December 2014 - Weiser Schools

The Wolverine Scoop
Volume 20 Issue 3 December 18, 2014
Concussions can lead
to depression, suicide
by Paige Brown
Teens with a history of concussions are more than three
times as likely to suffer from
depression as teens who have
never had a concussion, finds
a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
“What this study suggests is that teens who have
had a concussion should be screened for depression,” said lead study author Sara Chrisman, M.D.,
a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Concussion, considered a mild traumatic brain
injury, can also have serious psychological effects.
Most prior research on these psychological effects
has focused on adults. However, many teens
experience concussions through sports injuries
or accidents, and less is known about long-term
complications in adolescents. The study used data
from the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children’s
Health and included health information from over
36,000 adolescents ages 12 to 17. In it, 2.7% of
the sample had had a concussion, and 3.4% had a
current depression diagnosis.
Teens who were 15 years or older, lived in poverty,
or who had a parent with mental health problems
were more likely to be depressed than other teens,
said Chrisman, “but what was surprising was
when we took those factors into consideration,
it didn’t take away from the association between
depression and a history of concussion.” Chrisman
also cautioned that it’s not known what exactly
might account for higher rates of depression in
teens with a history of concussion. It could be the
brain injury itself, diagnostic bias due to repeated
medical visits for concussion, doctors mistaking
symptoms of a concussion for depression, or from
the social isolation that they may experience while
recovering.
Jeffrey Max, M.D., a psychiatrist who specializes
in psychiatric outcomes of traumatic brain injury
in children and adolescents at the University of
California, San Diego noted, “In our research,
we’ve found that about 10% of the kids had a
full depressive disorder or subclinical depressive
disorder six months after a concussion.” Children
who have a history of concussion are more likely
to develop attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) and have difficulties controlling their
moods, especially anger, rather than experience
depression, Max added.
Unlike Chrisman, however, Max observed that the
actual brain injury associated with concussions is
probably a major cause of depression in the first
few months after injury. “In the clinic, we’ve certainly seen cases where within hours of sustaining
a concussion, a kid who’s never had depression
before is suddenly depressed and suicidal. One of
our studies found that the brain images in children
with traumatic brain injury and depression were
actually quite similar to those seen in adults who
develop depression as a result of traumatic brain
injury.”
(Source: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/2014/teen-concussions-increase-risk-for-depression)
This issue became a hot topic recently with the apparent suicide of an Ohio State football player found
dead after being missing for several days. Kosta
Karageorge, a walk-on college football player, was
only 22 when he took his life. Police say that Karageorge died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Additional studies of Karageorge’s brain will be
done because of his concussion history. Karageorge
had complained that his concussions were bothering
him mentally. Karageorge’s sister Sophia said that
her brother had suffered four or five concussion
throughout his athletic career. The night of Karageorge’s disappearance he got into an argument with
his girlfriend then left his off-campus house around
2 a.m. Police found his body several days later in a
local garbage dumpster next to a hand gun.
Studying tips
by Roy Arana
As finals come and go, it’s important to do certain things to
prepare for them. Students often
do not know how to study for tests effectively. If
you practice the following tips, you’re guaranteed
to do well on your finals:
-First things first, make sure to have a quiet place
to study that will not provide any distractions.
-Study material provided by the teacher is always
important, so go over it frequently.
-Manage your study time wisely. More information is learned if specific classes are studied for
each session.
(Source: http://www.si.com/college-foot- -Don’t burn yourself out. Studying with breaks
ball/2014/12/05/kosta-karageorge-ohio-state-death) is much more effective than nonstop studying
for three hours.
Finals continue
by Kyson Channell
Athletic gear for sale
by Ciera Rasmussen
As the semester comes to an end, the time for Are you still looking for the ultimate Christmas
taking finals is upon us. Finals will follow this present this year for friends and family? How
schedule:
about a nice Nike sweatshirt or cap? Coach
Srholec has a supply of sweatshirts for $35.00
Thurs, Dec. 18th
and baseball caps for $20.00. If you are interested,
st
1 hour - 8:30-10:15
see Coach Srholec to ask about getting a quality
2nd hour - 10:20-11:50
sweatshirt and cap today.
Lunch- 11:50-12:15
3rd hour - 12:20-1:50
Ferguson riots spread
0 hour - 1:55-3:25
by Brenden Callahan
Fri, Dec. 19th
4th hour - 8:30-10:15
5th hour - 10:20-11:50
Garner case brings riots
by JJ Ixta
Americans may have seen recent coverage about
riots around the country in response to the Eric
Garner case in New York. He was an African
American man approached by NYC police officers last year for allegedly selling cigarettes
illegally on the street. There is video evidence
of the officers’ response to Garner’s reaction
to this interaction. Officers felt that Garner was
resisting arrest, so one officer, Daniel Pantaleo,
put him in a choke hold. After several minutes of
this technique, Garner told officers that he could
not breathe. They did not release the choke hold,
and Garner eventually died. A grand jury in New
York recently voted not to bring charges against
any of the officers involved, resulting in the riots
around the country. After the Michael Brown case
in Missouri, many Americans see this as another
example of police brutality, especially that by
white officers against black citizens.
News................................................ 1, 2
Sports...................................................3
Op/Ed...........................................3, 4, 5
Feature.........................................6, 7, 8
Following the murder of 18-year-old Michael
Brown, people in Ferguson, Missouri, and other
cities around the U.S began to riot. Journalists
with The New York Times in Ferguson, Mo.,
are following a grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in
the shooting death of Brown, an unarmed black
teenager. The scene in downtown Ferguson grew
increasingly unruly after the decision with police using tear gas to disperse crowds who were
throwing rocks and shattering store windows.
Some businesses were looted, the police said.
Protests also broke out in other cities, including
New York, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Seattle.
There were even a few dozen protestors who
blocked city streets in downtown Boise earlier
this month.
(Source: http://news.blogs.nytimes.
com/2014/11/24/live-updates-from-fergusonon-the-grand-jury-decision-in-michael-brownshooting/)
Looking ahead: Dec-Jan
by Cheyanne McChesney
•Dec. 22nd – Jan. 4th : Christmas
break
•Jan. 5 th : Second semester
begins
•Jan. 19th : Martin Luther King
Day (No school)
1
NEWS
Jan is blood donor
month
News Briefs:
Band update
by Sheridan Curtis
This month in band has been
quite hectic so keep up. Early
in December the Jazz EnJanuary is national blood
semble performed at D3 Jazz
donor month. Here are sevFestival, one of the only two
eral facts about donating
high school bands to score a superior rating that
blood.
day. World famous trombone player Bill Watrous
did a clinic Dec. 5th with the WHS band, Fruit•More than 4.5 million
land’s band, and Ed’s Big Band. The next day the
patients need blood transfusions each year.
Concert Band performed at the annual Christmas
•43,000 pints is the amount of donated blood concert. If you want to play in the Pep Band, you
used each day in the United States and Canada. must show up to pep rehearsals. Talk to Mr. Fortin
•Someone needs blood every two seconds.
for more details.
•Only 37% of the United States population is eligible to donate, less than 10% donate annually.
•One in every seven people who enter a hospital Choir stays busy
by Kade Channell
need blood.
•94% of blood donors are registered voters.
•Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s Upon invitation to the event, the Chamber Singers performed at the Capitol Tree Lighting cereorgans and tissues.
•White blood cells are the body’s primary de- mony in Boise Nov. 24, much to the enjoyment
of Governor Otter and his wife, Lori. After that,
fense against infection.
all three choirs held their Christmas concert Dec.
•Blood has no substitute.
•Donating blood can be your opportunity to ex- 8. Chambers performed the national anthem at
tend your preparedness efforts to help change the home match against Bakersfield for the Idalives other than yours and your immediate ho Steelheads Dec. 5. Also, musical auditions
were held for the musical Dec. 9.
family. Imagine the awesome feeling.
by Miriah Haro
Human trafficking awareness
raised
by Camille Weldon
Around two million
children were trafficked internationally in just one year. Jan. 11 is
International Day Against Child Trafficking. Child
trafficking is the illegal sale or enslavement of a
child for the purpose of exploitation. Victims of
child trafficking are usually sold into slavery for
work, child pornography, and illegal adoption
centers. In 2010 a large adoption lobby or illegal
adoption business was discovered in Europe.
Parliament went on to make a public announcement about the punishment for adopting a child
who has been trafficked. Child pornography is a
serious crime within the United States. Of those
convicted, 19% had child pornography of children three years old and younger; 39% had child
pornography of children six years old or younger;
and 83% had child pornography of children 12 and
under. Twenty percent of the workforce in China
consists of children aged ten to fourteen. These
children are often Chinese but also are trafficked
from Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Child trafficking takes place mainly in third-world countries.
The countries with the largest number of children
trafficked are China, Ghana, and India. Almost all
victims of child trafficking never recover from
their experiences or are never found. The first
step we can take towards the prevention of child
trafficking is the awareness that it is happening
right now.
(Source: http://www.wearethorn.org/child-trafficking-statistics/; http://www.againstchild
trafficking.org/; http://arkofhopeforchildren.org/
child-trafficking/child-trafficking-statistics)
Winter pet
care tips
by Ciera Rasmussen
With winter’s cold
temperatures setting in, pet owners
need to take special care of their
furry friends. Here are some tips for pet care in
the winter.
1. They get cold too. If your pet spends time outside, remember that animals can get sick from
the cold just like you and me.
2. Provide an outside shelter for when they do
have to be outside. They’ll appreciate any
protection from the elements.
3. It takes more energy to stay warm. It’s vital
to keep fresh water available at all times. You
don’t want an ice rink for fleas.
4. Adjust food accordingly. Dogs and cats don’t
exercise as much in the winter, so they conserve
more fat for energy. This will help keep your
pet from becoming overweight.
5. Your pets can get frostbite just like you can.
Booties or coats can help protect against frostbite. If you’re worried your pet may be getting
frostbite, you should look for firm, waxy skin
and blisters; see your veterinarian immediately.
TheWolverine Scoop staff
would like to thank the Gear
Up Program and the Weiser
Education Foundation for
their support in publishing
the Scoop this year! We absolutely could not survive
without you!
Available scholarships at
WHS
by Becca Torres
WHS seniors, have you been applying for scholarships? You can
pick up the following scholarships
in Miss Peterson’s office.
Elks Student of the Month: Due date- anytime
through March. You can get this application in Miss
Peterson’s office. Filling it out once will make you
eligible for all of the months.
Sussle Company: Scholarship given monthly. For
seniors--you must be a U.S. citizen and be able to
contribute knowledge about your interests. Apply at
http://sussle.org/scholarships
Alert Magazine Scholarship: No due date. For
seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher, you must write a
600-1000 word essay about a personal encounter
that you or someone you know has had with drug or
alcohol abuse. Apply at www.alertmagazine.org
Questbridge National College Match Program:
Due date varies with different colleges.
This program is for high-achieving, low-income
seniors. Various colleges are included. For more
information see www.questbridge.org.
Writers of the Future Contest: Due date: Continual. This is for students interested in becoming a
writer. Find contest rules at http://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules
Young Entrepreneur Scholarship, Due date: Dec.
18, 2014. Seniors must own and operate their own
business. Apply at http://www.nfib.com/YEA
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship: Due date:
Jan. 8, 2015. For seniors who show exemplary
leadership, drive, integrity, strong academics, and
community service. Apply online at www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships.
Gates Millennium Scholarship Program, Due
date: Jan. 15, 2015. Applicants must include student
nomination and recommendations. Go to gmsp.org
or see Miss Peterson.
Eastern Oregon Institutional Scholarships: Due
Date: Feb. 1, 2015. See Miss Peterson for an application.
Albert Lee Wright, Jr. Memorial Migrant Scholarship: Due Date: Feb. 5, 2015. For seniors--must
show proof of Migrant Education eligibility, financial need, essay, and two letters of recommendation.
Apple online at www.nasdme.org.
Boise State University Institutional Scholarships:
Due Date: Feb. 15, 2015. See Miss Peterson for an
application.
University of Idaho Institutional Scholarships:
Due Date: Feb. 15, 2015. See Miss Peterson for an
application.
Governor’s Cup Scholarship: Due Date: Feb. 15,
2015. Seniors must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and
show strong community service. Must attend an
Idaho college. Apply at http://www.
boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarship/scholarship_jump.
asp.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: Due
Date: Feb. 15, 2015. This is for minority graduating
seniors with at least a 1000 SAT or 22 ACT. Must
be a U.S. citizen and demonstrate leadership and
financial need. Apply at www.jackierobinson.org.
Society of Women Engineers Scholarship: Due
Date: Feb. 22, 2015. This scholarship is for senior
girls who will be entering the engineering or related
field. See Miss Peterson for an application.
There are many more scholarships available on
search sites including:
www.collegeanswer.com
www.idahocis.org
http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.
jsp
www.ChristianConnector.com
Visit www.weiserschools.org to see updated scholarships.
2
Wrestling season
hits mats
by Jayme Braden
The Wolverine wrestling team is led by
Garrett Hinkley, Alex
Raby, Cristian Delgadillo, Kristian Claudio, David Perez, Colt Yeager, Hilario Mandujano,
Brennan Westover, Ty Johnson, Kristof Krahn,
and Ricky Sandoval.
Sports
Featured athletes (girls’ basketball)
by Jordan Swain
Name: Miriah Haro
School sports played: basketball, cheerleading, track
Future plans: to become a cardiologist
Favorite Christmas carol: “Do
The boys competed at the Bucks Bags duel tour- You Wanna Build a Snowman?”
nament at Capitol High School earlier this month. Favorite reindeer: Do you
The boys also traveled to LaGrande last weekend. mean caribou?
They will compete in Emmett this weekend at the New Year’s resolution: to go to state in basketball
and track
Holiday tournament.
Name: Ashlee Huggins
School sports played: volleyball, basketball, golf
The district tournament will be held Feb. 21 in Future plans: to graduate from
Homedale. State will follow Feb. 27-28 in Po- college as an orthodontist
Favorite Christmas carol: “Let
catello.
it Snow”
Favorite reindeer: Rudolph
Girls’ basketball is underNew Year’s resolution: to go to
way
church more often
by Ashlee Huggins
Name: Dana Kerner
This year’s girls’ varsity team leadSchool sports played: basketers are Sadie Shirts, Katie Davis,
ball
CJ Davis, Dana Kerner, and Emily
Future plans: to go to college,
Gluch. The girls are further into
to make money, to buy lots of
their season, with a season record
cows, & to marry a hot and rich
of 3-3 at press time. The Ladies had
Texas cowboy
not yet played a conference game.
Favorite Christmas carol: I
hate Christmas carols
In a recent game versus Skyview, Shirts had four Favorite reindeer: Bambi
rebounds. As a team, the Ladies put up 43 points, New Year’s resolution: to complete my 2013
and 29 rebounds with 10 points from them that New Year’s resolution
night.
Name: McKayla Mills
The girls have faced Vale, Middleton, and New School sports played: basketPlymouth recently. They will play Parma tonight ball, rodeo
and Fruitland Jan. 3. Coach Shirts said, “The girls Future plans: to go to college,
are playing hard and learning lots. We are getting to become an NFR qualifier, to
good contributions from a lot of players.”
marry a world champion team
roper/calf roper/bronc rider,
The district tournament will be held in early and to have adorable rodeo
February at TVCC. State will follow Feb. 19-21 babies
at Skyview.
Favorite Christmas carol: all of them
Favorite reindeer: Rudolph
New Year’s resolution: to beat senioritis!
“This season is about battling in every match, and
we need to battle,” said Coach Dickerson.
Boys’ basketball gets going
by Miriah Haro
This year’s varsity boys’ basketball
team is led by Thomas Crawford,
Tony Lopez, Jacobi Beesley, and
Evan Loomis. The fifth person
rotates on a regular basis. At press
time, early in the season, the boys
had an overall record of 1-2 with no
conference play.
The boys have recently played Vale and New
Plymouth at home. Beesley has been averaging
14 points per game, Loomis 13, Crawford 11,
and Lopez 9. Coach Adolfson said, “The kids are
playing really hard. If this continues, success and
wins will follow.”
Name: Sondee Mink
School sports played: basketball, track, softball
Future plans: to go to college
and to marry my dream man
Favorite Christmas carol:
“Grandma Got Run Over by a
Reindeer”
Favorite reindeer: Prancer
New Year’s resolution: to
graduate
Opinion/
Editorial
College Corner
by Miss Peterson
December is a busy time in the
college preparation world. Scholarships are coming out (seniors,
check the bulletin board across from the library),
applications are due, and plans are being made to
complete the FAFSA. Also, seniors are completing
their senior meetings with me (Miss Peterson) and
applying for State of Idaho scholarships. Here are
some important upcoming events:
Jan. 1st: First day to complete the FAFSA (if going
to school during 2015-2016 school year)
Jan. 5th: (during school) Senior Seminar, time TBA
Jan. 5th: Washington County Financial Aid Information Night, 7 pm, auditorium
Jan. 10th: (Saturday) FAFSA Workshop, Rm. 20
Jan. 14th : FAFSA Workshop, 6 pm-7:30 pm, Rm 20
Jan. 21st: FAFSA Workshop, 6 pm-7:30 pm, Rm 20
Feb. 7th: (Saturday) FAFSA Workshop, Rm. 20
Feb. 15th: Priority deadline for University of Idaho,
Idaho State University, and Boise State University—
must have application, transcripts, test scores, and
FAFSA submitted. BSU and ISU have additional
scholarship applications. Also, deadline for Idaho
Governor’s Cup Scholarship paperwork (Idaho
residents).
Mar. 1st: Lewis-Clark State College and College
of Southern Idaho Priority Deadline—must have
application, scholarship application, test scores,
transcripts, and FAFSA submitted. Also, deadline
for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship (Idaho residents).
Mar. 15th: Treasure Valley C.C. and North Idaho
College Foundation Scholarship applications
due—must have applied and submitted foundation
application, transcript, FAFSA.
What the heck is a FAFSA?
FAFSA is an acronym for the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid. It is how students apply
for access to Pell and other grants, federal student
loans, work study, and some scholarships. Many
colleges and universities will not award students
any scholarship money until they have completed a
FAFSA. It is to be completed by students who will
enroll in college the following fall and every year
of enrollment thereafter. Jan. 1, 2015 is the first day that seniors from the
class of 2015 can complete it. Tax returns from 2013
can be used as an estimate until 2014 tax returns are
completed, and the form can be updated later. While
it can be a cumbersome process, there are a lot of
myths surrounding the FAFSA, which adds to headaches. Many believe that if their student will not be
eligible for any money, they should not complete the
FAFSA. However, that can keep their student from
scholarship money and one never knows where a
student’s financial need will fall. Another issue is to
make sure that students are completing the correct
version. You can go to www.fafsa.gov to fill it out.
Other websites that are similar, such as www.fafsa.
com, charge money to submit the FAFSA. It is a
free application, hence the first word of the acronym
being Free. Do not fall into that trap! Lastly, if this
information is too overwhelming, it is okay. WHS
will be holding four FAFSA workshops that offer
personal help with the completion.
Name: Sadie Shirts
School sports played: volleyball, basketball, track
Future plans: to go to college,
to graduate, to make lots of
money, and to go to Italy
They will play Melba at home tomorrow night Favorite Christmas carol:
and will be at Vale Saturday.
In closing, seniors, it is your time! Make sure to
“White Christmas” (the Bing
follow deadlines and not get behind. Your year is
Crosby version)
ending quickly; don’t let it pass you by!
The district tournament will be held in late Feb- Favorite reindeer: Comet
ruary at TVCC. State will be held the first week New Year’s resolution: not to go into debt for
3
of March at Meridian High School.
college
Editor’s column
by Sheridan Curtis
Hello, WHS! As you read
this, it is more than likely
Christmas, so, Merry Christmas! As always, make good
decisions over this extended break. Hopefully you
will get everything that you
wanted from Santa. Have a
great break and as always,
stay classy, Weiser High
School.
Movie review: Monsters
University
Movie review: Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon
by Kamaryn Beams
by Jonathon Shaber
Type: Animation/Adventure Famous people: Billy Crystal,
John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Hellen Mirren
Ratings: 7.4/10 Rated: G Summary: A look at the relationship between Mike and
Sulley during their days at Monsters University -- when
they weren’t necessarily the best of friends. I would totally recommend this movie!
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a classic martial arts
movie. At any rate, I’m sure that once it reaches a more
mature age it will be considered a classic. It is a modern
movie, made in 2000, and it has many of the benefits of
modern filmmaking. It’s a very interesting movie to watch
even though it is foreign and everything is in Chinese.
Actually, the foreignness of this movie makes it even more
interesting, but I’ll get to that later.
Movie review: Ouija
by Gracie Looney
Junior editors’ column
by Roy Arana &
Jonathon Shaber
As fall comes to an end and
winter quickly approaches,
many important things are
happening at WHS. Basketball and wrestling are in full
swing, so make sure to attend
sporting events to see our
great athletes in action. It is very important to be studying
for finals so that first semester can end on a high note. On
behalf of your junior editors, we hope that you have a great
Christmas vacation! Be safe and we’ll see you next year!
Fashion police
by Demmy Navarro
December has begun, and boots and loose tops seem to
be this year’s Fall/Winter trends. Accessories, such as
bright scarves and jewelry have also been seen around.
Girls manage to turn around any outfit and make it work
the way they want it to. Such as wearing any jeans or
leggings with a long top and adding a scarf to mix and
match. Guys wear sport sweaters to keep warm. This
season two students stood out with their styles. Following
is an interview:
Riley Spencer
•Where do you buy your clothes?
“There really is no particular store, I’ll be walking around
the mall and walk into any store that grabs my attention.”
•Favorite item for the season?
“In the winter, I really like big sweaters and scarves.”
•Who inspires your style?
“My sister and I have very different styles, but she helps
me pick out my outfits.”
Marco Delgadillo
•Where do you buy your clothes?
“I get my clothes at random places but mostly Pac Sun
and American Eagle.”
•Favorite item for the season?
“My favorite outfit during the winter are ugly sweaters
with anything.”
•Who inspires your style?
“Most of my style is just random.”
Summary: A group of friends must confront their deepest
fears when they awaken a dark spirit through an ancient
Ouija board.
On average, this movie was given 2 out of 5 stars.
Personally, I loved this movie. It’s a great thriller and will
definitely keep you up at night.
Movie review
by Hayden Herrick
Does anyone have a get together coming up and is not
sure what to watch? If so, consider the movie “17 Again”.
(Starring: Zac Efron)
This movie is “hilarious and heartwarming,” said Pete
Hammond, Hollywood.com. “If you somehow had the
chance, would you do your life over? Thirty-something
Mike O’Donnell would. One mysteriously magical moment,
Mike gets his second chance. He’s suddenly back at Hayden
High where he’s the star of the basketball team, a total hottie,
and a classmate to his own teenage kids. This gives Mike a
chance to go from a not so good guy to a really cool friend.
Zac Efron and Mathew Perry are 17 again and extremely
funny as the younger and older Mike in a good-time, timewarp comedy that proves that the best year of your life is
the one you’re living right now.” “17 Again” is definitely a
movie to watch with your friends. I highly recommend it!
Music review
by Santana Morales
Now is about the time that everyone
starts turning up Christmas music for
the cold winter season. As for now, let’s
take a look at the top 10 songs on the charts!
1.Blank Space by Taylor Swift
2.All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
3.Take Me To Church by Hozier
4.Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
5.Animals by Maroon 5
6.The Heart Wants What It Wants by Selena Gomez
7.I’m Not The Only One by Sam Smith
8.Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson
9.Habits by Tove Lo
10.Love Me Harder by Ariana Grande
(Source: http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100)
2014-15 Wolverine Scoop staff
Mrs. Gonzales – advisor
Becca Torres & Sheridan Curtis – Editors-in-Chief
Roy Arana & Jonathon Shaber – Junior Editors
Vanessa Negrete – Photographer
In a nutshell, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is about a
high born girl, Jen (which sounds different in Chinese), who
is betrothed in a marriage to another noble. However, Jen is
dissatisfied with this life and wants a free life of adventure.
So far, it sounds like a rip-off of Mulan, but this is where the
similarities end. Simultaneous to this is the subplot of Shu
Lien, a woman, and Li Mu Bai her age-old companion, two
warriors of much fame and renown in the ways of Wudan,
a sort of Kung Fu, Zen combination of martial arts. At the
start of the movie, Li Mu Bai decides to renounce his way of
life due to a lack of peace in it. He sends his sword, Green
Destiny, a legendary and slightly magical sword with a jade
hilt and inlaid green on its blade, to an old friend and noble
called Sir Te. In doing this, he also denounces an old quest
for vengeance against an assassin called Jade Fox who killed
his master. Shu Lien takes the sword to Sir Te, and when
there meets Jen and befriends her.
Not long after Shu Lien arrives, the Sword is stolen by a
skilled warrior in black (who is not a ninja; this movie is
set in China, not Japan). Shu Lien pursues the thief, but
she (because it’s obviously a she) escapes with the sword.
Later, Li Mu Bai himself arrives in Peking, where the action
is set, and finds Jade Fox there already. Not only this, but
Shu Lien figures out that Jen is really the thief who stole
the sword, and that she is disciple to Jade Fox.
All in all, I thought that this was a fine movie. It had enough
martial arts action to satisfy me, though not too much to
stifle the plot. The plot was cohesive, though not terribly
coherent after a certain point. It was a strange movie,
though, to view as an American. I don’t want to spoil the
ending, but there was a chain of events in the last half hour
that goes completely against what I’m used to in a movie.
You get the impression that if it had been made in America,
the ending would have been completely different. It would
have been happy, which this, I must warn, isn’t. But also,
it had an odd, Buddhist tilt to everything. Sure, there is
action, there is romance (which I haven’t mentioned for
fear of spoiling it but is fairly important to the plot), but
all of it is odd. The action is on occasion almost peaceful,
and the romance had very little substance to it. The entire
ending, too, is very Buddhist, where the only sense that you
get is one of nothingness. I’m not discounting the movie
because of this, but it went against what I’m used to. If
you’re looking for a movie that makes you think, this will
satisfy. If you only want fight action, though, watch Bourne
or The Winter Soldier.
Top five Christmas traditions
by Skylar Thomas
Here we are heading into Christmas. Some of us have special
traditions that we do every year. Here is my list of top five
Christmas traditions.
5. Caroling. My singing isn’t the best, but everyone isn’t
good when you do this. That’s what makes it fun.
4. Setting up the lights. You do it; it’s just a social norm.
3. Bake cookies and other goodies. You have to make the
holiday sweet.
2. Give dessert trays. Brighten another’s holiday.
1. Opening a gift on Christmas Eve. It helps to
ease into what happens on Christmas.
Reporters:
Cheyanne McChesney
Gracie Looney
Kade Channell
Rylie Zucker
Dustin Cheney
Hayden Herrick
Paige Brown
Ashlee Huggins
Ciera Rasmussen
Jordan Swain
Emily Gluch
JJ Ixta
Miriah HaroCamille Weldon
Tessa Shaver
Bradley Parker
Ty JohnsonSkylar Thomas
Amanda Courtois
Demmy Navarro
Itzel Perez
Santana Morales
Kailyn Doty
Brenden Callahan
Tiara Goodenough
Kamaryn Beams
Jayme Braden
Nolon Perry
Taylor Carlson
Tanya Howard
Abby Goertz
Kyson Channell
Washington County
Crime Stoppers
414-COPS,
414-2677,
1-800-222-TIPS
Callers may remain
anonymous.
4
Book review
Music review
Moonty reviews: Ib; the Greatest of the Four
by Nolon “Junior Moonts” Perry
Title: You Could Be Home By Now
By: Tracy Manaster
Fiction and Literature
Released: Dec. 5th, 2014
There is definitely a chill in the air. While you are cuddled
up by the fire drinking your hot chocolate, some great tunes
are the only thing to make it better. •
Mother and Father by Broods
•
Slow Motion by PHOX
•
Long Distance by The Disticts
•
Falling by HAIM
•
Wide Eyes by Local Natives
Hey guys! Junior Moonts here with another review! This
time I’ll be reviewing my favorite of the four greats of RPG
horror, Ib. Pronounced Eeb, not Ib. As usual, all categories
will have an X/5 rating; this being an RPG maker game,
graphics will not be included. Here we go!
by Kailyn Doty
“A drama filled book that’s touching, funny, and impossible
to put down”
Summary: The Commons is a retirement community outside
Tucson, Arizona, where Mona Rosko is caught raising her
grandson, which is against the rules. Her song goes viral
online. Ben Thales hijacks a new segment about Mona
to advocate for missing children after searching for his
runaway daughter for years. As Mona’s fate hangs in the
balance, her neighbors struggle to keep up appearances.
Bratty Lily misses her best friend at home, but she’s starting
to see the cracks in their relationship when Sierra gets a
new boyfriend. You’ll have to read the book to believe your
eyes because the character’s reactions are so over-the-top.
by Taylor Carlson
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dramatic
and unique books.
Showcase Artist
Benjamin Booker, born in 1989, has made it a long way in
his 25 years. He is extremely talented, and his sound surrounds that of blues, rock, and folk-punk. He grew up in Virginia but now lives in New Orleans working for a non-profit
and slowly gaining a reputation in the music industry. He
has opened for Jack White, of the White Stripes, and has
even played on Late Night with David Letterman. Booker
also had the opportunity to play at the famous Lollapalooza,
where Rolling Stones named his performance “the best rock
star moment” of the festival. Benjamin Booker is someone
you will hear of in the future, for sure, as he sweeps across
the country with his soulful sound.
Book review
Should Ferguson be in news?
This month’s book review is on the Throne of Glass written by Sarah J. Mass. This young adult fiction is the first
of the Throne of Glass series. The story is told through
the point of view of Celeane Sarbothein, a well-known
assassin who has found herself in a concentration camp.
She is released from the camp but only so that she can
become the loathed king’s personal assassin. Its plot continually stresses the theme of belonging and loyalty to who
you are. This story is a fantasy due to its made up land
of Ardalan and its undistinguished time setting. It is also
largely an action book with its numerous murders and fight
scenes. I would highly recommend this book for girls and
boys due to its action and with just a little romance sewn
into the plot.
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the
Michael Brown shooting and the outcome of the grand jury
in Ferguson, Missouri. Riots have erupted there and around
the country. The question is, did the news coverage create
more of a problem? Several WHS students were asked
whether they think that the case should have received as
much publicity as it did. Their responses follow:
by Camille Weldon
Ferguson: guilty or innocent?
by Kade Channell
With much national uproar over the recent shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson,
Missouri, many Americans are debating the case. Several
WHS students were asked their opinion of the outcome of
the grand jury not to indict the officer, Darren Wilson. Their
responses follow:
• Hunter Stone (9): guilty
• Ryan Leverenz (9): innocent
• Grace McKie (9): guilty
• Sydney Dille (9): guilty
• Sam Ruth (10): innocent
• Alan Salinas (10): guilty
• Lauren Bouvia (10): innocent
• Hannah Alder (10): innocent
• Skylar Thomas (11): guilty
• Jase Roberts (11): innocent
• Grace Zimmerman (11): innocent
• Emily Gluch (11): guilty
• Kyson Channell (12): innocent
• Jimmy Kerner (12): innocent
• Demmy Navarro (12): guilty
• Danielle Ayres (12): innocent
Dream Christmas gifts
named
by Tiara Goodenough
Santa Claus is coming to town!
While most WHS students know
that they will receive Christmas
gifts next week, they may not expect their dream gift. Several were asked to name the best Christmas gift they could
possibly receive this year. Their responses follow:
• Luke Hansen (9): “a really, really nice Polaris 4-wheeler”
• Bryce George (9): “a brand new snowmobile”
• Austen Thomason (10): “a free trip to Hawaii with the
love of my life, Tiara”
• Lizette Almanza (10): “money”
• Miguel Lazaro (11): “all the money in the world”
• Nayely Magana (11): “my license and a car”
• Yusuke Nakashima (12): “I want Tiara Goodenough to
buy me pizza”
• Ciera Rasmussen (12): “I want my car ready for Christmas.”
by Sheridan Curtis
• Mikel Davies (9): No, the cop was justified in his actions.
• Rein Laan (9): No, because it happens all the time and it
wasn’t, in fact, “racist”.
• Katelyn Wyss (9): Yes and no. Yes, people need to be
aware of those actions. No, because this stuff happens
all the time.
• Lainey Hilt (9): No, for the same reason Mikel gave.
• Jimmy Looney (10): No, things like this happen all the
time.
• Dylan Erlebach (10): No, because if a white kid got shot,
it wouldn’t have made the news.
• Alecia Lundburg (10): No, the case was based more on
racism than murder.
• Hope Fuller (10): No, because it’s just like any other case.
• Kelsie Hemphill (11): No, because people are making it
about race without having all the facts. It was actually
standard procedure for the cop to act the way he did.
• Alexa Burris (11): I don’t know enough about the case
to give a definite answer.
• Billy Brooke (11): No, because the only reason it got
publicity was because of race and that is not what the
case should have been focused on.
• Jarin Ebbers (11): Both, it should have been addressed
but not to the extent that it was.
• Ryan McDaniel (12): No, because any case, regardless
of race, should be handled the same.
• Evan Loomis (12): No, because a cop, white or black, are
all trained to handle that kind of situation the same way.
• Miriah Haro (12): No, because I don’t think it should
matter that the kid was black.
• Becca Torres (12): Yes, not because of race but because
of the circumstances.
Best Christmas present ever?
by Rylie Zucker
With Christmas vacation looming, many WHS students are
thinking about those brightly-colored packages with their
names on them under the tree. Several were asked to name
the best Christmas gift that they remember receiving. Their
responses follow:
• Allison MacDonald (12) - a Build-A-Bear reindeer
• Marlen Lopez (12) - a laptop
• Devin Long (12 )- pre-workout
• Andrew Lopez (12) – an Xbox 360
• Zach Boyle (11) - spending the day with my mom
• Nick Gluch (11) - wheels for my truck
• Maggi Laan (11) – a trip to California with my Family
• Emily Gluch (11) – a rifle
• Jackson Jensen (10) - a dog
• Ben Wootton (10) – a gecko
• Alecia Lundberg (10) - a bunny
• Devyn Spence (10) - Cecylia with a bow
• Danny Olivo (9) – an Ipod
• Michael Brook (9) – a remote control car
• Emma Davidson (9) – a banana suit
• Lexie Zucker (9) - Nike clothes
Story: 5/5
This is as original as original gets. While at an art gallery, a
little albino girl (who has normal parents, so I don’t know
how that works) named Ib (plot twist. I know.) decides to
look around on her own. You can look at the paintings,
but most likely they will have words our heroine doesn’t
know. Stuff happens and you have to walk into a painting
of… something. I could never tell if it was a shark or an
eel. With puzzle solving skills in hand, you make your way
through a dark, evil art gallery where things can kill you.
More stuff happens and you meet Gary, a teenage boy who’s
afraid of everything. However, he’s strong and can move
mannequins blocking your way. More stuff, you meet Mary,
dolls; man, this game is long. No more spoilers. The game
has a multitude of endings depending on how you act with
Gary and Mary, including a very interesting one in which
Mary becomes your sister. Oops. Spoiler.
Music: 5/5
The music of Ib is quite inspiring. While there’s a lot of
silence, the music is a nice touch when it’s there. My favorite song is “Old Puppet”, a song known as Old Doll in
Mad Father, another RPG horror maker game. It has a nice
melody, if you don’t mind minor chords and an ending that
is dramatic.
Gameplay: 4/5
There is no such thing as a game without flaws. Even Mario
had its flaws, like World -1. Best glitch ever, but still. Some
of the puzzles are a bit confusing, and the multi-ending
sequence is a bit flawed. Because it depends on your interactions with Gary and Mary, you could end up getting a
different ending by the accidental press of a button. Also,
again, X is the action button. Meh.
With a score of 14/15, you should really download this
game. Seriously. It’s epic. I’m out.
Hey Ib, did you know Gary plus Mary equals “Marry”?
Ib: What are you implying…?
Nothing, nothing.
Name your favorite
Christmas carol
by Itzel Perez
Radios and stores have been
bombarding us with Christmas music since November
or earlier. To get readers into
the holiday spirit, several
WHS students were asked to name their favorite Christmas
carol. Their responses follow:
• Jacky Alvarado (9): Jingle Bells
• Annabelle Fredrick (9): Way Down in Bethlehem
• Darrel Calderon (9): Ave Maria
• Eric Ramirez (9): Santa Baby
• Jessica Ramirez (10): Deck the Halls
• Ben Wootton (10): Frosty the Snowman
• Skylar Chavez (10): Mary, did you know
• Jeb Johnson (10): Jingle Bells
• Chayla Owen (11): Silent Night
• Haillie Wilikinson (11): White Christmas
• Tony Lopez (11): Ding Dong Merrily on High
• Roy Arana (11): Jingle Bell Rock
• Becca Torres (12): Feliz Navidad
• Sondee Mink (12): Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer
• Evan Loomis (12): We wish you a Merry Christmas
• Jaren Tolman (12): Silent Night
5
Strange holidays
by Ty Johnson
December
18 Bake Cookies Day; National Roast
Suckling Pig Day
19 Look for an Evergreen Day; Oatmeal Muffin Day
20 Go Caroling Day; Forefather’s Day
21 Humbug Day; National Flashlight Day; Look on the
Bright Side Day
22 National Date Nut Bread Day
23 Roots Day
24 National Chocolate Day; National Egg Nog Day
25 Christmas Day
25 National Pumpkin Pie Day
26 Boxing Day
27 Make Cut Out Snowflakes Day; National Fruitcake Day
28 Card Playing Day
29 Pepper Pot Day
30 National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
31 Make Up Your Mind Day
31 New Year’s Eve
January
1 New Year’s Day
2 Run up the Flagpole and See if Anyone Salutes Day
3 Festival of Sleep Day; Humiliation Day
4 Trivia Day
5 National Bird Day
6 Bean Day
6 Cuddle Up Day
7 Old Rock Day
8 Bubble Bath Day
9 Play God Day
10 Houseplant Appreciation Day; Peculiar People Day
11 Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friends Day
12 Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day
13 International Skeptics Day; Make Your Dream Come
True Day
14 Dress Up Your Pet Day
15 National Hat Day
16 Appreciate a Dragon Day; National Nothing Day
17 Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
18 Thesaurus Day; Winnie the Pooh Day
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday; National Popcorn Day
20 National Buttercrunch Day; Penguin Awareness Day
21 National Hugging Day; Squirrel Appreciation Day
22 National Blonde Brownie Day
23 National Pie Day; National Handwriting Day; Measure
Your Feet Day
24 Compliment Day
25 Opposite Day
26 Spouse’s Day
27 Chocolate Cake Day; Punch the Clock Day
28 Fun at Work Day
28 National Kazoo Day
29 National Puzzle Day; National Corn Chip Day
10 fun January facts
by Brenden Callahan
1. The flower symbols of January are snowdrops & carnations.
2. January’s gem is garnet, which represents constancy.
3. The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn (December
22 - January 19) and Aquarius (January
20 - February 18).
4. Common Sense by Thomas Paine was published January
10, 1776.
5. On January 10, 1920, the League of Nations was established.
6. It is National Blood Donor Month.
7. It is National Braille Literacy Month.
8. It is National Hobby Month.
9. It is National Soup Month.
10. It is National Staying Healthy Month.
(Source: http://www.famousbirthdays.com/facts-about-january.html)
Feature
New Year’s resolutions chosen
by Emily Gluch
As the New Year draws near,
what are your goals and aspirations for 2015? Several WHS
students were asked to name their personal resolutions for
the new year. Their responses follow:
Mikel Davies (9): to run a marathon in under 22 minutes
Gregory Reyes (10): to get smart and to read more
Abby McElroy (9): to get taller
Itzel Perez (10): to stop eating Takies
Katie Davis (10): to have a good lamb crop this spring
CJ Davis (10): to produce lots of piggies in 2015
Tad Moser (10): to compete at state rodeo
Kristian Claudio (11): to win a state title
Logan Rowley (11): to catch a lot of fish this year with
Jackson Wall
Paige Brown (11): not to drink so much Dr. Pepper
Cynthia Barrios (11): to get rich
Sondee Mink (12): I don’t know.
Hayden Herrick (12): to forgive people and to graduate
Mr. Dickerson (staff): to complement someone every day
This day in history – Dec. 18
by Amanda Courtois
*1787 - New Jersey became the third state to ratify the
U.S. Constitution.
*1719 - Thomas Fleet published “Mother Goose’s Melodies
For Children”.
*1920 - 1st US postage stamps printed without the words
United States or US
*1961 - For 2nd consecutive year, AP named Wilma Rudolph female athlete of year.
*1964 - “The Pink Panther” cartoon series premiered.
*1964 - US performed nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
*1965 - Kenneth LeBel jumped 17 barrels on ice skates.
*1966 - Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” aired
for 1st time on CBS.
(Source: http://www.on-this-day.com/onthisday/thedays/
alldays/dec18.htm)
How much do we
spend on Christmas?
by Dustin Cheney
Jingle Bells are jingling,
carolers are caroling, and
our wallets are quickly emptying. But how much does the
average American spend on Christmas and assorted holiday
cheer? The figures, it seems, can be quite staggering. In
2013, Americans spent about $602 billion in November
and December, which comes out to $710-$730 for each
individual. Compared to the next largest shopping spree,
back to school at approximately $73 billion, Christmas
proves a source of merriment to use that disposable income.
What is all of that cash spent on? According to the National
Retail Federation, about $550 goes to gifts for family and
friends, over $100 goes to candy and other treats, and the
rest is miscellaneous. In 2014, if we can trust the numbers,
close to $626 billion may be spent by Americans. Next time,
don’t feel so guilty when you put that next little present
into your cart.
(Source: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/holiday-retail-sales-come-nrf-expectations)
College of the
Month:
Lewis-Clark
State College
by Becca Torres
Lewis-Clark State College is located at Lewiston, Idaho. It is
where two peoples and two cultures came together in friendship and discovery – the Nez Perce Tribe and the Lewis &
Clark Corps of Discovery. Founded in 1893, Lewis-Clark
State is a public undergraduate college with a three-part
mission of academic programs, professional-technical programs, and community programs.
As one of the top public, comprehensive, four-year colleges
in the West, with its beautiful campus, small classes, and superb faculty, LCSC is often described as a public institution
with the feel and quality of a private college.
At a Glance
Founded: 1893
Students: 4,304; 60% female 40% male
Location: Lewis-Clark Valley
Location: the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers
Population: 50,000
County: Nez Perce
Elevation: 738 feet
Average Snowfall: 1 inch
Majors & Degrees
90+ degree & certificate programs
8 academic divisions
2 professional-technical divisions
Job Placement Rates (2011-2012)
88% - academic graduates
85% - professional-technical graduates
Campus
46 acres
4 residence halls
State of the art fitness center
Study away programs
73% of students receive some sort of financial aid
Lowest tuition among four-year public institutions in Idaho
Activities
Over 60 student clubs
7 intramural sports
12 athletic teams: National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA), Frontier Conference
Outdoor adventures
(Source: http://www.lcsc.edu/about-lc/)
Career of month – bike
courier
by Amanda Courtois
Bike couriers, or bike messengers,
provide a valuable service in cities
where traffic poses a transportation
hassle. Because bike couriers are
not deterred by traffic jams or parking problems, they can often get across a city faster than if
they were driving a car. While the digital age has somewhat
displaced the need for bike couriers to deliver paper mail
and other hard-copy documents, cyclists are still used for
errand-running by various industries, such as the food and
fashion industries. A courier or messenger usually gets an
average wage in a range of $16,000 – 28,000 depending
on education and experience. Couriers and messengers can
expect wages of $25,800 per year.
Couriers and messengers have the highest salaries in Massachusetts, where they can earn pay levels, on average, of
close to $34,410. People with this job title can make the
highest salaries in Public Administration, where they receive
an average salary rate of $33,290.
(Source: https://www.recruiter.com/salaries/couriers-and-messengers-salary/)
Comics submitted by junior
Skylar Thomas
6
Shadow of the Collosi - Part 3
by Nolon Perry
**This is the third installment in an original story submitted
by Nolon Perry.**
A palace guard walked to the edge of his post and back,
singing ringing through the cold night air.
“Oh the shark has, mmm such teeth dear, and he shows them,
pearly whites.” The guard thought he recognized the tune,
and the form to which the voice belonged to.
“Just a jack knife, has Mac Heath, babe, and he keeps it,
outta sight.” The guard drew his sword and walked toward
our murder of murderers. Mac stopped singing and started walking, which turned into a jog, which turned into a
sprint when he heard the signal that a wanted man had
been spotted.
About that time, another group of guards were chasing Alice
and Swordigo, with princess Lana at their heels. The trio
jumped the fence, only to land on their fedora-clad friend.
“Perfect timing, Mac,” Lana said with her alto voice. They
realized that was said too soon as they were quickly surrounded by guards. Who quickly left to avoid a fireball. It’s
creator was wearing a witch hat, cover the top of her pink
hair. She wore a black t-shirt, combat boots, and coming
from the back of her skinny jeans was a pink cat tail, and
her green eyes sparkled in the lamp light.
“Hey guys! Long time no see, nya!”
Swordigo waved. “Hey Crity!”
Mac looked at his fourth childhood friend. She had grown
into a beautiful woman. She walked over and slapped him.
“If you’d stop staring at me while having metaphorical
nosebleeds, we could get out of here faster.”
Lana picked up the bottom of her light blue dress, the one
that matched her hair, and the five of them ran out of the
castle town. They took the dirt road to the next town, hoping
to find refuge. Instead they found an old man outside with
the wooden gates closed, horrendous sounds of screams and
machinery coming from inside the walls. Swordigo walked
up to the old man. “What’s up in there?”
The old man looked at him. “The spirits of evil have taken
over the machines in this town. I’m sure it would become
hospitable if someone could drive the evil out of the machines.”
Swordigo thought, grabbed everyone but Lana, and dragged
them inside the gate, which the old man closed behind
them. After not appearing for some time, Lana announced
that she was going after them. The old man stopped her
and picked up a metal object on the ground beside him: a
pistol. He handed it to the princess and said: “It’s dangerous
to go alone. Take this.” He handed the princess the weapon
and dusted off his red robe after letting her in and closing
the gates. He stroked his white beard and then prayed for
their safety.
Inside the gates, however, the town could have been mistaken for abandoned. Lana met up with the group, and they
walked.
January is Birth Defect
Awareness Month
by Kade Channell
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month; this year Rutherford
Polk McDowell Health District is actively focusing on helping healthcare
professionals and the general public to
take positive steps to reduce the risk of
congenital heart defects. Congenital heart defects are one
of the most common types of birth defect, and some forms
may be preventable through healthy life style choices and
medical interventions before and during pregnancy. In addition to information about prevention, the NBDPN offers
support to families who are dealing with the realities of a
child born with one of these conditions.
Congenital heart defects include abnormalities of the heart
that are present at birth. Some have only a minor and brief
effect on a baby’s health while some have very serious and
lifelong effects. Nearly 40,000 cases (approximately 1 in
110 live births) are reported annually in the US. Public
awareness, accurate diagnosis, and expert medical care are
all essential for adequate prevention and management of
these all too common and deadly conditions.
There are even students within the halls of WHS who suffer
from birth defects, so this is even more important to be
aware of. It can affect family members, friends, anyone. This
January, help to raise awareness for the many conditions
that plague children all around the world.
(Source: http://www.rpmhd.org/index.php/emergency-preparedness/19-hot-topics/102-national-birth-defects-awareness-month)
Nonsense word
by Tessa Shaver
This month’s nonsense word is: nephrotomy. Several
WHS students were asked to try to define this word. Their
responses follow:
Sam Hillard (9): something to do with science
Mariah Thompson (9): something to do with the cells
Celeste Morales (10): a smart cat
Kaden Fager (10): the science of EVERYTHING
Afton Winegar (11): the science of royalty
Jase Roberts (11): something with the brain
Demmy Navarro (12): some sort of science
Jimmy Kerner (12): surgical removal of the nephrons in
the kidney
Holiday movies released
by Miriah Haro
Christmas break is always a busy time for production companies to release blockbuster movies. Following are several
scheduled to come out during the upcoming vacation. Enjoy!
One Starry Christmas:
*Starring: Sarah Carter, Damon Runyan, George Canyon,
and Paul Popowhich
*An aspiring astronomy professor finds unexpected Christmas romance when she meets a charming cowboy while
traveling for the holidays. She also has a boyfriend back
home, but she has to make a decision to let this cowboy
sweep her off her feet or maintain her relationship back
home.
The Nine lives of Christmas
*Starring: Brandon Routh, Kimberley Sustaa, Stephany
Bennett, Chealsea Hobbs, Sean Tyson, Dallas Blake, and
Gregory Harrison
*A handsome fireman afraid of commitment adopts a stray
cat and meets a stunning veterinary student who challenges
his decisions to remain a confirmed bachelor.
A Cookie Cutter Christmas
*Starring: Erin Krakow, Alan Thicke, David Haydn-Jones,
Nuranda Frigon, Laura Soltis, and Genae Marie Charpentier
*Two longtime rivals and elementary school teachers duke
it out during the holidays in a Christmas cookie bake off, but
their real feud ignites over a shared interest in a handsome
single dad. With both determined to win both the bake-off
and the romance, their competitiveness could jeopardize
what matters most this Christmas season.
North Pole
*Starring: Tiffany Thyessen, Josh Hopkins, Bailee Madison, Max Charles, Candice Glover, Robert Wagner, and
Jill St. John
*The North Pole is in trouble, families around the globe
have gotten too busy to enjoy the season together, and the
North Pole depends on their holiday happiness. In hopes to
save the North Pole, a young boy and a determined young
elf team up to try and get the journalist mom, that bases
everything on facts, to believe and have Christmas spirit.
Angels and Ornaments
*Starring: Jessalyn Gilsig, Sergio Di Zio, Graham Abbey,
Samantha Espie, and Roger Doche
*Corrine’s holiday season gets a dose of romance when she
meets the mysterious Harold, who is on a deadline from a
higher power to help Corrine find her true love by Christmas
Eve. As the clock ticks down to Harold’s deadline, Corrine
must decide if she is going to open up to Christmas love.
Congratulations, Jimmy! You correctly guessed this month’s
nonsense word! Nephrotomy: a surgical incision into the
kidneys, especially for removing a stone.
They then heard a mechanical scream, followed by the
sound of metal hitting stone, they they turned.
A robotic fox was running right at them.
Martin Luther King Day observed
by Bradley Parker
Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday observed the third Monday of January.
It celebrates the life and achievements of
Martin Luther King Jr., an American civil
rights leader. He was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia,
and died Apr. 14, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. He mainly
campaigned to end racial segregation on public transportation and for racial equality. King’s most famous speech
was the “I have a dream,” speech. He was even awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize and became the youngest man to earn it.
When he died in 1968, it was not because of natural causes;
it was because people were mad at him because he was
trying to get rid of segregation. James Earl Ray assassinated
him. Martin Luther King was a great man, recognized by
the United States giving him a federal holiday.
(Source: www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/martin-lutherking-day)
7
WHS STUDENTS:
Color the picture on the
back page each month
and turn it in, with your
name and grade, to Mrs.
Gonzales in Room 13 to
win an awesome little
prize.
8