as well as manage to
include some real study time over and above this. Try to ensure that your study time takes
place after you have rested, so that you are fresh, alert, and able to absorb what you are
studying. Also studying at the same time every day will help you to focus and concentrate
better. Last, it is a good idea to study the same fraction that was covered in class during the
day; it will be fresh in your mind.
Where to Study
It is important to pick a place to study that will help you concentrate. Any place with distractions will cause you to waste significant study time. The spot you pick to study should be
serious, without the presence of any harsh colors, pictures, or loud sounds. Besides studying
at home, libraries, study lounges and private rooms are also good options.
Compressing
Another key step in effective studying is to compress information to about one-third of its
original size, including only the important dates. This method, that also applies to study
skills for middle school, makes reviewing and revising very easy.
Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review
High school as well as middle school study skills include this method; often referred to as
SQ3R. The first step is to survey. It involves highlighting all that needs to be covered (make
bullets and points) and getting a general understanding of the subject. The next crucial step
is reading which must not be a mechanical process, but an open one. The next step is reciting which will tell you how effective your reading has been. One way to do it is read one
section, and then explain it to yourself (without looking at your book), to check how much
you have retained. The importance of doing this is that information is better retained in your
own words. The last step, reviewing, is often the most important one. It is often said that
information that appears before us a few times, gets transferred from our temporary memory
to our permanent one. Review and revise any material about three times, before it firmly
takes root in our minds.
Apart from these study tips, you can come up with several of your own study skills for
school. By making good notes, you've won half the battle! Highlighting important text in
books has also proved helpful. However, you should know that elementary school study
skills, such as reading aloud, have been proved ineffective. Reading aloud or moving your
lips while reading, only slows you down. Lastly, remember that time is the most valuable
resource you have. All the techniques and study skills for high school will amount to nothing, if you don't use your time wisely!
Page 11
Random Facts
by Lauren Townsend
Assistant News Editor
1.
Dialing 90# on your office phone and then hanging up can give an outside
caller unrestricted access to your line.
2.
Deer like to eat poison ivy.
3.
Sixty-four percent of all murders by poisoning go undetected.
4.
―Pignocher‖ means to paint with small strokes.
5.
Ants don‘t sleep.
6.
There is no living descendent of William Shakespeare.
7.
On average, American hospitals treat 120 people a day injured by toilet
seats.
8.
It is illegal to hunt camels in Arizona.
9.
Eggs don‘t have to be refrigerated to keep.
10. Francis Woodward is the inventor of Jell-O.
11. Ketchup was sold as medicine in the 1830‘s.
12. Ostriches don‘t bury their heads; the color of their scalps blend in with the
sand, making their heads appear buried.
13. Male mosquitoes don‘t bite.
14. No one knows where Mozart is buried.
15. Joseph Cayetty invented toilet paper in 1857.
16. Kangaroos can jump 30 feet.
accessed at www.wcl.govt.nz
Chatterbox
ditorials/Opinions
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Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 12
Goodbye Dear Summer!
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
Ah, summer is over. No
more staying up until 3 a.m.
then waking up at 12 p.m. The
week day parties, vacations to
the beach, road trips, and everything else are over for the year.
No more spending a week with
your best friends. The worries
of homework, upcoming tests,
avoiding detention, and the like
are back. Tragic, I know. The
worries floated off with the epic waves in the summer,
but now they‘ve returned, as killer pains, like always.
You can ask almost anyone and they will tell you that
summer is their favorite season. That‘s cool, but I‘m
not like them. My favorite season is autumn. Summer is
too hot for my taste, and I like school. Yes, I‘m a nerd,
but we all knew that. Even though I love the cool autumn, I do love the thought of summer. So for those
who live for summer, I ask, ―Why does it have to end?‖
Simple, it doesn‘t. Take a page from my book.
Why not keep summer going? Personally, I live
summer all year by keeping a summer state of mind on
weekdays and doing things I‘d do during the summer
on weekends and holidays. Summer carries a chill vibe.
During summer, I really just relax. I stay cool and hang
out. Go with the flow, you know? That‘s what weekends are for. I throw my parties on the weekends and,
of course, spring break. I hit up my aunt when I want to
swim because her pool is heated. Boating is fun even
when it‘s cold. Barbecues are for all year. It‘s much
more fun in cooler seasons because you can even have
a bonfire. There are so many ways to keep the spirit of
summer alive. So wave goodbye to summer heat but
hold the summer state of mind all year long.
spend time with one another. It provides a time for serene relaxation and meditation. It not only gives you
personal time but also brings food. This is one of the
many holidays where the grill is in use. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken are just a few traditional foods
grilled for the Labor Day holiday. For students this is a
special day. Not only do you get to spend time with
your family and enjoy the food, but you also get a day
off from school. Labor Day is packed with BBQ and
laughs with your loved ones. But it also tackles the
beginning of NFL and NCAA seasons! For this reason
alone, Labor Day is a United State favorite for every
age group. Overall, Labor Day is an exciting and fun
filled holiday for all Americans of all ages!
Labor Day
by Patricia Duhart
Reporter
Labor Day is a celebration that marks the end of
the summer. It falls on the
first Monday in September. Labor Day is a holiday where you and your
family get together to
Let’s be Ready to be Happy for this Year!
by Stephany Arias
Senior Reporter
Hello Bearcats!!! I know some of you are not ready for this 2010-2011 school year. So here is a little tip: ―The reason people find it so hard to be happy is
that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be‖. In other words, just try to be happy about
your life and enjoy it while you can. You won‘t be a high school student your whole life. Freshmen - it might look hard for you the first few weeks, and you
might even think that everybody else hates you, but is not like that. So keep going and do your best!
The Beauty of Poetry
by Amy Gibson
Clubs Reporter
I like to write because it‘s a release. Poetry is my favorite thing in the whole world because, for some
reason, rhyming words helps me think. Something great about poetry is that it doesn‘t have to rhyme unless
you want it to. Poetry is simply a series of random words with the intention of expressing yourself. I write
poems about anger, love, people, loss, nature, and other random stuff…pretty much everything. Feelings and
emotions… that‘s what poems are really about. The best writings come when you are deep in an emotion,
and vulnerable to your surroundings. When I write it‘s usually because I‘m going through something, and
poetry is what I turn to. It is my outlet. For example, my two best friends are sometimes extremely annoying
and I wrote a simple stanza describing them…Childish you act, like you haven‘t a clue. I‘ve never understood immaturity, which is probably why I don‘t understand you…yes people, I made that up. Poetry is simple, expressive, and beautiful. Try writing a poem…you might like it.
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Chatterbox
ditorials/Opinions
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 13
Inception: The Movie of My Dreams
by Reed Malek
Sports Reporter
As I looked across the electronic list of movies at Ruston‘s Celebrity Theatres, the likes of movies such as Salt, Dinner for Schmucks,
and Charlie St. Cloud caught my eye. They were movies I had yet to see, and I will admit that I was very tempted to buy a ticket to see
one of them. But I knew why I was there. ―One for Inception, please‖ I said. I said this…for the third time. That‘s right, folks. I pulled off
an Inception hat trick at the theaters—a personal record for me. I felt no shame that I had spent eight dollars to see a movie I had already
seen twice before because even though there were several movies at the time I hadn‘t seen, watching Inception a third time was more
satisfying than watching any of the others for a first.
Inception is the story of a troubled man named Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is hired by various corporations to use a form of
thievery called ―extraction‖ to enter the dreams of leaders of rival corporations and steal information or ideas. Cobb was forced to leave
his children in the United States after he was wrongly charged with murdering his wife Mal (Marion Cotillard), who killed herself thinking that it would awaken her from what she believed to be a dream. Cobb feels guilt for his wife‘s death because, in a trip together to the
state of ―raw, unconstructed dream space‖ called Limbo, Cobb plants the idea in Mal‘s subconscious that the world they were living in
was not real. However, Cobb did not know that this idea would grow in her mind and consume her thoughts even when she awoke. Obsessed by the belief that she was in a dream, but unwilling to leave the ―dream‖ without Cobb, Mal devised a plan to get him to ―wake
up‖ with her. She committed suicide and framed Cobb in an attempt to get him to go with her so that they could be in reality together, which they were already living in. Before
he left his home and fled the country, Cobb watched his children playing outside; they ran away before he can see their faces one more time. Haunted by this memory and
memories of his wife, Cobb searches desperately for a way to return to the States and see his children again, and rid himself of the terrible guilt he feels for Mal‘s death.
Inception is an incredibly complex movie in that there are so many different terms, ideas and stories the viewer has to focus on, to the point that watching the movie once is
just not enough to understand it fully. In Inception, Cobb is able to perform extraction by entering the dreams and manipulate the subconscious of the ―Mark,‖ or victim, so that
he/she unknowingly gives away the information the extractor was hired to attain. Cobb is hired by a corporation called Cobol Engineering to use extraction to steal expansion
plans of a major energy corporation owned by a Japanese businessman who is simply called Saito. Cobb and his extraction team fail their mission, forcing Cobb and Arthur to
flee in fear of the wrath of the henchmen of Cobol Engineering. Impressed by their efforts, Saito offers Cobb the opportunity to return home to his children—but only if he can
perform ―inception,‖ the fabled art of planting an idea in someone‘s mind, rather than stealing one. Saito challenges Cobb to go into the dreams of Robert Fischer, the son of
the dying owner of Saito‘s rival energy corporation and heir to the corporation, and alter his subconscious so that he breaks up his father‘s empire.
It is an extremely difficult task to put into words how good Inception was. Epic, captivating, amazing, addicting, thrilling, suspenseful, consuming, brilliant, enthralling—
every positive adjective except for ―cute‖ and ―fuzzy‖ can be used to describe Inception. It has redefined the way I watch movies because every movie I watch from now on
will disappoint me. After seeing it three times I can say with complete sincerity that Inception is what I have been waiting a long time for. Inception takes hold of viewers‘
minds and refuses to let go. I found myself overwhelmed by thoughts and memories of the movie days after seeing it. It is such an intelligent movie that one cannot afford to
leave for more popcorn or go to the restroom. Every second is critical to a full understanding of the movie.
Inception is the movie of my dreams (no pun intended). In a year filled with movies defined by ridiculous special effects such as Avatar and Iron Man 2, Inception stands
alone as one of the few truly good movies produced in a very long time. A movie containing the hidden message that reality is whatever we want it to be, Inception is not the
summer blockbuster we expected; and for some special-effect junkies, not even the one we wanted. But it was certainly the one we needed.
Who was Born in August?
by Natasha Alva and Reed Malek
News Editor and Sports Reporter
The month of August is the month of birth for several notable people throughout history. Among those born in August are several musicians, actors and actresses, three United
States Presidents, and the Queen of England. Here is a list of every day in August and a famous person born on it:
1st Francis Scott Key (1779) – writer of the ―Star Spangled Banner‖
2nd Carroll O'Connor (1922) – actor, director, and producer
3rd Martha Stewart (1941) – television host, author, and magazine publisher
4th Queen Elizabeth (1926) – Queen of England
5th Neil Armstrong (1930) – first astronaut to walk on the moon
6th Edith Roosevelt (1861) – First Lady
7th David Duchovny (1960) – actor, writer, and director
8th William Bateson (1861) – British geneticist
9th Sam Elliot (1944) – actor
10th Herbert Hoover (1874) – President of the United States
11th Lloyd Nolan (1902) – actor
12th Dominique Swain (1980) – actress
13th Alfred Hitchcock (1899) – film director
14th Magic Johnson (1959) – point guard for Lakers
15th Joe Jonas (1989) – musician and actor
16th Angela Basset (1958) – actress
17th Robert DeNiro (1943) – actor
18th Rosalynn Carter (1927) – First Lady
19th Bill Clinton (1946) – President of the United States
20th Emily Bronte (1818) - author
21st Hayden Leslie Panettiere (1989) – actress
22nd Ray Bradbury (1920) – science fiction writer
23rd Gene Kelly (1912) – actor, dancer, film producer, choreographer, and
producer
24th Ray McIntire (1918) – chemical engineer who invented Styrofoam
25th Billy Ray Cyrus (1961) – country music singer, songwriter, and actor
26th Irving Levine (1922) – journalist and correspondent for NBC
27th Lyndon B. Johnson (1908) – President of the United States
28th Shania Twain (1965) – country pop singer and songwriter
29th Michael Jackson (1958) – musical artist
30th Ellen Arthur (1827) – First Lady
31st A Provost Idell (1889) – inventor of modern volleyball
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Chatterbox
ervice and Social
Ruston High School
Joining Clubs
by Benicia King
Education Reporter
Ruston High School has a variety of clubs to offer. Joining a
club is a great way to make friends, develop leadership skills, and
it adds a spark to your college resume. Many colleges look to see
that students are involved outside the classroom. If there is not a
club you are interested in, start your own! All you need is a group
of students who will support your idea and the persistence to make
your club successful. You just need to show that you are serious
about it. There are so many clubs and organizations to choose
August 26, 2010
Page 14
from, from academic to athletic to community service. Join a club that you truly feel
passionate about.
Ruston High‘s clubs and organizations include: Ambassadors, Art Club, Band,
Bearcat Belles, BUMS, Chatterbox, Cheerleaders, Drama Club, Debate Club/Team,
FCA, 4-H, French Club, FBLA, FCCLA, First Priority, FFA, German Club, GPA
Club, Homecoming Court, Junior-Senior Prom Committee, Key Club, Keywanettes,
KOM, Mr/Mrs. RHS, NHS, Pepettes, PCI, Pom Pon Girls, Quiz Bowl/Academic
Competition, The Resume, SADD, Science Club, Spanish Club, Sports, Student
Council, and Young Lawyers.
Freshman, Get Involved Now!
by Savannah Chrisman
Photographer
Freshman year is full of surprises, new beginnings, and new
friendships. You are treated more as an adult and you are given
more responsibility than you had when you were in Junior High.
Yes, there are upperclassmen that pick on you and yes, you will
trip going up the stairs sometime during the year but just think;
if you didn‘t have fears, you would never have anything to overcome. My freshman year was an amazing first year in my high
school journey.
Freshman year would have been completely boring if I had
not become an active student at Ruston High. My freshman year
would never have been the great experience it was if I had not been a cheerleader and
joined the clubs. I was in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the Peppettes, and the Student Council.
Ruston High offers so many different clubs and there is one for everybody. If you
join a club, you won‘t be bored and you will fill connected because you will make
new friends that have the same interests as you do. You don‘t have to join a whole
bunch of clubs, but don‘t just sit back and be a bum your whole high school career!
Get out and get involved; high school flies by! You will have soooo much more fun if
you become an active and involved Bearcat!!!
Write to Chatterbox
by Benicia King
Education Reporter
To start off the new school year, I am reminding former students and letting the freshman students know that you can submit drawings, articles, or small
comics to Chatterbox, but it must be appropriate. When Chatterbox staff writes our opinions, feel free to write to us or give us your own. Students, faculty,
clubs, organizations - everyone, is encouraged to submit. With so many events and happenings in and around Ruston High School, there is no way that we will
know it all. If you don‘t tell us, we may not know. If you have an event and want it covered, let us know.
If you do submit an article, make sure you have your name somewhere in the email or submission. If it is a drawing or comic, add your name at the end of
it, scan the drawing or comic, and send the picture in an email. Make sure you have a title or we will add one for you. .
At Chatterbox, we want everyone to feel that they are part of Ruston High. Although we reserve the right to decide what ends up in print, please know that
we will do our best to publish everything within reason. Send everything to the Chatterbox email at [email protected].
The Chatterbox reminds all students that we all have a right to an opinion on issues.
If you have an opinion and wish to write an article, the Chatterbox reminds you that
all submissions are subject to staff, editor, adviser, and administrative review to ensure that the article provides information or promotes school pride, and does so without materially disrupting work, does not cause substantial disorder, or does not invade
the rights of these. Email comments or opinions to [email protected]
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Chatterbox
lubs/Organizations
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 15
Wilson Elected to State FFA Office What is FCCLA?
by Shamario Daniel
Club Reporter
submitted by Mr. Mark Milstead
FFA Adviser
Congratulations to Antonio Wilson from the
Ruston High School National FFA Organization! At the Louisiana State FFA Convention in
June, Antonio was named the State Area 1 Vice
President for the Louisiana FFA Association.
He is one of ten state FFA officers chosen from
a Louisiana FFA membership of over 10,000
members. Antonio will be representing several
parishes and districts in North Louisiana for
this school year as well as the Louisiana State
FFA Delegation at the National FFA Convention in October. He has attended the National
Leadership Conference for State Officers in
June, has conducted Leadership Camp for three
weeks in July, and also participated in other
regional and state leadership workshops this
summer. Antonio holds the State FFA Degree
and served as the Ruston FFA Chapter President for the 2009-2010 school year. His chapter advisors are Mr. Mark Milstead, Mr. James
Sandifer, and Mrs. Sharon St. Andre. Antonio's
State FFA Advisor is Dr. Ronald Mayeux. In
the past ten years, Ruston FFA has had seven
members elected to State FFA Office.
FCCLA is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization for men
and women through their high school years. FCCLA stands for Family, Career and
Community Leaders of America. The organization was established in 1945, and since
then it has been making differences in people‘s lives throughout the world. There are
over 219,000 members in FCCLA in the world and there are over 6,500 chapters involved in this fantastic organization. Most people in FCCLA have said that it has
developed their leadership skills and potential as well as life skills. The mission for
FCCLA is to promote personal growth and leadership development through consumer
science and family. FCCLA is the only in-school organization with family as its main
focus. All students enrolled in a Family and Consumer Science or those that have
taken the class in past years may join. Dues are $20.00. See Mrs. Maxwell or Mrs.
Shaw for more information.
Can You Handle the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)?
by Elizabeth Smith
Business Manager
Ruston High School‘s Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA) Chapter 617, enjoyed much success
in the past school year, and is excited and looking forward to this new school year. They cannot wait to see
how many new members they can recruit! Just in case
you don‘t know, FBLA is an organization which promotes student development in the social, service, and
education aspects of their life. FBLA does many fun
things throughout the year, such as attend the district,
state, and national leadership conferences. They also
organize and participate in various community service
projects and events.
At the district conference, the members take a day
out of school and compete against all the other schools
in District 2 –Northwest Louisiana. At the state conference, participants take 2 or 3 days out of school, if it‘s
not during Spring Break, and head down south to Baton Rouge to compete against all the other schools in
the state. As this is considered a distinct honor to qualify and attend, we stay in condominiums -not simply in
hotel rooms. Most members only have one day that
they have to compete and the rest of the time is spent
having fun. At the national conference, members take a
week during the summer and go somewhere fun such
as Orlando, Nashville, San Antonio, Chicago, and Anaheim. We usually stay in upscale hotels. Members that
make it to nationals usually spend about five days as
tourists, visiting both educational and fun sites. Everyone has fun as they compete in one or two days of
competition and attend state and regional meetings and
various workshops.
Community service projects are also full of fun. Hot
Halloween Happenings is the biggest community service project that the Ruston High FBLA Chapter organizes each year. Your FBLA Vice President, Amber
Brown, says: ―Hot Halloween Happenings is the most
fun project that we do.‖ During this community service project, the members promote fire safety in young
children by playing fun games with them. They keep
the children interested in the games by rewarding them
with candy when they do the right thing. This was a
great way for the members to give back to the community, because they have fun and educate young children
about fire safety. Another fun community project is the
Christmas Parade. During this, the members have fun
singing and throwing candy to the people watching the
parade. Your FBLA Secretary, Natasha Alva, says: ―I
am looking forward to my last year in FBLA and I plan
to make the most out of it. I really feel that FBLA is a
great organization that helps students gain experience,
have fun, and learn all at the same time.‖
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lubs/Organizations
Ruston High School
Chatterbox
August 26, 2010
Page 16
RHS FBLA: National Recognition and Fun
submitted by Lloyd R. Bruner
FBLA Adviser/Chatterbox Adviser
Chapter 617 of the Ruston High
School Future Business Leader‘s of
America (FBLA) rocked Nashville,
Tennessee over the summer, with seventeen members attending the National
Conference. This was the largest number of members to ever qualify for and/
or attend a National Conference. All
attending members represented Ruston
High School proudly as they went head
-to-head against the best business students in the nation. To date, the results
of this conference have been the chapter‘s best!
For the first time in recent history,
Ruston High School had members win
Top 10 finishes at the National Conference. In Business Math, John Herren
won tenth place. In Entrepreneurship,
Josh Cristelous and Collin Smith won
tenth place. It is believed that these
three members are the first Ruston
High School students to ever place at
Nationals. For their efforts, each of
these Top 10 winners received a $250
scholarship from the RHS FBLA
Chapter in addition to their tenth place
trophy. The Entrepreneurship team
received a $100 check from a national
sponsor and the chapter also received a
$100 payment.
As each state is allowed to send two
representatives in each event at Nationals, all members who attend are recognized as being at least in the top 100 in
the nation, with team events narrowed
to the top 50 in most events. In addition to the three students earning top
10 honors, the following students also
gave strong performances at Nationals:
Economics – Grady Sanders; Emerging
Business Issues Team – Drew Boyd,
Felipe Ortega, and Brittany White;
Business Financial Plan Team – Bevin
Cline and Danielle McCoy; Business
Plan Project Team – Natasha Alva,
Christian Amos, and Kori Teague;
Partnership with Business Team – Amber Brown, Amanda Dunn, and Jared
Spiller; and Web Site Development
Team – Michael Davis and Elizabeth
Smith. In addition, the Ruston High
School Chapter was awarded the Hollis
and Kitty Guy Gold Seal Chapter
Award of Merit, given to the top 15%
of chapters nationwide.
(continued on page 17)
YOUR STAFF WELCOMES THE 2010 FRESHMAN CLASS!
Catherine Letendre, Daryl Savage, Missy Wooley, Sarah Wages, Kim Goree, Kay Peters, Lindsay
Bolton, Cathi Cox, and Tara Turner
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Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 17
RHS FBLA: National Recognition and Fun
(continued from page 16)
Members also enjoyed the city of
Nashville while at the conference. Visits included a trip to the Nashville Zoo,
Adventure Science, the Nashville Museum, and the Parthenon. Members
also saw ―old school‖ country as they
visited Cooter‘s (home of the Dukes of
Hazzard) and the Willie Nelson Museum. Short visits to local shopping
areas and eateries also included the
annual FBLA National Dinner at Rotier‘s. In a night not soon to be forgot-
ten, students were entertained with a
theatrical performance of ―Funny
Money‖ at Chaffin‘s Barn Dinner
Theater. For a night out, members split
evenly and attended the Nashville
Ghost Tours. Half the members took a
lantern led tour of haunted Nashville
areas, while the other half braved the
night and Nashville‘s haunted sites as
they rode around in a New Orlean‘s
style hearse. There are stories to go
along with each tour and event, so find
one of the members and ask them
about it. Without a doubt, each student
enjoyed the entire conference and the
closing ceremonies.
Ruston High School FBLA thanks
all individuals and local businesses for
their financial support in making their
attendance at Nationals possible. These
businesses include Allstate – Danna
Rundell; Blakley Inc. Jefferson Corner;
Cranford‘s Grocery; Genesis Energy,
LLC; Henderson Financial Services
Top 10
Entrepreneurship:
Josh Cristelous
and
Collin Smith
(pictured left)
LLC; Ivan Smith Furniture; Mr. John
Lee; Kimberly Dunn; New Creation
Veterinary Clinic; Northside Furniture;
Owens Memorial Chapel; Rexel Inc.;
Sherwin Williams; Waltz Pharmacy
Inc.; and Williams S, Carter, Jr., P.C.
They also would like to give a special
thanks to the Lincoln Parish School
Board and the Ruston High School
administration and business department for their outstanding financial
support and training.
Top 10
Business Math:
John Herren
(pictured right)
FBLA members strike a pose at the National Conference in Nashville.
Who You Gonna Call?
Pop the clutch, Ms. Peters!
Fun at Adventure Science
Think this will get curfew extended?
Enjoying Chaffin’s Barn
Caged at the zoo—where’s the cab?
T
Chatterbox
he Arts
Ruston High School
Ruston High School
Band Camp
by Polly Michelle Gwan
Academics Reporter
At 8:00 a.m. on August 12, RHS band students
new and old gathered together in the band room to
prepare for the upcoming school year. The first week,
August 2-6, consisted of band staff members and section leaders teaching and drilling incoming freshman
August 26, 2010
on various marching skills such as forward marching,
about facing, and right obleking. ―I was really excited
for band camp this year‖ says freshman percussionist
Melissa Dosher, ―even though it was insanely hot outside I had fun learning the new music and formations,
seeing old friends, and making new ones.‖ The following week, August 9-13, the pros came back to practice
perfect fundamentals and start preparations for the
RHS pregame show, which will be traditionally performed before every RHS home football game, and a
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new halftime show
themed Spies and Other
Mysterious
People.
Samantha Dosher, RHS
Senior, states, ―I was
super excited about this
year‘s music, the halftime show is going to be
amazing and I think the
freshman are going to
do great!‖
Practice, practice, practice!
Mr. Moss teaches the band students music
for the upcoming season.
Band kids have fun playing a game of ―Ninja.‖
We have all your musical
needs at
Piney Hills Music!!
214 N. Trenton Street
232-3002
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Ruston High School
Amber Brown
Senior Editor
Hello Ruston High School! It‘s great to be back and
it is a pleasure to be returning to this year‘s Chatterbox
staff, as the Senior Editor! Everyone should know me
by now, but if you don‘t, my name is Amber Rene‘e
Grace Brown, and some of my friends and family call
me ‗Brownie.‘ I‘m still just 16, but my birthday is coming up on September the 1st! I live at the Methodists
Children‘s Home, and I am on the highest level
(Honors). I have two siblings, a sister, Julie, 22, and a
brother, Trevor, 10. I am also the FBLA Vice-President
of Service, and a member of the Keywanettes.
About all of that other stuff… I have many hobbies
and interests, including: photography, friends, reading,
writing, scrapbooking, softball, soccer, shopping, and
BEING RANDOM! I genuinely love Ruston High
School, it is the best school out of all that I have ever
August 26, 2010
Page 19
attended (and trust me, I have been to plenty). There
are a ton of reasons RHS is ―Simply the Best,‖ but my
favorite reason would have to be how amazing the
teachers are and how much they care for their students.
My main reason for joining Chatterbox the 1st time
was because of Mr. Bruner, this time it was because I
wanted to help make the schools paper even better than
last year‘s! (I hope that I can live up to everyone‘s expectations.) My journalism experience is not nearly as
limited as it was last year, after having written articles
to be submitted for various things. As most students
already know, my new position in Chatterbox, as the
senior editor, requires me to put the paper together in
order to meet all deadlines and allow everyone to hold
this paper in your hands. Okay, for those of you who
honestly don‘t know me, I will write about a very
eclectic collection of topics; so if anybody has any suggestions on something I should write about, just let me
know, I will happily consider any and all.=]
Natasha Alva
News Editor
Good day to you Ruston High! My
name is Natasha Alva. I am 17 years old,
a senior, and I would like to say that I‘m
excited to be your News Editor for the
Chatterbox for this school year.
I became a member of the Chatterbox
staff my junior year and enjoyed my time
learning and gaining experience as I
worked as a reporter. Now I hope to take
what I have learned and continue to become an even better writer and a leader.
As News Editor it will be my responsibil-
ity to proofread and then proofread again.
Our staff and advisor strive for perfection,
and grammatical errors are not a part of
perfection.
Here are a couple of other things about
me: A few of my hobbies are reading,
writing, and running. I also play soccer
(the greatest sport in the world), and am a
member of FBLA, Deutsch Klub, LYFE,
and of course, the Chatterbox staff.
I am a full-time sibling, as I‘m the
oldest of eight children (five boys and
three girls). We also have four dogs and a
Lauren Townsend
Assistant News Editor
My name is Lauren Townsend, and I am
a Junior and the Assistant News Editor for
the Chatterbox. The Assistant News Editor
basically checks reporters‘ articles for any
grammatical or spelling errors and then
sends it to Amber, the Senior Editor, to get
published. I also write editorials and whatever I am assigned to write.
I joined the Chatterbox because I have
written pieces before which were either
graded or published and I want to do something productive with my writing skills. Besides working for the RHS Chatterbox, I am
also an Ambassador, a member of FBLA, a
PomPom girl, and a member of National
Honor Society.
In my free time, I like to make videos
and sing karaoke whenever possible. If
I am not playing around, I am usually at
the school doing something for a club or
teacher. I try to help in any way possible, and I even tutor students who need
help in a major course. At Ruston High,
I am able to participate in organizations
to help myself and others and prevent
myself from being bored by keeping
busy. Plus it‘s awesome to miss out on
cleaning the kitchen because I‘m at a
community service event or something!
hamster named after Gandalf the Grey.
That‘s pretty much me, myself, and I in a
nutshell. I look forward to this year and I
hope that all of you do too. Also have fun
reading the Chatterbox; we always have
fun writing it.
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Ruston High School
Gray Taylor
Graphics/Design Editor
My name is Gray, and according to
popular belief, I‘m Batman. I am 17
years old and a senior at this fine institution. I live with my parents, Philip
and Geri Taylor, and my 12 year old
brother Ross. I have a brown dog
named Hero and a grey fat cat named
Storm.
My hobbies include drawing, playing video games, watching movies, and
hanging out with my friends.
I joined the Chatterbox because this
is my last year at Ruston High, and I
Elizabeth Smith
Business Manager
Hey, my name is Elizabeth Smith. My friends call
me E-Lizy or Ash. I am a junior. I live with my
mother Michelle Brown, stepfather Donnie Brown,
sisters, Amber Smith and Atlis Britt, brother, Austin
Smith, and dog, Patches.
I enjoy playing soccer and hanging out with my
friends. My academic interests are Desktop Publishing
and German. Those are the two classes I look forward
to attending every day. I am a member of Future Business Leaders of America. I was Sophomore Affairs
Officer last year and I am the Technology Coordinator
this year. I love the clubs and sports at Ruston High.
I love going to the games and showing my Bearcat
Pride. I joined Chatterbox so I could irritate Mr.
Bruner, just kidding. I joined because I enjoy writing
August 26, 2010
Page 20
decided that I need to leave a lasting
impression on the students and faculty
before I graduate. I don‘t have much
experience in journalism, but excel at
creating comic strips.
If you are reading the Chatterbox
and you see a comic strip or an editorial
cartoon, chances are I made it.
and it is a productive and fun way I can use my writing skills. I was a guest writer a few times last year.
This year I am the Chatterbox Business Manager. I
will be the person that has to collect money for ads, go
around selling ads, and distributing papers to the businesses that buy ads. I will also most likely be writing
about random little things that we need to add into the
paper.
Stephany Arias
Senior Reporter
Hey ya‘ll! My name is Stephany
Arias and I‘ll be the Senior Reporter in
Chatterbox during my last year at Ruston High School. I‘m eighteen years old
and Latina (which means I‘m not Mexican, and just for your information, I‘m
from Venezuela). I have a two year old
son named Michael Arias who I love
and care for more than anything in this
entire world.
I‘m not really a sports fan but I try
my best to fit in and cheer for our sports
teams. I love to dance, listen to music,
and spend as much time as I can with
my son and my boyfriend (Trent Council). I have been a member of FBLA
since my freshmen year. FBLA is a fun
club to be a part of because there are so
many things you get to do and have a
fun time as well.
I joined Chatterbox because I enjoy
the work I do and it has given me a
chance to learn more about all that it
takes to put a newspaper together,
which is not an easy job to do.
To end this article, I‘d like to say
that I believe there is not just one good
thing about RHS. I think everything
about it is the best, starting with the
teachers who spend most of their time
worrying about us and helping us to
succeed. They know they are preparing
not only us for the future but preparing
us because we are the future. They hope
to help us to become great citizens who
will be a benefit to our community.
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Ruston High School
Christian Amos
Sports Editor
I return this year as the Chatterbox
Sports Editor to improve the already awesome sports section with two new Sports
Reporters at my command. With the help
of these reporters the sports section will
deliver more detailed coverage on sporting
events and spirit groups.
This year, as a senior, I will serve as the
co-Drum Major of the Bearcat Band. I am
also a member of the best school club:
FBLA. I have made great accomplishments in this club such as serving as the
Multimedia Officer for the 2010-2011
year. I was also the leader of the Business
Reed Malek
Sports Reporter
Hello Ruston High! Let me tell you
a little bit about myself. My name is
Reed Malek, and I am a sports reporter for your Chatterbox. This year I
will be writing about the sports that
you, as Bearcats, care about most.
I am a junior here at RHS and I
live with my younger brother, mom
and dad, two cats, and one dog. I also
have an older brother, Greg, who is in
college.
August 26, 2010
Plan Team which took first place at the
State Leadership Conference with my two
other team mates Natasha Alva and Kori
Teague.
The reason I join Chatterbox was because I wanted to pursue a career in Journalism and high school is the best time to
get a head start on your career visions.
What I like most about RHS is that
there is something new added each year
and nothing is the same. This year I will
most likely write about more controversial
topics and things like Cheerleading being
a sport.
Here at Ruston High I am decent to
good at every subject except math. I.
Hate. Math. There are many things I
enjoy about RHS, however. Especially
hall traffic and Mr. Nutt; these are two
best things about the school.
I am a member of the German Club
and FBLA, along with Chatterbox of
course. I joined Chatterbox to be a
part of the best organization at Ruston
High and write about the things that I
love—sports. All the best, Ruston
High!
Hook ‗em Horns!
Polly Michelle
Gwan
Academics Reporter
Hey guys! My name is Polly Michelle, but my friends usually call me
Polly or Michelle. I am sixteen years
old and a junior at Ruston High. I live
with my mom and step-dad and my
siblings who are Joel Gwan, LSU student, Emmanuel Gwan, RHS sophomore, and Oneke Gwan, 5th grader at
Hillcrest Elementary.
I enjoy running, shopping, and
especially eating! My all time favorite
subject is Spanish. I participate in the
Ruston High Band, Spanish Club,
FBLA, and KOM, and I do All-Star
Cheerleading with Powerhouse Gym
of Ruston. I absolutely adore the Language Fest that the language clubs do.
What I like best about Ruston High
are the Friday pep rallies and football
games. They make me proud to be a
Bearcat because I don‘t think any
other school allows their drum line
and band kids to parade around the
school every Friday to promote spirit.
I joined Chatterbox because I feel
that I have something to share with the
Ruston High student body. I am the
Academics Reporter for Chatterbox
and I basically write about the Academics highlights of the school.
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Ruston High School
Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
The name is Emily. Emily
Michele Moore to be exact. When
I become a famous rapper, you‘ll
hear ―E-Milli‖ instead of Emily
(just kidding, I can‘t rap, but
some of my close friends do call
me that). I‘m sixteen and entering
into my JUNIOR year! Represent! Aunt Judy and Uncle
Woody are my family for the
most part. I have a Chihuahua
named Charlie, and he‘s also part
of the family. He even has his
own seat at the table. Shadow is
our outside cat, but everyone calls
him ―Bad Cat‖.
Shamario
Daniel
Club reporter
Hey! My name is Shamario Daniel
(Some call me Mario). I am a junior at
Ruston High School. I am 17 years old.
I love to hang out with my family and
friends. I have three best friends who
are: Jelisha Warren, Jasmine Baker, and
LaBresha McClain.
I really like to visit Houston, TX
because I have stayed there for like 7
years and have family and friends there.
My family and I are nice people and
love to meet new people. I also have 5
fish, and one is even a shark. I have
many hobbies such as talking on the
phone, partying, driving my car, singing, and going to church.
My high school academic interests
are math and civics because of the
teachers. I am in four clubs, but I only
remember three of them which are 4-H,
Young Lawyers, and ROTC, which is
now no more. (Note from Mr. B—the
4th club is FBLA). I have also been
chosen to be a freshman mentor this
year. My school life is neutral. The
things I love about RHS in the school
KeeKee Williams
Sports Reporter
My name is Arquisia Williams and I‘m
happy to be presented as your sports reporter this year for Chatterbox. You can
call me Kbreezy, Kbangz, and many people call me Keekee. I have twelve brothers
and sisters (yea I know) in which only
three are here to follow me around and
they are: Jamarion, Chelsea, and Lizzie.
I have a pet rat named Chelsea (genetic
experiment), a yellow hyena named Lizzie
(mixed breed), and a dog named Chewy.
Since I am a sports reporter, I will obviously be reporting about sports (duh). I do
August 26, 2010
My life pretty much revolves around
my friends and music. I play guitar and
when no one is close enough to hear, I
even sing. I really love photography. I
take pictures and edit them during my
spare time.
Clearly I am in Chatterbox, which by
default means I am in FBLA. This year, I
have joined Art Club and Spanish Club. I
am also in band. That‘s all I know so far,
but maybe I‘ll find another nifty RHS
group to join. I‘d have to say that my favorite classes are Chatterbox (duh!), Art,
English (I‘m not a nerd), and Math (okay,
maybe I am a little) in that order. Ruston
High isn‘t so bad. My favorite thing about
RHS is the many friends I‘ve made and
the tons of memories and laughs that have
come with them. And of course, the teachers and the loads they‘ve taught me.
I joined Chatterbox because it‘s not
only awesome but also because I love to
spirit and the pride everyone has in one
other and their school.
The reason I joined Chatterbox is
because I like to write and I always
wanted to be involved with something
where I can write freely and the whole
school gets to see it‘s cool. I have some
experience in journalism and being in
Chatterbox will improve my skills. My
position in Chatterbox is Club Reporter
and I update the school about what‘s
going on in certain clubs. The topics I
will most likely write about are upcoming events, and important news.
many things that you don‘t need to know
about or probably care about, but at least
you know who I am.
Page 22
write. It‘s pretty astonishing to think I
could be reporting news and enlightening
people to things they may not have
known. I‘ve never written for any type of
newspaper, but I‘ll do my best to be a
splendid reporter. I plan to bamboozle
people with my articles about all the art
affiliations here at RHS. It‘ll leave people
flabbergasted when they read my pieces
on the band and choir performances. I am
the Arts Reporter, so those topics will be
my main focus, but with the fabulous Mr.
Bruner as our main man and the indescribable Amber Brown as our senior editor,
you never know who‘s writing what or
when or where (just kidding, we are all
very organized). So remember to read my
articles, because I‘m Emily, I‘m awesome,
and you are too (unless you don‘t read my
articles, then you aren‘t)!
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Ruston High School
Savannah
Chrisman
Senior Spotlights
My name is Savannah Chrisman, I am
a sophomore and 15 years old. My parents
are Sam and Carla Chrisman. I have an
older sister, Samantha, who attends Louisiana Tech and a younger brother, Joshua,
who is a freshman at RHS. We have 6
miniature daschunds.
I am taking all honors classes. I am
involved in several clubs at RHS. I am a
member of FBLA, FCA, Student Council,
Whitney
Durrett
Photographer
My name is Whitney Ann Durrett! I
am 15 years old and will be a sophomore this year. I am the middle child in
my family right in the middle of Ashley
(19) and Katie (12) Durrett. My parents
are Polly Durrett, a school teacher, and
Ricky Durrett, a principal.
This year at RHS, I will be in the
clubs First Priority and FCCLA. My
favorite thing about Ruston High is the
awesome school spirit! Every sports
August 26, 2010
and Diamond Girls. I am also a JV cheerleader. I love all the school spirit at RHS
especially during football season.
Chatterbox was another way to get
involved and be a part of RHS. As a
Chatterbox member I am responsible for
senior spotlights and taking pictures
around the school. As the senior spotlight
person, I get to take pictures of the seniors
and ask them questions about themselves
to help you get to know the Big Cats in
the school. I also hope to be able to discuss information concerning clubs that I
participate in and other information that
would be useful for underclassmen at the
high school.
team and their games are recognized
and supported at RHS!
My favorite subjects are math and
writing! I joined Chatterbox staff because I love to write and take pictures,
and the position I have allows me to do
both. I am one of the two photographers
the Chatterbox has. I cannot wait to
start this school year off on Chatterbox
Staff!
Benicia King
Education Reporter
Hello! My name is Benicia, but many
people call me Benny, Baneenee,
Bonecia, and a bunch of other nicknames. I‘m a junior and I cannot wait
until I graduate from high school. I live
with my mom and I have an older
brother; he went to Ruston High, when
we first moved here, which was back in
‘90 something before uniforms were
even considered. I have two dogs; a Jack
Russell Terrier and a Black Lab.
I like photography and filming. I
mostly spend my time on the internet
editing something and listening to mu-
sic. My favorite subject would be math;
some people find it hard, but it‘s really
easy to me. I‘m a member and the photographer for French Club. In French
Club, we get together and come up with
ideas for the Language Festival, French
Week, Mardi Gras, and other activities.
What I like best at RHS is when the
school bell rings to go home.
I joined Chatterbox because a certain
person said that I could be the photographer, but things always change. My position in the Chatterbox is the Education
Reporter, and I will most likely write
about specific educational organizations,
like Chatterbox itself, 4-H, French Club,
German Club, and others.
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Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Patricia
Duhart
Reporter
Hey Ruston High Bearcats! My
name is Patricia Duhart or as my
friends know me; Tricia! I am now a
junior. That means I am almost
done, and it‘s about time (LOL).
I am from Houston, TX. I moved
to Ruston in the beginning of March
and have been here ever since. I visit
Texas very often with my family,
and I go at least twice a month. On
Amy Gibson
Clubs Reporter
Hello…just thought I‘d introduce
myself to the public. My name is
Amy Gibson (aka shadow). I‘m in
the 11th grade, and, well, I think I‘ll
start with my family. I live in the
Methodist Children‘s Home, and as
upsetting as that is, the people there
are the best family I‘ve ever had.
I love to play softball, sing, and
draw. I‘m a member of FBLA, and,
naturally, the Chatterbox staff. A
few things that I like about Ruston
High are my fellow Chatterbox staff
members, my best friends, Marci
and Amber, and a few people that I
met last year during school.
I joined Chatterbox because one
of my best friends (Amber) suggested that it would be a very happy
and knowledge gaining experience.
Unfortunately, I don‘t have much
experience in journalism…just a
few articles here and there, but
that‘s about it.
My job in Chatterbox is to report
on certain clubs. Throughout the
year, I will most likely write about
topics that may seem a little de-
our visits, our time is mostly spent at
AAU basketball games.
Basketball and photography are
my first loves! Then texting, hanging with friends, and reading is next.
My high school academic interest
are, of course, reading and math.
There are many things I like
about Ruston High, but the main
thing that I like is the school spirit.
There is so much Bearcat pride, and
it is basically contagious. I am not
involved in any sports at RHS, but I
am on the Chatterbox staff. I joined
Chatterbox because I love journalism and reporting news. Before at-
Page 24
tending RHS, I was in Journalism I
and Communication Graphics,
which is basically journalism and
photography. My current position on
the Chatterbox staff is the Social
Reporter. My job is to report the
social events in school such as
Prom, Dances, Homecoming Court,
KOM, and the Ring Ceremony.
Well, that is pretty much everything about me. If you want to know
more you are welcome to ask.
pressing to some people and the
ways you can overcome your issues.
I hope you enjoy my contributions
to the Chatterbox.
Kori Teague
Guest Writer
My name is Kori Anne Teague and
I am a junior at Ruston High. I live
with my mom, dad, sister, four cats,
and dog.
My hobby is photography and English is my favorite subject. I am a
member of the RHS band, Key Club,
National Honor Society, LYFE,
FBLA, and Resume Staff.
I joined Chatterbox because I suggested the newspaper have an advice
column. Mr. Bruner, in turn, presented
me with the opportunity to join the
staff as a guest and write it myself.
This will be my second year writing
answers to questions that I hope you
want the answers to.
I am currently a guest writer in
charge of the ―Ask the Staff‖ column.
If you have a question, let me know.
If you have a question that you would like the staff to answer -let us know. Give your questions to Kori, drop
them by room 318, or email us at [email protected].
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Chatterbox
tudent Center
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Ask Russell Intro
Ask the Staff
submitted by Beau Martin Russell
Student Council President
by Kori Teague
Guest Reporter
Welcome to Ruston High School! Welcome to the red and white!
Welcome to Bearcat Nation! Welcome to Friday nights! Welcome to the top school in the land!
I am Beau Martin Russell, your student council president, and
I would like to be the first to welcome you to our prestigious
school. These 4 years will be some of the best years of your life. I
strongly encourage you to be as active as you possibly can. Here
at RHS we have numerous clubs and organizations, both educational and recreational. From FCA and FBLA to football and
softball, there is something for everyone. We are so glad that you
are now a part of our family at RHS. When you wear that red and
Beau addresses RHS Freshman
white be proud to be an ambassador of RHS and walk with pride,
students at the freshman assembly.
tradition, and excellence. Make this next year one you will talk
about for years to come. Again, welcome to RHS and please do
not hesitate to ask me anything about our school or just say
―hello!‖
With Bearcat Pride,
Beau Martin Russell
How does it feel to be a junior?
Page 25
Quite frankly, after hearing
from those who survived junior
year, I'm slightly afraid. Junior
year is legendary for its hard work
and stressful schedules. All the
clubs, AP classes, ACT, SAT, preparing for college, and still trying
to squeeze in a social life on top of
that, 11th graders hardly manage
the year! However, I know that
with constructive study habits and
time management, any junior can
handle any schedule. Good luck
juniors, and everyone else.
CLASS OF 2012!
Not Quiet There (Yet)
by Natasha Alva and Amber Brown
News Editor and Senior Editor
Last year there were many improvements made to our school‘s newspaper, the Chatterbox. We had
great and hardworking advisors and editors, plus an amazing staff. We would like to thank them for all
of the hard work that they have done over the past year alone. These improvement could not be made
without their dedication. The 2009-2010 editions of the Chatterbox were recognized by the National
Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) as Second Class, which we feel was a great accomplishment in
itself for Chatterbox’s first year to ever enter into such journalistic competitions.
Still, this year we are looking forward to enhancing the paper‘s legitness and winning the NSPA
award of First Class, or even better, All-American. We feel confident that we will be able to perform
our jobs and carry out our responsibilities, but that is not enough. We want to soar to new heights,
reach for the stars, and exceed all expectations. We are striving to always improve. Last year it was
the guys turn, but this year, the girls get a chance to rock out. We don‘t like to be boring, or for that
matter, average. Our paper is the person with the neon colored hair, while everyone else continues to
be ―natural.‖ We take pride in what we do, and we hope that you, the reader, will too, because this is a
paper for the students by the students, but is made possible by our awesome advisor, Mr. Bruner.
Without him, our paper would be nonexistent, we thank him for cracking the whip and making us
work, because some of us have major AHDH plus procrastination issues. We believe in ourselves because he believes in us. So let‘s make the 2010-2011 school year newsworthy!
―Our paper is the person
with the neon colored
hair, while everyone else
continues to be ‗natural.‘‖
F
Chatterbox
un Page
Ruston High School
Sudoku Puzzle
The Dark Nutt
By Gray Taylor
Graphics/Design Editor
August 26, 2010
Page 26
“Back to School” Word Search
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Chatterbox
ponsors and Staff
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 27
2010-2011 Chatterbox Sponsors
Platinum Level Sponsors: ($200 +)
Gold Level Sponsor: ($100 - $199)
Silver Level Sponsor: ($50 - $99)
Bronze Level Sponsor: ($25 - $49)
Mark Bartlett, LLC
First National Bank
Ruston High School Alumni Association
Garrett Foundation (Grant)
RHS FBLA, Chapter 617
Lloyd and Christy Bruner
RHS Business Department
2010-2011 Chatterbox Advertisers
Business/Organization
Lincoln ACHIEVE
Crowder Concepts
BESTWAY
McGivens
New Tech@Ruston
Pow Wow
Jim Taylor Ford
Piney Hills Music
Geri G. Taylor
Owner/Manager/Contact Agent
Cathi Cox
Kathy Crowder
Michael Kolb
Brent Givens
Cathi Cox
Manuel and Nilda Chinchilla
Crystal Carrico
Nick Goff
Geri Taylor
Page of Advertisement
2
2
4
9
16
17
18
18
29
Please thank and support these businesses, organizations, and individuals for making your Ruston High School Chatterbox possible!
If interested in sponsoring or advertising in the Chatterbox, email us at [email protected]
2010-2011 RHS Chatterbox Staff
Senior Editor
News Editor
Assistant News Editor
Graphics/Design Editor
Senior Reporter
Sports Editor
Business Manager
Academics Reporter
Arts Reporter
Clubs Reporter
Clubs Reporter
Education Reporter
Social Reporter
Social Reporter
Sports Reporter
Sports Reporter
Photographer
Photographer
Guest Reporter
Amber Brown
Natasha Alva
Lauren Townsend
Gray Taylor
Stephanie Arias
Christian Amos
Elizabeth Smith
Polly Michelle Gwan
Emily Moore
Amy Gibson
Shamario Daniel
Benicia King
Patricia Duhart
Jocria Thompson
Reed Malek
Kee Kee Williams
Savannah Chrisman
Whitney Durrett
Kori Teague
Adviser/Sponsor: Mr. Lloyd R. Bruner, [email protected]
Senior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore
Junior
The Chatterbox is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA).
The purpose of the Chatterbox is to provide information and to promote school pride. We strive to meet the criteria set by the Louisiana Scholastic Press for student journalism. In addition, if a reasonable basis or the belief that a publication would materially disrupt class work, involve substantial disorder, or invade the rights of these, it
will not be published in keeping with the guidelines of Hazelwood School District vs. Kulkmeier (1998). Signed editorials may be sent to Ruston High School, 900 Bearcat
Dr., Ruston, LA 71270.
Access the current edition of the Chatterbox at: http://rustonhigh.lincolnschools.org/whatsnew.html and archived editions at: http://rustonhigh.lincolnschools.org/chatterbox.html
B
Chatterbox
earcat Spirit
Ruston High School
Cheer Camp
by Savannah Chrisman
Photographer
All three Ruston High School cheerleading
squads, Freshman, JV, and Varsity, went to cheer
camp in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 16-19. For
some girls, it‘s their first time to go to cheer camp
such as JV cheerleader, DeJayla Chambers. She
said, ―It was my first experience of cheer camp…so
I thought it was very intriguing!‖ Every day spirit
sticks were awarded to many teams, the Varsity, JV,
and Freshman all got a spirit stick each night and
all brought home a spirit stick on the last day. They
learned many cheers and chants at camp and competed for different awards on the last day, June 19.
The days at camp were long and the girls worked
very hard each and every day. Beth Ramirez, a
freshman, said ―I thought it was tough getting up
early and practicing all day, but it was well worth
it.‖ Caitlin Elliott commented, ―I‘m glad we go because it brings us closer together as a squad and we have lots of fun.‖ The girls
learned many new cheers that they brought home to use at different Bearcat events.
Mrs. Reeder says, "Ruston High represented our school and community very well
at camp this year. The camp at UALR is the largest in the Southeast region with
over seven hundred girls. All of our squads received bids to compete at NCA Senior and Junior High Nationals and the famous spirit stick for school spirit and teamwork. Varsity and Freshmen took home top awards in their divisions for Game Day
Top Team and Champion Chant, a major accomplishment for the size of camp.
Varsity won the Herkie TEAM Award for leadership and teamwork, awarded by
the staff to only one high school. Mary Hollis Graham, freshman captain, received
the Leadership Award. Be on the lookout for Rusty III--he made his first appearance at camp and will definitely make RHS opponents tremble this year. All 45
girls worked hard and made the Bearcat Nation proud!‖. The RHS Varsity won the
Herkie Award, Game Day Top Team, and Champion Chant. RHS JV won the
Herkie Award as well. The Freshman won Game Day Top Team and Champion
Chant in their division. Some of the RHS cheerleaders made the All-American
team, they are as followed: Shelby Eggen (Varsity), Anna Fuller(Varsity), Brooke
Fraiser (Varsity), Reagan Lopez (Varsity), Eva Edinger (JV), Mary-Margaret Manning (Freshman), Kendall Lopez (Freshman), and Emily Compton (Freshman).
August 26, 2010
Page 28
2010-2011 Ruston High Bearcat
Belles
submitted by Ms. Garrison
Belles Sponsor
The 2010-2011 Ruston High School Bearcat Belles recently returned from a National Dance Alliance (NDA) summer camp. The camp was held at University of
Arkansas, Little Rock, and attracted over 200 dancers from the surrounding states.
Over 50 ribbons were awarded to individual dancers throughout the camp. The Ruston High School Bearcat Belles received the following awards at the NDA summer
camp:
Spirit Stick – presented to teams showing the most sincere spirit and enthusiasm for
the day, taking into account being on time, cooperation, relationships with other
teams, and leadership.
Technical Excellence Certificate – A daily award presented to teams that exemplify
strong dance and performance technique.
Team Dance Circle of Winners - Superior– Awarded to the teams that performed in
the Team Dance Run-Off with overall superb technique, showmanship, precision and
memory.
Home Routine Trophy and Ribbon - Superior rating. Awarded trophy for Superior Technique.
NDA National Championship Bid Winner – This tremendous accomplishment is
awarded to teams exemplifying the best overall skill and dance technique. Eligible to
compete at the NDA National Dance Championship at Hard Rock Live in Orlando,
Florida.
In addition to the above team awards, awards were received by the following:
Team Leader Circle of Winners – Silver – Awarded to Elizabeth Moore, Captain,
Marcie McTyer, Co-Captain, and Ashlyn Thompson, Jr. Co-Captain. Awarded for
displaying strong leadership qualities during Leadership Classes and camp, and displaying superb technique, showmanship, precision and memory during performance.
All American Winners – Elizabeth Moore, Marcie McTyer, Ashlyn Thompson and
Ebony Wright.
Top Gun Kick Finalists – Elizabeth Moore and Ebony Wright.
Top Gun Leaps and Turns Finalists – Elizabeth Moore, Megan Franks and Ebony
Wright.
Top Gun Leaps and Turns Winner – Megan Franks
Top Gun Hip Hop Finalists – Marcie McTyer, DeNinia Melton and Lauren Jenkins.
Top Gun Hip Hop Winner – Marcie McTyer
Front row: Mary-Kyle McDonald, Elizabeth Moore, Captain; Marcie McTyer,
Co-Captain; Hannah Maud
2nd row: Ebony Wright, Ashlyn Thompson, Jr. Co-Captain; Molly Humphries, Marley
Ratcliff; Alicia Love, Aranaye Clay
Back row: De‘Ninia Melton, Maegan Goss, Brittany Kelly, Emily Higginbotham,
Baylee Wright, Ashley Reynolds, Megan Franks, Lauren Jenkins
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Chatterbox
ports
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Saints Looking for a
“Two Dat”
by Reed Malek
Sports Reporter
As the 2010-2011 National Football League season kicks
off, the defending Super Bowl Champion, New Orleans
Saints, look to become back-to-back champs!
Last season, the Saints reached their first ever Super
Bowl by defeating Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings
with a game-winning overtime field goal. The Saints went
on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in one of the most
dramatic Super Bowl victories ever, which created a historic
celebration in New Orleans and across Louisiana.
The Saints now have their sights set on winning a second
straight Super Bowl as they kick their season off on Thursday, September 9, against the team they beat to get to last
year‘s Super Bowl, the Minnesota Vikings. Led again by
their star quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints seek to be the
eighth NFL team to win consecutive Super Bowls (Packers,
Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers, Cowboys, Broncos, and Patriots).
Fun fact: New Orleans‘ back-up quarterback for this year
will be ex-RHS football star Patrick Ramsey.
“Jam at the Joe” Is the
Way to Go
by Keekee Williams
Sports Reporter
For those of you that have no idea what ―Jam at the Joe‖
is, you are missing out on something very fun and entertaining. ―Jam at the Joe‖ is a ten-team jamboree at the Joe Alliet
Stadium on the Louisiana Tech‘s campus. This is the site for
what is becoming one of the top jamborees for the LHSAA
and the date is set for August 28. The attendance for this
preseason event is due to attract as many as ten thousand
spectators beating out last year‘s attendance of about 8,000
people, in which the action was temporarily delayed because
of the late afternoon rain showers. Ruston High will be representing holdover, Coach Laird, consequently. Laird preceded the Bearcats to eight regular season wins in 2009 before a 12-9 first round 4-A loss to Shreveport Huntington
High in the LHSA playoffs. Ruston will brace and challenge
Shreveport Calvary Baptist in the final game of the ―Jam at
the Joe‖. Eight other North Louisiana schools will be featured in this preseason event which will kick-off at 2p.m.
with Homer taking on Caldwell Parish before a trial match
up with Cedar Creek against Haynesville. At 6 p.m. Monroe
Ouachita faces West Ouachita and Ruston High and Shreveport Calvary Baptist will wrap up the action at 8 p.m. nightcapper. Tickets can be purchased before hand with prices
starting at $7 prior to and $10 at the gate for all five
games .This year with new teams added into the competition
now making it five games and ten teams, it‘s going to be a
bigger and better ―Jam at the Joe‖.
accessed at www.reservationforsix.com
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Chatterbox
ports
Ruston High School
August 26, 2010
Page 30
Judges Rule:
Cheerleading is NOT
a Sport!
by Keekee Williams
Sports Reporter
It is official, cheerleading is not a sport. Though
it requires an amazing amount of athleticism, discipline, and commitment, apparently cheerleading
can‘t be placed in the same category as football.
The decision was made when a judge was required
to choose whether a Connecticut college could cut
its women‘s volleyball team for a competitive cheer
squad. According to U.S District Judge Stefan Underhill, competitive cheer may qualify as a sport
under Title IX sometime in the future. That's the
word from a federal judge, who ruled Wednesday
that Quinnipiac University failed to provide equal
opportunities for its female athletes when it tried to
cut women's volleyball and offer competitive cheerleading instead. An activity can be considered a
sport under Title IX if it meets specific criteria. It
must have coaches, practices, competitions during a
defined season and a governing organization. The
activity also must have competition as its primary
goal — not merely the support of other athletic
teams. ―Cheerleading is more of a spirit group created to support and encourage players on winning a
sports challenge,‖ states a college student. This ends
the conspiracies that all cheerleaders and sports fans
have been contemplating; cheerleading is indeed not
a sport.
accessed at highschoolsports.mlive.com
accessed at czathletics.com
accessed at beijing2008.cn
accessed at beijing2008.cn
Cheerleading a Sport: Fans Rule or Judges Rule?
by Christian Amos
Sports Editor
Many cheerleading fans have heard of the federal court decision made by U.S. District Judge Stefan Underhill. Judge Underhill disagreed that a competitive cheerleading
squad does not deserve the equal opportunities other sports enjoy such as volleyball. This was the first time the issue of Cheerleading was decided by a judge. The judge argues that the activity of cheerleading is not organized enough to be considered for varsity athletic participation.
Many certified athletic coaches such as Coach Aultman of RHS seem to disagree with the judge‘s ruling of the activity. ―Yes [Cheerleading] is a sport‖ Aultman says ―,
they do athletic stunts and anything you compete in is a sport.‖ Coach Aultman adds that cheerleaders compete for trophies and spirits sticks. And let‘s not forget about those
bragging rights.
Another Athletic Coach agrees with Aultman that cheerleading is a sport. Coach Anderson says, ―[Ruston] has a competition squad that competes against other squads, so
the competition aspect of cheerleading is like a sport‖ Many fans of cheerleading argue that the organization is very much athletic, but the true debate remains- can it be considered a Sporting event?
RHS student athlete Antonio Wilson says, ―Cheerleading is not a sport because a sport requires hard work and cheerleaders just run around being cheerleaders, not athletes, so cheerleading is definitely not a sport!‖ Another student athlete and sports fanatic,Aaron Boersma says, ―Since cheerleading was ruled not a sport in a federal court
[in the state of Maine], it is not a sport.‖
But cheerleading was ruled not a sport in one state at the college level, what about the other 49 states and territories that recognize cheerleading at many different levels?
This event requires the participates to show a lot of athleticism is their stunts and moves. Gymnastics, a hugely supported sport at the Olympics, is directly used with cheerleading choreography. Many competition squads like Powerhouse Gym of Ruston use highly dangerous gymnastics stunts in their routines. So if cheerleading stunts are extreme enough to be gymnastic stunts, why doesn‘t cheerleading deserve to be called a sport itself?
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Chatterbox
ports
Ruston High School
Ruston High Football
Kicks Off
by Reed Malek
Sports Reporter
As this glorious summer comes to an end and we begin another
school year, we will soon see the return of the Friday night lights!
Ruston High Football will play the Calvary Cavaliers on August
28 in a preseason game at the ―Jam at the Joe‖ at Louisiana Tech‘s
Joe Aillet Stadium, then kick off the regular season against the
familiar Byrd Yellowjackets. The Bearcats‘ regular season begins
September 3. Remember to buy your tickets from the athletic director‘s office for $6 as the price will go up at the gate.
RHS Football looks to have another exciting year! Here is the
2010 Varsity Football schedule, not including playoff games:
August 26, 2010
2010 FOOTBALL VARSITY SCHEDULE
DATE
OPPONENT/EVENT
LOCATION
TIME
August 28
September 3
September10
September17
September24
October 1
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29
November 5
November 12-26
Jam at the Joe (Calvary)
Byrd
Many
Ouachita
Sulphur (Homecoming)
Richwood
*Neville
*Bastrop
*West Ouachita
*Wossman
*Franklin Parish
Playoffs
TECH
AWAY
HOME
HOME
HOME
AWAY
HOME
HOME
AWAY
AWAY
HOME
TBA
8:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
Incoming Frosh Football Comes Undefeated
by Christian Amos
Sports Editor
Page 31
Bearcat Madness 2010
by Christian Amos
Sports Editor
Bearcat Madness 2010 was a success! After the Cats scrimmaged the Rayville Hornets with a 20-12 win, they prepared for the annual press day known as Bearcat Madness.
The incoming freshman class of nearly 350 brings many high hopes to
Now you may be thinking it was only Bearcat Madness, but behind the scenes it took
RHS, but most importantly they bring with them a first-rate football team.
much planning to accomplish this event. This event is an excellent opportunity for differRuston could gain significant standings from the two-year undefeated
ent clubs and organizations to sell merchandize and gain recognition. These organizateam. Many upperclassmen and former RHS athletes have bragged about the
tions displayed and sold Bearcat T-shirts, flags, and many other products.
class of 2014. Many students
Speeches were given by
think the freshmen are a hardcoaches and team sponsors such
working squad, such as senior
as Ruston‘s Head Coach Billy
Belles Captain Marcie Mctyer. ―I
Laird and the RHS Belles sponthink the incoming Frosh Footsor Mrs. Garrison. Coach Laird
ball team seems hard-working
introduced the 2010 football
and determined to get some wins
Coaching staff, followed by the
for their new Bearcat Nation!‖
invincible freshman football
says Mctyer.
players, then this year‘s varsity
With hard work comes team
football team.
work, and former Bearcat FootBesides the members of the
ball player Bevan Cline thinks
football squad getting publicity,
working well with others will
other squads, including the
advance the already outstanding
Bearcat Belles, Cheerleaders,
team. Cline says, ―I believe if
and Pom Squad, were introthey continue to work hard with
duced to the devoted crowd.
our coaching staff, there is only
Principal Mike Milstead and
room for success.‖
other
RHS
administration
In an interview with a freshgraced us with their presence.
man football player, Kristian
Over the past five years,
Scroggins said, ―We will raise
Bearcat Madness has become
the football status.‖
more than just a press day for
So it seems everyone is optithe football team. It has evolved
mistic about the freshmen team,
into a gathering of the Bearcat
but only time and of course hardfamily!
working attitudes will tell if they
For more pictures from this
are worthy enough to be champs!
year‘s Bearcat Madness, see
page 32.
2010-2011 Freshmen Bearcat Football
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Chatterbox
ports
Ruston High School
Pom Squad‘s new uniforms
August 26, 2010
GO CATS GO -freshmen Cheerleaders
THE BAND!!
Page 32
Mrs. Reeder enjoys
the shade.
The band has the BEST concessions.
The Bearcat Belles take over the field.
Some Freshmen football players pose
for the camera.
Coach Laird engages
the crowd.
The crowd was awesome!
Class of 2011 is the BEST!
The Ladies of the 2010-11 Pom Pon Squad
Everybody loves Rusty!
Bearcat down!!
Coach Frasier and
Coach Garrett
This is new….and outstanding!
The 2010 RHS Bearcat Football Team