2011_Vernois News - Mount Vernon Township High School

VERNOIS NEWS
Volume 90 - Issue 1
Top News
WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS
August 2011
Mr. Olson greets MV students
Welcome Back
Administrators welcome
students back to school
with words of
encouragement
News—Page 3
Summer Programs
MV students pursue
career aspirations
through summer college
programs
Feature—Page 4-5
New Coaches
Both football and
volleyball start seasons
with new coaches
VERNOIS NEWS photo/Paisley Stewart
Mr. Wes Olson, far right, introduces himself to students around campus. Mr. Olson looks forward to meeting and getting to know the
students here at Mt. Vernon as well as assisting them along their high school journey.
By. Hannah Piercy
Sports—Page 12
Other News
Meet the Staff
VN staff show their true
colors in tell-all
interviews straight from
the Newsroom
EDITOR AND CHIEF
With a new school year comes many changes.
For some it is the beginning of their first year of
high school, while for others, it’s their last year
of high school.
For some administrators, it’s a brand new
place to work.
The 2011-2012 school year welcomes our new
principal, Mr. Wes Olson.
Mr. Olson recently left Galesburg for MV,
where he taught for many years as well as
coached various sports.
“I was the head football coach for five years.
This is my first year not coaching,” explained Mr.
Olson.
He also taught drivers education and directed
the development of an alternative high school,
where he served as principal for two years.
Prior to his tenure at Galesburg High School,
Mr. Olson taught social science and served as
department chair for social science, as well as
head tennis coach and a football coach at Streater Township High School.
“Students need to take responsibility for their
education,” stated Mr. Olson. “At MV, we are
Continued on page 2
Editorial—Page 6-7
Odds & Ends
Fun facts and tricky crosswords
bring much fun
See Inside For:
Summer Recaps— Page 8
Odds & Ends— Page 9
Summer Concerts— Page 10
News, Page 3
A&E, Pages 10-11
Sports, Page 13
To inform, educate, enlighten, and entertain | A VERNOIS PUBLICATIONS GROUP PRODUCTION
Page 2, Administrative Welcome Letters
MV Administrators Say Hello
VERNOIS NEWS is a free monthly
publication produced by students and staff of
Mount Vernon Township High School.
HOW TO REACH THE VERNOIS
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
VERNOIS NEWS
Continued from page 1
working on developing a school improvement plan. The big thing is increasing attendance, graduation rate, and academic achievement,” added Mr. Olson.
122H/123H on the campus of Mount Vernon
When change occurs, it can be difficult to adjust, but the goal remains the same.
Township High School, 320 South 7th Street,
“Our goal, back to our Mission Statement, is to prepare students for the diverse and
Mount Vernon, Illinois, 62864.
changing world,” emphasized Mr. Olson
VERNOIS NEWS is located in Room
Inquiries regarding advertising and other
questions may be directed to VERNOIS
NEWS
by calling 618.246.5826 or
618.246.5827. Calls will be taken 8:00 am to
4:30 pm, Monday through Friday during the
school year.
Newsroom: 618.246.5826
Mr. VanZandt’s Classroom: 618.246.5827
MVTHS Administration
Dr. Michael E. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Wes Olson, Principal
Ms. Joyce Dalton, Assistant Principal
Ms. Julie Holmes, Assistant Principal
Mr. Rob Knutson, Assistant Principal
Mr. Doug Creel, Assistant Principal/Athletic
Director
Mr. Rob Pipher, Director of Curriculum
Mrs. Shirilyn Holt, Board Secretary
Mrs. Angela Brentlinger, Business Manager
VERNOIS NEWS Management
Hannah Piercy, Editor in Chief
Paisley Stewart, Managing Editor
Jessi Clark, News Editor
Michael Jones, A&E Editor
Maggie Aaron, Staff
Alyssa Burge, Staff
Rance Cummings, Staff
Trace Turner, Staff
Aryn Wiggins, Staff
Mr. Jamey VanZandt, Adviser
Mrs. Karen Hamilton, Print Shop Director
Writing for Publication 1: Period 4
Taylor Allen, Erica Arnold, Rachel Atkins,
Angela Atkinson, Lexi Barbre, Avery Barton,
Kaitlyn Boss, Ashton Boyer, Shelbi Clark,
Shannon Docherty, Candace Davenport, Kristen Farley, Brendan Hill, Jamie Hodges, Jessica Hoppers, Katrine Ledbetter, Samantha
Marshall, Megan Mckinley, Kristen Minor, Ariel
Moore, Joshua Myers, Kaitlyn Parcell, Janisa
Quinn, Taylor Roberts, Makayla Smith, Trisha
Staley, Falyn VanDyke, Abigail Winkler
Dear students of MVTHS!
I want to take a moment to share with you my excitement about being the principal of
MVTHS. It is an honor for me to serve the students and families of this community. It is
inspiring to be working with students at this point in their lives, as they grow into young
adults.
I want to encourage you to take responsibility for your education and future. Have a
personal vision for what you want to do and what kind of life you want to live. Don’t
underestimate your abilities or the possibilities that exist for you. Once you determine
your goals, work tirelessly to achieve them. It is important to understand that learning
never ends. Regardless of profession, career or vocation, there is a need for people
who are learners.
It is an exciting time to be a part of the MVTHS community, and I look forward to
sharing the journey with you!
Yours in Education,
Wes Olson
Principal
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! We are so glad to have you back. Most of you
know me as Ms. Holmes, the food’s teacher. I have a new position this year as Assistant
Principal of the Freshman Academy, and I am very excited to be in this new position. I
look forward to working with you all in a new way. Please know I am still available in
214 G if you would like to come by and say hi. I would love to see you all. It’s my hope
you will work hard this year and set high expectations for yourself. Get to know the faculty here at MVTHS and know we are here to support you in any way we can. Get involved in clubs, organizations, and activities; make the most of your time here! Have a
great year and good luck!
Sincerely,
Ms. Julie Holmes
Assistant Principal– Freshman Academy
214 G
[email protected]
616-246-5751
VERNOIS NEWS
News
News, Page 3
Welcome back students and staff AND congratulations!
Congratulations to ALL teachers and students. Testing results are in from last year, and these serve as one important measure of how well we did last year and serve as a starting point for where all of you can go this year.
Here are some last year results:
Class of 2012, your class math score last year was the highest since 2006, AND your reading score was the highest since 2009!
Class of 2013, your class math score on the practice ACT (junior test you took as sophomores) was a 17.3, which was higher
than the junior score of 17, and you took the test a year early! Your total average score was a 17.4, placing you on track
(with a lot of hard work this year) to meet or exceed state standards on the Prairie State Exam this year as juniors.
Class of 2014, your total average score on the PLAN (sophomore test you took as freshman) was a 17.1, the third highest
score in ten years, and you took the test a year early!
Class of 2015, your total average score of a 15.7 on your 8th grade EXPLORE test last year was the highest entry level score of
a freshman class since records have been kept!
You all have performed VERY well up to this point, and Mt. Vernon High School is VERY proud of you. This year will be the
year to now set you apart and take advantage of the endless opportunities ahead.
The new school year is off to a terrific start. Many athletic, academic, and social activities are already or will soon be underway. Many more are upcoming or planned for in the school calendar. Meetings with each class at the beginning of school
were very positive and motivating. Likewise, the opening day institute and initial meetings with teachers and staff in all areas have presented a very positive experience. Many special programs for students continue to be implemented and more are
planned which will help guarantee that the long and rich tradition of Mt. Vernon High continues These include PBIS (Positive
Behavior Intervention and Support program), the Freshman Academy, the further development of a system and process to
more closely monitor student learning, the refinement of an academic intervention system to provide needed assistance.
Seven basic principles continue to guide the process for all of us.
1. Outline and Articulate a Clear Mission.
2. Provide Strong Instructional Leadership at All Levels.
3. Establish a Safe and Orderly Environment.
4. Demand frequent Monitoring of Student Progress.
5. Allow for Multiple and Varied Opportunities of Students to Demonstrate Mastery of the Material.
6. Require High Expectations for ALL Students.
7. Maximize Home and School Connections.
A successful learning team IS the result of a total effort on the part of all. I encourage all to participate in this exciting time.
All are encouraged to join and contribute to the MVTHS Learning Team. Together, we will not fail in insuring a positive experience and success for each student.
Sincerely
Dr. Michael Smith
Superintendent
MV Welcomes Several New Staff
Wes Olsen: Principal
Cheryl Allen: Special Education Coordinator
Angela Carroll: P.E. Teacher and Volleyball Coach
Caitlin Grither: Guidance Counselor
Kaycee Hale: Special Education Aide
Christy Hefner: Switchboard
Tammy Hendricks: Administrative Secretary-Freshman
Academy/Federal Programs
Julie Holmes: Assistant Principal of Freshman Academy
Jarod Kessler: Art Teacher and Assistant Football
Coach
Michael Kinkade: English Teacher
Dana Koester: Business Teacher
Lesa Lowry: Business Teacher
Lyndsey Moore: 1/2 Time Social Worker
Jan Neibert: Administrative Secretary, Attendance
Office
Rob Pipher: Director of Curriculum
Jared Shaner: P.E. Teacher and Head Football Coach
Kristie Sheppard: Business Teacher
Rebecca Simpson: Special Education Teacher
Beth Snyder: Cook
Elbert “Butch” Staples: Special Education Teacher
Julie Wilkerson: 5/8th Vocal Music Teacher
Kayla Worker: Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Page 4, Feature
VERNOIS NEWS
For whom the bell tolls
By Jessi Clark
NEWS EDITOR
Do you hear the sound of
the bell more frequently
throughout the school
day?
There is a brand new
2011-2012 bell schedule at
MV.
This year, there are
eight class periods, and
the school day runs from
8:15-3:35 with the exception of Tuesdays.
―I like having the eight
period classes because we
get to move around more
since we are switching
classes faster,‖ commented Cole Chauncey, ‘13.
Tuesdays will run from
9:00-3:15.
―It‘s really nice getting
out of class faster, even
though I‘ll have a lot more
homework since there‘s
not time in class,‖ explained Chauncey.
―Last year when the
class periods were longer,
there was more time to do
homework in class and get
other things done.
This
year there isn‘t,‖ added
Betsy Kueker, ‘13.
Another new aspect to
this year is that the sophomore, junior, and senior
lunch take place during
the freshman fourth hour.
―I like having lunch
after 4th hour because
waiting until after 5th hour
would make me hungry
and grouchy,‖ stated Victoria Lewis, ‘12.
―The earlier lunch hour
is really nice because
there isn‘t as much traffic
and we‘re beating all the
of the business lunches,‖
commented Kueker.
Seniors who met the
requirements for the
school improvement incentives either have 1st
hour or 8th hour free.
It‘s become a nice way
to catch up on sleep or
even get extra tutoring
from teachers in a difficult subject.
―I love having 8th hour
off because it gives me
time to relax, even though
I‘m still here to take my
brother home,‖ said Lew-
VERNOIS NEWS
Have You Read It?
New Pizza Hut opens on Broadway
Daily Schedule
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
1st Period
8:15—9:00
2nd Period
9:05—9:50
3rd Period
9:55-10:45
4th Period
10:50-11:30
Lunch (So, Jr, Sr)
11:35-12:20
5th Period(Fr)
11:40-12:25
5th Period (So, Jr, Sr)
12:20-1:05
Lunch(Fr)
12:25-1:10
6th Period
1:10 –1:55
7th Period
2:00-2:45
8th Period
2:50-3:35
Tuesday
School Improvement
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
4th Period
Lunch (So, Jr, Sr)
5th Period (So, Jr, Sr)
5th Period
Lunch (Fr)
6th Period
7th Period
8th Period
ELO
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
4th Period
5th Period
6th Period
7th Period
8th Period
Half Day
8:00-9:00
9:00-9:35
9:40-10:15
10:20-11:00
11:05-11:40
11:40-12:25
11:45-12:30
12:25-1:10
12:30-1:15
1:15-1:55
2:00-2:35
2:40-3:15
3:15-3:45
8:15-8:35
8:40-9:00
9:05-9:25
9:30-9:50
9:55-10:15
10:20-10:40
10:45-11:05
11:10-11:30
Short Day
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
4th Period
Lunch (So, Jr, Sr)
5th Period
5th Period
Lunch (Fr)
6th Period
7th Period
8th Period
8:15-8:35
8:40-9:36
9:41-10:19
10:24-11:02
11:02-11:47
11:07-11:45
11:47-12:25
12:45-12:30
12:30-1:08
1:13-1:51
1:56-2:35
Waithe added, ―The location was a good choice because they
didn't move but a few hundred feet. The original spot is known to
the public.‖
Since the newly built Pizza Hut opened in Mt. Vernon, many people,
With the new building design people will be curious to visit the
including our very own MV
new facility and business
students have eaten
might pick up.
there.
―Perhaps business will pick
Unlike the older Pizza
up, it‘s an attractive building
Hut building, the new
but people already have opinestablishment now has a
ions on the pizza,‖ stated
Drive-Thru window.
Korris.
―Drive-Thrus are alPizza Hut may have a new
ways good because you
Drive Thru and a new builddon't have to leave your
ing, but as far as taste goes,
car,‖
stated
Marcus
the students still have their
Waithe ‗12.
same opinions.
VERNOIS
NEWS/Mr.
Jamey
VanZandt
With a drive thru,
―The pizza itself, is averMt. Vernon Pizza Hut gets an upgrade. Construction was underway much of the summer but it recently
more students to go there opened for business.
age,‖ started Korris, ―it‘s not
for lunch.
More daily
better than Domino‘s, but it‘s
business is expected.
still good.‖
―The only problem would be whether students get enough time
Overall the new Hut looks to be off to a good start. ―The new
for lunch,‖ said Mack Korris ‗12.
building was much needed, the old building was too small and look
By Aryn Wiggins
VERNOIS NEWS
VERNOIS NEWS
Feature
Feature, Page 5
Local student attends conference
By Rorye O’Connor
REGISTER-NEWS
MT. VERNON–One incoming senior at Mt. Vernon
Township High School attended a national leadership
conference geared toward hopeful medical students.
Jeffrey Wright of Mt. Vernon this summer attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine
at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Wright‟s mother, Debbie Wright, said his sophomore counselor nominated him for the exclusive
forum, which hosted about 400 students in Chicago.
She said he was able to visit a number of hospitals and universities in the chicagoland area, including Rush and Northwestern Universities.
The forums take place in 10 cities throughout the
United States, according to a press release.
“They learned how to sew up bananas,” she said
“He sent me a cell phone picture that said, „Hey
Mom this is what we did today.‟ he worked on a
human cadaver, got to hold a human heart and
lung and got to observe an operation.”
The 10-day event introduced students to a variety
of concepts in public health, medical ethics, research and general practice and included site visits
to medical facilities and clinics, information states.
The students involved are engaged in a simulation
using problem-based learning, an educational method in which they will be presented a fictional patient‟s case history and must diagnose and develop a
treatment plan for the patient, information states.
“his group got a fictional patients‟s case history,
and had to diagnose them and develop a treatment
plan,” Debbie Wright said.
He is a lifeguard for the Mt. Vernon City Pool and
is a member of the King City Flippers. He is a member of the National Hoonor Society and the Scholar
Bowl. He is involved with the MVTHS Operetta pit
orchestra, concert band and marching band.
He is a National Merit Scholar and an Eagle Scout.
He is active with his church, Mt. Vernon Church
VERNOIS NEWS/Paisley Stewart
Jeffery Wright of Christ.
(Story original, appeared in Mount Vernon Register-News)
Beckmeyer legacy lives on
When Loafman found this score, he
found the earliest known copy of the
MV loyalty as we know it today.
We have all heard it, all seen the
“The original loyalty only included
cheerleading and dance teams perparts for piano and the lyrics,” exform to it, and all love it; it is the MV
plained Loafman.
loyalty.
This score includThis song is pered over 25 different
formed at every
musical parts, includfootball and basketing for all the differball game by the MV
ent woodwind, brass,
high school band
and percussion instruunder the direction
ments.
of Mr. Nick Loafman
“The man was a
Loafman recently
musical
genius” enlightened me on
Loafman declared in
this
MV
spirited
regards to the diffisong.
culty and time it must
The original loyalhave taken to transty was written 98
pose the original muyears ago, in 1913,
sic into a score. Anby
a
composer
other tribute to the
names J.W. Chadtime and difficulty is
wick.
that Beckmeyer handVERNOIS YEARBOOK photo/Lifetouch
The piece was
wrote each note and
Mr.
Nick
Loafman
later transposed by
musical element over
a past music direcseveral pages of mutor of MV, W. H Beckmeyer into a full
sic.
score.
The song, which is commonly
Beckmeyer was head of the music
called “the MV loyalty”, is actually
department during the 40‟s and 50‟s.
titled “Orange and Black”.
During this time he made a lasting
He is responsible for starting the
impression on MV as a great music
long standing tradition of the annual
teacher and person.
Operetta performance.
Loafman stumbled upon BeckmeyThe Operetta is now going on to
er‟s handwritten sheet music that
it‟s 70th year here at MV thanks to the
made up the score.
efforts and hard work of Beckmeyer.
By Paisley Stewart
MANAGING EDITOR
Recipe of the Month
Need a quick and easy summer
treat to beat the heat? Try a
Creamsicle Milkshake.
Ingredients:
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 scoop orange sherbet
1/2 cup orange juice
Directions
In a milkshake mixer or
pitcher of a blender combine the ice cream, sherbet, and orange juice.
Blend for 3 minutes in a
milkshake mixer or 1 and
1/2 minutes in a blender.
Make sure that it is thick
enough from a straw to
stand up in the middle of,
and enjoy!
Editorial, Page 6
Editorial
VERNOIS NEWS
In between thinking up silly band names and cracking jokes, the Vernois News staff is
hard at work doing what we do best — bringing you, the reader, your
campus
news
news
thatthat
willwill
ininform,
form, educate,
educate,enlighten
enlightenand
andentertain.
entertain. Here’s
Here’sour
ourstarting
startinglineup
lineupfor
forthe
theyear.
year!
Hannah Piercy, Editor in Chief
What was the highlight of your summer? The John Legend concert for sure!
What is your favorite quote? “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
If you could be an animal what would you be? Umm..I don’t really like animals.
What is your favorite Disney movie? The Parent Trap is my favorite movie of all time.
Message to students: High school is fun, but don’t lose yourself in the process.
Paisley Stewart, Managing Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? Zip-lining and surfing in Hawaii, baby!
What is your favorite quote? “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself”-George Bernard Shaw
If you could be an animal, what would you be? A Unicorn! They are beautiful, biblical...and majestic!
What is your favorite Disney movie? Definitely a tie between The Lion King and Aladdin
Message to students: Don’t conform to what everyone else is doing; live your life, follow your dreams, and wear your passion.
Jessi Clark, News Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? It’s between meeting Gavin Degraw, and going to Florida with my Best Friend
What is your favorite quote? “Every song ends, but is that any reason not to enjoy the music?” -One Tree Hill
If you could be an animal, what would be you? A dolphin-I could swim in the ocean all day!
What is your favorite Disney movie? Toy Story, without a doubt!
Message to students: Don’t procrastinate, enjoy everyday, respect your elders, and stay in school, children.
Michael Jones, A&E Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? Hanging out with my guys.
What is your favorite quote? “Life is a fierce game betwixt you and fate.” -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
If you could be an animal what would you be? A peacock, because I’m kind of in your face and flashy.
What is your favorite Disney movie? Finding Nemo
Message to students: Respect. Respect. Respect. And get involved with something!
Maggie Aaron, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Seeing Kings of Leon in Alabama!
What is your favorite quote? If you always look toward the sun, the shadows fall behind you.
If you could be an animal, what would you be? A seagull, so I could just chill at the beach all the time.
What is your favorite Disney movie? Lion King! But a close second would have to be Pirates of the Caribbean.
Message to students: Get involved. There is no better way to meet people. Also, buy an umbrella!
Alyssa Burge, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Going to Midwest District Tennis Championships.
What is your favorite quote? “Remembrance is sufficient of the beauty we have seen.”-E.B White
If you could be an animal, what would you be? A dolphin … duh!
What is your favorite Disney movie? Lilo and Stitch!
Message to students: Be yourself, and make the best out of high school. You only get one shot, so
live it with no regrets.
“Is that the pope?...oh, that looked like a robe and I didn't see the dog.” - Jessa Hawkins
“If you would be so kind, I’ll dance at your wedding.” - Jamey VanZandt
“Do you like waffles?” - Gabe Cralley
“I’ll be a cat with an afro!” - Alicia Sheldon
“Are y’all goin’ to KFC after church?” -Jamey VanZandt
“I’m feeling cranky and pubescent today and I don’t know why.” - Harry Potter Puppet Pals
“I don’t know; I’m not funny right now.” - Gabe Cralley
“Who is shrieking? Who is shrieking?” - Jamey Vanzandt
“Sorry, it rained.” - Leah Minor
“I do like old women and meowing.” - Jamey VanZandt
“Potato may whistle while cooking.” - Green Giant
“Will you make me fudge?!” - Leah Minor
Eric is mad because he’s not funny enough to have a Quirky Quote.
VERNOIS NEWS
Editorial, Page 7
Trace Turner, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Hanging out at the block.
What is your favorite quote? “Well boys, it’s about that time,” Mason Tate.
If you were an animal, what would you be? A cheetah.
What is your favorite Disney movie? The Lion King.
Message to students: Don’t waste time.
Aryn Wiggins, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Pranking Drive Thrus every weekend.
What is your favorite quote? “Go biggie or go home”-Myself
If you were an animal, what would you be? I would either be a slithery little snake or a flamingo.
What is your favorite Disney movie? Pirates of the Caribbean.
Message to students: Get Involved and Don’t run with scissors.
Rance Cummings, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Going to New Orleans with LSBC on a mission trip.
What is your favorite quote? Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a
while, you could miss it. –Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
If you were an animal, what would you be? A penguin … enough said.
What is you favorite Disney movie? Toy Story
Message to students: Don’t dwell about your past mistakes because you can’t go back and change
them
Jamey VanZandt, Advisor
What was the highlight of your summer? My cousin, Brigadier General H. Brent Baker, took command of the Global Logistics Support Center at Scott Air Force Base, and my family and I were honored to attend his command installation ceremony on July 22.
What is your favorite quote? Among many favorite quotes is this: “Steel is strong because it knew the hammer and the
white heat.” -June Carter Cash
If you were an animal what would you be? I suppose I would choose the cardinal-it’s distinctive, sings a beautiful song,
and adds richness to its environment.
What is you favorite Disney movie? I am not a fan of Disney … however, I do enjoy the older Disney offerings. Jungle
Book was a favorite as a child. Louis Prima did a lot of the music.
Message to students: I hope that all students are able to take away something good each day at MVTHS, and that staff
and students alike enjoy a successful, memorable year.
More Vernois News Band Names … Summer Edition
Pain Governor
Pickle Research
Nine o’Clock Morality
Zanzibar
Phantasmagoric Experience
Casting Call
Nitwit Group
Falling Brownies
Choking on Liquids
Donut Venom
Whistling Dixie
Bouncing Kittens
Bleeding Band-Aids
Death by Pencil
Flammable Igloo
Evasive Head Cold
Sharks with Cleavers
Naked Embargo
Scarlet Fever
Page 8, Columns
Columns
VERNOIS NEWS
Piercy sketches about hotel experience
By Hannah Piercy
EDITOR IN CHIEF
I recently had the opportunity to travel 338 miles to
Columbus, Ohio for North American Youth Congress
with my youth group. Thirty-four youth members
and youth staff packed up for a three day trip consisting of hot bus rides, annoying tweens, and amazing services.
More than 18,000 people made this journey with
life-changing expectations in their heart, and most came back renewed, with a new love for God.
Lives were changed during those three days, but the most tantalizing aspect was the sketchy hotel where we spent three nights.
After six and a half hours of driving, I eagerly searched for exit
176 where our hotel awaited us. I was desperately in need of a restroom and a place to clean up for church.
Our mouths dropped when we pulled into the Days Inn where we
had reservations to stay. It had a pool, a gym, a mini golf course,
and free breakfast, but ... it was lacking cleanliness.
Junior seeks self
By Paisley Stewart
MANAGING
EDITOR
“Life isn’t about
finding yourself,
it is about creating yourself”George Bernard
Shaw.
As I walked through those
extremely old doors of MV on the
first day of freshman year, so
many questions loomed in my
mind; “would I find myself these
coming four years?”, even more
so “would I like who I found?”.
Now almost two years later I
find myself walking through
those newly redone doors into
the same school that 730 days
ago seemed ever so foreign and
scary, but know has become almost like a second home to me.
In those, what I expected to
be a long two years (oh, how I
was wrong), so much had
changed. I’m not talking about
how freshman year I wore boot
cut jeans in comparison to how I
now wear skinnies, or that I have
a total different group of
friends, or even how I may have
grown a quarter of an inch in
there some time.
There are a lot of things that
change in high school, I think we
can all agree on that, but what I
am really talking about is how
my complete concept of what
high school is all about has shape
-shifted.
People will always tell you
high school is about, getting
those state required test scores,
and somewhere along the way
finding yourself.
The truth is, though, high
school is so much more than
that. While I will preach good
grades and high ACT scores as
much as anyone, there is much
more in my mind.
While making and hanging
out with friends is amazing and
being involved is the hands down
best decision I’ve made in high
school so far, not even that is
what it is all about.
The quote; “Life isn’t about
finding yourself, it is about creating yourself” pretty much all
sums up what high school is all
about.
You aren’t “finding yourself,”
who you are doesn’t just magically materialize.
You are “creating yourself”.
In every decision you make, every moral you have, every belief
you hold, every person you associate with, and every path you
take; you are creating and molding your personality and creating
yourself.
To our dismay, there was no elevator so we took the treacherous
walk up the stairs with our luggage only to uncover a hallway painted
bright blue with things such as “homeboy” sketched across the wall.
The rooms were not any better. There were mysterious stains on
the floor and spots on the sheets. The hotel claimed to be a nonsmoking environment, but each room was heavily saturated with the
smell of smoke. Some rooms even lacked hot water and air conditioning.
We were shocked when a shirtless banjo playing man greeted us
on our way back to the vans. After his surprise, no one was allowed
to wonder the halls alone...ever!
We couldn’t believe our youth pastor would make reservations in
a hotel that was as nasty as ours, so we decided to look up reviews
online. What we came across wasn’t pretty.
Truth was, the hotel we were staying at wasn’t actually a Days
Inn anymore, but a privately owned hotel that still advertised old
photos from the previous owners.
Although our faith was tried and are safety was jeopardized, we
left Ohio trusting in the power of the buddy system, appreciating the
warmth of a hot shower, and a desire in our hearts to change our
world.
Top Ten Excuses for
Being Late to School
1.They're always ringing the bell before I get there.
2.I saw a sign that read "School
Ahead. Go Slow.", so I did.
3.My watch was set to Tokyo time.
4.I had to feed my pet piranha.
5.My alarm clock kept going off while
I was asleep.
6.Sorry--usually my punctuation skills
are excellent.
7.I was dreaming about a b-ball
game, and it went into overtime.
8.I'm on time--everyone else is early.
9.I told you if i wasn't here, you
should go ahead and start without
me.
10.What? I thought this place was
open until three thirty!
Odds & Ends, Page 9
VERNOIS NEWS
Odds & Ends
Back to School Mad Lib
Back to School Madlib (1)
Today was the first day of school. I was a little nervous because I’d heard
some (adjective)_______________________ rumors about our
new (ordinal number)
_____________(grade) (subject)____________________
teacher.
Don’t get me wrong—some kids thought that (teacher’s
name)_______________________ was (adjective)
_________________________, but there were
many who thought s/he was the (superlative adjective)
________________________ teacher
they’d ever met.
Other kids from last year told us how teacher’s
name_______________________ would
(verb)____________________ to the front of the classroom
then (verb)______________, (adverb)
____________to get the class’s attention. If a student got out
of line, s/he
could count on (Teacher’s name)_____________________ to
(verb)________________, then
(verb)_________________, (adverb)___________________.
But most of the time, (teacher’s name)
________________was very unpredictable.
So you see, many of us were a little (adjective)
_____________________ when we first
entered the (adjective)_________________________ classroom.
The walls were covered in (adjective)_________________,
plural
(Noun)______________________ and (adjective)
_______________________, (plural
Noun)______________________. The desks were arranged in
(a geometric
Shape)____________________. There were even plural
noun____________________________
hanging from the ceiling! But what I noticed first was what
my
Adjective ________________teacher was wearing. I don’t
know about the other
kids, but I have never seen a teacher wearing pants that
shade of
(colour)___________________ before. The vest s/he wore
looked like something out
of (movie title)___________________________________, and
on his/her head was a(n)
(adjective)_______________________, (noun)
________________________ worn just like a hat.
Some of us weren’t sure whether to laugh or to cry, but we
were polite and
s/he didn’t seem to notice our surprise or suppressed present
tense
(Verb)____________________________.
Whatever they say, one thing is for certain: this is going to be
a(n) (adjective)
____________________ year!
Weird and Interesting Facts
In Quitman, Georgia, US, it is illegal for a chicken
to cross the road.
President George W. Bush was once a cheerleader!
Smelling bananas and/or green apples can help you
lose weight!
In Chinese, the KFC slogan "Finger Lickin' Good"
comes out as "Eat your Fingers Off".
To sell your home faster, and for more money,
paint it yellow.
Ice Cream is Chinese food!
Donkeys kill more people annually than plane
crashes.
It's impossible to kill yourself by holding your
breath.
A&E, Page 10
Summer brings music to students
was one of the Best concerts I have ever been
to. The best performance was The Devil Wears
Prada.‖
The crowd goes wild as the band finishes its
Summer Karch, 13, commented, ―It was by
last set.
far the highlight of my summer. All of the
For many MV students, attending a concert
bands were fantastic.‖
was a common happening during the summer
Warped Tour boasted a laundry lis of bands
break.
including: Jack’s Mannequin, A Day to RememMusic is said to ―bring people together,‖
ber, and August Burns Red.
and for MV students, this was just the approMany other music festivals catered to difpriate type of activity.
fering music tastes as well.
However, venues aren’t in Mount Vernon to
The list includes Herrin Fest, held on Memohouse extreme concerts. So many students
rial Day weekend, Lolapollooza, a music festitravel to St. Louis for concerts, and to the Verval held on August 5 in Grant Park Chicago, and
izon Wireless Amphitheater.
of course the four day modern day Woodstock
Two
giants
known as the
concerts
were
Bonnaroo Mubooked this sumsic
Festival,
mer at the Veriheld in July,
zon Wireless Amat Great Stage
phtitheater: Vans
Park, in ManWarped Tour and
chester, TN.
Point Fest.
Bonnaroo
Alexis Rollinand Lolapolson, 12, comlooza showed
mented, ―Point
off
heavy
Fest was amazhittetrs such
ing! I would go
as Wiz Khaback in a heart
lifa, Cee Lo
beat.‖
Green,
and
Point Fest was
Eminem.
held on May 15
O t h e r s
and
featured
VERNOIS NEWS photo/www.adamspps.com
may
venture
bands such as Thousands of people gathered together at Grant Park, during the three day music festival
elsewhere to
known as Lolapollooza. It was held the August 5-7 in Chicago.
Korn, Sick Pupfind a good
pies, and Sevendust
show.
The national music and extreme sports
Craig Vishy, 12, commented, ―The Jason
tour, Vans Warped Tour dropped in on August
Aldean concert was great!‖ Vishy attended the
3rd to deliver to our region one of the most
concert in Springfield at the Illinois State fair.
intense experiences ever.
There are many choices for music enterWhat’s more fun than moshing for your fatainment out there; all you have to do is find
vorite band, spending hours with thousands of
it.
people who love music just as much as you do,
If you want to hear some great music, and
and a once and a life time experience to withave an unforgettable experience, you may
ness the real power of music for our generawish to check out one of these venues next
tion?
time they roll into the area.
Steve Boss, 13, responded, ―Warped Tour
By Michael Jones
A&E Editor
VERNOIS NEWS
What’s on your
back to school
playlist?
Top 10 back to
school songs:
10. ―Knee Deep‖–
Zack Brown Band
9. ―Barefoot Blue
Jean Night‖—Jake
Owen
8. ―I’m on One‖–
Drake
7. ―Country Girl‖–
Luke Bryan
6. ―Summer Nights‖–
Rascal Flatts
5. ―Crazy Girl‖– Eli
Young Band
4. ―Tonight Tonight‖Hot Chelle Rae
3. ―Dirt Road
Anthem‖– Jason
Aldean
2. ―Bubbly Toes‖–
Jack Johnson
1. ―Party Rock
Anthem‖– LMFAO
Don’t Forget...Buy your
Vernois 2012 by September 30
Come to Room 122h!
VERNOIS NEWS
A & E, Page 11
Barton reviews Apple Mac Book Air
always a down side.
The computer only contains 2 USB 3.0
drives, no optical disk drive (CD), no exterWhat’s the newest, trendiest, and
nal mic jack, no Ethernet port and only a
coolest thing in computers?
five and-a half-hour battery life.
The new Mac Book Air with Lion
However, since Apple (Mac) is a compeOS X— the thinnest laptop in the
tent company they built external accessories
world!
to fix this problem.
With an Intel i7 dual core procesLike the Mac Book Air Super Drive for
sor, 256GB hardrive and flash
CDs, Apple has created a USB Ethernet
memory, the Mac Book Air contains
Adapter.
no moving parts unlike normal comAnd to make up for lost USB drives, one
puters.
can go to Amazon.com and purchase a USB
It also features a new Apple inVERNOIS NEWS photo/www.gsmandroid.com splitter.
vention called Thunderbolt, which The new Mac Book Air, recommended with the 13in highdefintion screen. Apple
One can be purchase a splitter for a low
has outdone themselves this time. And one can purchase this fine machine for
allows the computer to turn on its really
price of around $4.
around $1300.00 USD
display in around half a second, as
I would definitely recommend this for a
well as a graphics card and screen that has over 4 million pixels and college student for notes and on the go activities.
a full High Definition 1080p LED display.
But for the average high school student, I would suggest an iMac,
The Mac Book Air is truly a work of art, well from a nerds stand because of its desktop abilities.
point.
It’s a machine built for the home professional, not the busy stuAlthough it conveys a sleek, stylish and powerful design, there is dent on the go.
By Avery Barton
VERNOIS NEWS
Kanye West and Jay Z take Throne
By Trace Turner
VERNOIS NEWS
After weeks of waiting and anticipation, Jay Z and Kanye
West’s first collaborative project together, Watch the
Throne, hit the Itunes store on
August 8.
The albums recently set the
record for best-ever first week
sales on the Itunes store.
Watch the Throne, sold exclusively on Itunes for most of
its first week on the market,
reached monumental 290,000
copies, and topped Coldplay’s
hits Viva la Vida and Death and
All his Friends, each having sold
282,000 copies.
Although unofficial, the expected amount of record sales
for CD copies and downloads is
estimated to be around 410,
000 to 450,000 sold copies.
According to Wikipedia.org,
in the music video for “Otis,”
the duo make some serious
modifications to a $500k Maybach, a German luxury sports
car.
The mods included ripping
the doors out and cutting the
top off for a Jeep-like feel.
This allowed them to drift
around an empty parking lot
with a quartet of young women.
The alleged damaged to the
car was appraised to be around
$150k.
The opening track likens
Kanye to a God with the chorus
“What’s a king to a God? What’s
a God to a nonbeliever?”
This shows the albums connection to cultural views and
religion.
The other 15 tracks also
show references to religion,
wealth, and status.
Clearly performing well
commercially, the album hasn't
yet been released in its deluxe
version.
The deluxe version of the
new album will include four
bonus tracks, a multi panel
poster, and a complete collection of all the lyrics for the
songs on the album.
The deluxe version, designed by Riccardo Tisci, is sixty
seven minutes of gold, literally.
Exclusively sold at Best Buy, it
is wrapped in golden mylar.
The cover also unfolds into a
cross.
The elaborate design of the
album, covers everything from
introspection to social consciousness to luxury goods,
even the over-top-ness of the
two artists.
Mike’s Soundstage
What’s on my playlist?
My pick of the summer
would have to be John by
Lil Wayne featuring Rick
Ross.
By Michael Jones
A&E EDITOR
The beat of this song is so intense, and it’s one those
pump-up songs that just gets
you going. I like the uncut,
raw feel that Wayne brings to
his music.
VERNOIS SPORTS
Volume 90 - Issue 1
GO RAMS AND LADY RAMS!
August 2011
New coach; new season Rams prepare for fall
and getting ready for the season.
Brooke Moore, „12 stated
“This season is going to be great.
As we start a new year, we also
We are all working so hard and
welcome a new coach and a new
we are really communicating as a
staff member to MV.
team. Hopefully we win a lot of
Angie Carroll is MV‟s new girls‟
games this year and keep a good
volleyball coach and Basic P.E.
record.”
teacher.
Myranda
“ T h e
Epplin,
„14
transition
added
“I
for becomthink we are
ing a new
going to be
teacher and
really
good
a new coach
this year.”
was
fairly
The
Mt.
easy
beVernon Lady
cause I went
Rams Volleyto this high
ball team is
school, so I
putting in a
knew
the
lot of hours
campus alof practice to
r e a d y , ”
prepare
for
Coach Cartheir first few
roll stated.
matches. This
C o a c h
is
including
C a r r o l l
lot of running
coached at
and sprints
Clayton
VERNOIS NEWS/Brooke Moore and
core
High School Kirsten McGowen, „14 spikes the ball as junior Kelby Kujawa
in
goes for the block. workouts
in Missouri
and outside
for
two
of the gym.
years, and then she moved to
Coach Carroll feels very confiWoodlawn High School to serve
dent in the team‟s possibilities
the position as head coach.
this year. She is very excited in
Now, the MV head coach, has
getting to know all of the girls
set high expectations for the
and spending time with them this
team. “Winning and getting to
season.
know the team better are my
The Mt. Vernon Lady Rams
goals for the year. They are a
Volleyball team‟s first match is
good group of girls,” Carroll statslated for Thursday, September 1
ed.
at 5:30 in Changnon Gymnasium.
The team has had some tournaments over the summer, but
currently they are conditioning
By Alyssa Burge
VERNOIS NEWS
By Rance Cummings
VERNOIS NEWS
“Football is like life - it requires
perseverance, self-denial, hard
work, sacrifice, dedication and
respect for authority.”-Vince
Lombardi
Summer is coming to a close
and the smell of bon fires and
the sound of the school band are
coming out of retirement once
again. Chilly nights, jackets and
smores are soon to be approaching beginning this Friday at
meet the team.
The season isn‟t the only
thing that is changing though,
the football team along with
new Coach Jared Shaner have
spent a lot of time preparing for
the games.
Senior leader Daniel Morrison
added, “The team has adapted
well to the new coach. The athletes are taking instruction well
and showing him a lot of respect.”
The fitness has dramatically
improved since Coach Shaner
has put forth more focus on cardio for the team‟s conditioning.
The team has worked very hard
on improving their endurance.
“We have done so much
more running, so much more,”
stated Morrison.
Motivation has been important for the players, when
asked about motivation Jordan
Williamson ‟12 commented, “My
motivation would definitely be
trying to help out the team as
much as I can.”
It has been a few years since the
Rams have been real deep in the
playoffs, so their goal this year
is just getting there and hopefully going as far as they can.
“Playoffs,” was the answer
Morrison responded with when
asked what he hoped to get out
of this last season of his.
Although we have a young
team, most feel they have some
strong potential.
“Stay in the weight room and
stay conditioned. Expect to run
a lot,” this was the advice that
both senior players Morrison and
Williamson passed down to upcoming players of the Rams
football team.
“My focus this year is trying
to make myself noticeable for
colleges,” Morrison also added.
The leaders this year are under
a lot of stress on and off the
field so the newcomers need a
good example to be set for them
when they begin the road that
the older players are on.
The team has been preparing
all summer in the sweltering
heat and as we all know the
games are the highlight of most
of our Friday nights. As the
lights come on and the teams
run out, the games will be underway!
Football is a rough sport and
the team could use all the encouragement us fans and students could give them, so let‟s
get out there and help the Rams
to victory!
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good
is better and your better is best.” - Tim Duncan
To inform, educate, enlighten, and entertain | A VERNOIS PUBLICATIONS GROUP PRODUCTION