Vol. 4 Issue 7
Feb. 15, 2017
Teaching Is The Language Of The Soul coach, dad was a superintendent, aunts and uncles were teachers. When my sister and I were little, we would play school with our stuffed animals on snow days! We are both teachers now. Mr. Galloway: I enjoy working with kids and helping them be successful in the world of music both inside and outside the classroom. Señor Arceo: I became a teacher because when I was in high school I had a teacher that always encouraged me to further my education and was caring and responsible, and she was always my role model. She taught me many things that now I look back on and try to implement in my own classroom. Señora Lavor: My mom is an English teacher in the middle school of Niksic, Montenegro, which was a part of the former Yugoslavia. Since I was a little girl, I would see how much my mom cared and still does for her students. I saw how much influence she makes on their lives, not just academically but in other
so proud when my mom would meet one of her students after so many years, and they would hug her and give her a kiss, saying how much they loved and appreciated her. Now, being a teacher myself, I want to be like my mom. I want to experience the same with my students. The best feeling ever! Sensei Richenson: I thought that teaching was very much an enjoyable job for me. Mr. Rabb: While in Graduate School I was asked to help with instructing students, by giving a demonstration on framing canvas. I was terrified; I had never been comfortable in front of people. But everything went well, and by the next semester I was guest speaking in classes, and giving studio critiques for the seniors’ final review. My graduate professor liked my style of presentation and demonstration, and told me I should look into teaching. After graduating I moved to Alaska where I became an art educator for an afterschool program. Eight years later I’m still teaching, and enjoying
along with it. Ms. Benfield: Honestly? I have Alex Thompson no idea. This wasn’t the origiOhajine Hannah nal plan. But here I am, and I Staff Writer love what I do. My teaching idol, however, is my mom. She As we continue our taught me that every single kid series of interviewing departhas worth, and sometimes it’s ments in our school, we had our job to convince them of that.. the opportunity to catch up with She taught me not to label kids one of our elective departments. as “good” or “bad” but to find the While reviewing Electives 1 strengths in each of them. All answers we realized that this kids need love, and sometimes was a department that was quite we’re the only ones who give it laconic in their responses. While to them. reading this interview, you will Madame Huey: I love all langet to read about their insights guages. I learned Spanish as a and embarrassing moments and child and studied it, along with more. French in elementary school, junior high and high school, and Why did you become a teachcontinuing through college. I er? wasn’t interested in the highMadame Kelley(Chair): I stress career of professional didn’t initially plan to become translating. Teaching is a good a teacher. I first declared my fit for me. I feel at home in the major in college as Fashion classroom, and it allows me to Merchandising/Marketing. But, teach a discipline that I love. as I begin taking more advanced Mr. Allred: My family was very Statistics and Accounting classes poor with two siblings and a wid– I quickly realized that was not owed mother working on a Walfor me! I loved my French classMart cashier's salary. We lived in es. So I changed my major to a coal mining community in Bell French and County, my Kentucky. minor to Performing Spanish. my trumI decided pet in our to teach band of French 32 players because in a small I wanted school was to share my escape my love and enjoyfor the ment. French Music language scholarship and culand band ture with scholarstudents ships – just allowed as my me to outstandachieve ing High a higher School level of French education. teacher Music and did – She performing was and brought a is an lot or joy inspiring to my life teacher. as a youth Coach and, hopeSievers: (From Left to Right) First Row: Madame Kelley (Chair) (French I), Ms. Tarango (Art), Ms. Benfield (Theatre), Mr. fully I am I wanted Galloway (Chior), Madame Huey (French II and III), and Mr. Arceo (Spanish). Second Row: Mr. Rabb (Art), Sensei paying it forto make Richenson (Japanese), Mr. Durham (Health), and Senora Lavor (Spanish). ward as an a differeducator ence. the learning process that comes What is the funniest thing you Growing up, mom was a teacher/ aspects as well. I would feel
2 Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017 have experienced as a teacher? Madame Kelley (Chair): Some of the most humorous moments in my classes have been students learning new pronunciations of new words…sometimes the pronunciation mistakes are really funny. Coach Sievers: I had to kiss a pig as part of a homecoming fundraiser…funny now, terribly disgusting back then. Mr. Galloway: Up to this point I haven’t had anything that I can say has been the funniest thing. Everyday as a teacher we come across many different funny things that either students or we do while teaching. Most of the time has been students doing something crazy that leads up to being funny. Señora Lavor: I have been a teacher for almost two years now. In these two years I have laughed with my students almost every day. I find the funniest moments when students share with me their jokes, something that is so private, and when they look at me as their friend, not as their teacher. Those moments are not just funny ones, but also the most precious ones. This being said: I will leave these situations as a secret. Sensei Richenson: When Security stops me in the hallway because they think I am a student. Mr. Rabb: Student: “So, um you know how to draw and stuff?” Me: “No. I know how to draw with stuff.” Ms. Benfield: I laugh every day in my class, so I can’t pick one time. I have to come to work every day, and my kids have to come to my class every day, so we might as well laugh and enjoy ourselves! Madame Huey: Once I was in a big hurry trying to decide which shoes went with what I was wearing. I forgot I hadn’t decided yet and wore one blue shoe and one black shoe to school. I didn’t even notice until 3rd period when a student said, “Madame, look at your feet.” Mr. Allred: I was telling a joke to one of the bands in town, "What do prisoners call each other in a prison?" Answer; Cellphones. One student interrupted before I could give the answer said, "My boyfriend!" What embarrassing moment in teaching have you experienced? Madame Kelley (Chair): I don’t know if these instances were really “embarrassing” exactly, but both my husband and I had been teaching here one semester when we got married, and both of us had been teaching here several years when our son, Lane, was born. On both occasions, my students expressed A
LOT of interest, made A LOT of comments, and asked A LOT of personal questions about what was going on. Coach Sievers: Experienced? Anytime that I plan on using technology and experience technical difficulties…I can feel my face get red and it’s a bit embarrassing. Mr. Galloway: I once went to the wrong classroom and taught the first three classes before realizing it. The math students were very confused. I give them props for comprehending the complex rhythms that I continued to write on the board. Señor Arceo: My embarrassing moment in teaching is not actually while in the classroom, it is when we had a pep-rally and we were mocking the Hobbs cheerleaders so we had to wear a pink tutu and also dance in front of the whole school. Not only for me it was an embarrassing moment but also for other teachers. Señora Lavor: Hmmm, honestly, so far I haven’t had any embarrassing moments, unless you consider my pronunciation of some words (since I am a foreigner), but my students are used to it. Sensei Richenson: When the wrong kind of picture pops up as I guide the way to go to a particular website. Mr. Rabb: Sometimes demonstrations do not go as planned, and sometimes everything can go wrong. This is when I tell the students this is ‘how not to do this.’ Smile and move on. One time I shot a staple into my thumb while demonstrating canvas frame building. And another time while building a model of a bus stop for a civil engineering project I cut off a chunk of my finger with some very sharp scissors. Talk about embarrassed, and pale… Ms. Benfield: I don’t really get embarrassed. I’m sure I’ve done some things that should be embarrassing, but I’d rather just laugh it off than get upset about it. Mr. Allred: Several years ago, I stood on the drum major podium to make an announcement to over 240 students and my zipper was down. Do you have a hidden talent? Madame Kelley (Chair): I think my hidden talent is Interior design and decorating. I really like to make spaces comfortable, inviting and enjoyable to look at, live in, or learn in. Also shopping – I’m really good at shopping! Coach Sievers: I can play guitar and I made both of my prom dresses and my wedding dress… so I can sew! Mr. Galloway: I used to be a restaurant manager and cooked for 15 years. So I can make a pretty good meal with very few
ingredients. Señor Arceo: I have many hidden talents but I think the best one that I have is that I practice rodeo, Mexican rodeo, and I am pretty good at it. I have won a couple of event championships in the state of New Mexico and I look forward to winning more event championships in Mexico sometime soon. Señora Lavor: Hmmm, maybe… I like to cut my hair myself, and so far so good!!! Knock on the wood!!! Sensei Richenson: Nope. Mr. Rabb: Well, I am a professional artist by trade, but I also love to dance, sing and play guitar. Ms. Benfield: I’m a singer and a pianist. I’m also a decent photographer. And I hunt ghosts. Is that a talent? Madame Huey: I can sing along with almost any Elvis and Rolling Stones song, without messing up the lyrics too much. Mr. Allred: I love to play the zombie levels on Call of Duty. If you hadn’t become a teacher, what would you be doing now? Madame Kelley (Chair): I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t become a teacher, I would be a “trophy wife”(!) living in a Paris apartment overlooking the Seine River, facing the Eiffel Tower. Coach Sievers: Probably be a stay at home mom or work in my husband’s office. Mr. Galloway: Sports, management or a veterinarian. Señor Arceo: I would be in an officer and maybe stopping all of these kids for careless driving. I have a lot of respect for officers and that is what I wanted to become before even thinking about teaching. Señora Lavor: If I hadn’t become a teacher I would be a basketball player. Somewhere in Europe. Sensei Richenson: Maybe, a Mission field – My major was World Missions at Moody Bible Institute before I got a math and Japanese teaching license. Mr. Rabb: I live a dual life, as a teacher and a professional artist, so I guess I would just be a professional artist or possibly a writer. Ms. Benfield: I have no idea. My original degree was music performance/music business. I’m also a certified paralegal. But honestly, if I left teaching tomorrow, I would move somewhere cool, like Savannah or an old mining town in Colorado. I’d buy a museum, sell pictures, and give ghost tours. Madame Huey: I’d probably be working somewhere like Shakespeare and Company in Paris. Either that or playing piano for Mr. Armstrong’s lounge singer act. Mr. Allred: I would have been
in an area that involved animals and nature. I wanted to be a game warden or a park ranger when I was in middle school. Then I knew my calling was to be a teacher when I was in high school. Tell about a “golden moment” in teaching, or something that is particularly memorable from your career. Madame Kelley (Chair): There have been many “golden” moments…but I guess mainly my experiences traveling with students to Europe - especially France. It is incredibly rewarding to hear students communicate in French with French people and see their expressions when they visit places and things we have studied in class. They are then interacting with an entirely “new world” they have not previously experienced. I have had many students say that our Europe Trips have been some of their greatest memories & experiences. I believe this kind of travel truly changes lives. Coach Sievers: I have enjoyed coaching very much…starting new programs and turning losing programs into winners is very fulfilling. Mr. Galloway: I took two choirs to State Festival for the first time in their school history. It was a great accomplishment for the kids and I was proud to have experienced that with them. Señor Arceo: Even though I have not been a teacher for a long time, something that is memorable from my career is how students that I had and graduated still keep in touch with me or if I see them around town they remember me and talk to me. It is memorable to have previous students remember you and talk to you about the paths they took and how they matured throughout the years. Señora Lavor: As I mentioned before I have been a teacher for almost two years now. I would say the moment that I was the most proud of, even the scariest at the same time was when I came to teach at CHS, and Mr. Marshall (the former principal of CHS) told me that he will need to observe me in three weeks. I was so scared because I had just started, and I didn’t even know all my students’ names yet. However, I was so blessed to have help from so many wonderful staff at CHS, and in three weeks I had my first observation. It was wonderful and I was so proud of my students, as well as myself!!! Sensei Richenson: I enjoyed teaching at a middle and high school in Chicago. We had ‘Speaking in Japanese hours’ for my high school students and the University of Chicago students together once a week.
One of my university students was awarded first place and one of my High school students got second place in the Japanese Consulate Speech Contest. Then, I took about ten of my students to Japanese High Schools and have home stay experiences and sightseeing. There were six different languages in the foreign language department. It was fun! Mr. Rabb: One of my golden moments in teaching happened when I was invited to teach a drawing course at a school in the Bering Strait School District. This was an experience of a lifetime, it was only one week, but it was amazing to work with the elders and the children of this Yupik village. Ms. Benfield: I’m lucky, because I keep my students 3-4 years (depending on if I had them as freshmen), so I get to watch them grow. Any teacher will tell you that there’s always something special about your first group of kids, and I will always remember when the sophomores that I had started with took their final bow as seniors. I was heartbroken, but so incredibly proud. When I took over the program, we had 14 kids in theatre at the high school level. Those kids helped me grow this program, year by year, until now we have over 100 students in theatre between our high school campuses. Madame Huey: The most memorable thing about my career as a teacher is the connection that I’ve made with some of my students. I still hear from students that I had very near the beginning of my career. Mr. Allred: A few years ago, the marching band performed for the regional "Rotary Club," meeting at the Clovis Convention Center. We hid the band (240 kids in full uniform) in the hallways and when the moment was right the kids cadenced in and performed the National Anthem. This is the best National Anthem I've witnessed as a band director. After the kids finished their performance and cadaenced out I had numerous people (mothers) that were not from Clovis greeted me in the hallway with tears rolling down their faces. They told me that their child is over seas in an unknown and violent area of the world serving our country. Each mother told me they were moved by that performance and made them more proud of their child and out great country. What do you envision as your biggest challenge this year to you and your students? Madame Kelley (Chair): The greatest challenge in teaching today is student retention of the information presented. Coach Sievers: Encouraging students to read more and write
like they mean it, finding ways to build confidence as students (it takes practice!) Mr. Galloway: Continued success after building such high standards and expectations over the past few years. Dedicated instructors bring a positive energy level that attracts students. Señor Arceo: Everyday is a big challenge to my students and me because teaching a foreign language is hard in itself and students find it hard because of course it is foreign to them. Being able to teach these kids a new language is challenging because they are at so many different levels of proficiency so that in itself also it is a challenge because some students grasp concepts quickly and for others it takes time. Señora Lavor: Discipline. Sensei Richenson: The biggest challenge for my students is to do their homework (to complete it outside of the classroom – study at home). Mr. Rabb: I will be converting our darkroom into a printmaking studio. As for my students I believe they have problems opening their minds to embrace their full potential in art. Ms. Benfield: This year we will be competing in a one-act play competition for the first time. I’m incredibly nervous. My kids are amazing, but I worry that my directorial skills won’t measure up, and it will reflect poorly on them. Madame Huey: The culture of instant information is a big challenge in education. Students don’t see the benefit of research and study. It’s too easy to go to Google, look up an answer, and forget it as soon as possible. Mr. Allred: Same as each year beofre and after , greatest challenger for the students is to acheive their full potential performing their instuments and as an ensemble. Kids are amazing and are capable of ancheiving so much more than we realize. Why are band and choir so popular at CHS? Madame Kelley (Chair): Band & Choir are popular at CHS because everyone loves music and the talented people who provide it for the rest of us! We have incredibly dedicated teachers, coaches, and students in all of our extra-curricular activities, sports, and programs. Coach Sievers: I’m not a fan of this question…I’m more a sports girl, but I will say that there are a lot of programs that kids can be involved in at CHS. Extracurricular activities instill a sense of pride and help students develop work ethic and commitment. The band and choir are outstanding and are one more reason it’s great to be a Wildcat! Mr. Galloway: The continued
high expectations and success draw students to the program. Dedicated instructors bring a positive energy level that attracts young minds to mold. Señor Arceo: They are Great!!! Señora Lavor: Because they have amazing results behind them, and they are very respected. Sensei Richenson: They are fun – music is fun. Mr. Rabb: Outstanding teachers and facilities! Ms. Benfield: Clovis has a really beautiful history when it comes to music, so I think music appreciation in general is higher here than other places. Also, our music department dominates year after year. Everyone wants to be a part of something that is successful, and for CHS, music is where it’s at. Madame Huey: Because it’s music! Who can resist music? Mr. Allred: Everyone loves music and no concussions! Music is scientifically proven to enhance students ability to learn, Tell us what part of the curriculum you most enjoy teaching. Madame Kelley (Chair): I really like teaching the French culture through music, art, food, history, and literature…probably because these are some of the things students seem to enjoy and appreciate the most. I think we all enjoy listening to new French music each week, having “Café Day” or “Sick Day”, watching films based on the novels of A. Dumas, etc. And of course, Paris!!! I love teaching about the greatest city on Earth! Coach Sievers: As a health teacher, I enjoy teaching decision-making skills the most. Mr. Galloway: I enjoy teaching music theory so students can not only sing the music but understand its purpose, structure and forms. Señor Arceo: I like to teach every part because it is important for students to learn how to write, speak, and read in a foreign language because nowadays it is important to be bilingual. It does not matter if English and Spanish or English and French, or even English and Japanese, the important aspect is that students need to learn all these concepts so they can become proficient in the language. Señora Lavor: I enjoy most the cultural part. I find knowing about different cultures and their customs very interesting and inspiring. Sensei Richenson: I like to teach Japanese grammar. Mr. Rabb: Painting, because it is my passion. It is easily integrated with almost any content area like Math, Science, History, and Literacy.
Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017 3 Ms. Benfield: I’m a proud nerd, so even though my kids hate it, I love teaching theatre history! Madame Huey: I love teaching about the culture and history of French-speaking countries… mostly France. I love introducing the students to characters from Les Miserables, to French art and artists, to French music – both past and present. Mr. Allred: In my opinion, you must love teaching fundamentals. If your students are not solid on fundamentals, they are extremly limited in their achivenment. As a teacher, we must embrace, love or learn to love to teach the fundamentals. Then the students have a chance to achieve their full potential. For both marching and concert seasons, my class time is devoted 40% fundamentals and then the rest on show or concert music.
How does learning a new language help develop the brain? Madame Kelley (Chair): Learning a language is complex on many levels. It involves retention, recall, participation, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. But it can also be so much fun! Coach Sievers: Promotes creativity and expression---I defer to Señora Lavor on this one since she speaks the most languages of anyone I know! Mr. Galloway: Helps with memory and works a part of your brain that is not otherwise focused on. Señor Arceo: Learning a new language is complex in itself. It helps your brain think outside the box because as students you have to learn how to read, write, and speak in another language, a language that you did not grow up speaking. Señora Lavor: Knowing at least one foreign language can help train your brain for new information and connect the information and its meaning way faster. For example, my knowing more than one language helped me learn a new language at the college (Spanish language) much faster, since I was comparing the language and the grammar to another couple of languages that I already knew. I would consider the pieces of the other languages in order to better understand the new language. Sensei Richenson: Some research shows the people who study second/multi-languages have better attention and concentration. Mr. Rabb: Learning a new language helps improves your cognitive skills. Ms. Benfield: Learning a new language forces you to think differently. English is kind of a backward language compared to most of the world, so learning a new language activates
4 Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017 new parts of the brain. At least, I assume. I really have no idea. Madame Huey: Learning a language makes the brain work on many levels. It’s complex. You listen, speak, read, learn about a culture, sing, have fun. Mr. Allred: It makes your neurons fire faster, with the music being a language that is another reason why music is scientifically proven to make you smarter. Do you have any productions, special events, concerts, or showcases coming up? Madame Kelley (Chair): Our next French Club meeting will be the Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 28th. All French Club students are encouraged to run for Mardi Gras King or Queen in which they raise $ to be donated to a local charity. We will also have a mask decorating competition, games, French food, King Cake, and will be providing a Mardi Gras party for CHS Special Education students. Coach Sievers: No –national signing day is February 1st…I will have some soccer girls signing letters of intent to play in college Mr. Galloway: February 16th All Choral Night February 23rd Music in our Schools week March 9th Pre-festival Concert March 16th Music Performance Assessment in Clovis Sensei Richenson: Japanese Calligraphy Mr. Rabb: Summer student art show, and a Workshop at ENMU. Ms. Benfield: Yes! In February we will compete at ENMU Drama Fest with a one act play called “Selfie”. In late April (we are still working out the dates) we will perform Dorothy in Wonderland, which is a mashup of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. This is our most ambitious production to date, and I’m so excited about it! Then in early May we will host our 2nd annual Night of Theatre, which will showcase work from all of my classes. Madame Huey: French Club will soon celebrate Mardi Gras with Cajun food – King Cake, for example. We will have a mask decorating contest as well. Mr. Allred: We have our Music in our Schools concert Thursday, February 23 at MMS auditorium. Concerts at the Alamo and Seaworld in San Antonio, Texas March 11 and 12. Spring Concert April 21 at MMS auditorium. Concert and Sight Reading Festival April 21 in Hobbs. Pop concert May 11 at the Rock. Come and help ypur neurons fire faster. Describe how you would start work on a new play or art project with your classes. Madame Kelley (Chair): When
we begin a project in class, I first try to explain the purpose and value of the project, then, show outstanding student examples of the project, and finally try to make the experience enjoyable for students to engage in. Coach Sievers: Give students a list of plays to choose from, watch different productions of the play if available, audition for characters, practice, practice, practice, practice (I once directed a high school play “Taming of the Shrew”)…definitely out of my comfort zone though. Mr. Galloway: Create a team to begin planning pre-production and overall plans for the show. Señora Lavor: For example next year we could dress up in the costumes that celebrate the Day of the Dead: “ El Día de los Muertos”, and bring the culture of celebrating it to CHS. We could also make a play where we compare the costumes of the celebration of El Día de los Muertos and Halloween. Sensei Richenson: They will decide what they would like to write by the meaning of the words or/and their favorite words. They learn their words with correct stroke order, how to use the brush, and how to move their hands – Wax on. Wax off. You know, it has to be from the basics. Mr. Rabb: Every new project starts with a presentation about the artist who inspired the core of the project. The presentation is accompanied by a handout or reading, then a demonstration and example of the project. Ms. Benfield: Getting started on a new production is so difficult because the task seems so enormous. The first step is setting up a production schedule. I need to know when casting needs to be complete, when the cast should be off-book (have their lines memorized), when costumes must be completed, etc. After casting we usually jump into blocking (where an actor moves onstage) and the backstage crew starts work on costume, prop, set, and makeup designs. This year I have an amazing student director, Sarah Koss, who is able to work with either the cast or the crew while I work with the other, so very little time is wasted. Mr. Allred: This is a very, very long answer. Short versionlots of fundamental work, then begin working a show or concert music. If you had to describe yourself in 3-4 adjectives, what would they be? Madame Kelley (Chair): Creative, happy, caring, organized Coach Sievers: Focused, driven, serious Mr. Galloway: Patient, kind and
supportive Señor Arceo: Funny, relaxed, caring, and hardworking. These four adjectives would describe me because everyday I implement them with my students, even though they will say that I am lying but sometimes I make them laugh and have them have a good time in my class. Señora Lavor: Tall, fashionista, outgoing, friendly (funny). Sensei Richenson: Fearfully & wonderfully made Mr. Rabb: Creative, inquisitive, spontaneous, and Humble Ms. Benfield: Weird, curious, genuine, fierce, accepting (That was 5. Sorry. But not really.) Madame Huey: Creative, eclectic, conscientious Mr. Allred: Ambitious, demanding, honest, misunderstood What comments from students make your cringe? Madame Kelley (Chair): I cringe when students ask if we can “just have a free day”. I tell them every day is “free” – I never charge them for all the fun we have. Coach Sievers: “I hate school” Mr. Galloway: When kids ask if they can sit down or what are we doing today? Señor Arceo: “What are we doing today?”, “Did we do anything yesterday since I was absent?”, “I can’t do it because I don’t speak Spanish” Sensei Richenson: I better not share this. Mr. Rabb: “I’ll just skip it!” Said by almost every student ever. Ms. Benfield: “I didn’t know we had rehearsal today.” “What are we supposed to be doing?” “I lost my focus/ homework/ handout /script.” “(Insert student name here) is bleeding.” Madame Huey: The word “boring” is anathema to me. Mr. Allred: "I can't,"I'm not good enough," "I'm not sure i can," "maybe," "possibly," "well... because," "I don't have time," "that's good enough" Do you have a favorite quote? Madame Kelley (Chair): I have a couple of favorite quotes: “To speak a second language is to possess a second soul.” ~Charlemagne “Paris is always a good idea!” ~Audry Hepburn Coach Sievers: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” -H. Jackson Brown, Jr. Mr. Galloway: There are 2 muffins baking in an oven. The first one says, “Man it’s hot in here!” The second one says “Oh my god, it’s a talking muffin!” Señor Arceo: “Recuerda no es lo que te pasa, si no como reaccionas a eso que te pasa.” This quote means “remember it is not what happens to you,
it is how you react to that that happened to you.” The quote conveys the way you react to things that happen in your life is the way you are going to deal or react to them. In other words, the seriousness of the problem will be the way you react to the problem. Señora Lavor: I have a couple, but the one that I tell my self, especially on the days when I have a stressful day is: This what my people back home would say (Montenegro) “ If it is good- It will pass, If it is bad- It will also pass” Sensei Richenson: Yes. However, it is long. So, I give you only the beginning: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3: 5 Mr. Rabb: “Mystery is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”- Albert Einstein Ms. Benfield: This quote has been mis-attributed to Jack Kerouac but was actually used in an Apple ad. It seems to have been inspired by many writers. It is, however, a perfect ode to my students, and one of the reasons we call our acting trouble The Misfits: “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them; disagree with them; glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Madame Huey: I have a thousand favorite quotes: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” Einstein “Lorie darlin’, life in San Francisco, you see, is still just life. If you want any one thing too badly, it’s likely to turn out to be a disappointment.” Gus McCrae – Lonesome Dove “We’ll always have Paris.” Rick Blaine - Casablanca The language, art and, music teachers were more interesting and funny than we thought.
Now we know more about why they became teachers and what their goals are for the students this year. They want to help us
graduate and figure out what we want in life. I want to give thanks to these teachers for making Clovis High School
enjoyable and for spending so much time making that so. Mr. Allred: " The harder I work, the luckier I get." Henry T. Ford.
Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017
5
An Opinion:
Opposite Sides Of The Spectrum Fufilled Promises Mackenzie Credle Co Editor-In-Chief The world of politics has been a whirlwind of news since President Trump’s Inauguration. With all of the changes implemented by President Trump, people are starting to see him follow through on his campaign promises and the things he promised in his Inaugural Address. Changes to the immigration policy, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the repealing of The Affordable Care Act have had mixed reactions from some Americans; and there is more change to come. One campaign promise that President Trump is notorious for is the wall between the southern states and Mexico. There are definitely mixed feelings about it, and I can see why. This wall is going to be expensive and will possibly not work. The wall is all part of Trump’s Ten-Step Plan to fix the immigration policy. He also plans to end Sanctuary Cities, which he has already started trying to do, with not a lot of support from the Governors. Since there hasn’t been cooperation, he is planning on releasing lists of crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Sanctuary Cities every week until people agree with him. He has made progress on other policies, but
this time focusing on a different kind of immigration. He is focusing on refugee policy and how to secure America against refugees with malicious intent. After Trump declared a travel ban on seven countries known for political unrest and terrorism, people who were legal immigrants with green cards as well as people traveling abroad in these countries were kept from entering the United States again. This left people stranded for seven days until a federal judge, James Robart, stopped this ban, saying that it would deny people living in the US the right to education, employment, and the right to travel. The ban, even though it was following through with Trump’s campaign promise, was ruled unlawful for the reasons listed above. I feel like it is worth mentioning, because this ban is just the beginning of what will be a giant system of vetting to become a refugee. This system will hopefully keep radicalized terrorists out of the US and help people affected by the blows of war find a safe haven. I feel like a lot of people see the refugee problem to be directly related to terrorism, and that is why so many people, as well as our President, are wary to let just anyone come into the country. I just wanted to give my opinion, since that is the purpose of this column.
Terrorists can be Muslim, but not all Muslims are terrorists. This statement is why I feel so strongly about Trump being willing to allow people into the country fairly, not just because they are Christian or not Muslim. People are people, no matter what they believe, but according to Christian Broadcasting Network’s interview with President Trump, he plans on giving preference to Christians and other minority religions coming from refugee countries. The Trans-Pacific Partnership was created to put American goods back on top, imposing tax cuts for Americanmade items and supporting the creation of new US jobs, while supporting small businesses. This all sounds like a good idea, right? President Obama created this agreement between us and twelve other countries intending for this to happen, but President Trump feels that this plan robs the US of the benefits while making us pay for it, so it was a campaign promise to withdraw from it. On January 23rd, the first Monday he was in office, he held true to this promise and pulled the US out. This agreement had not been ratified then, so we felt no change in the economy because of it, but this change does mean that the other countries involved might
not be able to make the agreement work. President Trump will later change even more trade agreements, for example, the North American Free Trade Agreement, later on in his presidency. If you read my previous article, you know all about the faults with ObamaCare. One of President Trump’s campaign promises was to repeal this plan and completely reform the system. He has taken steps to repeal; however, he also needs to find a way to insure that no one gets left uninsured. This poses a real problem because there will have to be a system already in place before he can completely get rid of ObamaCare. . President Trump hasn’t had much time in office yet, but he has made a big splash across all political aspects of America. What he has already accomplished has made a large impact on policies that were in place before his presidency. The country is currently split up about all of the changes being made, and that is evident from all of the protesting going on from east to west. There are changes coming our way that will take some time getting use to; however, I am excited about most of the changes so far, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for America!
6 Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017
Austin Hodges Co Editor-In-Chief
What Is To Come?
It has been almost a month since Mr. Trump was inaugurated, and he has managed to do some good things so far. He has initiated his border control plan and started the Affordable Care Act repeal. These are only two of the promises President Trump made during his campaign, and he is still continuing to enact other promises. In this article, I am going to point out some of the other promises he made during his inauguration and will discuss my overall beliefs on whether they will actually be carried out. If so, how far could they take us as a country and prepare us better for the future. The best idea President Trump came up with in his Inauguration speech is the plan to build a better infrastructure. He plans on creating many new government paid jobs for the people. President Trump is trying to get people off welfare and back into the workforce. I believe this will help to stimulate the economy, because when people work they will spend, putting a portion of their income right back into the economy. I believe
this is the most significant of the promises President Trump made because it has worked in the past and I don’t see why it wouldn’t now. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, President Franklin Roosevelt established programs like the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and the CWA (Civil Works Administration) similar to the ones President Trump has proposed. This was a period of time when the economy had plummeted because of the terrible banking practices made by banks during the robust economy of the 1920s. President Roosevelt’s plans overall worked, helping to increase the nation's wealth and heal the economy. Now considering that our national deficit is nearly 20 trillion, I believe President Trump is making the best decision possible at this moment. President Trump also said that he would bring back the jobs that have flourished in other countries for tax-free incentives. I understand that President Trump is trying to fix the economy, but he can’t force these jobs to come back to our country. The reason most of our jobs leave the United State is that it is cheaper to run a business in a country like China because the laws on the workforce
are more lenient and the cost of labor in China is overall much lower. I do not believe that this plan of President Trump’s will work in the end, because we expect as workers in America to get paid a certain amount of money for the time we work, and employers may not necessarily want to pay the amount of money it takes to keep workers in the United States. However, that is not the only problem that needs to be addressed regarding our workforce, machines are. Machines are constantly taking over more and more jobs in today’s workforce because they are cheaper to run and can be programmed to do what the owner specifically wants it to do. These machines continue to drive thousands of workers out of jobs on a regular basis. This should be the problem we focus on before we even think to bring the jobs back, because the jobs we have are being taken away from us. Owners want to pay less for their labor and they do not have to pay machines to do the work, so logically it is one of the easiest decisions made by owners. If we don’t solve this problem, it is going to keep increasing, driving more people out of jobs. Ending terrorism
is another big goal on President Trump’s mind. He wants to finally get rid of ISIS, and make new alliances with new friends and past enemies. I feel like it is going to be extremely difficult to end ISIS because terrorism hasn’t ended, despite our efforts to bring it down. Even in 2011, when we disbanded Al Qaeda, it didn’t take long for ISIS to rise to power. I am not saying that something like this will happen, but based on the last few years, it could happen. President Trump also wants to improve our status with countries such as Russia and Syria. I hope that President Trump will be able to bring down ISIS and improve our relations with other countries. It seems that President Trump has many ideas that can overall improve our country, whether it deals with matters concerning the United States or our relations with other countries. He has big plans to help our country, and I believe he can do some great things, but, more than likely, not solve every problem. I hope that what he is planning will succeed in the end and will help our country thrive.
can get take out. Order your date’s favorite take out food, and invite them over. Tell them to come in their pajamas, and then have a movie marathon. Another romantic idea would be to get with your date, choose a recipe for dinner and one for dessert. Then go buy the ingredients and get everything set up. Spend the night cooking and baking. If you guys can’t cook, it’s okay. It isn’t about the food; it’s about having fun and spending some one-on-one time with your date. For those who are on a budget: This idea can be used with either a truck or a car. If you have a truck, gather a bunch of pillows and blankets for
the bed of your truck. Then go out to an open field away from the city lights and park in the middle where you can see the endless night sky. Create a nest with the things you brought, cuddle up next to your date in that nest, lie there and watch the stars. Talk about anything and everything. What your hopes are, your fears, your dreams, anything you want to talk about. If you have a car, then create a pile of blankets and pillows on the ground and do the same as I stated previously. Write a love letter. Write about the first time you met, what was going through your mind. Write about your favorite moments together and how much you loved them. Then tell
them how much you love and appreciate them. Buy a bag of candy and a couple of your date’s favorite flowers. Leave a flower and a few pieces of candy at a few places where they’re most likely to see them. Also write a tiny positive love note and leave it with the other stuff. If your date likes the outdoors, you could take them camping, fishing, fourwheeling, and/or hiking for the weekend. You don’t have to stick to this list, change things around and make it personal. Hopefully these ideas have inspired you to do something a little different for Valentines Day.
Romance And Beyond
Hailey Gibson Staff Writer There are various things that you can do for that special someone on Valentines Day. Even if you can’t afford to go big, there are some options that will create the same reaction. Here are various ideas for those who want to do something for that special someone. For those who like food: Tell your date to get dressed up and be ready by a certain time. Buy a rose or two for your date and then go to your their favorite restaurant. Eat a lovely dinner, spend time laughing and have fun. If you guys are more of a stayin-kind of couple, then you
Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017
The Origin Of Love Hailey Gibson Staff Writer Everyone knows who Cupid is. Most people think of a winged baby that shoots arrows at people when they hear the name Cupid. He also is shown as a young adult in some older images. He is the deity of Valentines Day and here is his story. There are two main cultures that Cupid came from. In the Roman myth he is called Cupid and is the son of Venus, the Goddess of love, and Mercury, the Winged Messenger. In the Greek myth, Cupid is known as Eros and the son of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and
7
Beauty. Though they are the different names and come from different cultures, his job is to shoot his victims with his arrows and cause them to fall deeply in love. The most popular legend of Cupid is of Greek origin where he falls in love with a mortal girl, Psyche. She was born so beautiful that those around compared her to the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Aphrodite became jealous and sent her son Eros (Cupid) to punish the girl. When Eros laid eyes on the girl he fell deeply in love with her. He took her as his wife but on one condition, that she not lay eyes on him. So they married and he would come to her bed in the middle
of night. Meanwhile, during the day she would spend time with her sisters. Her sisters finally convinced her to look at her husband and when she did, Eros and his palace vanished. She was left in the middle of an empty field. She went looking for her love and happened upon the temple of Aphrodite. Aphrodite being jealous decided to give Psyche three impossible tasks, each one more dangerous than the last. She passed all but the last one, with the help of Eros. When the last task came, she was given a box and was told to go the underworld and bring back some of the beauty from Proserpine, the wife of Pluto. Along the way she had help
and was given tips on how to complete the mission. The most important thing she was told was not to open the box, but her curiosity overtook her and when she opened the box she fell into a deep sleep. When Eros found the girl, he removed the sleep from her body and put it back into the box. Seeing the love that the mortal had for Eros, Aphrodite forgave her, and she became a goddess, and they’ve been together ever since. There are few legends where no one dies and the endings are happy. Maybe this is why Cupid is the deity of Valentines Day and the hope for lovers everywhere.
farms will be generating at a higher rate in groups when the heavier winds blow. Car companies could also benefit by using the energy generated by the available wind power. Our flat terrain in some areas
as some of the larger, more economically-stable states. We have a large amount of resources to build any type of car. Thus the mining industry will be hard at work, with the higher demand for metals
construction of goods and car parts. The military also has a brighter future here than just Cannon Air Force Base. The harsh conditions of the desert can be beneficial for training exercises for most branches of the U.S. military. The military can benefit here from bases, training exercises, and assembly of secret technology and weaponry. All in all, our state has infinite potential when it comes to resources and land. These industries range from farming, to NASA launching rockets, and Tesla building electric cars of the future. The industries would also bring jobs that would boost the economy, whether they require a college degree or training in that chosen field. Major companies should definitely think twice when choosing where to put their factories, and then come and build here with all of our natural resources.
Mr. Tesla, Come To New Mexico!
Donovan Hackett Travis Nelson Staff Writers Our fine state of New Mexico has limitless possibilities when it comes to the booming world of industry. After all, we are the 5th largest state in the Union with four terrains ( the Great Plains, The High Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Basin and Range Region) that can be used for energy resources to produce cars, electronics, household fixtures, and military uses. One major industry that is being used in New Mexico is solar energy, which tends to be more than common in this state. If we can gain monetary support, solar panels can give plenty of energy whether the panels have been placed in a solar farm or on the rooftops of people’s homes. Wind farms are already a large industry and will grow even larger, because wind
The Model S Alpha, in black. has major possibilities for companies such as Tesla With a low-cost of living economy, people could come to New Mexico to work for major companies and make the state as economically booming
required to create vehicles. New Mexico has the largest deposit of copper in the world, and investors would be sitting on a cash cow if they mined here. Copper can be used as a wire conductor and
8 Purple Press, Feb. 15, 2017
(From Left to Right) Front Row: Mr. Martinez (Adviser) Second Row: Mackenzie Credle and Austin Hodges Third Row: Hailey Gibson and Travis Nelson Fourth Row: Ohajine Hannah, Donovan Hackett, and Alex Thompson
Buy your Yearbook Now! $85 until the Spring Break!
Purple Press is a Publication Vehicle for Student Expression The School Board encourages students to express their views in schoolsponsored publications and to observe rules for responsible journalism. This means, expression that falls into any of the following categories shall not be permitted: any expression which is false or obscene, libelous, slanderous, or defamatory under state law; which presents a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts, violation of school rules or materials and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school, or which violates the privacy rights of others. Student editors of school-sponsored publications are responsible for determining the news, opinion and advertising content of the publication. The publication’s adviser is responsible for supervising the production of the publication and for teaching and encouraging free and responsible expression and professional standards of journalism. The views expressed in The Purple Press are not necessarily those of Clovis High School or the Clovis Municipal School Board of Education.
Adviser: Augustine Martinez Grammarian: Rev'd Fr. John Rollinson, S.S.C. Co-Editors-In-Chief: Mackenzie Credle and Austin Hodges Staff Writers: Hailey Gibson, Alex Thompson, Donovan Hackett, Travis Nelson, Cheyenne Regenhardt, and Ohajine Hannah Publisher: Clovis News Journal • 521 Pile St PO Box 1689 Clovis, New Mexico 88102, (575) 763-3431