GCHS Eagle's Eye by GCHS Eagle's Eye

The

Eagle’s Eye Graves County High School

Volume 30, Issue 1

1220 Eagles Way, Mayfield, KY

September 19, 2014

BATTLE BIRDS OF THE

Eagles, Cardinals meet for 22nd annual cross-town match

Becca Green Editor-in-Chief Tonight, a rivalry that began many years ago is sparked once again at the Eagles’ Nest: the 22nd Battle of the Birds football game is here. The battle began in 1993 at the Memorial Stadium in Mayfield. Graves won this first game, 216, but sadly lost the next to the Cardnials, 28-0. This game, as well as all other football games from the two schools were held at the Memorial Stadium due to the lack of a stadium at Graves. When the stadium was opened in 200, the following Battle Of the Birds games alternated between Memorial Stadium and the Eagles’ Nest Stadium. Head Coach for the varisty football team, Coach Lance Gregory commmented, “This is certainly a big game for our school and our community. It’s a big rivalry game that everyone in town gets excited about.

We’ve been working hard all week and expect to play a great game Friday night.” This week the school has shown school spirit for this game. Each day of the week with a certain theme. • ‘Merica Monday • Tye-Dye Tuesday • Wheezy (rappper) W e d n e s d a y • Throwback Thursday • Class Colors for Friday Unlike previous school spirit weeks, this year had an copious amount of students participating. Senior Shawn Frazier, cornerback for the Eagle’s, is optimistic about tonight’s showdown. He said, “This is our year” and goes on to remark that the team is free from distractions. According to the record of games won and lost between the birds, Graves County has scored an average of 16 points, compared to Mayfield’s 26

points. Although the averages seem bleak for the former, many have their hopes high for Friday. Athletic Director for GCHS, Khristian Elliot stated, “I know we’re going to do really well. Our kids are gonna play hard, our coaches are gonna do a good job, and we have a shot to win the ball game.” When asked about the team’s strongest suit for this year Elliott replied, “Our strongest suit this year is our running game. And i think our defense has been solid and has improved. By far, however, our running game is our strongest asset.” Although Graves has lost this infamous battle for the past five years, the team, as well as the school, has high hopes that for the GCHS Eagles, tonight the team will bring home a well-deserved, and long-time goal.

Please see Sports for more informaiton concerning the Battle of the Birds.

In the books... A history of the game YEAR 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

GRAVES 21 0 7 0 0 6 38 14 6 12 3 14 0 28 0 29 13 18 7 28 21 ??

MAYFIELD 9 28 48 28 35 37 26 21 10 23 13 6 23 0 17 12 28 43 21 56 49 ??

Rush week presents clubs showcase Jillian Winn Business Manager Last Wednesday and Thursday, Graves County High School students had the opportunity to participate in Rush Week. Rush Week is an event that takes place every year here at GCHS. All active clubs at Graves County set up tables in the gym to allow students the opportunity to see the various options for extracurriculars that are

available to them, all in one place. Students are encouraged to visit the gym during their lunch periods to talk with current club members and sign up to participate. R u s h Week helps students to come together and prepare for their future involvement in the clubs they choose. Students who visited Rush Week may have noticed some new additions to the list of possibilities this year. GC has added a Stra-

tegic Gaming Club, as well as a Book Club this year. The Book Club, which was the brain child of GC students themselves, saw over 40 members sign up during the two-day event alone. Rush Week is typically well-received by the student body. “All of the clubs come together to get GCHS more involved.” Katie Elder, a junior, said. “We want everybody to be somebody. That’s why we do rush week.”

Jillian Winn

DECA DRIVE-- DECA club members hand out sweet treats to prospective new members at the GCHS annual Rush Week.

INDEX

Striving for Excellence: No Exceptions, No Excuses.

NEWS..............................2 OPINION........................3 FEATURES....................4 EAGLE LIFE.................5 SPORTS..........................6 FORUM..........................8

@GCHSEaglesEye

NEWS

The Eagle’s Eye • September 19th, 2014

Seniors attend college fair Ashton Pate Staff Writer On Tuesday, September 16, interested GCHS seniors attended the Western Kentucky Regional College Fair held at Murray State University to meet and gather information from representatives of over 80 universities, colleges, career programs, post secondary education programs, and the United States armed forces. This was the first chance that many GC seniors have had to talk one-on-one with university representatives, and the event allowed them to consider their post-secondary options in more realistic terms

than they had before. Senior Shar’Kay Oliver explained why she chose to attend the college fair. “So I would be able to see all of the opportunities that I have for college and I am hoping to be able to find out more information on the colleges and hopefully find the college that I want to attend.” Students from high schools around the region crowded Murray State’s CFSB Center, and they stood in line for information concerning the offerings of local colleges and universities, as well as those as far away as the University of Alabama. Many students who attended the fair, came without real-

ly knowing what their plans were after high school, not to mention the wide array of options available to them. Senior Oscar Carrillo, shared his thoughts. He explained, “It was an eye opener into what college I want to go to. I want to go into automotive engineering at SIU (Southern Illinois University).” Carrillo was one who arrived unsure of his options. He stated, “I didn’t know about the college at all before. I found it when I was looking around at the fair.” While the daytime event was intended for high school seniors, most of whom were bused in by their schools, the regional

college fair continued at Paducah Tilghman High School in the evening, where it opened again at 4 p.m. for parents and other students. Guidance Coun-

selor Laura Marrs visited junior English classes last week to inform those students of the opportunity and their chance to get a head start on planning their

post-secondary educational routes. Marrs told students, “I know you think it’s early, but it’s never too early to start planning.”

Ashton Pate

EXPORING THEIR OPTIONS-- Seniors Shar’Kay Oliver, Robin Nolan and Dulcie Taylor visited the Western Kentucky Regional College Fair with the senior class onTuesday.

Graves County to host Ag Safety Day Katie Meade News Editor On Wednesday September 24th, the Graves County High School Agriculture department will host an Ag Safety Day which will educate 7th through 12th graders on different daily hazards that they may encounter while living and working in a rural community.

There will be 11 different stations set up at the high school and four at the middle school that morning, including Large Animal Safety, ATV Safety, Tractor Safety, and more. Guest speakers for this event include Dale Dobson, chairman of the Kentucky Department of Farm and Home Safety, James Comer, Commissioner of

Agriculture, State Representative Richard Heath, and Fred Nesler, Deputy Executive Director of Agriculture. Other highlights of the safety day include a mock ATV fatality accident, an Air Evac rescue, and all students and faculty will receive a free t-shirt. Ag students have worked for several weeks in preparing for the event. It JOLT OF KNOWLEDGESenior Chandler Adams and Sophomore Shelby Dodson learn about electrical safety around the home and how to handle downed power lines. The display features a mockup that uses real electricity to illustrate the dangers of electrical lines and what can happen if they fall.

is just one example of how Graves County focuses on preparing students for not only college, but their careers, as well. Graves County High School Junior Kaitlyn Bushart is playing an important role in the preparations for the day. As she worked to

finalize preparations, she explained, “Ag safety day will educate students about farm safety in the community and leave an impact by sending a message to Graves County students that one small mistake can have a large consequence that can hurt them or threaten their life.”

OPINION Wait, What?

Wait, What? is a new column from Jillian Winn where she looks at a rumor currently circulating on social media and tells you what’s really up. Jillian Winn

Business Manager The Facebook Messenger app has been around for a while- three years to be exact. No one has paid much attention to it, though. Now, however, users are unable to use the Facebook app to view their messages. They are instead being forced to use the Facebook Messenger app to access their messaging. The Facebook Messenger app, according to rumor, requires the user to accept many privacy-violating terms. An article that has been widely circulated warns Facebook users that there are many hidden, invasive conditions in the app’s Terms of Service. For example, the article claims that since the app is allowed to record audio, the app can use the microphone to activate at any given time without your consent. In response to this, the Washington Post indicated that many

other apps have terms of conditions similar to Facebook Messenger’s. “Yes, it’s potentially ‘insidious,’” wrote Caitlin Dewey, reporter from Washington Post, “but so are WhatsApp, Viber, MessageMe and virtually every other popular messaging app, all of which request comparably creepy permissions.” Basically, yes, to some people, the requirements of the app seem intrusive. However, the majority of the people who are worried about this are also blind to the similar terms and conditions of other apps they use every day. Every app you download has Terms and Conditions that allow access to information on your phone. Overall, I think this issue has been blown out of proportion and isn’t dangerous in comparison to other apps. Just download the app, and know that FaceBook isn’t invading your privacy any more than all those other apps running on your phone.

The Death of Quality Sound

Evan Williams Staff Writer

You turn on you phone, and plug in your headphones, and crank the volume to your favorite song. To be honest, whatever type of music you listen to isn’t important. What is important to know is that it isn’t sounding like it should be. If you’ve ever seen a band or artist preform live, you can count on it sounding amazing. Professional musicians have sound engineers with them, and while those same engineers worked on the tracks downloaded onto your phone, that doesn’t mean that it is just as good. So why do MP3, AAC, and WMA files all sound terrible when compared to the real thing? It just so happens that the sounds you hear when listening to music live, on a tape, or a vinyl record have volumes that are natural; but when you listen to a CD (or any downloaded file), the sound waves, those natural volume levels, are compressed to make the information “fit” into the format. This compression essentially flattens all of these volumes, bringing the loud instruments down and the quite ones up. This process can (and does) tarnish musical dynamics. But why do music producers and record companies do this? The simple answer is that, as consumers, we demand it. When you listen to a vinyl record (if you ever have), every song is accompanied by low-level static which is nearly inaudible, but can occasionally be heard if the record is in bad condition or played loudly. Mp3 files don’t have that. With modern recording equipment, one can make any sound possible to be heard by the human ear, in any dynamic range imagined. However, in order to do this, sound engineers must also compress whatever dynamic range they have, ruining the whole purpose. You must compress the sound to store it in mp3 files. And clearly mp3 files are much easier to deal with than a vinyl record or a Walkman, and much more convenient than the live thing. Records scratch. Tape speeds can vary between devices. Mp3 files lack dynamic range. But mp3s are in your pocket on your cell phone, and for many, that’s enough.

Contact Sports: How Young is too young? Flag Football starts as early as kindergarten; all that is required are two teams, a field, and some equipment. Flag football is a step down from Football brings two things into parents’ tackle football, but does it really reduce injury? minds: touchdowns and broken bones. Wheth- “The Air Force completed a 10-year deer or not to let a child play football is the one scriptive study of flag football injuries [in adults] debate that will make parents vicious and every grandparent senile. If this is the case, why do schools let kids start football so young? Former “Dateline NBC” host Stone Phillips, who himself played 10 seasons of football in his youth, recently reported on the trend of football in the younger grades. While many studies have been conducted concerning the effects of head injuries on adults, particularly NFL players, few have been conducted on the long-term effects of these hits on children. And considering that there are from 1993-2002,” reports HSS.edu. “They found an estimated 2000 players in the NFL and about that the leading cause of injury was due to con3.5 million children playing tackle football below tact with another player, which caused 42% of the high school level, more research is certainly their reported injuries. The second leading group called for. Virginia Tech researchers explained, of issues included slips, trips, and falls, resulting “We know a lot about the adults, but we don’t simply from the act of running during the game. know much at all about this youth population.” There were even some reported concussions. Fifty CJ Wilson Features Editor

We know a lot about the adults. We don’t know very much about the youth.

Do you need community service hours??

Help the Graves Co. Public Library! The library is looking for volunteers to set up their book sale on September 24, and take down on October 1. Staff will be available to sign community service forms.

percent of the injuries were to the lower extremities, such as the legs, knees, and ankles. Fractures accounted for the greatest percentage of these disabling injuries, followed by sprains and strains.” There are various factors that play a role in safety for football. Some leagues of flag football do allow contact, while others do not. Full-contact flag football rules allow blocking, but restric the type of blocking permitted to help avoid injury. Non-contact flag football prohibits blocking of any kind. The penalties of flag football opposed to tackle football also increase safety. Flag football has stricter penalties that include the banning of kicking, scratching, etc. Coaches use these strict penalties to teach the players what not to do as they mature and move up to tackle. Parents are right to bring up the “broken bones” debate. Injuries are not uncommon in flag or tackle football. But, it also depends on what the school’s rules and guidelines are. Flag football is a great way for coaches to teach basic rules to young kids to prepare them for future experiences with the sport and things to come.

FEATURES

But first...Let me take a selfie Cassandra Kyle Staff Writer

Selfies have become a growing trend recently, among celebrities and teenagers alike. People take selfies to celebrate things, remember moments and people, or to simply get a confidence boost from others on social media sites. Many teens have Instagram and Twitter where they share pictures of themselves. Others use selfies in an effort to get compliments or “likes” on their photos. But many experts recognize a concern that might accompany the trend. According to an article in London’s Daily Mail, British psychologist Dr. David Veale explains that compulsively taking selfies may be a symptom of a more serious psychological disorder. Veale explains that since camera phones have become popular, twothirds of patients he sees who suffer from Body Dysmorphic Disorder repeatedly take sefies and post them to social media. BDD most often affects teens and young adults, and causes one to spend hours per day focusing on either real or imagined flaws with their appearance. And Veale is not alone in pointing out the trend. Boston psychologist Dr. Pamela Rutledge explained in Psychology Today that selfies can trigger attention-seeking behaviors, and may even lead to narcissism. Everyone wants photos to help them remember special events, but taking dozens of photos every day may be excessive.

YouTube has the videos for you

Tech slang goes mainstream

CJ Wilson Features Editor Next time you open a dictionary or search for a definition online, you may encounter the words turducken, tweep, catfish, selfie, and hashtag. Four out of the five words, recently added to the best-selling Merriam-Webster dictionary, show technology’s influence on our way of life. While it may seem words like selfie and hashtag are already overused, it is precisely this formula that is used before deciding to add a word to the dictionary. The Oxford University Press explains that “a new term has to be used over a period of two or three years before we consider adding it to a print dictionary.” They also add that “it’s not enough to just hear them in conversation or on television. It must be recorded in print or online.” Merriam-Webster’s online site further explains how words are chosen for their dictionary,

adding that since the 1880’s, 15.7 million words have been read, marked, and filed to prove that they are widely used. However, when some of the new technology-based slang definitions are added to already-established words such as catfish, confusion is sure to ensue. It’s just a little odd to see that the word meaning a fish resembling a cat can also be a person who assumes a false identity on social-networking websites. While words such as tweep, tween, and tweet may sound absurd to some, they are probably going to stay around for a while. “We judge [words] most significant or important and those which we think are likely to stand the test of time,” states the Oxford Press. In that case, we can only hope that turducken - boneless chicken stuffed into boneless duck, stuffed into a boneless turkey - will be on the lunch menu soon. Or, on second thought, maybe not.

Ashton Pate, Staff Writer

Nearly everyone is familiar with YouTube, and most of use probably visit the site multiple times per week. but for some people, navigating the millions of videos available might be overwhelming. YouTube has many different categories of videos/channels for different types of audiences. These include beauty, comedy, animation, gaming, music, and more. The most subscribed YouTube channel is PewDiePie, a Swedish video game commentator. His channel has a total of 30 million+ subscribers since August of 2014. The most viewed video on YouTube of all time is the music video for Gangnam Style by PSY, with over 2 billion views. If you’re looking for a nice little channel filled with beauty videos try Zoella or LaurDIY, for comedy try O2L or connorfranta. For gaming I recommend PewDiePie, TheSyndicateProject, or iHasCupquake. If you’re looking for an animation channel I suggest animeme and for sick music covers try megan&liz. For educational videos, check out CrashCourse with John or Hank Green. Of course, it is important to note that YouTube does not rate its videos. Some may contain ofensive language.

Be sure to visit our website for Eagle news and information, updated regularly!

www.gchseagleseye.com

EAGLE LIFE E A G L E S E Y E V I E W

Evan Williams

“I don’t really say ‘I love you’ that much...ya know, I say ‘love you’ all the time to friends and stuff, but that’s not ‘I love you’.”

GCHS’ First Book Club

Becca Green

Editor-in-Chief

For all you book worms and bibliophiles, here’s the scoop for you if you haven’t heard. GCHS now has a Book Club that’s filled to the brim. With 70+ members, club sponsor and schools’ librarian Mrs. Hiles says, “ I can’t believe this many people have a love for reading!” What once was a dream for two seventh graders, Audrie Lamb ’16 and myself has now become a reality. The love of books is what first spawned a friendship between the two of us four years ago and has cemented that friendship since. “ To see this dream become a reality is very gratifying to this bibliophiles’ heart.” Audrie Lamb stated regarding the backstory behind the new club. The Book Club was approved on Monday, September 8, 2014 at a Site Based Decision Meeting. A short explanation of Book Club and its goals and purposes was given at the meeting, shortly followed by a motion to approve it. Needless to say, Book Club was approved unanimously. “We have a lot of fun activities planned with We Read Week and the Book Fair. I’m excited to spread the joy of adventures of the literary nature with everyone” Lamb ’16 said when asked about upcoming Book Club events. We Read Week is coming up at the end of this month and will be hosted in the library. Students will be brought in by their English or Language Arts class to select one book from the many tables that consist of one book genre each. The Book Fair for this year will be announced on a later date along with its theme. So keep an eye out on your GCHS’ Eagles Eye website!

“I’m in my natural habitat.”

Tech talk with Logan

The Eagle’s Eye is going GREEN! www.gchseagleseye.com

In an effort to conserve resources and be as Eagle-friendly as possible, The Eagle’s Eye will be publishing digitally!

IPhone 3, 4, and even 5, it keeps going on and on. A new recent release of Apple’s new phone, the IPhone 6, discussed in the conference with Apple, will be released to the public September 16th. The IPhone 6, as described by Apple employees, “bigger, better, and faster.” There are two different types of the new generation, IPhone 6 (regular) and the IPhone 6 plus, which has a bigger screen.

Graves County’s Oldest Funeral Home Since 1921 Kirk Byrn III - Kirk Byrn IV Owners

The newest features of the IPhone 6 is that it has smoother edges than the previous generations of the IPhone, also has a better processor and a better picture display. In addition,

it offers a higher quality camera retina display, for all pictures and videos, even featuring a slomo at a higher resolution. Other improvements on the hardware include battery life, which can make the phone last longer than the previous ones. The IPhone 6 is also one of the thinnest phones in the generation set, about .7 mm thinner than the IPhone 5. The IPhone will also be like other IPhones in storage, there will be different models, highest being the 128GB model. The best innovation of the IPhone 6 in its generation will change the way you shop, whether it be

groceries, or even clothes, the IPhone 6 offers a mobile transaction payment system within the phone, making it possible to pay for things before you even show up to the store’s doors. Even though there are other technologies out there that already offer this, according to Apple, this is one of the most secure ways to complete transactions on the go.

Evan Williams

SPORTS

Boys of Fall

Graves County Schools

Eagles hopeful heading into 2014 season Staff report

Graves County High School Eagle football Country mu- team. Eagles’ sic fans are no doubt The familiar with Ken- season opened with a ny Chesney’s hit song challenge as they made about what it means the two-hour trip to to love a game and live Franklin-Simpson High in the south, and most School and lost a close would agree that he’s match, 28-26. right about the excite- The next week, ment that accompa- the Eagles hosted the nies the beginning of Murray Tigers and football season. That came out on top 26-17, is certainly true for the with senior Cody Cridstudents and fans of the er running close to 300

yards in the game. The Eagles’ most recent match-up proved to be a disappointment as they travelled to Paducah to take on the Paducah Tilghman Tornadoes where they fell short, 36-22. Tonight, our “Boys of Fall” hope to prove that the home field advantage is real, as they host the Mayfield Cardinals for the 22nd annual meeting of

the Battle of the Birds. As the team prepares to take the field tonight, they are doing everything they they can to win this match for the first time since 2008. Graves’ defense will have an important job in shutting down the Cardinals’ running and passing game. With their eyes on playoffs, the Eagles plan to play tonight just like any other game.

Staff

GEARING UP FOR GAME DAY-- Senior football players pause at the end of class for a picture. Pictured left to right are Tim “Scooby” Kloss, Dionte Gray, Josh Carter and Cody Crider.

Lady Eagles volleyball continues winning season Katie Meade News Editor On October 2nd the Lady Eagle volleyball team will face off against Ballard Memorial at home. The Lady Eagles are currently 15-9; a winning season. This will be the second time the team has faced the Bombers, having played them earlier this season losing 3 sets to 0. This game will be a little different than any other because of the cancer awareness theme. The

Katie Meade

DIGGING IN-- Senior Tori Wiggins returns a volley to the Bombers at the Eagles’ first meeting with them this year. Graves will challenge Ballard again, this time at home, on October 2nd.

team raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation by selling pink t-shirts especially for the game. The team will be sporting pink shirts during warm ups and invite the crowd to join them by wearing their pink shirts, too. Leading up to the Ballard game, they will take on Mayfield at home, Marshall away, and Calloway at home. In district play, the Eagles are currently 1-1. Tori Wiggins leads the team in kills with 111,

along with Claire Thomas leading in digs with 115, and Bailey Elder with 275 assists. When asked how the team would prepare for their next game against Ballard coach Lee Watson replied saying, “We need to work a little bit more on our intensity. We might change the way we set up the defense a little bit and just try to execute better.” The varsity game will start at 7:00 after the Freshman and JV games starting at 5:00 and 6:00.

In Memorium...

Playing for our Hero

Michael “Eli” Mohney Battle of the Birds 2014 “I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort where we overlap.” --Ani DiFranco

COMMUNITY is greater than rivalry; FAMILY is greater than a game.

NEWS

The Eagle’s Eye • September 19th, 2014

Editorial Policy

The Eagle’s Eye Staff Editor-In-Chief Becca Green

News Editor Katie Meade

Features Editor

Business Manager

Graphic Designer Mariah Day

I.T Staff

CJ Wilson

Jillian Winn

Logan Shelby

Reporters/Photographers Ashton Pate Evan Williams Champ Wood Matt Dillon Hunter Henley Cory Mouser Cassandra Kyle Jacob Oldham Advisor

Adrienne Custer

TALONS IN • Fall Break • Battle of the Birds • Arts Week • ALS Awareness • Bonfires & Hayrides • Fall TV

The Eagle’s Eye is prepared and edited by Graves County High School journalism students. Opinions expressed are those of the editors and other signed writers and do not necessarily represent the view of the faculty or staff of GCHS. This is an official publication of Graves County High School. Journalism teacher Adrienne Custer is the newspaper advisor. The Eagle’s Eye welcomes letters to the editor, provided they are typed, signed and include the writer’s address and phone number. The Eagle’s Eye reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters are printed as space allows. The Eagle’s Eye is published in correlation with the Mayfield Messenger approximately once a quarter throughout the school year. Mailing address: Graves County High School, 1107 Housman Street, Mayfield, KY, 42066. Phone: (270) 328-6242 ext. 2345.

TALONS OUT • Scabies Outbreak • Loud Music in the hall • Midterms • Deadlines • People running to the cafeteria • Mondays

Announcements • A rep from Murray State University will be here during SSR/break on Wed, Sept 22 to talk w/ interested students • Senior Parent Information Night (SPIN) will take place Tuesday, September 23 at 7:00 pm in the PAC. Parents will receive information to aide in the transition from high school to post-secondary. • University of Kentucky will be at the Carson Center in Paducah on Tues, Sept 30 for “See Blue Preview” 7-9pm For those taking the ACT • On test days, be sure to be here by 7:30 & bring your calculator, admission ticket, & photo ID. • Registration deadline for the Oct 25th ACT is Sept 19th. • Watch announcements for information about ACT test prep sessions to be held at GCHS. • ACT Prep Workshops are being held in Paducah and Murray. Call 1-800-669-7654 for more info

d by e h s u be p t ’ n e led o b , s “D blem o r p s.” r m a you e r ur d son by yo ldo Emmer Wa h p l a R

Eagle’s Eye Quote for this print was selected by Editorin- Chief, Becca Green.