The Paw Print - 2009 December Issue

December 2009

Miss Pickard

Kayla Williams

The Paw Print Jorge Negrete

John Pennington

Tyler Gibbs

April Moore & Brittany Gilbert

Mrs. Hope

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

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Christmas Gifts All I Want For Christmas Is...

-Jeffery Noorwood & Ashley James

“I want an iPhone and a plasma TV!”

-Emily Rowton, Sophomore

“A four-wheeler!”

-Lydia Evans, Freshman

that or f o ing e sure t ir p p o b h e s th ne, Whenal someo that fits speci omething get s nality. perso

“A new truck!”

-Tommy Scott, Sophomore

Gifts $35 and UNDER! Bath & Body Works

$15 Fossil Wallet

$10

Necklace

$30

$30

$15 American Eagle Hat

By: Kailee Griffis

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Dear students and teachers, I wrote the story about Brittany Sullivan that was published in the November issue. I received and reported false information in this story.

I am apologizing for writing and printing this story. I know it was very wrong to do. I also know this is the right to do. And I am sorry for doing it. I am also sorry for making you believe something that is not true.

Also, I am sorry to you too, Brittany. I am sorry for actually letting this story get published. I know that we should have never exaggerated anything in this interview.

To the rest of the Paw Print staff, I let all of you down and I know that is wrong for me to do it, and I am sorry. I wish that I could take it back and start over. I know that I cannot, but if I could, I would have never done this. My mistake reflected not only on me but on the rest of the staff too.

I feel guilty, and I am sorry for everything that this story has caused.

I know that it is so important that journalist to ALWAYS tell the truth.

I am responsible for most of this, and I promise never to do anything like this again. I have learned my lesson and I know that there will be consequences for my mistake, and I accept that.

Sincerely, Rachel Royer

give been a time to is a g n lo s a h s a m try Christ e LHS food pan give. h T . e v lo f o t u o r students to perfect way fo

A time to Give By: Marcus Martin

Some people take a can of beans or a box of cereal for granted, but some less fortunate people are in need of these foods.

For them, one box of food can decide whether they starve or eat.

With help from the food pantry, people in need are able to get the food they cannot afford.

With the help of the community, Catherine Smiddy, CBA teacher, began the food pantry last year.

The food pantry donates nonperishable food items to needy families of Lonoke students.

The people in charge of the food pantry are Mrs. Smiddy and Mrs. Phyllis Elam. The food pantry is funded by cash

donations and food donations.

There have been donations to families who have lost their homes and are in need of food.The food pantry accepts donations all year long.

Other than a shortage of canned meat, the project is doing well. Mrs. Smiddy hopes the food pantry will last indefinitely.

Students can also earn community service hours by donating food, toothpaste, and other necessities. The food pantry needs more volunteers, so students interested in helping out should contact Mrs. Elam or Mrs. Smiddy.

Photo by Amanda Conner

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Homemade Gifts

For a Friend Photo by Amanda Conner

Gift Basket Materials: cellowrap - cute mugs - hot chocolate mix - Hershey kisses - candy canes - mints a ornament - cute pens - pads of paper burned cd - lotion - favorite candy - popcorn -homemade cookies First, place the basket on top of the clear cellowrap. Cut the paper twice the size of your basket. For example if the basket is a 12 x 12, you cut a sheet that measures 24 x 24. Place the item in the middle of the cellowrap, gather up the sides and bunch them in the middle above the item.

Then just tie it together with ribbon. Add more ribbon a little longer and curl them for effects. Then, to shrink the cellowrap, blow dry it with a hair dryer. **This works great with a gift bag too.**

Scrapbook Materials: scrapbook - paper - pens - pictures stickers - glue - scissors Start off with a scrapbook and know the size before you buy your paper.

When you are buying paper, try to match it up with the picture you are going to put it with. You can save money this way. When you get ready to start placing your picture, lay it out first to make sure you like how the final product will look. When you are happy with the layout, start gluing your pictures to the backmats. Then glue them to the page. When done, just write a little bit about the day, what was happening or who all was there.

Photos by Kaitlyn Tate

Homemade Gifts

For that Special Someone

Tie Blanket Materials: 2 yards of fleece in 1 pattern - 2 yards of fleece in another pattern - scissors

Jordan Pannell Photos by Kaitlyn Tate

Lay your fleece material patterns outward. Face the front of each piece away from each other.

Secure all four sides of your blanket with pins. Just pin the sides together.

Now get your scissors and get ready to start cutting the material. Make sure that your strips are consistent. Cut both pieces of fabric at the same time.This will be very helpful when you go to tie them together.

Cut along each side until all sides are outlined with these small strips of fabric.

Then, just simply tie the pieces together.

Delta Bell

Necklace Tools and Materials: Beads dyed in various colors, 16 mm -silk beading cord, size 8 - silk-satin ribbon, 15 mm How-To Cut two 1-yard lengths of ribbon. Thread one bead onto cord, sliding it down and leaving a 5-inch tail.

To attach the ribbon: Holding bead on tail, use cord to tie a secure double knot at midpoint of one ribbon. Secure bead: Pull needle back through bead.

Knot tail and needle ends together next to bead.

Trim tail. Thread second bead. Knot cord next to bead. Repeat. After last knot, use cord to tie a secure double knot at midpoint of second ribbon. Pull needle back through last bead and tie a knot around existing cord. Trim end.

By: Raegan Pack

how to found on: http://www.marthastewart.com

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NE

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It

was in 153 B.C. when mythical kings of early Rome named the ďŹ rst month of a year (In our case, January) after Janus, God of Beginnings. Janus was depicted with two faces, one in front and one in back. At midnight on December 31st every year, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward at the New Year.

Every New Year’s the Romans celebrated and exchanged gifts.

By: Megan Palmer

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“To see my newborn cousin.”

-Roderick Townsend, Sophomore

What are your New Year’s Plans?

“To spend time with my family.”

-Charity Randle, Freshman “To hang out with Todd, Schafer and Sterling!”

-Morgan Linton, Senior

0

“To get a better job.”

-Sean Box, Senior

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...2

“To visit my friends in California.”

-Gabby Siler, Junior

“To go to Georgia.”

-Maria Garcia, Senior

“To be a better person.”

-Kimberly Henry, Freshman

“To lose weight.”

-John Pennington, Sophomore

“To graduate with a 3.5 or 4.0.”

-Ashley Lee, Senior “To get all my credits up.”

-Danasia Johnson, Sophomore

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

Recipes

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Ingredients:

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

1 large pkg instant vanilla pudding, (6 ounces) 2 1/2 cups cold milk 1 container whipped topping (16 ounces) sliced bananas vanilla wafer cookies

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Coating: 1/3 cup white sugar 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Preparation: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a different bowl use a mixer to beat the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs beating well after each.

Add vanilla extract. Then the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough.

Coating: Mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Roll the balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar and place on the pan. Then, using the bottom of a glass, gently flatten each.

2 packs of instant chocolate pudding mix 2 1/2 cup milk Oreo cookies 12 oz. Cool Whip Oreo pie crust

Preparation: Mix pudding and milk.

Blend mixture well. Fold in only half of the whipped topping.

Layer the bottom and sides of the pan with vanilla wafers.

Alternate layers of pudding, bananas and vanilla wafers.

Top the layer of pudding with crushed vanilla wafers.

Refrigerate over night before serving.

“It’s so good it’ll make you slap your grandma.”

John Carpenter

Submitted by : John Carpenter

Cook in a preheated 400° oven.

Line pans with parchment paper.

Bake the cookies for about 8 - 10 minutes until they are light golden brown around the edges.

Submitted by: Mary Robin Clay

Preparation: Mix the instant pudding mixes and 2 1/2 cups of milk as directed on the box. Then add 6 oz of Cool Whip and mix well.

Put the mix in the Oreo® pie crust and put it in the refrigerater.

Before serving add the rest of Cool Whip to the top.

Sprinkle remaining cookie crumbs over top.

“I like it, as long as my mom doesn’t drop it on the floor again.”

Samantha Higgins

Submitted by : Samantha Higgins Layout by Raegan Pack Photos by Kaitlyn Tate

Animal Shelter Post it

Save an Animal By: Cheyenne Lee

rs to pg

ers to the Ba sw ck n A 1.

Low ‘elf esteem 2.

Crisp Kringle 3.

“Small world, isn’t it?”

ge Pa

1-B 2-D 3-A 4-C

1

John Gorbet, Freshman

Jessica Moore, Freshman

Tyler King, Senior

Send ideas for the next post-it to lonokepawprint@ gmail.com Photos by Kaitlyn Tate

e sw

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An

Every year, the number of homeless pets increase. Thousands of those animals are either born as a stray or dropped off by their owners.

The Lonoke City Animal Shelter helps abandoned animals in an attempt to find them a good home. Adoptions have steadily declined over the past few months. Ben Kittler, Head Animal Control Officer, said that the economy was a key factor in why fewer families adopt animals. “It’s just an extra mouth to feed,” said Kittler.

On average, the shelter takes in five to ten animals a month and many of those are put down for the lack of a good home.

Photo by Amanda Conner Shelbi White, junior, has taken in many animals off the street in an effort to help unfortunate animals. “Animals are helpless,” said White. “Everything deserves a chance at a good life.”

There are many factors families should consider before adopting an animal, including time, space, and money for food and routine vet visits.

When adopting, families should also consider what pet works best for them. This includes choosing the right breed based on your everyday lifestyle.

The Lonoke City Animal Shelter is available to anyone who is willing to open their arms to an animal in need. The shelter is open for adoption from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. It costs $38 to adopt a pet, and this includes adoption fees, city tax and shots. “Just take the receipt to the vet to get their free shots,” said Kittler.

The local animal shelter is only a small effort to help animals in need.

Anyone willing to give time and effort can contribute to the cause by giving much needed donations. Giving an animal a loving and caring home is only part of the picture.

“It makes me feel nice inside,” said White. “I try to do my best to rescue animals that I can instead of turning my head away.”

Who is your favorite Christmas character?

Hunter Cordell, Junior

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Scholarship Lottery P

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Helping Students Pay for College The first recorded signs of a lottery were Keno slips from the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 B.C. Now, thousands of years later, Arkansas is using a state lottery to raise money for high school scholarships. “I am excited about the opportunities it should present to students,” said Carrie Holt, Counselor.

Approved by the Arkansas lottery voters, the money spent to buy lottery tickets is used to provide scholarships to students meeting certain criteria.

“The purpose of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is to provide scholarships and grants to Arkansas residents enrolled in public and private non-profit two-year and four-year colleges and universities within the state,” said Holt.

This lottery is very important to students because it provides the students with more opportunities for a higher education. “With more opportunities for students to go to college, the students hopefully will be motivated to improve their grades so that they will be accepted to the college of their choice,” said Holt.

The scholarships created from the lottery are available to high school seniors and nontraditional students. Lottery tickets can only be purchased from licensed lottery retailers. People must be 18 years of age or older to buy lottery tickets.

More information is available in the counselor’s office or visit www.adhe.edu to apply.

By: Rachel Royer

Genera studentlly speaking, an from an who graduate y school, Arkansas hig s with a mpublic or priv h at i point avnimum 2.5 gra e, Smart C erage (on th de public s ore curriculume a 19 or h chools) or sco in r college igher on the ACes is eligibentrance exam T funded le for a lottery any two scholarship to y institut ear or four yea educati ion of higher r on public o in Arkansas, r privat e.

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New School / Nurse’s Desk

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The Nurse’s Desk

By RN Julie Miller

M

oney Doesn’t Grow On Trees

There are always concerns that accompany the approaching date to begin the construction of a new school.

With the economy as it is currently, money is at the top of the list.

By: Amanda Conner

In total, the cost of building a new school will run approximately $10 million. To help pay for the building, the school district had to apply for money through the state and other methods of funding, like selling bonds.

In order to receive money from the state, the current high school had to be evaluated by the state’s Facilities Division. That evaluation determined how much money the school would get. “They took pictures of leaks, cracks in the walls, windows that weren’t sealed properly and the columns on the science building,” said Dr. John Tackett, Lonoke Superintendent. “They found many deficiencies.”

Based on the evaluation, “The state is willing to contribute $5.2 million for approved classrooms,” said Tackett.

The school has also received $4.2 million for selling bonds and one million from the Stimulus Plan, totaling approximately $10.4 million to help pay for the new building.

With this high price tag comes many benefits for the Lonoke community. “It creates opportunities for people locally to bid on projects,” said Tackett. Having a new school should also attract businesses and citizens, which will create new jobs in the community and give the schools more students.

Even though building a new school will cost a pretty penny or two, the positive effects for Lonoke’s future economy, in addition to the improved educational opportunities for students, are expected pay off in the long run.

How can you tell the difference between a migraine and a headache?

- Rachel Denson, Sophomore A migraine is more than just a bad headache. Migraine attacks cause terrible, throbbing pain, usually on one side of your head.

Migraines can also cause the following symptoms: Sensitivity to light Sensitivity to sound Nausea Aura An aura is a “feeling” or series of sensations that come before a migraine attack. These sensations can include changes in your vision, such as seeing bright lights, jagged lines, or blind spots.

Left untreated, migraines can last from 4 hours to 3 days.

Other types of headaches include Cluster headaches: Can be severe, usually around or behind one eye and may also cause tears, a stuffy or runny nose, flushing, and swelling of the eyelid on the same side as the pain.

Can last from a few minutes to over 2 hours Can hit up to 8 times in a single day Hit you in “clusters” over a period of a few weeks to several months Tension headaches: Create a feeling of pressure or tightening on both sides of your head.

Pain is usually mild to moderate Last from just a few minutes to a few days Occur several times per month Sinus headaches: Cause pain behind the forehead, cheeks, and around the eyes Pain varies from mild to severe Pain may be worse in the early morning Other symptoms include fever, stuffy nose, feeling tired, swollen lymph nodes, and a green or yellow discharge from your nose. Many people who think they have sinus headaches don’t have these symptoms. Often, they just have pain high in their cheeks. It is more likely that they actually get migraines.

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9 unique

Coach Vincent

Mrs. Smiddy

Mrs. Mertsch

Mr. Foresee

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His stern face and Crimson Tide spirit places coach and teacher Marcel Vincent in a league of his own. “I am unorthodox…I teach and interact with the kids differently,” said Vincent.

Vincent may live in the state that calls the hogs, but by nature he has Alabama Crimson blood flowing through his veins. Vincent has had many rivalries with students over his choice of college football teams. “I sent one of my students hog feet for lunch [and] she screamed,” said Vincent.

Vincent can handle opposition when it comes to football, but his biggest pet peeve is “people not living up to their full potential.” Detention slips are a thing of the past in Vincent’s room.

1

cont. on pg 15

2 3

Van Gogh has nothing on distinctive art teacher, Tracey Mertsch. Mertsch’s corny sense of humor sets her apart from other teachers in her area of expertise.

Mertsch was encouraged by her high school math teacher to pursue a career in education. Mertsch’s best memory of her high school years was “getting caught scaling the gym wall…the superintendent caught me.”

Her personality is not the only thing that makes her unique. Her choice of pets also makes her different.

She has had “a raccoon, opossum, iguana, Red cont. on pg 15

Mario Brother look alike, Jonathan Foresee, takes his students’ interest in math to another level.

“I always loved people…I’m good at math and good at relating to kids,” said Foresee.

He attended Harding University in Searcy ,where he majored in Mathematics and Vocational Ministry.

Besides his floral threads, Foresee enjoys “watching movies, reading books, playing and watching sports - volleyball being number one and football being number two,” said Foresee.

Foresee remembers being the star witness in his high school’s mock trial club. His fondest cont. on pg 15

4

Behind Catherine Smiddy’s get-down-to-business attitude, there lies a love of teaching and a fun spirit that she always brings to her classroom setting.

After a grueling four years of high school, Smiddy attended college at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA).

Smiddy thanks her high school keyboarding teacher for inspiring her to become a teacher.

When it comes to her students’ work she does not take any excuses. “I left my backpack at the football game the night before” is the lamest excuse that Smiddy has cont. on pg 15

Wizard of Oz or the Wizard of the Mathematics game, Steve Wooten, illustrates his uniqueness through his unconventional teaching methods and his odd similarity to Einstein.

Mr. Wooten is the math coach for third year school improvement. With his help, scores were up this year. He is more than a teacher. He also has a quirky sense of humor and has led a very interesting life. He has even had the honor of finding a dead cat in his friend’s refrigerator.

Wooten has a few knock knock jokes up his sleeve.

His best is, “Knock knock. Who’s there? Woo. Woo who? Wooten you like to know.”

The wizard enjoys occupying his time with, “movies, books and chess.” Wooten feels that actor Robin Williams mirrors his personality the most. “He has that personality, a lot of uniqueness,” said Wooten.

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13

Mr. Wooten

Miss Sajder

Mrs. Murtha

teachers No one said being a student and a teacher was easy. Stacy Sajder, Business teacher and part-time student, makes it look effortless.

Sajder’s desire to “help children become productive and successful citizens” drew her to a teaching career.

Sajder attended UCA, and now she is a student at Harding University.

“I have a great personality.

Very independent and always try to be prepared for anything that comes my way,” said Sajder. She has morphed from the “quiet shy kid in high school” to an independent and outspoken teacher.

When she is not grading papers or studying, Sajder is shopping, watching movies and trying out new restaurants. The craziest thing that she has ever eaten was an alligator at Outback Steakhouse in Branson, Missouri.

Almost everyone has an embarrassing moment. For Sajder, it was in high school.

“I had a big red jacket. I was walking out of the cafeteria and I turned around to smile at my boyfriend and tripped and fell! After that everyone called me Big Red,” said Sajder.

Mr. Brown

Mrs. Melnick

Fashion trends may have changed over the decades, but Sheryl Murtha’s unique attitude and hair remains the same.

Murtha began her teaching career over 30 years ago. “English was the first subject I was ever good at. Women weren’t encouraged to go into a lot of fields,” said Murtha.

Murtha had a wig that she wore during one of her first years teaching. “It was short with blonde curls I can’t imagine doing that again,” said Murtha. This fashion did not last long, though. “It was just for about one year that they were really popular,” said Murtha. cont. on pg 15

8

This may be his first year here at Lonoke, but Joshua Brown, Chemistry and Physics teacher, has quickly made his way into the teacher’s spotlight.

He attended Arkansas Tech University. In college his nickname was “Skeeter.” Brown’s college advisor encouraged him to be a teacher.

Brown has made falling “into trash cans,” a typical occurrence.

The funniest thing that he has found in a dumpster is “a refrigerator full of cold beverages.” When Brown is not dumpster diving he can be found on the golf course or doing wood work.

Brown feels that Triple H, pro wrestler, represents his personality the most. “When it’s time to work he does it well, but when it’s time to play he has a lot of fun,” said Brown.

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By: Sara Sample

7

The queen of rhymes has struck a chord with her students. Kathryn Melnick, science teacher of 26 years, has put her own unique spin on her classroom environment.

Melnick completed her studies at Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas State University of Jonesboro. “I planned to run a greenhouse…

I enjoyed teaching the labs so I switched to teaching,” said Melnick.

When she is not thinking of fun and creative ways to teach her students she is “gardening, landscaping [her] yard, singing, reading, canning.” Swimming and hiking are a couple of her other hobbies.

Melnick has a rebellious side.

Cutting out coupons is her way of “sticking it to the man…it’s a way of getting something for nothing,” said Melnick.

Melnick believes that Calcium reflects her personality the most. “It is slow to react but it can be almost explosive when it finally does [react],” said Melnick.

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14

Science Earth is covered with 70% water, but scientists believe that the moon may also contain a little bit of H2O.

Water on Moon Recent studies from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered water molecules in the polar areas on the moon.

“Maybe by finding water on the moon, this will lead to people finding new things on different planets,” said Mary Kathryn Davis, sophomore. Scientists worked on the probes that crashed into the moon exactly 14 months before they set off on their moon mission. According to researchers, the moon remains drier than any desert on Earth, but the water is said to exist on the moon in very small proportions.

After intentionally crashing two several billion dollar space probes into the moon, scientists found 32 ounces of water. That is less than two cokes. This mission to the moon is an extraordinary discovery for John Pennington, sophomore. “If scientists find water on the moon, they will probably try and build on that and make new discoveries.”

Instruments aboard two separate spacecrafts revealed water molecules in amounts that are greater than predicted by NASA, but they are still relatively small. NASA hopes to continue research and may even uncover a whole new place that could change life as we know it.

By: Kaitlyn Tate

Jumps Can you match the childhood faces to the almost grown ups?

A. Caleb Aston B. Jessalyn Tackett

1 2

C. Julie Pennington

D. Joelle Tackett

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3

15

Semester Test Schedule Wednesday, December 16 1st Test 8:00 – 9:30 2nd Test 9:40 – 11:10 Lunch 11:15 – 11:55 3rd Test 12:00 – 1:30 Thursday, December 17 4th Test 8:00 – 9:30 5th Test 9:40 – 11:10 Lunch 11:15 – 11:55 6th Test 12:00 – 1:30 Friday, December 18 7th Test 8:00 - 9:30

Answers on pg. 9

cont. from pg 12&13

Mrs. Smiddy

received from her students.

Smiddy believes there are no such things as stupid questions, but a past student has made her think twice about that. “The time I said, ‘Don’t be afraid to ask a question’…then a girl asked me, ‘what color is your eye shadow?

It’s so pretty’,” said Smiddy.

When she is not crunching numbers, she can be found getting her hands dirty in her flowerbeds, “skiing, taking [her] boat out on the water, swimming, dancing and [riding] motorcycles.”

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” Smiddy lives by these words every day to keep calm and collected.

When you add up Smiddy’s devoted attitude and her carefree personality, you get a teacher who strives to make the classroom not only a place to learn, but a place to have a little fun.

Mrs. Mertsch

Tailed Boa Constrictor, cats, dogs and fishies,” said Mertsch.

Mertsch admires Michael Angelo the most out of all other artists. “He persevered through a planned, fail-project and created a timeless masterpiece - Sistine Chapel,” said Mertch.

Mr. Foresee

memory is “winning the state championship for the second year, going to Nationals, [and] placing third in Nationals.”

A “Bible with a song book so I can sing and Wii with a Guitar Hero drum set” are just a couple of things that Foresee would take with him if he was ever stranded on an island. He would also bring his “Hawaiian shirt wardrobe so [he] can look fantastic everyday.”

“I don’t care if I make a fool of myself. Every Friday is Happy Hawaiian Friday. [I] celebrate by wearing Hawaiian shirts.

My motto is, ‘every class has a classroom clown, sometimes it’s the teacher,’” said Foresee.

Coach Vincent

“I don’t have to write any…I’d rather yell at them a little bit,” said Vincent.

He enjoys “hunting, fishing, watching sports, spending time with family” but most of all “being part of Lonoke.”

Mrs. Murtha

Her favorite memory of her high school years was when the boy’s basketball team went 32-0. “We were a small A and B school. In the finals we played a school of about 2000 [students],” said Murtha.

These days Murtha enjoys collecting “pop up books, white knob wind up toys, blue glassware and copper.”

If Murtha could have chosen the decade that she lived in, she would have chose the 80’s. “I’d be young again, I would be old enough, mature, without having to go through adolescence again,” said Murtha.

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Sports

Bowl Games l l a b t e k s a B By: Storm Beeler

For those who like college football, the bowl games are the best part of the season. College football ends the season with 33 bowl games.

A team must win six games to become bowl eligible, or have a chance to make a bowl. The biggest bowl game is the national championship played between the two top teams.

The major bowls games are the National Championship, Rose, Orange, Fiesta and Sugar.

The Music City Bowl is junior, Nick Harris’, favorite bowl game.

It is a bowl played between schools from the South Eastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

“I would like to watch a bowl game at the new Dallas Stadium,” said Harris. The new stadium hosts the Cotton Bowl. In which Arkansas played two years ago.

There has been a lot of debate about whether college should switch to a playoff system like the NFL. That way every team has an equal chance of winning the national championship. For now, however, it is going to stay with the bowls.

Alabama and Texas will play for the National Championship this year. There are five remaining undefeated teams. An SEC school has won the championship three years in a row and counting.

The Lady Rabbits Basketball team recently came back from the annual tournament in Fayetteville to kick off the 2009-2010 basketball season.

Head Coach Nathan Morris and Assistant Coach Greg Bradford look to win the games against Shiloh Christian Thursday, December 10. and Friday, December 11, 2009 at Little Rock Hall.

For the past three years the basketball team has made it to the state finals and came out as the runner-ups. Last year when attending the state finals they played Shiloh Christian.

This year they are looking to build on the other three years.

Footb a

Information provided by: Tyler Breashears, Senior

ll

The Jackrabbits played in the semi-finals against the Osceola Seminoles with a win of 28 -7. The win over Osceloa puts the rabbits against the Shiloh Christian Saints (Private School) for the AAAA State Championship. This is the first time in 15 years that Lonoke has been to a championship game. The Rabbits will be lead by first year head coach, Doug Bost.

The championship game will be played THIS Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Historic War Memorial Stadium in North Little Rock.

Tickets will be sold at the gate for $7.00. “Show your school spirit, make shirts, signs and all of the above. Come out and support the Jackrabbits... whooohooo,” said Tyler Breashears, senior offensive lineman.

Christmas Past... ial Editor

an Pa

by Meg

lme r

Being pulled into foster care is the most difficult experience that any child could ever go through. Like I know right? Actually, I have been through this scenario. I have been in foster care for two and half years now. I never imagined that I would be one to be taken away from my home, my siblings, or most importantly, my mother. I have come to the realization that this is not my fault, nor was it my decision to be in this position. I still love my mom with all of my heart and forgive her for her decision that now changes my entire life.

Although I don’t receive the same “at home” Christmas that I once had and that most people get to have, I realize that I have it better than many foster children.

I’m so thankful that I’m lucky enough to still be living in the same town rather than 500 miles across the state living with people that I don’t even know. I’m thankful that I get to go to the same school that I have attended all my life and to still be involved in the same activities that I have always been involved in.

I am fortunate enough that I will have a nice Christmas, though it’s not with my

17

FFA Helps Foster Children for Christmas “real” family. Too many foster children will never get to experience that, but thanks to an organization called Stuff the Sleigh, created in 2002, presents will be given to foster children of Central Arkansas that otherwise would have almost nothing for Christmas.

olved v n I s FFA Get

Lonoke’s Future Farmers of America (FFA), along with five other schools, joined in the contribution of Stuff the Sleigh this year from November 16th to December 4th.

FFA’s club’s sponsor, Mrs. Amanda Snider, first saw this act of kindness on T.V. “I was just looking for a good community service project,” said Mrs. Snider. “But I had to make sure that Lonoke County benefited from it.” This project started out small but eventually turned into a 40 hour project.

“It has been very time consuming but worth while,” said Mrs. Snider.

FFA brought in about 79 new toys and $803.89.

“We are also going to put in $300.00 from our chapter fund.” This will bring the total amount to $1103.89 which will be used to purchase additional toys. Half of these toys will be for

FFA along with five other schools set out to provide children and studnets in foster care, gifts to make this Christmas a time to remember.

Photo by Kaitlyn Tate

younger kids and the other half for teenagers.

“Everyone has been very active,” said Mrs. Snider. “You can tell by the amount of money brought in.” For every five dollars someone brought, it gave him or her one hour of community service.

However, Randal Ort, senior, helped out in a different way.

Ort helped by designing the sleigh, painting it, making signs, and counting money. “I was out there (agriculture building) about three class periods a day,” said Ort. She put in about fifty of her own hours to help make Stuff the Sleigh a success. “It never felt

like a chore. I never felt like I had to,” said Ort. “Once I start something, I want it to be done good and right. I would have given my five dollars like everyone else, but I wanted to do this and I really enjoyed doing this.”

Stuff the Sleigh turned out to be a big success. And there is a pretty good possibility that FFA will do this again next year. If you did not give anything to Stuff the Sleigh this year, perhaps you can find a way to help make a foster child’s Christmas better in a different way, foster children are just like “regular” children, just look at me.

18

The Back Page...

Jokes

Answers on page 9

F

1. Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?

2. What do you get if Santa comes down the chimney when a fire is alight?

3. How do elves greet each other?

F

Christmas Poll

50 students surveyed

My Favorite Christmas Movie is...

The Polar Express ~Kyndal Jackson The Santa Claus II ~ Jennifer Bowen Bad Santa ~Jonathan Lucus

The Polar Express ~ Paige Brown

The Santa Claus ~ Tony Bui Have you opened a present before Christmas?

Artwork

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Have you ever pulled a prank on a mall Santa?

Have you ever stayed up to see Santa?

Jingle All the Way ~ Nick Gebhardt A Christmas Story ~ Hunter Nunez

Home Alone ~ Keylon Walker Santa Claus II ~ Reggie Fudge

By: Emily Smith

Comic Strip Santa tried a weight loss program after getting stuck in a chimney.

Hello little boy! Merry Christmas!

By: Cheyenne Lee But when Christmas came again...

Stranger You’re Danger! not Stranger Santa! Danger!