Issue 2 - Vienna High School

Volume 6
Issue 2
Vi
October 1999
en
na
Vi
en
gh
gh
ho
-V
ien
L
na
,I
,I
na
L
ien
L
-V
,I
na
L
ol
na
ien
,I
ol
na
-V
ien
ol
Sc
ho
-V
Sc
Hi
gh
na
Hi
ol
ho
ien
Sc
-V
gh
ol
Hi
ho
na
Sc
en
ho
Vi
gh
Sc
Hi
,I
Talon
en
na
Hi
en
Vi
na
Vi
The
L
www.viennahighschool.com
In this Issue
Life as a State Champion
Article by Molly Parker
Hepatitis A
page 2
Alvin’s Hole in One
page 3
Home run hitter Hank Aaron once said, “My motto was always to
keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having
trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” VHS
track star Darla Hannan’s motto is to keep running. “I used to take it for
granted,” she said, “but now I run every chance I get.”
Upon meeting Darla, you’ll find she is very modest, and rarely complains. It is typical for students with high athletic talent to move to a
big school that will give them more publicity, but Darla runs faithfully
for Vienna. Although the VHS track team doesn’t have a track field to
practice on, the five member team trains by running sprints up the hills
at Mr. Hook’s house and the trail at the Vienna City Park.
“I’ve been running since I was little,” Darla said, laughing, “I think I
learned to run before I learned to walk.” Darla then turned serious as
she talked about the troubles she has had with her knee. “It started
hurting in the eighth grade, but I kept it to myself so that I wouldn’t
have
to
go
to
the
doctor.
I
(Continued on page 3)
“School that Rulz” Contest
page 4
Senior Favorites
page 7
Mystery Spotlights
page 8
VHS Students attend Illinois Education and
Technology Conference in Springfield Article by Jill Clayton
“Wake up!” “Oh no!” and “Great job!” were some of the remarks made by VHS students while
attending the Illinois Education & Technology Conference in Springfield. The five students that
represented VHS at this event were Ryan Hill, Drew Lawrence, Christy Housewright, Jill Clayton, and
Stephani Penrod. VHS business teacher Ms. Joan Clayton, who accompanied the students said, “The
trip was a great learning experience and proved to be very rewarding for the students.”
The topic of the session hosted by Vienna High School was “Creative use of PowerPoint to Promote
your School and Community.” The students did a dynamic PowerPoint presentation on Johnson County
that included historic landmarks, tourist sites, and other
features of our community
and school.
The convention room was
a standing-room-only crowd
made up of teachers and administrators. The presentation
went very well, with a huge
round of applause and lots of
positive comments as the last
slide was shown. After the
presentation a question and
answer session followed,
which was similar to a press
conference, with numerous
pressing questions which were
skillfully answered by the students.
VHS Makes a Difference
page 10
(Continued on page 3)
Ryan Hill, Drew Lawrence, Stephani Penrod, Jill Clayton, Christy Housewright
Page by: Christy Housewright
News
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
Page 2
October 1999
Page by: Kalika Miller
Red Cross Blood Drive at VHS
THANK YOU to all those who participated in the Blood Drive that was held on October 6th. Thirty-five units of blood were
collected, and 15 people donated for the first time. VHS students and faculty that gave the “Gift of Life” are listed below:
Amanda Henderson
Mareshah Belcher
Drew Lawrence
Chad Colson
Danielle Morrisette
David Fairless
Melissa Bute
Eli Cornelius
Patricia Pierce
Brandi Penrod
Rebecca Teale
Alvin Stockdale
Jessica Spears
Shawn Holderfield
Barrett Evans
Desiree Duty
Allen Gilbert
Ashley Strawhacker
Rose McPherson
Jeff Spears
Brian Glisson
Matt Endrizzi
Jerry Johns
Kenneth Baker II
Brandon Spurlock
Russ Kreuter
Nick Richardson
Chase Gilbert
Tim Coleman
Paul Widowski
Chris Germain
Mr. Reichert
Ms. Sherwood
Mr. Evans
Invitation to Career Association Induction
The Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) class
would like to invite all students and faculty to
the Third Annual Career Association Induction Ceremony on Thursday, November 18,
1999 at 7:00 PM in the VHS Commons. The
purpose of the ceremony is to recognize and
induct officers and members into the Career
Association. Refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony.
Career Association officers are: President
Eddie Street, Vice President Josh Dill, Secretary Kathy King, Treasurer Jennifer Gunn, Re-
JILG Officers
Back Row: Jennifer Gunn, Carol Hudson, Kathy King;
Front: Gillian Grasher, Josh Dill, Eddie Street
porter Gillian Grasher, and Historian Carol
Hudson. Members include Gavin Allen, Jennifer Alsip, Kim Arthur, John Bacon, David
Bates, Amanda Browning, Amanda Brumley,
Brandi Cruse, Daniel Densford, Barrett Evans,
J.O. Fadely, Chris Germain, Brian Glisson,
Amanda Henderson, Jason Jeralds, Jerry
Johns, Brandi Kerley, Andrew Kimmel, Angela Knotts, Becky Lewis, Amie Mason, Tara
McCann, Will Ross, Jeff Spears, Christian
Wallscetti, and David Webb. JILG Sponsor
is Mr. Marks.
Hepatitis A scare becomes a wake-up call
A group of students who went on the Drama
Club Trip to Fox Theater recently had a scare
which would be associated with possibly coming in contact with the Hepatitis A virus. Even
though the possibility of contracting the virus
was minimal, the students were all immunized
within the window of time provided for the shot
to be effective. Ann Taylor, from Southern
Seven Health Department, was present to answer questions and give the immunizations.
The immunization is Immune Globulin, or
IG. It is a sterile solution of antibodies made
from human plasma. After the injection, pain,
tenderness, itching, or swelling may occur at
the site that the shot was given. For three
months after the immunization occurs, the recipients should not receive any live virus vaccines such as the MMR.
Hepatitis A, once known as infectious hepatitis, is basically an infection of the liver. It can
be spread from person to person, often by food
or water contaminated by anyone with the disease. The disease is most often caused by the
person’s neglect of good hygiene by not washing hands after using the bathroom. Hepatitis
A is probably the nicest form of hepatitis you
could contract. But, if left untreated, it can be
serious. This disease may cause fever, fatigue,
nausea, abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite, followed by several days of jaundice
(yellow skin). If you feel that you have any
combination of these symptoms we suggest
you be checked out by a nurse.
Exposure to a confirmed case of Hepatitis A is defined as: 1) household contact; 2)
slept in the same bed with the case; 3) ate food
prepared or handled by; 4) long and sustained
contact (more than one time or casual contact).
Hepatitis A brings to light the importance
of hand-washing. Hands should be washed
before eating, after using the bathroom or completing other personal care tasks, after contact
with blood or other body fluids, and when
soiled or contaminated through regular activities.
There are four basic steps to effective handwashing. Even though it seems like everyone
should know how to wash their hands, shortcuts are often made which effect the accuracy
of the job.
First, you should use warm water, for cold
does not kill germs, and hot water is harsh on
the skin. Step number two- Use a soap with
added moisturizers, and work it into a thorough
lather, using friction. It is important to rub vigorously to create friction between your hands.
Be sure to scrub your fingernails, and in between your fingers. The third step is to rinse
completely and dry well with a clean paper
towel. The fourth and final step is turning off
the water using a paper towel, “To keep your
hands free from recontamination,” says the
United States Center for Disease Control.
VHS nurse Mrs. Reichert commented,
“Hand washing is the single most effective way
to stop the spread of Hepatitis A and many
other common diseases.” She went on to say,
“I was very pleased with the efficient way that
Southern Seven Health Department and VHS
students and faculty handled the recent situation. They should be commended on how well
they dealt with this situation that is now, thankfully, behind us.”
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 1
News
Page 3
October 1999
Page by: Molly Parker
Congratulations
to
A.J. Kimes
and
Megan Mizell!
Both were named Southern Illinoisian
Softball Player of the Week
this past season.
Regional Band a success
Students from twelve area high schools came
together on Thursday, October 7 to participate
in Regional Band under the direction of SCC
music director John Windings. The students
come from different music directors, different
music backgrounds, and different skill levels.
With only four hours of practice, the students
put together three numbers and performed at the
opening of Shawnee College’s annual FiveCounty Educators’ Institute early on Friday
morning, October 9th.
Students from Vienna participating were Josh
Bain, Chad Colson, Andy Farmer, Matt Felcyn,
Eric Fox, Ryan Hill, Ben Hogue, Rachel Lindsay, Tara McCann, Brent McHugh, Kacie
Oliver, Laura Oliver, Molly Parker, and Dann
Voelz.
“The performance was very good and the
students all represented Vienna High School very
well,” commented VHS Principal Mr. Louis
Parker upon watching the performance.
Golf Team ends a good season, Leslie rolls on
This year’s lady golf Regionals were held at Eagle golf member Leslie Scarbrough, shot a 90
Carbondale Hickory Ridge Golf Course on at Hickory Ridge and placed 5th out of 94 playWednesday, October 6. The Lady Eagles, in ers. She advanced to Sectionals at Greenville,
their first year as an official team, played against IL. Despite solemn efforts, Leslie’s 100 did not
12 Southern Illinois teams. The 5 member girls advance her to state.
Although the
team shot a 418 team
Eagles had a disaptotal. They came in
pointing loss at
5th place overall; three
Regionals, the Eagle’s
strokes shy of Trico’s
had several victories
fourth place, and adthroughout the regular
vancing to Sectionals.
season. They defeated
Those that advanced
Benton
and
were Carbondale,
Murphysboro in the
Benton, Salem, and
last regular match of
Trico. The Eagle’s dethe season. They shot
feated 7 other teams
a 195 team score low.
which
included
Megan Watkins also
Chester, Massac
fired a 41; a team low
County, Mt. Vernon,
for the season at
Murphysboro,
Benton.
Pinckneyville,
“They came out
Steeleville, and West
above teams that have
Frankfort.
had programs for many
“The highlight of
years,” Coach Bremer
Sectionals was seeing
Leslie Scarbrough places 5th at Regionals
commented. “I hope
the Lady Eagles realthat the program will
ize how good they
were. All seasons have hills and valleys and it is continue to grow and be successful as the years
nice to end on top of a hill. This was a major go on.”
The girls encourage anyone who is interested
accomplishment for a first year team,” commented
in playing on the team next year to practice in the
VHS Golf Coach Lisa Bremer.
The top four competing teams plus eight in- spring and over the summer. Remember, there
dividuals advance to Sectionals. Junior Lady are lots of opportunities for scholarships in girl’s
golf.
...Life as a state champion (cont. from page 1)
Upon a visit to the first
doctor, Darla was told that if
she continued to run she would
never walk again. But there is
another thing that you will find
when you meet Darla; she never
gives up. She went to another
doctor for a second opinion.
“He agreed that things were
bad with my knee,” Darla explained, “but he said that if I
went to physical training I could
correct it.” Darla did physical
therapy twice a week for three
months. “I still have to do
physical therapy on my own,”
she said, “but, yes, things are
VHS Track Team pictured from left to right: Rachel Lindsay, Teresa Stachowiak,
much better now.”
Mareshah Belcher, Darla Hannan, Bethany Belcher
Last spring, Darla won the
gold medal in the 100 meter dash and was just .02 seconds away from breaking the State record.
She also won silver in the 200 meter dash. Her goals for next Spring are to win the gold in the 100
and 200 meter dash at State. “This year,” she said, “I plan to break the State record in the 100
meter.”
Darla has been contacted by Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Brown, as well as over forty other
schools, but has not yet made a final decision on where she will attend college.
What year can we expect to see Darla running in the Olympics? “Wow, one thing at a time,” she
laughed. “But I guess 2004 would be my year. I’m setting my goals high and I guess that anything
can happen.”
“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.”
—Bo Jackson
Technology Conference
in Springfield
(continued from page 1)
Ms. Clayton was thrilled with the students’
performance. “The trip was a lot of fun and the
students did an excellent job. The work beforehand was a tremendous load, but the presentation was so awesome that all the long hours of
hard work really paid off.”
The group also attended other sessions at the
conference. “The sessions were designed more
for teachers and administrators, but it was still
very informational and interesting to look at things
from their point of view,” said Christy
Housewright.
At the conference reception, Ryan Hill won
some computer software, a T-shirt, and a goody
bag. The technology team will speak at the VHS
Open House on November 3rd.
VHS Golf scores second
hole-in-one of the season
Alvin Stockdale, senior member of the boy’s
golf team is now among the elite group of golfers to card a 1. Alvin racked in his hole-in-one
on hole #4 at Crab Orchard during the boy’s
Regional.
“I was overwhelmed with joy at achieving
such a great accomplishment,” Alvin said. “Actually,” he laughed, “I just got lucky.”
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 1
VHS CLUB ACTIVITIES
Page 4
October 1999
Page by: Barrett Evans
JILG Leadership Development Conference
Sponsor Mr. Marks, Carol Hudson, Gillian Grasher, Jennifer Gunn, Kathy King, and Eddie Street
Jobs for Illinois Graduates recently attended
the annual Leadership Development Conference (LDC). The two day conference was held
at Charlie Brown Park in Flora, Illinois.
The LDC provides activities for recognizing and developing leadership skills, preparing officers for careers, and recognizing their
obligation to the community. Social activities
were designed to provide an outlet for student
enthusiasm, motivation, and membership interaction.
There were a variety of workshops teaching trust, teamwork, and officer responsibilities.
Senior Eddie Street said, “I had a great time
and met a lot nice people as well as learning a
bunch of useful information. I believe the conference has better prepared me for the work
force.
Students greeted the guest speaker, Mr.
Fritchnitch, Flora High School principal, with
great enthusiasm. Gillian Grasher commented,
“I enjoyed the humor he used to address the
serious subject of reaching one’s goals.”
The Oil-Belt Christian Camp hosted the
event by providing the facilities for everyone’s
stay and approximately seventy students from
fifteen schools attended the event. Representatives were from Benton, Carmi, White
County, Red Hill, Carbondale, Harrisburg,
Herrin, Flora, St. Louis, Eldorado, AnnaJonesboro, Centralia, Vienna, Robinson,
Murphysboro, and Mt. Vernon.
“This was the best year so far. The Vienna
group was well mannered and involved in numerous activities,” said JILG sponsor Mr.
Marks.
(Article submited by Gillian Grasher)
The “School That
Rulz” Contest
On Tuesday, October 12, the VHS cheerleaders went to CIL FM to participate in the “School
that Rulz” contest. This is a contest that is held
by CIL FM and is sponsored by Chris and Don
the (dough boys) from Domino’s in
Carbondale. The “School that Rulz” squad that
wins receives $500 in cash.
The VHS cheerleaders arrived at the station
about 6:00 PM. and were introduced to Ally
Faith, a DJ for the Zimmer Radio Group and
CIL. The cheerleaders went on the air and just
hung out for a while until they did their cheer.
Finally they did their cheer and if you were listening to CIL between 6:00 and 8:00 then you
probably heard them at some point and time.
The cheerleaders had a lot of supporting fans
that called in to vote for them, including Mr.
Parker, Coach Belva, Coach Hook, Mr. Cole,
as well as many VHS students.
Senior co-captain Sarah Thompson said,
“Thanks to everyone who called in and showed
their support to the cheerleaders. I want tell
the cheerleaders they did an awesome job. We
hope that everyone comes out and helps us
cheer on our basketball teams this season.” The
cheerleaders are very optimistic about being
chosen as the “School that Rulz.”
WCIL-FM DJ Ally Faith
FFA Wins the Mayor’s Choice Award at the Heritage Festival
The VHS FFA won the distinguished “Mayor’s Choice” award in the
Johnson County Heritage Festival Parade. The
theme of the FFA float was “Don’t make us
drag you into recycling.” The float featured
the “Three Little Pigs,” Brian Glisson, Rebecca
Yandell, and Kenneth Baker with John Bacon
playing the role of the “Big Bad Wolf.”
The FFA has a present enrollment of fiftyfive students. The club enrollment has increased
a great deal this year. The officers are President, Brian Glisson; Vice President, Rebecca
Yandell; Treasurer, Josh Dill; Secretary, Kenneth Baker; Reporter, Thomas Reid; and Sentinel, Wesley Hettinger.
Ms. Evrard is the club advisor and is involved in all of the club activities. There are
many more activities yet to take place. The club
is looking forward to a very successful year and
hopes to keep up the good work!
President Brian Glisson, Vice President Rebecca Yandell, Secretary Kenneth Baker
News
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
Page 5
October 1999
Page by: Lacey Simmons
Student Teachers
Ms. Jamie Frauenhoffer
Mr. Geoff Rhoades
Ms. Frauenhoffer is a student teacher for Mr. Evans.
She attended Centennial High School in Champaign,
IL. She is now enrolled at SIU and majoring in
history education. We asked Ms. Frauenhoffer
what she liked best at VHS and she said, “It’s nice
to be in a small school; you really get to know the
teachers and students personally.” The worst job
she ever had was waitressing in a sports bar, but
she said that the worst part was that everyone was
so demanding.” An interesting fact about Ms.
Frauenhoffer is that Ben Affleck once asked her out on a date, but she
turned him down. Can you beleive that? (But she was with her boyfriend.)
Mr. Rhoades is the student teacher for Ms.
Kreuter. Mr. Rhoades attended Washington
Community High School, in Washington Il.,
and from there went to SIU. He is majoring
in English and his minor is in speech and creative writing. When asked what he likes best
about VHS he said, “The students and faculty
are very easy to get along with.” We also asked
the worst and most unusual job he had ever
had and he said that it was detasseling corn. Some interesting facts
about Mr. Rhoades is that, believe it or not, he has dentures.
Student Observers
Mr. Justin Elms
Ms. Stephanie Krauss
Mr. Elms is a student observer for Ms. Clayton.
He attend Covington High School in Indiana. He
has a degree in business from Indiana State University. Mr. Elms is majoring in Business Education and Business Management at SIU. Mr. Elms
enjoys observing at VHS. “I like how friendly the
faculty and students have been to me,” he stated.
He said that the worst job he had ever had was
detasseling corn. In talking with Mr. Elms we learned that he is a real risk
taker. He has been mountain climbing, white water rafting, and sky diving.
Ms. Krauss is a student observer for Mr.
Trover. She attended Perryville High
School. She then went to John A. Logan
Community College. She is now currently
enrolled at SIU and is majoring in Health
Education. We asked Ms. Krauss what she
likes best about V.H.S. and she replied, “
The students and faculty are friendly.” Some
interesting facts about Ms. Krauss is that she
got a scholarship to play volleyball at John A. Logan. She received the
title of MVP in her second year of playing.
Mystery Teacher Spotlights
Clues: male, blue eyes
Clues: female, brown eyes
Favorite sport - Golf
Favorite food - Fried taters and green beans
Married, engaged, or single - Married
Favorite subject in high school- Math
Children? - Yes (2)
Craziest thing you have ever done?
Hit a block wall with my fist as hard as I could.
Favorite sports - Tennis and golf
Favorite food - seafood
Married, engaged or single - Married
Favorite subject in high school- Accounting and science
Children? - No
Craziest thing you have ever done?
Went on a shark dive with my spouse.
Vi Hi Opinion
If you could put any new condiment on the condiment table what would it be and why?
Adam Gurley
Freshman
I think that we should
have hot sauce to keep
us warm in the winter
because it can get
quite nippy in the commons.
Theresa Stachowiak
Sophomore
I would put barbecue
sauce on our condiment table because
every one likes barbecue sauce!
Clinton Marshall
Junior
I would put a big bowl of
hot chocolate syrup. The
bowl would be shaped
like a 10 gallon cowboy
hat. I chose this because
everyone loves chocolate
syrup.
Yuri Rentfro
Junior
I think that we should
have mints or something, because you know
how bad the after taste
and smell of lunch can
be.
Sara Ditterline
Senior
I think that we should
have some sort of
candy or gum so our
breath won’t smell like
what we ate.
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
FUN
FUN PAGE
PAGE
Page 6
October 1999
Page by: Stephani Penrod and Jill Clayton
Top Ten signs you’re at a bad
Halloween Party
Milk Break
10. The decorations consist of
a post-it on the freezer
that reads “BOO.”
9. The host forgot to buy
snacks and just offers you
a bite of his sandwich.
8. The candy bar doesn’t
taste quite right -- then you notice it’s
a TWO Musketeers.
7. The Jack-O-Lantern looks suspiciously
like Mr. Parker’s head.
6. Instead of bobbing for apples you bob
for fallen leaves in the pool.
5. Shirtless Drew Lawrence
walks around as “The Wolfman.”
4. You see a guy dressed as
President Clinton walk out of the bed
room with your date.
3. The black jelly beans turn out to be
blood-swollen deer ticks.
2. The snacks include Bit-O-Squirrel,
Good n’ Sweaty, and Poisonettes.
1. Doug comes in his
McDonald’s uniform
and wins best costume.
1. Mr. Hill
2. Mr. Reichert
3. Ms. Kreuter
4. Mr. Tripp
5. Mr. Evans
6. Mr. Hook
7. Ms. Kelley
8. Ms. Putney
9. Ms. Watson
10. Mr. Burnett
11. Mr. Trammel
12. Mr. Belva
Match the tteacher
eacher with their
Favorit
avoritee Snack !
A. Chips Ahoy Cookie’s & Milk
B. Butterfinger Candy Bar
C. Popcorn
D. Sharp Cheddar Cheese & Tart Apples
E. Barbecued Potato Chips
F. Oatmeal Cookies
G. Barbecued Fritos
H. Oreo Cookies
I. Chips & Salsa
J. Chocolate Chip Cookies
K. Buttered Pop Corn & Coke
L. Peanut M&M’s
9 Things you didn’t know about Ms. Bedwell
1. Trained and raced throughbreds at Cakokia Downs and Fairmount Park Race Track.
2. Used to hunt deer, squirrel, and dove. (Never killed anything, didn’t want to.)
3. Drove a Jeep.
4. Owned a 4-10 and a 12 guage shotgun.
5. Went camping once a month with just a sleeping bag.
6. Waded in the reflecting pool in front of Morris Library at SIU.
7. Lived in Robbs, IL for 10 years with her first husband and was
friends with Megan Mizell and Aaron Scarborough’s fathers.
8. Went to school with Walt Frazier(Pro-Basketball) and Dennis Franz(NYPD Blue).
9. Was VHS Drama Coach for 23 years, and starrred her senior year as
Mrs. Fairfax in Jane Eyre.
1.)L 2.)J 3.)K 4.)F 5.)D 6.)C
7.)I 8.)H 9.)A 10.)E 11.)B 12.)G
What’s your favorite lyric?
I w i ll
b
me. ecome
wh
Little Miss, Little Miss, can’t be wrong.
in. But
t our faith there
u
p
to
d
o
G
a
at yo
in sin.
We are given to
u be
ust first believe
m
e
w
,
I found
n
e
c
iv
rg
ame
to be fo
it h
to
Oh we ard, I was ha
I know there
ll, wha
tever, n rd to find.
’s a balance
, I see it wh
evermin
I swing past
en
.
d.
There is a time for every purpose
What you feel is what yo
u are,
!
under heaven.
and what you are is be
er
v
e
r
o
f
au
tiful.
e.
avior
pe a c
S
s, my S
n
in
i
u
s
g
e
e
f
J
a nd b
li
y in
e ha p p
li v i n g
Victor
e
l
p
y toda
o
e
p
y.
he
t
his
l
l
a
hare t
ne Let your hair fall all around me, offer up your
s
i
e
g
a
w
Im
ds
the bir
best defense, cause this is the end of the
With iew.
v
innocence.
lonley
Li
fe is not tried, it
Ca n y o u s
is merely survived
tand up, o
when
yo
ur standing outs
r will you
ide the fire.
just fall do
wn?
learn from
to
s
a
h
I want you, I need you, but there ain’t no
s
rn
that bu
Everyone
way I’m ever gonna love you.
the pain.
Top 10 ways to spend your
extra hour this weekend
10.Cook 60 servings of minute rice.
9. Make a compilation tape of
Brandon Kindle saying, “Paper or
Plastic?”
8. See how many times you can punch
yourself in the stomach
before you throw up.
7. Wash and re-lace all of your shoes
twice.
6. Buy 60 frankfurters and name
them all.
5. Wear a pair of underwear for 5
minutes, remove, repeat 12 times.
4. Squeeze out and set aside dabs of
toothpaste for coming months.
3. Try to reassemble pencil sharpener
shavings back into whole pencils.
2. Make an extra $2,000,000 (Bill
Gates only)
1. Sing the VHS school song 30 times.
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
FUN PAGE
Page 7
October 1999
Page by Jill Clayton and Stephani Penrod
Senior Favorites
Top Ten Worst Halloween Costumes
10.A guy wearing a blue shirt
9. Invisible pedestrian costume
8. Those stupid cheerleaders from SNL
7. A gruesome zombie disguised as a normal person
6. Marv Albert in a prom dress
5. A pinata
4. Dressing as Mike Tyson and biting people’s ears off
3. Zena - Warrior Fry Cook
2. Your twin brother
1. Billy goat
Top Ten Scariest Halloween Costumes
10.Richard Simmons (OK, that would be most annoying.)
9. Frankenstein Drescher
8. Janet Reno in Victoria’s Secret underwear
7. Mr. Hook’s Disco Fever costume
6. Positive home pregnancy test
5. Guy who ate too much olestra
4. Mr. Harner as Big Bird (oh wait, he does that every day!)
3. Mr. D. Hill in pipe jeans
2. Mr. R. Hill as Emo and Mr. Trover as Imo
1. Will Ross & Jennifer Gunn as Mr. and Miss VHS!
Top Ten Halloween Movies
1. Urban Legends
2. The Blair Witch Project
3. Scream 2
4. I Know What You Did Last Summer
5. Mimic
6. WishMaster
7. An American Werewolf in Paris
8. The Prophecy II
9. Species II
10. Carnival of Souls
Y
PP
A
H
Most Friendly. . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen Gilbert & Darla Hannan
Best Personality. . . . . . . . . . . . David Webb & A.J. Kimes
Best Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russ Kreuter & Melissa McKenzie
Worst Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Scarborough & Carol Hudson
Most Artistic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Germain & Gillian Grasher
Most Athletic. . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Schneider & A.J. Kimes
Best Physique. . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam Schneider & Molly Parker
Class Clown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Webb & Megan Watkins
Most Mischievous. . . . . . . . . . Alvin Stockdale & Megan Watkins
Most Studious. . . . . . . . . . . . . Drew Lawrence & Sara Thompson
Most Fun to be Around. . . . . Alvin Stockdale & Jennifer Gunn
Most Likely to Succeed. . . . . . Drew Lawrence & Betsy Smith
Most Likely to be President. . David Webb & Betsy Smith
Best Smelling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gavin Allen & Ashley Leberman
Best Dressed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Germain & Ashley Leberman
Best Smile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Kindle & Courtney Davis
Most Changed. . . . . . . . . . . . . Allen Gilbert & Megan Watkins
Mr. & Miss
VHS
Will Ross
&
Jennifer
Gunn
N
EE
W
O
LL
A
H
The Vienna High School Talon
Five ways to confuse Trick or Treaters
1. Fill a briefcase with marbles and
crackers. Write on it “Top Secret” in
big letters. When trick-or-treaters
come, look around suspiciously, say,
“It’s about time you got here,” give
them the briefcase, and quickly shut
the door.
2. Get everyone who comes to the door
to come in and see if they can figure
out what’s wrong with your dish
washer. Insist that it makes an
unnatural “whirring” sound.
3. Hand out menus to the trick-ortreaters, and let them order their
candy. Keep asking if anyone wants
to see the wine list.
4. Answer the door with a mouthful of
M&M’s and several half-eaten candy
bars in your hands. Act surprised,
and close the door. Open it again a
few seconds later, and insist that you
don’t have any candy.
5. Put a crown on a pumpkin and put
the pumpkin on a throne on your
porch. Insist that all of the trick-ortreaters bow before the pumpkin.
Top Ten Songs
for the week of Oct. 25, 1999
1. Lou Bega- Mambo No. 5
2. Christina Aguilera- Genie in A Bottle
3. Sugar Ray- Someday
Editors
Molly Parker
Stephani Penrod
Jill Clayton
Christy Housewright
Staff
Barrett Evans
Ashley Merideth
Jennifer Verkey
Rebecca Yandell
Lacey Simmons
Kalika Miller
Maribeth Dippie
Web Team
Allen Gilbert
Shawn Holderfield
Doug McVicar
Faculty Advisor
Ms. Joan Clayton
6. Smash Mouth- All Star
The Vienna High School Talon is a
publication of the VHS Desktop Publishing
class. Unless otherwise stated, all articles and
writings featured within are the work of the
students in the class.
7. Santana- F/Rob Thomas
Circulation: 500
4. TLC- Unpretty
5. 98 Degrees- I Do (Cherish You)
8. Enrique Iglesias- Bailamos
9. Tal Bachman- She’s So High
10. Len- Steal My Sunshine
If you would like your ad to appear in The
Talon, contact Joan Clayton at 658-3011.
Talon
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
FUN PAGE
Page by: Ashley Merideth
Melissa McKenzie wins third place in Vienna car show
Melissa McKenzie, senior at VHS, won
third place in the Vienna car show on Sunday,
October 3, 1999. This event is the wrap-up activity of the Johnson County Heritage Festival.
Melissa entered her 1997 Cavalier Z24.
There are many different classes in which
to compete. Melissa competed in the Open
Class with about 20 other cars. Melissa said
that the Open Class was by far the largest. Locals Nick Lay and Brian McCann were also
competitors in the Open Class. Most of the
other entries were from Metropolis.
The night before the car show Melissa, with
the help of her brother Brian, worked all night
long to prepare for the show. Brian and Melissa cleaned the engine with Q-tips, spray
painted the wheel wells and the undercarriage, and vacuumed the car six times. They
also washed, waxed, buffed and polished the
car.
Melissa commented, “A car show is alot
of work, it doesn’t mean just wash and go.
There is alot of detailing involved.” She said
that in a car show it’s not all about the extras you have added to your car, it’s more
about the overall appearance of the car. “I
couldn’t have done it without my brother’s
help. He has entered his own cars and trucks
into car shows before and he knows what
the judges look for.”
Page 8
October 1999
My
tlights
Mysster
eryy Spo
Spotlights
Clues: Freshman, female
Do you have any hidden talents?
Yes, I am good with children.
If you could take over Hollywood and
could play any role in any movie in the
past, who would you play and why?
Baby in Dirty Dancing, so I could dance
with Patrick Swayze
If you had the chance to buy any car you
wanted, what would it be?
2000 Blazer LS
Do you prefer...
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
White or Choc. Milk? Chocolate
Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese Doritos?
Nacho Cheese
In the car: windows down or A/C? A/C
Mud Wrestle or Jello Wrestle? Mud
Roller Coasters: Deadly? or Exciting?
Exciting
What do you think of OUIJA Boards?
I don’t believe in them because it is ungodly.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Married with a career.
Talow
een Matching Challenge
aloween
Jennifer Verkey
Allen Gilbert
Molly Parker
Kalika Miller
Ashley Merideth
Barrett Evans
Shawn Holderfield
Doug McVicar
Stephani Penrod
Lacey Simmons
Rebecca Yandell
Christy Housewright
Maribeth Dippie
Jill Clayton
Ms. Clayton
HAPPYHALLOWEEN
FR
OM THE TTALON
ALON SST
TAFF
FROM
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Clues: Sophomore, male
Do you have any hidden talents?
No
If you could take over Hollywood and
could play any role in any movie in the
past, who would you play and why?
Bobby Bouche, because it would be fun.
If you had the chance to buy any car you
wanted, what would it be?
Chevy 2100
Do you prefer...
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
White or Choc. Milk? Chocolate
Cool Ranch or Nacho Cheese Doritos?
Cool Ranch
In the car: windows down or A/C?
windows down
Mud Wrestle or Jello Wrestle? Jello
Roller Coasters: Deadly? or Exciting?
Exciting
What do you think of OUIJA Boards?
They are stupid.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years.
Married and working as an orthodontist.
Answers for Mystery Spotlights
Last issue: Jennifer Gunn & Deidra Baker
This issue: Tami Horn & Jared Gurley
Melissa McKenzie with her trophy-winning 1997 Cavalier Z24.
SPOTLIGH
POTLIGHTS
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
Page 9
Oct. 1999
Page by: Jennnifer Verkey
Amanda Logsdon
Matt Endrizzi
Freshman
Junior
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Captain Hook
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
What’s your favorite screensaver? Pipes
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Cole
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat
yourself? No
Josh Sobotta
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Gaston from Beauty and the Beast
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
No offense to the “Guy’s” ride, but I think I would
choose Mr. Trammel’s car.
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Scrolling Marquee
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert.
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat
yourself?
Yes, if I were dressed in mustard and ketchup.
Freshman
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Scar from The Lion King
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Mystify your mind
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat yourself? No, I can’t stand hotdogs.
Finish this poem: Roses are red, Violets are blue...
This is dumb why couldn’t you have thought of something new?
JoAshley Strawhacker
Junior
Who is your favorite Disney villian?
Rucifer, the cat on Cinderella
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Flying Windows
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Cole
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat
yourself? No
Finish this poem: Roses are red, Violets are blue...
I may look nice, but I have a bad attitude.
Ashley Trover
Sophomore
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Cruella DeVille
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
If I could drive, I believe it would be Mr.
Trammel’s.
What’s your favorite screensaver?
The M&M Screensaver
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert.
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat
yourself? Only if I were an Oscar Meyer.
Finish this poem: Roses are red, violets are blue...
They call me “Trash” and one day I’ll marry Tom Cruise.
Angela Knotts
Senior
Who is your favorite Disney villian?
Captain Hook
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
of Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Doesn’t matter
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat yourself? No
Finish this poem: Roses are red, violets are blue...
No one is as sweet as Jerry is to me and you.
Kyle McCann
Sophomore
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Scar from The Lion King
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s
3000GT of Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Scrolling Marquee
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert, he would look the best.
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat yourself?
No
Finish this poem: Roses are red, Violets are blue...
Roses are red, Violets are blue.
David Bates
Senior
Who is your favorite Disney villain?
Captain Hook
Would you rather test drive Mr. Trammel’s 3000GT
or Dan Densford’s Tempo?
Mr. Trammel’s GT
What’s your favorite screensaver?
Scrolling Marquee
Who would look better with a perm, Mr. Reichert or Mr. Cole?
Mr. Reichert
If you were a hotdog and you were starving, would you eat yourself?
No
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
News
Page 10
October 1999
VHS Students “Make a Difference”
Beta Club collects toys to donate to sick childeren in area hospitals
Beta Vice President Mareshah Belcher, Laura Oliver, Melissa McKenzie and
Beta President Betsy Smith preparing to deliver toys to area hospitals.
Drama Club celebrates Literacy in the Park
Creative costumes and characters worn by
drama presenters delighted children and
adults alike.
Books, snacks, and treats were provided to the children
as they left the park.
a
m
a
Dr
ke
a
M
w it
h
ts
n
e
d
St u
nce
e
r
if f e
D
a
cy
a
r
Lit e
h
in t
Fairy Tales, drama, story telling, poetry, and face painting stations
delighted about 30 community children on Saturday, October 23rd.
.
ark
P
e
Over 100 toys were donated by
VHS and VGS students and faculty
as part of Vienna High School Beta
Club’s “Make A Difference Day”
project. The project, which was organized by Beta Club Vice President
Mareshah Belcher, was part of the
national Make A Difference Day
celebration, which is October 23rd.
Beta member Melissa McKenzie
took the project idea to the VGS Beta
Club, and they enthusiastically responded by donating toys and decorated bags to send to hospitalized
children. The toys were delivered
to area hospitals by VHS Beta members Betsy Smith, Molly Parker,
Laura Oliver, Melissa McKenzie and
Courtney Davis.
Beta Club President Betsy Smith
was pleased with the outcome of the
project. “It was great to see
everyone’s generosity and to see the
whole school, as well as the grade
school, pull together to make this
project a success. I hope the kids
enjoy the toys. Maybe we really did
“Make a Difference” to these kids,
if only for one day.”
Order your Millennium
yearbooks now !
The Vienna High School yearbook
staff is now taking orders for the 19992000 yearbook. “We are excited about
the “Class of 2000” yearbook because
it is a milestone yearbook making the
Millennium,” a yearbook staff member commented. The yearbook staff
has diligently been at work creating,
designing, selling ads, and preparing
a yearbook that everyone will be proud
of for years to come.
The BIG news this year is COLOR
-- over 30 full color pages for the Millennium! Once again, students who
order their yearbooks by April 1, 2000
will have their names stamped on the
cover. The cost of the yearbook is $27
if ordered early. Yearbook costs have
gone up due to the special Millennium
features.
If you order after December 17,
and before March 28, 2000, the yearbook cost will be $32.00. If you wait
until after March 28, 2000, your cost
will be raised even further to $37.00.
This includes purchasing a yearbook
at the Yearbook Dance. There is also
the layaway option, where you can order a yearbook, and pay $10 per month
until paid off completely. Contact Mr.
Marks if you have any questions regarding ordering your yearbook.
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
A Simple Man
Chicken Soup
Page 11
October 1999
for the Vienna High School Soul
I live in a very small town, and a very poor town. A post office and
a lot of interesting characters are about the only things that you will find there.
My favorite character was Hubert Wise.*
Hubert was a very simple man – simple in thought and idea. To say
that he didn’t have much would be an understatement, although, to say he
had nothing would not be true, but it is closer than the first. He lived in a oneroom house wallpapered with yellowing newspaper.
In his one room he had a crippled outdated television, and a yellow and
brown old couch that was much worse than even one that you would find at
the Salvation Army. He had no plumbing; it just ran out into the ditch. He
had no job, no money, and no bed. To say the least, he was hard rent.
When I first knew Hubert, I was a very young child. I didn’t know
quite what to make of this man, but I knew that he was different than me, and
anyone else I knew for that matter. He had only one pair of holy, faded,
painted-on jeans. He had a pack of 3 V-neck thin white T-shirts from the
Dollar Store, and an old grease-stained 1950 brown coat that he wore when
it was cold.
I had a friend that also lived in Simpson and knew Hubert like I did. We
got many laughs at his expense. We thought that his name, Hubert Wise,
was so ironic, because this guy, we thought, was stupid. “Hubert Not Wise,”
we used to say that his middle name must be.
Now, as I look back on my childhood conception of this man, I realize
just how wrong I was. Hubert Wise just had a different take on life. He
didn’t have money, but he didn’t complain either. He didn’t worry about
what others thought about him; he was happy to be himself. Don’t you
know he probably laughed at all the stress he saw the “wise people” going
through. He had what most people could only dream of; a simple life with a
childhood innocence that lasted a lifetime.
What I’m going to say next will test my dad’s character, but he is a
good man and that is why he can do things like this. He saw in Hubert then
what I finally see now, and he liked him – perhaps because he sometimes
wished that he could be a little more like him.
My dad used to teach math and computers at the high school. Some
mornings, he would stop by Hubert’s to see if he wanted to go to school with
him; Hubert always did. The students and the faculty loved the man. He
was funny without even trying, and perhaps a part of them also envied
Hubert’s carefree life. My dad loves practical jokes and will do anything, in
*All names have been changed
A Hero (well almost)
I drove the family, my wife and two kids, to St. Louis for a mini-vacation.
On the drive up, my two kids sung along to the radio and played “Can you
see what I see,” in the back seat. Tonya, age 9, and Tommy, age 4 were
very excited about the trip to St. Louis. I was taunted the last hour of the
drive with, “Daddy are we there yet?” “How much farther Dad.” “Can we
get in the pool AS SOON as we get there?”
We arrived at our hotel to the delighted screams of the kids. I checked
in and took our luggage to our room. Young Tonya, in excitement, whipped
on her swimsuit as soon as we got in the room.
“Dad, I’m ready to go swimming,” she quickly announced.
I, myself, needed some time to unwind from the drive, and wasn’t ready
to put on my swim trunks quite yet, but I agreed to walk Tonya down to the
pool.
When we got there, we found that the pool was full of people; not full
with a lot of people; just full of three really large people. In the shallow end,
three robust women were having the time of their lives -- cutin’ up, carrying
on, and creating quite a racket with their lively conversation.
I was sitting in my chair, relaxing, and watching Tonya swim, unable to
keep from glancing occasionally at these boisterous, very substantial ladies
at the other end of the pool. The biggest one was pushing off the side of the
wall and coasting across the width of the pool. This created quite a wave, as
you can imagine.
“I bet you can’t make it all the way across the pool, Chatrice,” her friend
taunted.
“Oh you just watch me,” the sizeable Chatrice responded.
good character, for a laugh. The school was serving BBQ on the day that
poor, innocent Hubert decided to come to school with my dad. He had no
idea what he was getting into. My dad put extra hot fire sauce on his sandwich. Hubert Wise couldn’t even talk; he had to drink milk just to put the
fire out. He took the joke well, and he laughed with all of his bright yellow
teeth showing.
Like I said, Hubert wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t about to let my dad
get the best of him. He arranged to come to school another day – it was
Sloppy Joe day. He talked to the school cook, who is also a Simpson
native. They were all willing to plot to get my dad back at anytime. So with
the support of the cook and faculty they replaced Dad’s Sloppy Joe sandwich with worms. My dad came very close to eating it before Hubert
stopped him. Hubert thought that was the greatest day ever! He made
friends that he never knew before. Perhaps he didn’t know of friends at all
until then.
The church proposed that they would build Hubert a new house to
replace his old one room shack. It was no mansion, but it had running
water, a bath room, and fresh white paint; it was quite a step up from his old
house. Hubert Wise, however, being a simple man, didn’t understand what
all the fuss was about. Hubert never lived in the new house. People couldn’t
understand why he would want to live in that dump when he had, right next
to him, a place with running water and fresh white paint. Maybe he just
didn’t like the smell of new paint. Perhaps it was just that he liked the home
that he lived in for so long and didn’t see any reason to move out. You
know, they always say, “Home is where the heart is.” It was where his heart
was.
I hadn’t heard of my neighbor for sometime, and then one day I
read in the paper that he had died. My family and I went to the funeral home
for the visitation. He was sleeping peacefully in his coffin. He didn’t even
look like simple Hubert Wise; he was dressed in a suit and tie - probably the
first that he had owned in his entire life - and he could have passed for any
nameless Joe stockbroker, lawyer, or schoolteacher. But I knew that he
was Hubert Wise - honest and simple.
I learned from Hubert Wise to live for the finer details of life. Because,
you see, it isn’t always what you have and do that make you who you are,
sometimes, it’s what you don’t have or do that make you who you are. My
friend, Hubert Wise, wasn’t much for fancy works, but he had a lesson to
teach. Were you listening?
Lucy Ford, VHS Senior
She was obviously willing to do it or die trying. I honestly wondered
which it would be.
She kicked off the wall. The water moved in a great ripple. She made
it about halfway and then started flapping her arms and slowly sinking. In
her eyes was a look of shear panic. She started to yell, but as her head
disappeared under the surface of the water, her yell was replaced by the
sound of water splashing frantically around her.
I looked at the other ladies to see their reaction to their friend’s dilemma. I realized that they were just as panic-stricken as their drowning
friend. They all seemed to be frozen, with their wild eyes staring frantically
at the flapping girth called Chatrice.
I realized there was not going to be a rescue unless I was the one to do
it! I quickly took off my shoes and jumped into the water. Even though she
was at the deep end of the pool, the water was only 6 feet deep and not
over my head. I grabbed the frenzied swimmer around the waist and carried her to the ladder. Thanks to the laws of buoyancy, I was actually able
to do this. However, I did not escape unscathed. In her mad panic, she
grabbed my head and ripped out a huge chunk of hair right from the middle,
which still hasn’t grown back to this day.
Chatrice and her two large friends were exuberant, and screaming loudly,
hugged me repeatedly for saving the day. About that time, my wife and son
arrived.
“Mommy, a woman got stuck in the deep end and Daddy saved her
life!” Tonya exclaimed all in one breath. I humbly dried off, enjoying my
moment as hero, at least in the eyes of my daughter and three very relieved
and exuberant ladies.
Pubulis, VHS Teacher
The Talon
Volume 6, Issue 2
GrowingUp
Chicken Soup
Page 12
October 1999
for the Vienna High School Soul
I stood there looking at my friends in their pastel gowns behind me. I could see that their lips were smiling, but a
sadness shone through and told me the truth through their eyes. Standing at the front of Reynoldsburg church, I realized
that after this moment I would never be the same.
I was there sharing this day with my friends whom I had shared everything with since first grade. Now, this was upon
us, perhaps the most dramatic event of our young lives. I couldn’t believe that one of my friends was getting married.
One of “us” was getting married, and it was happening at this very moment. I had been thinking about her and the new
life ahead of her all week. The whole scenario seemed unreal.
I had known Jerrah* for 11 years. She always stood right in front of me in grade school for the lunch line and anything
else we did alphabetically. It was in seventh grade that we became really close. Seventh grade? Wow, that was a long time
ago. No, not really.
I felt excessively selfish. I didn’t want her to get married. Jason was a great guy, but there were so many things I was
feeling at that time. If you’re married, you’re an adult. If you have married friends, you’re a adult. I wasn’t ready to be
classified as a grown-up. Grown-ups have to pay bills and work real jobs. They have to take care of everything by
themselves and live on their own. I didn’t want to have to be mature and responsible all of the time. I still wanted to
enjoy being young and carefree. I wanted to be able to experience my youth and freedom for a few more years.
But that afternoon, I realized I had to be ready to take that step, and it didn’t matter if I was ready or not. I had pulled the wool over my eyes for
too long. We weren’t little girls anymore. We had grown out of playing dolls and dress-up. This time it was for real. Somewhere along the way,
whether I had missed it or just chose to ignore it, we had grown-up.
I couldn’t believe the time had come. I wouldn’t say it had “finally come,” because it had only seemed like days had passed since Jerrah had said,
“Jason asked me to marry him.” Those months were now gone, and suddenly we were all gathered at the front of the church.
I was wearing a peach dress that hit the floor. I had on white sandals. The flower that I held was an exquisite tiger lily, my favorite. The entire event
was beautiful on the outside, but devastating on the inside.
Throughout the ceremony, I kept my eyes wandering around the chapel. I was afraid that if I were to fix my eyes on the bride, there would be a
flood of emotions and tears that I had been fighting so hard to keep back. This wasn’t my brightest decision because soon I spotted several other friends
who had come to see our former playmate pass into adulthood, thus dragging us along with her. But, even they seemed more grown up since I had last
seen them on the final day of our junior year of high school, which had been only two months earlier. I could tell by their sorrowful eyes that we now
shared the same emotions.
Jerrah and her groom, Jason, lit the unity candle, and I lost the control to the floodgates. That was the moment when I thought, “This is it.
There’s no turning back now. Thanks a lot, Jerrah, you’ve turned us all into adults.” The song “I Do” by 98 degrees was playing for them and I felt
totally unprepared for all of this. There wasn’t anything I could do to stop it, but I didn’t know how to go along with it either. The pieces of Jerrah’s
heart that had been divided up among friends were once again all together and were placed in Jason’s care.
“You may now kiss the bride.” Applause. The ceremony had flown by nearly as quickly as our childhood. The candles had burned down and the
music played cheerfully in the background. The phrase that popped into my mind was one from a favorite movie of mine, The Lion King. “We’re
going to be pals forever, right?” I knew that even though we weren’t little kids anymore, we would always be friends.
Silver Love, VHS Senior
Visiting the Principal
When I was in first grade, I was best friends with a girl named
Carly. It seemed like every day we would get in a fight or get in
trouble somehow. I can remember countless occasions on which
we were sent to corners for talking. This happened so often that we
were assigned seats on opposite sides of the room, and on several
occasions it had gone as far as making us play on separate sides of
the playground. However, we had never been in trouble like this!
One day at recess, Carly spotted a bird’s nest hanging on a ladder on the side of the lawn mower shed. We decided to peek in and
see if there were any eggs inside. To our surprise, we saw two baby
blue robin’s eggs. Carly just had to have them. She was wearing a
sweat suit, so she didn’t have any pockets. She decided to put one
in her underwear, and I agreed to keep the other one in my pocket
for her until school was over.
The bell rang and we all went back to class. Ms. Ross, the first
grade teacher, was having us clean our desktops. She came around
spraying each desk with disinfectant, and handed us a wad of paper towels to wipe it up with.
I had one side of the desk clean, but being a lot smaller than I
am now, I couldn’t reach the other side of the desk. So I, still the
lazy little girl that I am today, decided not to walk around to the
other side of the desk, but to just simply lean across it and stretch to
the other side.
The second I did I knew that I had made a fatal mistake. I felt a
gooey sticky wetness oozing in my pocket. The fragile little bird’s
egg had been crushed.
I walked up to the teacher’s desk. I was trying to hide the bird
egg mess. I asked politely if I could be excused to go to the restroom.
“Why do you need to go to the restroom?” asked Ms. Ross
suspecting that something was wrong.
Uh-oh! I hadn’t anticipated that. Not wanting to lie and
risk more trouble I just came out with it.
“I need to clean out my pocket.”
“Why? What’s in your pocket?”
“A smashed bird’s egg.”
“What are you doing with a bird’s egg in your
pocket?
“Holding it for Carly.”
“And why are you holding it for Carly?”
“Because, she doesn’t have any pockets and she already has
one in her underwear.”
That was it; we knew that we were going to be in trouble.
Ms. Ross gave us a lecture about how we had killed two birds,
and as if that wasn’t enough, she sent us to the principal.
I couldn’t believe that I had to talk to the principal! Isn’t
that for the bad kids? What was I going to say? What was he
going to do? I was in big trouble this time!
I don’t remember much about talking to Mr. Gordan. I do
remember him asking me how I was doing and saying “Fine.”
I remember how scared I felt and how mad I was at Carly for
getting me into this. I was never so thankful to leave a room in
all of my 6 years!
When I went home that day, I told my mom what had happened. She said that I couldn’t be friends with Carly anymore
if she was going to get me in trouble.
The next day at recess, I didn’t go and play with Carly and
her friends like I usually did. Instead, I walked up to Hannah
and Amy who, along with other friends, were taking turns climbing up the chain link ladder and said, “Can I play with you
guys?” They said, “sure,” and the rest is history!
Egg on my face, VHS Sophomore