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ottawa high school | ottawa, kan | december 2016
We’re obsessed with beauty, and it’s starting to harm young people everywhere. More and more are comparing themselves to impossible standards. Read more on page 10. Photo illustration by Gavin Wade
WHAT’S INSIDE Opinion Staff Editorial: Putting our lives into perspective YA Literature: Where’s the variety? A Hindering Necessity: Homework isn’t going anywhere
News Lights, Camera, Action: New theater classes thriving in high school All Aboard: OHS unveils the new activity bus
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Feature Looking Back: Teachers at OHS share their past Press Start: Games offer more than meet the eye Makeup or Make Down: Are beauty standards out of control?
Sports & Entertainment
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Sounds for Studying: Binaural beats Procrastination Nation: Students’ worst fears realized Art Spotlight: Isaac Brannon The Book Nook: All This Life
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Editors: Emma Carriger Gavin Wade Reporters: Christina Christopher Charli Fuqua Lydia Harris Chloe Jones Audrey Moore Megan Olmsted Tyler Roberts Blake Wallis Deedra Zolman Adviser: Kara Lynch Ottawa High School 1120 S. Ash Ottawa, KS 66067 ohsreview.com @ohscyclonenews
Life in Perspective Chloe Jones | reporter On behalf of The Review staff There was a time in American history when we walked instead of drove, technology was a dream yet unimagined and religion was a key factor in everyday life. However, we still had the necessary water access and food we needed to stay moderately healthy. Over the years, we have developed both economically and socially, quickly becoming one of the top nations in the world. Because we are surrounded by these advances every day, we often forget that there are nations in other areas of the world that don’t have the same advantages that we have. Often, the only time the “starving kids in Africa” are remembered is when someone doesn’t want to eat their own food. America, as well as many other countries in the world, hold a large majority of the world’s money. In the individual countries, that money is often split into the hands of only 1 percent of the nation. The excess amount then filters down to lower classes. In Khaled Hosseini’s novel And the Mountains Echoed, readers see the extraordinary impact that a lack of wealth has on families in third-world countries. It starts off with the story of two kids living in a poor Afghanistan village. The older brother has become like a father to his sister and walks to a nearby village to find her a peacock feather for her collection. When he arrives, the owner of the peacock demands a trade: the child’s only good shoes for the feather. This loving brother wanted to give a good gift to his sister and see her smile, so he walked miles home without shoes, resulting in torn and bloody feet. Later on those children visit Kabul, a city flourishing
with life, and become infatuated with the relative luxuries. This story caused me to think about the inequality of wealth all around the world, starting with how that one city holds more fortune than any of those villagers could dream about. The comparison of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in the U.S. is over $53,000, showing the total output of goods over the amount of people in the country. This is less than half the size of Luxembourg’s GDP, however, it’s more than 53 times the size of many third-world countries. While many countries around the world flourish, the Gross National Income (GNI) of many countries throughout Africa and Asia range way below $1,000 per year. According to “Credit Suisse Global Wealth Databook 2013,” 68.7 percent of adults worldwide own only 3 percent of the world’s currency. Forty one percent of the world’s money goes towards only .7 percent of adults. The global inequality of wealth is something that seems to be overlooked often, but it can’t just be about statistics when it is noticed; there are many more despairing faces in nations across the globe. We’ve all seen the commercials: sad, crying children playing in the dirt. The sad truth is that most people don’t bother to watch them. We avoid the painful truth by flipping the channel on our flat screens or smartphones. With the holidays nearing, it’s easy for us to forget the individuals who are dealing with extreme poverty. We have become so accustomed to this wealth that even the poorest in America don’t understand the poverty of some foreign countries. We don’t think about the child walking miles in bare feet to find a gift for his sister. I encourage you to remember a time when our country wasn’t as prosperous, when we were also struggling. Reach out and aspire to make a change, even if that means just donating your extra change after a check out at the grocery store.
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The newspaper’s primary obligation is to inform its readers about events in the school and community and of issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population. The newspaper, while serving as a training ground for future journalists as part of the school curriculum, recognizes all rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional standards and ethics for decision making as the take on the responsibility for content and production of the newspaper. While the student staff encourages constructive criticism of any part of the newspaper, authority for the content rests in the hands of the student members of the newspaper staff. Students will not publish material considered to be legally unprotected speech, or libel, obscenity, material disruption of the educational process, copyright infringement, or unwarranted invasion of privacy.
THE
REDUNDANCY OF
YA LIT Audrey Moore | reporter The young adult genre of literature is growing. According to The Atlantic, 3,000 young adult novels were published in 1997. In twelve years, that number grew to 30,000. In 2009, young adult novels exceeded three billion dollars in total sales. It’s no secret that young adult fiction is becoming more and more prominent in our libraries, but is it really a good thing? For the most part, I’d say no. When I think of young adult fiction, my mind immediately goes to every cliche in the book (no pun intended). The main character who doesn’t think highly of themselves is thrown into a challenging and/or
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dangerous conflict against their will. Along the way, a passive-aggressive, ab-ridden man becomes the love interest. (Think Four from “Divergent.”) Or perhaps the protagonist will fall in love with an overly sexualized woman, depending. If you really want to spice things up, how about adding a love triangle? Oh, and the main character should never stop whining. (Even if they have a good reason to whine, I still don’t want to read that for several hundred pages.) I am well aware of the fact that not all young adult literature falls under that umbrella, but the sad reality is that most of it does. With money making titles such as “The Hunger Games,” “Twilight,” and “Di-
vergent,” it’s only natural that other authors would jump on the bandwagon. A lot of their writing is to make money, after all. This has led to the majority of young adult fiction being unoriginal and using recycled plotlines. This reality makes me sad, because the young adult genre has potential. The demographic is one that could be open to many new, experimental, or even controversial topics. However, the authors of this genre are afraid to step out of the “comfort zone” because they need to make a profit. I think if great authors took that step, the young adult genre would be much better and no longer associated with the mess of a genre we have now.
How Much is
Too Much?
Homework is a part of life for students. But is it as vital as it’s made out to be?
Every high school student has most likely had the nights where they’re up late doing homework, knowing they’ll just have to do it all again the next day. Sometimes, no matter how early the homework is started, it’s impossible to get it all done. Teachers and parents will often argue that if students would stop procrastinating on their homework at night, they would easily get it all done. Many students would reject that notion, especially when they have sports or work after school, then have at least four to five hours of homework. Let’s get this straight: students don’t want to devote their whole life to homework. When they have eight hours of school, two hours of practice, and four hours of homework, that’s at least fourteen hours of their day going towards school. That only leaves ten hours for work, getting ready in the morning, anything students are interested outside of school, time with family and friends, and of course sleep. According to nationwidechildrens. org, high school students need nine to ten hours of sleep to function properly, which just doesn’t work. Even if there was less homework, many hours of a student’s
day will still be devoted to something they are not even interested in. School is supposed to prepare students for the future and their careers, but when it takes away from something students are genuinely talented and interested in, it takes away from students’ potential for the future. With so many hours of school, there is no point in having so much homework. According to the National Education Association, students should only have ten minutes per grade level, so the most homework students would have in high school is two hours as a senior. Even then, students are so tired at the end of the day that even if teachers think something should last minutes, it could last hours, especially if the student has trouble focusing. According to healthline.com, research shows that homework over the recommended level can change a student’s attitude towards school, social life, and overall quality of life. Studies show that the average high school student has 3.5 hours of homework a night. With eight hours of school a day, there should be more than enough time for teachers to teach what they need to. If students can’t learn what they need to in that
amount of time, teachers should learn how to utilize their time instead of leaving such a heavy workload on students, often times to figure it out themselves, instead of receiving the knowledge they need in school. There is no guarantee that homework is even helping anything in the first place and it is likely counterproductive. When students have so many hours of homework, they are more concerned with finishing the homework than absorbing the material. Overall, it is not realistic that teachers will get rid of homework completely. However, it would be extremely beneficial to student learning, lives, and future, to lessen the homework load that students have every day.
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Megan Olmsted | reporter
Playing It Up Emma Carriger | editor
notice. “It’s really nice with the teacher we have because she has so much experience,” Welton said. “We definitely get a different experience than with someone who wasn’t as educated in theater as she is.” Not only does Greasby teach here at the high school, but she also teaches theater classes over at Ottawa Middle School, a fact that
Danielle Holland [12] and Rachel Vrbas [10] perform at the fall musical. “As an actor, it’s definitely helped getting more of the process down and helped me better myself as an actor. It has improved our drama department because we now have more talented actors,” Holland said.
With the new renovations, as well, there is plenty of room to exActing and theater have long pand and offer new classes. Some been in the hearts of students classes that Greasby would like here at Ottawa High School. Now, to add include stagecraft, stage classes are available for these stumakeup, and directing. In the past, dents, and they are able to pursue she has also taught musical thetheir passions. ater, which is already offered. ”I’ve been interested in theater “With the new performing arts for a long time,” Avery Welton [11] center being built, there will be a said. “In all honesty, I just ended lot of opportunities for additional up in the class because it fit classes,” Greasby said. my schedule, but I’m glad The current acting and I did.” theater classes offer bene“My philosophy isn’t necesAt the beginning of the fits to be reaped, including sarily to build people who go year, many new teachers the ability to carry oneself joined the district, inin any situation, along into the arts. My philosophy is cluding Rebecca Greasby with the benefit to be able to build people who appreciate [theater teacher]. Her task: to connect it to a real world to build a theater program perspective, according to the arts, who will continue to from scratch. Greasby. support the arts.” “It’s been a challenge “It’s not just learning because I’ve never done from the book; it’s actually it before,” Greasby said. seeing it in action,” Welton “I didn’t know totally what to made many high schoolers upset. said. expect. But, it’s been a lot of fun “There’s a lot of disappointment All in all, Greasby’s classes offer because everyone is eager, and here that the high schoolers didn’t a safe space for students to try out I’m eager to get in and get things get the same opportunity [at the new things and to become probworking.” middle school],” Greasby said. lem solvers, while also acquiring Starting with only the foundaNow, she intends to grow the respect for the arts. tion of the curriculum, her theater theater program from its nonexis“My philosophy isn’t necessarbackground, and the curiosity of tence to something larger. ily to build people who go into what the job would entail, she has “I’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of the arts. My philosophy is to build made the theater program what energetic kids,” Greasby said. people who appreciate the arts, it is with her experience to also “There’s a real hunger and thirst who will continue to support the back her up, with students taking for theater here.” arts.” TH E
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Looking Back Deedra Zolman | reporter and Christina Christopher | reporter
Many people think about what teachers were like as students. Were they as rebellious as students now-a-days? Teachers had their own stories and moments as teenagers in high school that they look back on and either smile or regret. They were a part of different cliques in high school and participated in many different activities. Now, the teachers are telling their stories about their high school life and who they were as teenagers.
Taylor Seurer “My funniest moments were just hanging out at football games and going to Sonic after every game. It was where everyone went to hang after a football game. My school was three stories tall so I remember tripping up the stairs at least once a week which is always funny. I was not in a particular clique; I was friends with people in all sorts of groups.”
Lori Underwood “Once when we were freshmen, the band went to Washington D.C., and while my friend and his roommates were goofing around their hotel room, he put his foot through the wall. The second time was junior year. He was running late to marching band practice and while running, tripped over his feet and slid about 10 feet across the wet grass in front of the whole band. His trombone slid another 10 feet past that.”
Michael Kyriakos “I did community service. I picked up trash or raked leaves. I was friends with the jocks. I played football, in and outdoor track, and soccer. We had a rival high school that had a mascot, and we used to go over and move it different places around the school. It was outside the front door. It took three or four of us to pick it up, it weighed 200 pounds. We didn’t ever damage it when we picked it up and moved it.”
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Press
Start
PE O P L E D ON ’T G IVE GA ME S ENOUGH CREDI T. THEY HAVE M UC H M O R E TO O F F E R THA N JUST A BREAK. Tyler Roberts | reporter Having fun, relieving stress, increasing your reflexes, making you think faster, spending time with friends and family, and easily handling stressful tasks can all happen by doing one thing. All of these things can be achieved just by simply playing games you enjoy. Games have been played by millions of people worldwide, and are still being played today. Games are a fun hobby that almost anyone can enjoy if they find the right games to play. However, there seems to be a divide between those who play games and those who don’t. Reasons to play games can include stress relief, having fun, spending time with friends and family, or clearing your mind. “A game is an opportunity to focus our energy, while being optimistic, at
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something we are good at (or getting better at) and enjoy,” Nicholas Christian [10] said. “To me, playing games is a way to get away from everything and enjoy the games I like.” It’s not just because it is fun to play games, you can also set goals for yourself and achieve throughout the game. Achievements are great ways to set smaller and simpler goals that are definitely obtainable in a shorter period of time. “I play games because it’s a fun way to connect with other people and it’s fun completing the game” Rylie Slocum [12] said. If you know someone who is stressed out and doesn’t play games, tell them to try it out and see if they like it. Any kind of game can relieve stress for someone; if they like that kind of game, it’s really effective at clearing your mind and having fun.
you play. If you can get through these For example, if a stressful scenes successfully that gamer plays violent means that you’re able to overcome games they will have that panic. a higher chance My personal experience of being less has shown that gampanicked ing can also help with in frustrating tasks, A GAME IS AN hand-eye coordinacompared to someone reaction time, who either doesn’t OPPORTUNITY tion, being calm in play games or TO FOCUS OUR stressful scenarios, plays non-violent and thinking of games. This has ENERGY, WHILE a quick solution been proven by a BEING OPTIMISto the problem study conducted at hand. Gaming at Texas A&M. If TIC, AT SOMEalso can help you you look at it from THING WE ARE look at things from a logical standpoint a different perspecit makes sense that GOOD AT. tive, which can help violent video games you find a better soluhelp with being less tion to troubling tasks. panicked in frustrating Games definitely have tasks. In these games there more to offer than just stress is a lot of stressful and intense relief and having fun if you are dediaction scenes that are hard to get cated to playing games. through if you are panicking when
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Pomona Branch PO Box 70 118 E. Franklin Pomona, KS 66067 785-566-3311
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Ottawa Branch PO Box 900 1250 E. Logan Ottawa, KS 66067 785-242-6777
Manipulating Beauty Emma Carriger | editor From Barbies, to mainstream media, to overly Photoshopped models on magazines, the beauty expectations of women hold a high standard that is practically unachievable. Young girls are raised to learn that perfection is the goal, but come to the realization that they can never achieve this goal. These standards stem from childhood influences and overall societal expectations. Since the people we see on the front of every magazine are literal pictureperfect humans pulled in every direction out of sight of the camera, we learn that beauty equals a higher quality of living. Not only that, but it is seen as scandalous for even a celebrity to be seen without makeup. Women’s clothes are another problem. We’re made to think that if we can’t fit into outfits like the models in the photo that we’re fat and a disappointment. Fun fact: the reason clothes fit celebrities so well is because they all get them tailored. Normal people can’t afford tailors. So don’t worry if you don’t fit into that dress, there are many other dresses more suited to your body type. Additionally, not everyone can be skinny. We start looking at the bit of extra flab on our bodies early on in our lives. According to PBS, 42 percent of girls in first through third grade want to be thinner. These are kids that are six-to-nine years old. However, PBS also states that most fashion models weigh less than 98 percent of American women. So the standards that burden women are based off people that aren’t even TH E
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average; instead, it’s those models that deviate from the norm. When we all say we want to look like models to feel normal, we would actually be the opposite. These body image issues can be quite damaging, both emotionally and physically. Body image issues have caused 20 million women in the United States to develop eating disorders. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, according to Mirasol. Society’s pressure is so crushing that girls wither away because they don’t look in the mirror and see themselves as beautiful, because we, as a collective whole, do not tell them that. Women themselves create problems. Girls, let’s face it, we can be pretty demeaning at times. There’s always someone that doesn’t dress like you, or doesn’t want to fit into the societal mold. There’s always going to be that one person that doesn’t have the latest fashion trend, or that dresses their own way that doesn’t meet your specific standards. That doesn’t make them less than you, or any less pretty. All women are beautiful, whether you agree with it or not, and we need to be less negative towards each other to be more positive overall. We need to stop knocking each other down and ignore the standards that we had no power to set. Maybe then it will all be a little easier.
The
Forgotten Demographic It’s normal to overlook men when it comes to things like body image issues and beauty standards. Many think that the pressures and ideals of beauty don’t apply to men, but it’s quite the opposite. In every advertisement, magazine cover, and movie, the laundry list of what a man should look like shines brightly through. Chiseled abs, decent biceps, and a jawline that could cut glass are the gold standard of male beauty today, give or take a man bun. The same problem exists for men that has existed for women for decades: we’re only shown this single ideal body type, leaving all others are virtually unrecognized, creating a sense of disapproval for those that don’t fit that type. This idolization of the “perfect” figure can send men into an obsessive tailspin for highly unattainable beauty. A study about this very topic was released in January of 2014, led by Alison E. Field, an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital. The results are quite staggering. Eighteen percent of boys are concerned about their physique, and infrequent binge eating and purging was reported in almost a third
of the participants. Even more, males concerned about thinness had a higher rate of symptoms pointing to depression. The issue becomes even more exaggerated in the LGBT community. Historically, gay culture has been intensely hyper-masculine. Every body type other than skinny and fit are largely ignored, causing a large part of the population to carry around a lot of shame. And we’re paying the price for it. According to nationaleatingdisorders.org, “gay men are thought to only represent 5 percent of the total male population but among men who have eating disorders, 42 percent identify as gay.” For a group that prides themselves on inclusivity, we definitely like to exclude people. It’s time that we stop being so hard on ourselves when we judge our bodies. Our full-time job isn’t to achieve this high standard of beauty, like it is for those on magazine covers and in advertisements. We’re human, and we come in all shapes and sizes. We need to stop thinking that our value is only in our looks; there is much more to ourselves than what literally meets the eye.
Cases of eating disorders are
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Gavin Wade | editor
Binaural
Beats Megan Olmsted | reporter Many people wish they could easily change their mind at any time. Binaural beats claim to make it possible change the emotions of anyone who listens to them. They are sounds that can last from five minutes to several hours and can practically control the thoughts and feelings of the listener if they work how they are supposed to. The idea of the science behind binaural beats was discovered in 1839 by a physicist named Heinrich Wilhelm Dove. They play a different frequency in each ear, bringing users to a completely different state of mind.
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These sounds have many uses. They claim they can be used for anything from meditation to weight loss and even curing colds. There hasn’t been much research on them, but the research that has been done usually shows that it does have an effect on the brain. Since the there hasn’t been a lot of research, it can’t be completely confirmed, however, lots of people use them daily and notice results. Also, the science makes sense. If you play 310 Hz into one ear, and 300 Hz into the other ear, the brain will process a 10 Hz frequency, bringing you to an Alpha state of mind. Even though there are some disadvantages to binaural beats, most people think the pros outweigh the
cons. One use for them, especially for students, is listening to them while studying. While studying, it would be best to listen to binaural beats that produce wavelengths that are 40 Hz, which are Gamma waves. 40-100 Hz is the best for processing new information. Theta is also good for learning new information because it can ease the mind when taking in large amounts of information. Besides the uses they have for students, different binaural beats claim to cure colds, aid in weight loss, wake you up in the morning, put you to sleep at night, make you happier, quickly get rid of a headache, help with problem solving, aid in creativity, aid in astral projection, or even make you look younger. Even though many people use binaural beats every day, everyone has different opinions on if they work. Also, it is not technically scientifically proven that they work. The easiest way to find out if they work for you is to listen to the thousands that are accessible on YouTube, and that are free to use.
Using Binaural Audio: 1. Grab some stereo headphones 2. Find a binaural audio track or video to listen to 3. Listen and relax
Frank Eye Center Kenneth J. Frank, M.D. William H. Campbell, M.D. Deloris W. Bell, M.D. 1401 S. Main 785-242-4242
Country favorites Listen for local news, sports, and weather. Your station for Ottawa High School football and basketball coverage.
Procrastination: the subtle art of putting off important work and then scrambling at the very last moment to get it done until you’re so stressed you can barely think. It’s been done by almost everybody. You get home and you think, “Wow I have a lot of work to do, I should really get on it.” But instead, you lay around browsing the internet, watching TV, or playing video games. Studymode, an edtech company that dedicates itself to helping students succeed in school, recently conducted a study that showed that out of 1,300 high school and college students, 87 percent say that they procrastinate and that it affects their performance, while 45 percent report that it negatively impacts their grades on a fairly regular basis. “It can get you into a lot of trouble,” Emily Hankins [11] said. “I think it is the downfall of a lot of high schoolers. I procrastinate every once in awhile but it causes my anxiety to get really bad and if it gets bad enough I cry and can’t sleep and if I can’t sleep I can’t eat.” This is a high and fairly shocking number, and presents an increasingly present problem in the American Education System. Among a list of things that students could be doing instead of studying, watching TV came in as the number one method of procrastination, followed by using social media. This trend of procrastination may be due to the large amount of homework students receive, with 40 percent of students saying the reason they procrastinate is because they
feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. Procrastination isn’t inherently a bad thing though; some people work better when they procrastinate, as the added pressure can make them put out their best work. “Procrastination isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Chanlynn Allen [English teacher] said. “Some people need a certain amount of pressure to excel. I’ve noticed whenever I write a paper I find it easier to do it under pressure.” Though some people work better when they procrastinate, for many it is a real and potentially dangerous problem to their schoolwork or job. Fortunately, there are methods to help deal with this problem. Newton’s first law states, “An object in motion tends to stay in motion.” This is very true when it comes to procrastinating, and there are a few good methods to keep you in motion and focused on your schoolwork. One of the best things you can do is make a list of everything important that needs to be done today, then check off one of those things as you complete it. Pick a specific time to start your tasks, as having a set schedule can be very helpful for staying on track. Imagine how great you’ll feel when the work is done, the anxiety is gone, and your confidence is back. Lastly, quit trying to be perfect in everything. Perfectionism can lead to worse procrastination since you are so focused trying to make one thing perfect that the other tasks are ignored. Just put in your best effort, and all will turn out okay.
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TO HELP IN
APPS
Blake Wallis | reporter
SCHOOL
Ever since cellphones have been around, the idea was that they should be put away in the classroom for a better learning environment. Even if not allowed in the classroom, students can still use apps to help with reminders, studying, and staying organized.
Quizlet
Create flashcards or choose from millions of other flashcards made by other users
Photomath
Use your camera to scan any math problem and get step-by-step help with solving it
Omnifocus
System for keeping track of tasks to stay organized and manage time
iTunes U
World’s largest catalog of free content with over 1 million lectures, videos, and books
Evernote
Take notes, create to-do lists and save files, with automatic syncing to devices
Cyclones Get New Wheels Lydia Harris | reporter
Riding to events in the new Cyclone activity bus is becoming a must. It’s a red and white wonder to the district and not a typical bus ride. Early summer of 2015, Dr. Jeanne Stroh [superintendent], Dr. Ryan Cobbs [assistant superintendent], and Tim Sipe [transportation director] spent some time discussing replacing some buses for present and future needs of transportation. At that time, it was decided there was a need for one bus this school year to be brought into the rotation of the fleet and to dispose of four older The new Cyclone activity bus parked outside the USD290 bus barn. buses. Purchased for $95,500, the bus has ample seating, air conditioning, The bus is a 2013 Bluebird All and a wealth of storage space. American activity school bus with 40,000 miles. The cost to the district The bus now has the design of a The design of the bus came mostly was $95,500, about $40,000 less than completely white exterior, with red from Cobbs. He wanted to use the a new one. Even though the bus is paint for the Power Cyclone and the Power Cyclone along with the word only three years old, it still has a lot word “Ottawa” gleaming on the side. Ottawa on the side of the bus, so of great features. The inside of the bus has seating for Masters Transportation’s graphics 46 passengers, along with air condilaid out various paint and graphtioning, reading lights, and comfortics, of which Cobbs made the final able charter-type seats with overhead choice. and underbelly storage. “The biggest benefit is the sense “It’s nice to have a bus with more of pride the bus gives when you storage so we can ride to the games roll into another town. People stop comfortably and relax,” Drew Bones and look to see the big white bus [12] said. with the big red “Cyclones” painted The bus first came to idea to use on the side. It really make you feel for the school, as well as the best good when you step off,” Cliff Mcutilization for the entire district. Its Cullough [finance teacher] said. intended use is to be used as the priIf you have yet to get to ride new mary activity bus for sporting events, bus and want to, see if you can make band, music, and field trips. special arrangements to look at it. It’s definitely a bus of pride that everyTim Sipe [USD 290 transportation one should get the opportunity to director] poses at the front of the see. new bus.
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IN
COLOR
Charli Fuqua | reporter
Each artist expresses him or herself uniquely. This expression matters because it can show an artist’s personality through the work. “I express myself through my art with bright colors and intricate patterns,” Isaac Brannon [11] said. Brannon’s favorite piece of his art is his clay tiki mask. It had been his very first big clay project. Brannon’s inspiration for this piece came from him liking tiki masks. Brannon’s inspiration for his other works of art come from seeing
the book nook:
many different artists work and styles. “My favorite style of art would have to be paper mache because it is 3D,” Brannon [11] said. Although painting is not his favorite style of art, his favorite artist is Jackson Pollock. Pollock is a famous painter that is most recognized for his unique style of drip painting. “Jackson Pollock is my favorite artist, because I have always loved abstract art,” Brannon [11] said. Brannon has decided his future job will not be art related but he does not intend on giving up on the craft.
“All This Life” lives up to its name Chloe Jones|reporter “All This Life” by critically acclaimed author Joshua Mohr, is a story that connects the lives of strangers across the country. Mainly set in San Francisco, California, the reader will see how the effects of one group’s life-changing decision spiderwebs across the nation. Mohr has masterfully created connections that will make you go “ohhhh.” Not only has he taken one event and showcased the way it effects a nation through the media, but he integrated the personal lives of others in that circumstance. This book gave me great joy to read, because of the many mind-blowing moments
throughout the story. These characters were all facing challenges that were bigger than themselves, challenges that would have been impossible to face alone. Not only do the characters form tight bonds, but they reconnect with those they had lost. “All This Life” was difficult for me to put down, and not just because I had a two-day deadline for my English class. It was an incredible story that truly explored the depth of characters with disabilities, as well as character development. The writing flowed quite nicely and the stories merged seamlessly and perfectly.
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