March 2011

Mountainburg

Public

Schools

1

No More Dragon Zone???

Over the past year, the restaurant, The Dragon Zone, had become an after school hang out for many Mountainburg students. Unfortunately, our hometown hangout has had to close over this past month.

find someone to take over The Dragon Zone, but so far there have been no takers.

Sullivan said that the thing he misses most about the place is their food, and many would agree. Not Our small town does not have many only did students lose a hangout, places, and with one of the best ones but The Dragon Zone was considgone, what will ered by many resiwe do now? dents to be the best Employee and restaurant in Mounthe owner’s son, tainburg. Now resiJohnny Sullivan dents have only two said that they places in town left have tried to to eat.

Not only did many students lose a hangout, but also an employer.

Since its opening about a year ago, juniors Garth Webster, Michael Sullivan, Ryan Chase, Shawnee Johnson, Melisa Graber, Marlon Watkins, Dustin Houston, and sophomore Johnny Sullivan have all worked there.

The Dragon Zone was known as a friendly place to retreat and enjoy good company and good food.

Without it, Mountainburg students and residents are left with very few options.

Basketball Playoffs Mountainburg Dragons and Lady Dragons basketball teams made it to the Regional Tournament. The boys’ team finished as Conference Champs and District Runners-up after a disappointing loss to County Line. Both teams finished third in regional play-offs and went on to play in the state tournament.

Cole Teague, junior, said he believed they had a chance at winning regional and doing well in state because the only teams they had lost to are County Line, Eureka Springs, Waldron, and Danville.

County Line has hosted both District and Regional Tournaments, which

seemed unfair to many teams in their play in the secconference. In the Mountainburgond round County Line series, the Dragons led 2-1. against the hostTeague believes County Line is slightly ing team Buffalo overrated and that the Dragons could Island Central have easily defeated them if they had where the Lady faced off in either tournament. Unfor- Dragons lost 62-54. tunately, the Dragons lost out the first Mountainburg’s basketball teams had round of the State tournament against exceptionally good seasons. The playAugusta. ers did an outstanding job and repreThe Lady Dragons beat Danville in the sented the school well, proving Mounfirst round of the regional tournament, tainburg is a competitive team in the 2A and faced the County Line team, where conference. they lost by 16. The Lady Dragons ended up placing third after defeating the Hartford Hustlers. The Lady Dragons went on to play Hazen in the first round of the 2A state tournament. They defeated Hazen 40-22 and went on to

For The Flame in color visit: issuu.com/dragonzone

2

Energy Drink Risks Energy Drink

Oz

Caffeine

Full Throttle

16 oz

144 Mg

Monster Energy

16 oz

160 Mg

Red Bull

8.5 oz

80 Mg

SoBe No Fear

8 oz

130 Mg

Nos

16 oz

260 Mg

Amp

16 oz

110 Mg

Rockstar

8 oz

160 Mg

Crunk

8.3 oz

194 Mg

Energy Drinks have become a common drink in students’ diets. I see Monsters, Rockstar and Redbull around the school every day; I drink them on occasion as well. But do we really know what we are drinking?

tions, irregular heartbeat, seizures, nausea, psychotic conditions, and even death according to the health website, everydayhealth.com.

caffeine for younger consumers does not exist and avoiding it is healthiest for children and teens.

So how many Mountainburg High In addition to the health risks inSchool students drink energy volved, one article published in The drinks? A survey shows that 50% of Many students like the buzz New York Times on May 26, 2008 ad- them confirmed drinking them they get from an energy dressed the behavioral risks regularly, and 25% of those students drink, but in reality they as well. According to the arti- drink at least 5 a week and others are putting themselves in cle, those who regularly drink admitted to drinking 2 or more a danger. These drinks are energy drinks are much more day. loaded with unhealthy inlikely to participate in risky or These drinks have caused many gredients, mainly caffeine“toxic jock” behaviors, such critical risks to the health of their an addictive substance. as having unprotected sex, consumers, but students continue to substance abuse and violence.

Serious issues may come from condrink them. So the question is, in the suming energy drinks. These drinks Though the energy drink companies long run, are these drinks really temporarily increase one’s heart insist that adult consumers are the worth the short term effects? rate, and over a long period have targeted audience for the product caused an increase in heart attacks, anyone, regardless of age, can buy heart failure, and strokes, not only them. This has spurred many disamong adults, but teenagers as well. cussions about whether or not these Other health issues that are caused drinks should be regulated, much by energy drinks are kidney and like alcohol and tobacco. According liver failure, respiratory malfuncto health officials a safe amount of

3

Are You Paying Too Much for Too Little?

It is not out of the ordinary to walk down most high school hallways and pass a very visible A & F stitched on a tshirt, the familiar moose logo in any given corner of any article of clothing, or a large AE stitched on the outside pocket of a purse or the familiar line design on the back pocket of someone’s jeans. So what makes brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and Aeropostale so popular at this age?

fact, many parents are still footing the clothing bill for many teens; however, for those lucky individuals, the time is coming closer and closer when they may have to pay for clothes themselves. That’s when many teens begin to ask themselves the question: “Am I paying too much for too little?”

clothes are good quality.”

Josh Kelly, senior, said he has mostly Abercrombie and Fitch clothing in his closet. Though Kelly admits prices may be a little more, he believes the quality of the clothing make them worth the higher prices.

Another senior, Courtney Wasko, named American Eagle as one of her favorite stores. “They have fairly reasonable In other words, are shoppers spendprices and that’s because they usuing too much on low quality clothes? ally have a few sales going on,” Consumers know certain brands and It makes sense if they are paying a Wasko said. “I’ve had jeans for years where they came from by seeing pretty penny and getting long lastthat I bought from American Eagle, these symbols and logos, of these ing, durable, high quality clothing, and they still look great.” companies as well as others. Popu- but what doesn’t make sense is payIs it crazy to spend a little extra on larity of a clothing brand implies ing a pretty penny for low quality clothes if they come from these something clothing that rips, loses butabout the tons, or falls apart in the wash- stores? Mountainburg students don’t think so because of store sales wearer’s ing machine. and the quality of the clothing. But status.

Mountainburg students is it the popularity of the quality that There is a sounded off on their choices of makes the name? Or is the name popular clothing brands based on price made popular by price or logos? Uladage that and durability. timately, it depends on says “the clothes make the man,” “American Eagle is you and your own and that saying fully explains the probably where most of sense of style and desire to buy certain brands. my clothes are from,” value.

Many teens don’t think about how said Matt Kimes, junior. much they are actually paying for “Their prices are pretty that little moose to be sewn on that reasonable, and the shirt or the letters to be placed. In

4

Why We Love the Drama A couple has a fight, breaks up and gets back together again. A girl cries as she leaves a mansion because she doesn’t get a rose. The most hated person in the house gets the power of veto and remains in the house another week.

arguing yourself,” Milton said.

ing it.” Tishina Johnson, senior, believes people watch them because “they want to switch places with them, live their lives in a weird way.” Why do people admire watching wealthy or glamorous people if their lives contain so much conflict?

But why are humans so fascinated with drama anyway? Well, the real interest starts with the limbic system, the part of the brain that produces emotions, unconscious judgment and memory. When we These are on the edge of our seats wonderpopular ing who will be going home once Whatever reasons for cravscenarios “the tribe has spoken,” we have this ing drama, are simply put, but brain system to thank. involunmillions of people (especially teens) tary, bioThough we live will carve out time, set their DVR or logical for televised “real life” TiVo or do anything to make sure response or a genuine drama, when it comes they don’t miss a single episode of interest and obsession, humans get into our own lives, involving us or their favorite reality show. What is an instant excitement when tensions those close to us, we put our guard so interesting about these shows that arise. The biggest difference beup. Why is conflict interesting from involve fighting and crying and tween television and real life drama a distance, but when it hits close to mind games? Why are we excited to is where you are when it happens. home, we aren’t as interested as we watch it happening in someone are defensive? What’s the big differ- Are you on the couch watching the else’s life on a screen, but cringe at ence between TV drama and real life next elimination from a safe disthe thought of a conflict arising in drama? tance, an entertaining situation that our own lives? Why do we love the has nothing to do with you? Or is it “Real life is more interesting drama? right in front of you between friends but not necessarily so much fun,” Cheyanna Milton, former or yourself or someone who can’t said Marlon Watkins, junior.

Mountainburg senior, said she enstand up for themselves. Are you “Television is joys doing something about it or simply just to enterwatching standing there like it’s just another tain. It’s kind the hit episode? of fun to keep up with, like show, a hobby. Like if you could put your- Drama is drama. Question is, how Jersey Shore, to see the fights and self in that situation. Real life could do you react to it? arguments which she thinks are actually affect you, good or bad.” “kind of funny.” She also enjoys it So why the obsession with because it is a way to be interested in reality shows? Watkins said, “Maybe the gossip from a safe standpoint.

“Television drama is better than real some people who don’t have a very social life try life drama because you aren’t loosing anyone or going through all the to fill that void by watch-

5

Hunting Ginseng Deer, squirrel, bear, turkey and other wild game that inhabit the Ozarks are probably among the first thing most people think about when going hunting, but the Center family hunts something else-something a little more difficult to find.

pending on the time of year. “You really have to know where to look and what it looks like,” Nick said.

They average a successful hunt once out of every two times they go.

The reward for hunting the root is great. “The highest profit for ginseng was $1,200 a pound. But usually its $350 to Hunter Center, a junior, and $400 a pound,” said younger brother, Nick, a freshman, Nick. “If you find a hunt for ginseng during the summer long, stick shaped piece, people in with their family. But you can’t call China will pay a large amount beup or lure in ginseng. According to cause they use it to make voodoo them, finding the root is no easy dolls.” However, it is usually sold to task. medical companies.

Ginseng is a root used to make medicines and other products such as energy drinks. It has three small leaves surrounded by three larger leaves topped with red berries de-

So can anyone get in on this great deal? “The government is trying to make a bill for it [requiring a license to hunt for ginseng], but now one isn’t needed,” Nick stated.

The Centers started in the business just by setting out on their own to look for it. “I think my Dad just went out and started to pull it [the ginseng] up or someone told him about it and he started to look for it,” Nick said.

So how many people actually attempt to hunt for the root? “I’m not really sure,” admitted Nick.

“Definitely not in metropolitan areas, so not a whole lot.”

“It feels amazing,” said Nick describing the search for something that helps cure people’s illnesses and pain. The difficulty of the search is well worth the rewards to this family. The result in the end for this family is not only a nice profit but also the satisfaction of helping people overcome diseases and illnesses.

One Man Band Many high school students look forward to their shining moment, the moment when they are singled out and allowed to play a solo. Bobby Torbitt, senior, has many of those “solo” moments. As the only member in Mountainburg’s high school band, Bobby gets more than his fair share of solos.

Torbitt knows that many teens prefer the faster pace of an athletic career, but he finds solace and the opportunity he wants to express his

creativity in band.

Though he admitted being the only member can be lonely, he knows the importance of the class.

Mr. Allen Lawson, the band’s director believes many students just aren’t able to work the class into their schedules. However, Lawson also said he works hard to encourage students to join.

Lawson admitted that it’s difficult to

have a band with only one student, but he also recognizes the significance of a class to someone like Torbitt, who truly enjoys the music and being a part of something.

Next year Mountainburg may see a year without music, as Torbitt graduates this May; however, both Lawson and Torbitt hope to see new comers in the fall.

6

Snow Days!

Over the past month, our school has missed 10 days of school due to the weather. Many have wondered and worried about how we will make up those days.

We have used days we would normally have not been here to make up some of these days such has Presidents Day, Good Friday, and Martin Luther King Day. Another concern for students and staff was the possibility of losing Spring

Break. Although this rumor made its way through the masses, it will not happen.

into the summer season. The staff decided that there will be no Saturday school, and we will use holidays during the year to make up some of Another option was Saturday school these days as well as pushing the -a horrible thought last day of school back. to most students.

However, the facSchool is now schedulty voted to decide uled to release on June whether or not eve8th, with the exception ryone would be atof seniors who will be tending Saturday released May 13th. school or going later

Small birds search for food beneath the snow.

Winter 2011 was one of the worst in recent years.

Though brutal, the snow paints a beautiful picture.

Even creeks and streams struggled to keep moving.

7

y Shows on Most Popular Realit (according Television Right Now to tv.com): ● The Bachelor

March is Women's History Month 2011 Theme: Our History is Our Strength!

● American Idol ● Top Gear ce ● The Amazing Ra ● Jersey Shore ● The Apprentice p ● America’s Next To ● Survivor ● The Real Housewiv

Model

es of Orange Count

● MythBusters ● Break Out Kings ● Bad Girls Club ● Ghost Hunters ● American Chopper Kardashians ● Keep Up With the ● Undercover Boss ey ● The Oprah Winfr

Show

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“Every time you meet a situation, though you think at the moment it is an impossibility and you go through the tortures of the damned, once you have met it and lived through it you find that forever after you are freer than you were before.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."

Maya Angelou

“Please know that I am quite aware of the hazards. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”

● The Doctors

Amelia Earhart

● Top Chef

Most Popular Clothing Brands for Teens!

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