college and career readiness
Find out exactly what it takes to be college and career ready
Governor’s scholar program An explanation of the program and tips for applying
fall sports calendar Save the dates for every fall sports event
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 1
8/20/2014 7:58:48 AM
CONTENTS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1
6 4-5 | Asking Alumni Four former Chargers offer up advice on high school and college. 6-7 | Which Club Is Right For You? A brief description of some of the clubs offered at East. 8 l 10 People You Should Know Ten people you need to get to know before the end of the year. 9 | 2014 Governor’s Scholars Recognizing the seven Governor’s Scholars from 2014.
On the Cover: A preview of the new edition to Bullitt East: The College & Career Readiness Center.
10
12
welc o m e t o 2 0 1 4 201 5 , c h a r g e r s 12-13 | College and Career Readiness An explanation of what exactly it takes to be considered college and career ready.
14-16 l New Teachers Get to know eight staff members new to Charger Nation this year. 18-19 l 18 Things To Do Before 2018 Eighteen things freshmen need to do before they graduate in 2018.
10 l GSP A look into what GSP really means for those who are accepted. 11 | GSP Checklist A list of three things to do in order to make the GSP application process easier. 22-23 l Movie Quotes Six movie quotes that are important to remember throughout the four years of high school. 24-25 l Sports Calandar A calandar showing all of the fall sports events for September and October. 26-27 | School Map A copy of the map of the school (including the new building) and a list of teachers’ room assignments.
20-21 l 9 Things You Need A list of nine things everyone needs in order to survive high school.
Cover Photo: Amy Gentry
August 2014
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 2
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/
8/20/2014 7:59:08 AM
advisor editor-in-chief executive editor assistant executive editor business & advertising cocopy editor cocopy editor copy editor copy editor copy editor sports editor staff writers Tiffany Prell Kim Flaherty Gavin Blain Brooke Collins Jasmine Meeks Derek Rogers Brooke Hawkins
Larry Steinmetz Haley Steinmetz Layne Cutler Eliza Love Allison Drake Rachel Grant Isaac Shelton Jessica Mattingly Lindsay Renneisen Sydney Riley Grant Skaggs
Taylor Hollifield Savanah Hagan Luke Young Eric Sanchez Haley Snyder Brennah Denkhoff
Livewire was re-founded in 2001 by journalism teacher, Larry Steinmetz. In the past, the Livewire has been a weekly newspaper, but moved to a newsmagazine published five times a year in 2011. The staff remains committed to bringing the Bullitt East community the most up to date news in a quality format and timely manner. To get breaking news, sports updates, and more go online to ww2. bullittschools.org/behslivewire. The staff appreciates your patronage and, as a public forum, encourages any feedback you care to offer. Letters to the editor must be typed and submitted via e-mail, to Mr. Steinmetz’s mailbox, or directly to room 324 within one week of the publication to which you are responding. Letters will not be censored, but must be deemed appropriate by the editor and advisor in order to be published. In order to be eligible to appear in the paper, all letters must be signed and verifiable. Names can be withheld upon request, but must be submitted with the original letter. Livewire is published by the students and for the students of Bullitt East High School, E-mailing Mr. Steinmetz directly is the best way to reach the staff. His address is larry. steinmetz@bullitt.kyschools.us. The Livewire is printed by Publishers Printing Company. Bullitt East High School 11450 Highway 44 East, Mount Washington, Kentucky, 40047. (502) 869-6400.
When I walked in the doors of Bullitt East on the first day of my freshman year, I had no idea what I was really getting into. I knew I was 14 years old and about to begin my freshman year at East, but what I didn’t know was that I was about to start something so much bigger than that. I was scared and nervous and excited all at the same time, and I’m willing to bet that you’re feeling the same way. High school means new people and new teachers and harder classes and more work, and all of that is scary, but the next four years of your life are so much more than just classes and homework. I believe that high school is where you find yourself; it’s the time that you figure out who you are. On behalf of everyone on the journalism staff, I want to say welcome. Class of 2018, you are about to begin arguably the most important years of your life. I hope it treats you well, and I hope you never take a moment of it for granted. It’s crazy to think about how much I have changed just in the last two years of high school. I’m about to start my junior year, and the person I am now is totally different than the person I was freshman year. Back then, if someone had told me that I would do some of the things I have accomplished since I was a freshman, I would have never believed them. That’s what I mean when I say that high school is where you find yourself. Freshman year I was shy and quiet and awkward. Today, I am outgoing and confident, and slightly less awkward. I am stronger and smarter and more independent, and I’m only halfway done with my high school career. If I can promise you one thing, it is that you will not walk out of Bullitt East the same person that you are now. Your personality will undoubtedly change. Make it change for the better. My biggest piece of advice for you is to put yourself out there and try new things. Take chances, and do not be a follower. One of my favorite quotes ever is, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Memories are made when you break your routine. When you’re 70 years old, you will not tell your grandchildren about the nights that you sat home and watched Netflix; you will remember the nights you stayed up with your friends and the times that you did something crazy. You have to try new things. Get involved. Meet new people. Join a club or play a sport. Make memories. Do something. There is something you simply can’t understand about BE until you start school here, and that is the sense of family and belonging. Charger Nation is not just a group of students that happen to attend the same school. Charger Nation is, simply put, a family. You will develop so many relationships with other students and teachers and staff members that they will become the people you are closest to. People aren’t lying to you when they say that high school comes with more freedom. Teachers don’t hold your hand anymore. Instead, they become the people you look up to and admire. The friendships you make here are ones you will remember your whole life, and those friends keep you grounded. I can guarantee you that if I hadn’t had classes with Eliza Love, who’s now my best friend, freshman year, I would not be the same person I am now. I promise that I would be much more insane than I am now if it weren’t for her. I hope that you find your own Eliza Love here, and I hope that that person challenges you to be the very best person you can be, like a best friend should. I will not lie to you; there are days that I would rather be anywhere other than Bullitt East. Waking up at 6 AM, taking endless pages of notes, wearing jeans every day, doing math….I would be lying if I said I enjoyed those things. It’s all of the other things that make that stuff worth it. It’s the sense of pride you feel when you’re standing in the Red Zone; it’s the feeling you get walking into the cafeteria on Chicken Patty Tuesday; it’s the sense of belonging you feel when you’re surrounded by your group of friends. On average, a school year lasts about 180 days. A school day lasts for about 7 hours. Your freshman year consists of something like 1,260 in-school hours. By the time you are a senior, you will have spent approximately 5,040 hours inside Bullitt East. Make them count. Make good choices, make new friends, get involved, take chances, have fun, stay positive, study, and try your best at everything you do. Make your high school experience the best four years of your life. You are the newest members of Charger Nation. Welcome, Class of 2018. I would say good luck, but you don’t need it. The next four years will be whatever you make them. It’s all up to you.
Haley Steinmetz Livewire Editor In Chief
Layout: Haley Steinmetz
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 3
3
8/20/2014 7:59:11 AM
Asking A
by eliza love
eliza.love29@gmail.com | @liiza24
Cameron Love
Junior at Western Kentucky University Graduated BE in 2012 1. In college you have so much more independence. I love it because you can do basically whatever you want without being questioned for it and generally college students are more open minded than people in, well, Mt. Washington, which is a big plus for me. Also, you can skip class all of the time and the school doesn’t phone home. However, classes are a lot harder in college and I wouldn’t recommend that strategy at all. 2. I think freshmen can expect to be overwhelmed, honestly. College is a lot to take in and there are so many different components to it. This is especially true if you do welcome week at whatever college you attend. Although I do recommend doing it because it gives you more time to settle on campus before classes start, the university throws a lot at you. Study abroad, writing a thesis, joining clubs, resumé building and a whole lot more. So don’t get too consumed by it all, because it can be pretty intimidating. 3. Get used to reading a lot. Also, if possible, visit your campus during the summer beforehand and get to know the town. Find the best places to eat, get coffee, shop, etc. When you come down for the fall semester you might not get lost as much. 4. My biggest piece of advice is to have a student mentor. Find an upperclassman that you want to be in three-four years and grab coffee with them and see how they got there. I did this with the editor of my student newspaper my freshman year and having her to go to for advice was super helpful. She also gave me advice on applying for internships and what teachers to take and which ones to avoid. 5. My favorite part of my college has been my involvement with the student newspaper at WKU, the College Heights Herald. Even if you aren’t a journalism major, there are dozens of organizations at your college where you can get hands-on experience in whatever field you are entering. These are so important to join — learning in a classroom is essential, but applying what you’ve learned and actually doing it is what gives you the edge. August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 4
Questions:
1. What are some major differences between college and high school? 2. What can incoming college freshmen expect? 3. What are some ways to prepare for college? 4. Do you have any advice for seniors going into college? 5. What’s the best thing about being in college?
Mackenzie Perdue
Freshman at Western Kentucky University Graduated BE in 2014 1. The major difference between college and high school is that in college you really have to be self-motivated and indeprendent to get your work done and study for tests. Teachers aren’t constantly going to be on you to get things turned in, and for many students their parents won’t be there to make sure they have clean clothes or even going to class. 2. Incoming freshmen can expect to be really nervous when they start school. The great thing is, many colleges have orientation and social media pages where you can meet other students and faculty members that are very knowledgable and always willing to help. 3. Some ways to prepare for college are really work hard in class and on the ACT so you can get as much KEES money as possible, apply for scholarships, and go on college tours and open houses. 4. Make sure you apply to more than one school and make sure you also tour those schools. 5. The best thing about being in college is the independence.
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 7:59:12 AM
g Alumni “The best thing about college is the independence and freedom. you get to make your own choices, whether positive or negative, and it’s a great learning experience. If I could afford to be a college student for the rest of my life, I would. It’s a perfect combination of both the real world and still being a kid.” -McKenzie Perdew McKenzie Perdew
Junior at Western Kentucky University Graduated BE in 2012
Penny Schmitz
Sophomore at University of Kentucky Graduated BE in 2013 1. High school and college are two completely different things. Like don’t put them in the same sentence. Everything is different. Sure in high school you feel like you pick your classes, but in college you pick when they are, what building they are in, if it’s a large class or a small one. You walk to class, and treat each as a separate thing, I go into each class with a different mindset. The work is hard. God is it hard. But it’s the challenge I longed for in high school but never got. 2. That’s such a broad question. It really depends on where you go. Each college is like it’s own little community and culture. 3. Don’t read books or google what to wear for the first day of class like I did. Just be yourself and figure out your learning style so you can study for tests better from the beginning. Relax, because hey, you graduated high school, just go with the flow and absorb everything put in front of you. 4. Don’t let the sense of freedom make you think you’re invincible. You’re not. 5. I love UK and all the experiences I have been through and the friends I’ve met. It’s like this fun transitional time where it’s totally accepted that you don’t know who you are or what you’re about. Also, don’t go in thinking you know yourself, if I met the high school version of me I would know it was me but I am no where near the person I was.
Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Eliza Love NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 5
1. The major difference I have experienced is the course load for each class. Each professor thinks that their class is the only one you are taking and they assign whatever they feel like. In high school, my teachers always kept in mind that we had other classes and work. 2. Incoming freshman can expect the best time of their life. Although some nights are filled with tears and stress, most days and nights are filled with friends making memories. They aren’t lying when they say college is the best time of your life. Classwise though, you can definitely expect to work hard. in high school you can generally coast by in classes. In college, that is a very rare occasion. You have to study and turn work in on time. Your professors aren’t too keen on sending your reminders. 3. I think creating good study habits in high school is the best way to prepare for college. I study literally all the time in college and if not for high school teachers that required me to study to pass their course, I would have not done as well my freshman year. time management is also key. 4. My advice is to have fun your senior year, but not blow it off as some “easy” year. The harder you work in high school, the easier your freshman year of college. 5. The best thing about college is the independence and freedom. you get to make your own choices, whether positive or negative, and it’s a great learning experience. If I could afford to be a college student for the rest of my life, I would. It’s a perfect combination of both the real world and still being a kid.
5 8/20/2014 7:59:12 AM
Which Club Is Right For You?
compiled by haley Steinmetz and gavin blain haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz gavin.blain@gmail.com | @brother_blain photos by endeav or staff
Sci-fi
Sponsor: Doug Osborne
Chess Team
Currently has no sponsor The chess team often gets together after school to play against one another in chess and strengthen their skills. Anyone can join, even if they have never played chess before.
Sci-fi is a fun filled group of people who appreciate everything from science fiction to laser tag. Anyone is welcome. They meet after school in the library on Thursdays.
Cryptozoology
Sponsor: Brian Brashear People in cryptozoology meet after school every Monday. There, they discuss urban myths and legends, such as Bigfoot and other mysterious creatures. It is open for anyone to join.
Red Zone Rowdies Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Sponsor: Aaron Troutman
FCA is a group of students that meets in the library every Friday morning before school starts. During that time, they discuss their beliefs and strengthen their faith. There are often guest speakers as well as interactive activities, while sometimes there are just group discussions. Despite the club name, the members are not all athletes; anyone can join.
Sponsor: Jo Perkins
The Red Zone Rowdies are a group of BE students with a lot of school spirit. They attend as many sports events as they can, where they all sit together in the student section and lead chants and cheers for BE.
National Honor Society
Sponsor: Brandi Molter and Sarah Akridge Members must be selected to join by the sponsors. All members must maintain a 3.8 GPA. The club does a lot of volunteer work and community service. They also do a blood drive at Bullitt East every year.
Beta Club
Sponsor: Savannah Richardson Members must be selected to join by the sponsor. Beta Club President is currently Maddie Smith. Members must maintain a 3.8 GPA or higher and complete 10 service hours per semester. This is another club which does a lot of community service and volunteering.
August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 6
Future Business Leaders of America Sponsor: Amanda Comstock
FBLA is open for anyone to join that is interested in business. They meet monthly (Wednesdays) and even attend a conference during the school year. While yes, there are certain requirements and standards members must live up to, it is open for anyone to join.
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 7:59:19 AM
Guitar Club
Sponsor: Brian Brashear Guitar Club is a group of students that all play the guitar. It is open for anyone to join. They meet Tuesdays after school and sometimes even perform around Mount Washington.
Art Club Fly disk Club Sponsor: Jason Kelty
If you enjoy exercising and being active, this is a great club for you. This club is open for anyone to join and meets on nice days after school. If interested talk to Mr. Kelty in room 401 for more information.
Sponsor: Jason Kelty If you’re interested in the arts or you’re looking for a place to refine your own art skills, this is your club. They meet Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. If interested talk to Mr. Kelty in room 401.
Drama Club
Currently no sponsor Drama is another club that is open for anyone to join. There is no certain day of the week that they stay after school, but they meet a lot right before plays and special events in order to prepare and get things ready for that. However, they currently do not have a sponsor, and if they don’t get one within the next year, they cannot continue.
Future Educators of America (FEA) Sponsor: Jami Willis
Choir
Future Educators is a group of students that want to eventually pursue a career as a teacher. Once a year, each member gets the opportunity to shadow a teacher at Bullitt East to see firsthand what it’s like to lead a classroom. It is open for anyone to join.
Choir is a group of people that meets to sing. They also frequently put on concerts. If interested, contact Ms. Gary in room 300 in the main hallway.
Prom Committee
Sponsor: Carrie Gary
Sponsor: April McCroskey
Prom Committee is pretty self-explanatory; they are in charge of planning prom, from the theme and the food right down to the invitation designs, decorations, and goody bags. Any junior or senior can join, although they don’t start meeting until around November.
Friends of Rachel (FOR) Sponsor: Chelsea Mullennex
Future Farmers Of America Sponsor: Dustin Gosser
FFA meets on the last Wednesday of every month to go over service projects and things to do in order to better themselves as an entire club. They also sometimes compete in competitions. Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 7
Friends of Rachel (FOR) is a club that was started up in honor of Rachel Scott, who was killed in the Columbine school shooting. Their overall goal is to end bullying and promote kindness throughout the school. They meet after school once a month and anyone can join.
Student Body Government Sponsor: Andrea Isaacs
Student Body Government (SBG) is a group of students that meet every other Wednesday before school to help make decisions regarding the rest of the school. SBG works closely with the houses, and they were the ones to first start up that idea. Students must apply and interview toward the end of the year for a spot on SBG. From there, the rest of the students and staff vote for the officers and representatives. The current Student Body President is Cole Green. 7 8/20/2014 7:59:30 AM
10 People You Need To Know
Teekay Brown is an enthusiastic senior at East. She is a record holding track team member and is also very friendly and nice to everyone she meets.
Mr. Steinmetz is the advisor of the Livewire and the editor in chief of the yearbook. He also teaches AP English III and is the head coach of girls golf.
The counselors are always there to help in any way they can. They are in charge of scheduling AP classes, college classes, and many other things.
Mr. Barr is the athletic director at East. He also teaches freshman science, and was the varsity basketball coach for many years.
The lunch ladies work very hard to serve our school breakfast and lunch. They are famous for their top notch chicken patties.
The office ladies are in charge of attendance, checking in and out of school, bus notes, and they can answer any question you ever have about anythting.
Our custodians work hard all day and night to keep our school clean. They do a lot for the school and their hard work often goes unnoticed.
August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 8
by haley steinmetz
Cole Green is a senior this year. He is involved in many things including FCA, cross country, and United For East, along with being student body president.
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz
Mrs. Burke is an Assistant Principal. She’s in charge of parking passes, tutoring, and discipline, and is always there to lend an ear if you have a problem.
photos by endeavor stAFF
Willie Foster is the principal at East. He is the decision maker. If you have a question no one else can answer, he can.
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:00:16 AM
2014 Governor’s Scholars “The best part of GSP is meeting others that are like you and that accept you for who you truly are. You aren’t seen as just smart; you’re more than that.” - Tate Hatfield (Bellarmine GSP) Hannah Perdew Campus: Murray
Logan Stone Campus: Morehead
Dylan Gensheimer Campus: Murray
Tate Hatfield Campus: Bellarmine
Amanda Riposo Campus: Murray
“The truth about GSP is that the beauty of it lies in its inability to be described. The ‘GSP experience,’ as some may call it, may only be understood post the greatest five weeks of any scholars life up to date.” - Jared Guillaume (Murray GSP) Jared Guillaume Campus: Murray
Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 9
Christa Sego Campus: Morehead
9 8/20/2014 8:00:34 AM
Governor’s Scholars Perks BY i s a a c s h e l t o n
JIShelton362@gmail.com l @Isaacshelton1
PHOTOS BY ENDEAVOR STA F F
I got 99 problems and GSP solves them all. GSP helps students get into college, meet new people, and get scholarships. Since 1983 the Governor Scholar Program (GSP) has grown into one of the most respected programs in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, seven Bullitt East juniors got accepted last spring and completed the five week program over the summer. During the upcoming school year the counselors and recent GSP alumni will help the underclassmen prepare for their applications. The elite underclassmen may prepare to apply for GSP, but most of them don’t realize how the program affects their future. The 2014 scholars from the past year were Logan Stone, Tate Hatfield, Dylan Gensheimer, Jarred Guillaume, Hannah Perdew, Amanda Riposo, and Christa Sego. All the scholars were separated into three college campuses. This year the campuses were Murray State University, Morehead University, and Bellarmine University. Each individual campus offers a variety of classes and a different experience for each scholar. Stone stayed at Morehead University when he went to GSP and had an “amazing experience,” stated Stone. In his five weeks he played racquetball, swam, and lifted weights. Hatfield had a different experience as he stayed at Bellarmine University. In his five weeks he played ultimate frisbee, basketball, tennis, soccer, and capture the flag. As school starts, the incoming junior class of 2016 begins their quest to be accepted into August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 10
the GSP program. According to counselor Crystal Barr the applications are scored by GPA, strength of schedule, test scores from the ACT, SAT, or PAT, extracurricular activities, service (voluntary or paid), honors/ awards, writing entry, teacher recommendations, community leader recommendations. This year seven out of twenty-five Bullitt East students were accepted into GSP. Teachers and counselors are very proud of the schol-
“When I went to GSP, I got to meet a lot of people from different races, countries, religions. I also got to meet people from all around the state and that was very eyeopening,” - Abby Shelton.
lege has different scholarships for GSP alumni. In order to find what each college offers, go to www.gsp.ky.com and click on “applicants”, then “scholarships.” To get an idea of how GSP scholarships help the scholars individually, in 2012 fifty percent of scholars responded to the survey. The average scholarship amount per scholar that responded was $68,782. Besides the financial benefit of GSP, the program has the opportunity of giving the scholars an experience that could help them in their future. In college, Shelton will be able to live in a college dorm room all year, because of her five week experience. She also knows what it is like to meet new people and have a roommate. “When I went to GSP, I got to meet a lot of people from different races, countries, religions. I also got to meet people from all around the state and that was very eye-opening,” stated Shelton. Overall, GSP will look good on any application and it will benefit all alumni in different ways.
ars. “This is an amazing opportunity for them, and they make lifelong friendships. Students often meet their college roommates at GSP,” stated Barr. The program benefits the scholars in the future. Abby Shelton is an older GSP alumni that will be a freshman at the University of Kentucky. Shelton received full tuition after her high school years and was accepted into the Honors Program there. Each colww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:00:41 AM
3 Tips To Better Your
GSP Application by haley steinmetz
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz
G S P
Keep track of everything you’re involved in. The people scoring GSP applications are looking for how well rounded you are, which means it’s not enough to just be really smart. It’s important to put yourself out there and get involved by joining a sports team or a few clubs or groups. There are a lot of things to choose from at East, from football to Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) to Cryptozoology. Keep an organized list of everything you’re involved in and what year(s) you were involved in it. That way, when filling out your application, it’ll be easier to remember and not leave anything out.
Stay on top of your grades. While yes, it is true that grades are not the only thing that matters on your application, they are still very important. You have to consider that you are up against hundreds of other students who want to be accepted just like you do, so keeping your grades up is a necessity. Remember that getting a B in a class is not going to destroy your chance of getting in, but still stay organized, study, and try your best. If you stick to those three things, your grades should turn out just fine.
VOLUNTEER. A big component of the GSP application is service hours and volunteer work. That being said, help out the community in any way you can! Volunteer at a hospital, babysit for free, go to a soup kitchen, do whatever you can do. Also, always write it down when you do any kind of community service. It’s a good idea to keep track of what you did, how many hours you did it, and when you did it. That way, when you’re a junior and you’re trying to remember what kind of volunteer work you did your freshman year, you can just look back at your list and eliminate some of that stress and guess work.
Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Isaac Shelton NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 11
11 8/20/2014 8:00:41 AM
College and Career Ready By isaac shelton
JIShelton362@gmail.com | @Isaacshelton1
Starting with this year’s graduating class the administration is enforcing a policy for all upcoming graduates. The administration at Bullitt East has implemented a policy called college or career ready. The whole purpose of this change is to prepare every student for their future; whether that leads them to more education or straight into the job market, hints the policy’s name. Students also have to reach and overcome the benchmarks to be considered college ready. There are multiple steps students have to take to become college ready, such as reaching the benchmarks on the American College Test (ACT). At East, in order to reach the benchmarks the student must receive an 18 on the English portion, a 19 on the mathematics portion, and a 20 on reading portion. While it is important to reach the benchmarks on the ACT, students should not necessarily be satisfied with those scores. According to Andrew Gott, a College Admission Officer from Western Kentucky University, certain state schools, such as WKU, focus on ACT scores. Basically, if you get a high score on the ACT that could lead to more benefits like scholarships and free room and board. As a freshman, there are multiple ways to prepare yourself for the ACT. In the eighth grade, students take the Explore test which predicts what they would score on the ACT. “By looking at the Explore scores, students can determine the areas where they’re the August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 12
weakest in and do some prep work in those areas,” said Bullitt East counselor Dana Steinmetz. Steinmetz also recommended the ACT homepage, www.actstudent.org, for students to practice and prepare. There are other ways for students to prepare for the ACT that involve just going to class. Bullitt East offers several honors and advanced placement classes in every subject. There are multiple English, mathematics, science, writing, and history classes for freshmen. Some examples of freshmen classes are Honors English I, introduction to journalism, creative writing, Honors Algebra I, survey of social studies, etc. All of these classes were to help freshmen gain general knowledge that prepares them for their final exams, ACT, and future classes. For more information about specific courses visit the Bullitt East homepage at www.bullitteast.org. The average freshman doesn’t think twice about college, because it is four years away for him/her. However, students need to start preparing for college as early as the ninth grade. Freshmen can do the simplest things to prepare such as becoming involved in clubs and sports, getting good grades, volunteering, and even creating good study habits. “When I was a freshman, I started an ongoing list of my accomplishments, and I eventually used that when applying for scholarships. Also don’t think freshman year is stupid, it’s important to put yourself out there and get involved,” said Bullitt East alumni Masi Sanders. High school students should focus on being
college ready and receiving high ACT scores because that could lead to scholarships, which is important because college is known for being expensive. According to www.debt.
org, around sixty percent of college graduates graduate with student loan debts. There are also kids who think they won’t receive scholarships, but the same website stated that two-thirds of students pay part of their college with either a grant or a scholarship. In the long run it is important to be college ready because that gives students the opportunity to go to college and eventually receive a diploma. Most jobs that require a college diploma. According to cew.georgetown.edu/ jobs2018 approximately sixty-two percent of jobs require some sort of college education by 2018. A new high school student needs to understand that high school and becoming college ready does impact his/her future. High school is new and scary to a lot of freshmen because it forces them to think about their future after high school. The best advice an experienced Charger can give is to take things step by step. Right now focus on reaching the benchmarks to become college ready. Most freshmen will think that is stupid, but becoming college ready gives students the opportunity to go to college. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics state that in October 2013, 65.9 percent of 2013 high school graduates were enrolled in college. If over half of high school graduates in America enroll in college then it must be important and critical to their future. ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:00:54 AM
College and Career Ready By Haley Steinmetz
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz
College. CAREER. Tradition. Unrivaled. New requirements at East are forcing students to consider possible future career options as early as freshman year. There are a series of steps students must take to be deemed career ready. Being career ready helps kids start planning their future and thinking about what they might want to do down the road. The career readiness requirement helps East as a whole since all students have some idea of what they’re going to do after they graduate. In order for a student to be career ready, they must complete a series of courses and exams. First, they have to take three courses in one career pathway offered at East. Those pathways include accounting, admin support, business management, business multimedia, business tech, informational processing, legal office, culinary arts, early childhood education, animal science systems, horticulture and plant science systems, and ROTC. For example, for a student to be considered career ready in the culinary arts pathway, it is recommended that they take foods and nutrition, culinary arts I, and culinary arts II. There are actually six classes in the pathway, but those three are the ones that will best prepare students for the KOSSA (Kentucky Occupational Skills Standards Assessment) test, which you must pass in order to be career ready. According to the 2014 KOSSA state report, 54% of people who took a KOSSA test Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 13
passed it. In order to receive a proficient on a KOSSa test, students must score at least a 70% on the multiple choice exam. There is a KOSSA test in every pathway except for business multimedia and business tech. In business multimedia you must be IC3 or Adobe certified, and in business tech you must take the ASK test. All of this information and more can be found in the school curriculum guide or in the guidance office. “You have to select your pathway, then take and complete successfully three credits in that pathway. You then have to pass an industry certification for that pathway,” stated Wendy McCutchen, BE’s college and career ready coach. “You have to have three classes to make you preparatory, industry certification, and the academic component.” Although yes, getting career ready might sound like a difficult feat, students have support from their teachers and counselors to help them get there. Business department chair and teacher Amanda Comstock does a lot to help her students get career certified. She said, “We look at each student’s transcript and what they have actually taken, make sure they’re in a career path, we test them in Workkeys, get them their industry certification. We really look at helping students choose a pathway and try to set it up like a college so that you know exactly what classes you need.” Comstock teaches the financial literacy and accounting classes at East.
When the state decided that most students needed to be career ready, their goal was obviously to help students. The requirement has worked and the goal has been accomplished in that it helps students in many ways. Comstock stated, “Some of our kids aren’t ready to go straight into college, so allowing them the opportunity to get a career certification and go ahead and enter into the workforce is a really great thing.” There are definitely students at East who aren’t interested in college or already know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives, so the career readiness requirement helps them by giving them a head start on organizing and planning for their future. On the whole, the career readiness requirement helps East by giving its students a united goal. If every student in the school must be college or career ready in order to graduate, obviously that means every student is trying their best to meet that requirement. “It [the requirement] helps students explore options for their future and prepare for life after high school,” stated Dana Steinmetz, guidance counselor at East.
13 8/20/2014 8:01:07 AM
Charger Nation Welcomes Huber by sydney riley Sydney.riley99@gmail.com | @sydgirl99 Huber goes from animals to kids. Erik Huber, the new assistant principal at Bullitt East, had a love for animals before his career in education. Huber had never expected to get a job as an assistant principal. His top priority at Bullitt East is to get to know as many people as he can. Before his teaching career, he was a vet tech. Before becoming assistant principal here at East, Huber worked at many different schools as a teacher. He did his student teaching at Manual High School, and then taught the last thirteen years at South Oldham High School. “I love teaching. I love being in the classroom. I never ever thought I would get out of the classroom; didn’t want to leave it,” said Huber. He is unsure about moving to an office environment, but is very excited about the opportunity to be an assistant principal. “It was imperative immediately in his interview that he would be a great addition to our team. He was already knowledgeable about many facets of the job, and his personality August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 14
was the right fit for sure,” says Traci Burke, another assistant principal. The one thing that Huber is sure he wants to accomplish at Bullitt East is to get to know people. “I would love to get to know as many people as I could and help them do whatever it is that they’ve got planned for their life. I just want to serve people and be of use to them in any way I can,” Huber says. He wants to be a mentor to all of his students and help them plan out their future. He may have a love for teaching, but that wasn’t always his life plan. “My plan, originally, was to be a vet. That’s what I said I was going to be; that’s what I said I was going to do with my life. I spent eighteen years working as a vet tech. Then I applied to vet school, got married, and my wife said, ‘Do something with your life. You never know, you might not get into vet school.’ So I went to school and got my certificate to teach,” said Huber. When Huber was a teacher, he had thirty-nine animals in his classroom. He had to figure out
what to do with all of them when he moved into a small office space. He even has a bearded dragon in his new office. “I’m cool with his animals. However, i do think it’s a little weird that he walks around school looking for bugs to feed his creatures,” Lee Barger said, another assistant principal. “Turtles, frogs, lizards, fish, I had a little bit of everything. That’s kind of my thing- animals. I’m kind of an animal hoarder, actually. Anything and everything, pretty much, I will find a cage for or a home for,” Huber says. Huber may have a passion for animals, but his love for teaching is what truly brought him to Bullitt East.
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:01:18 AM
Battcher For Freshman Science by eric sanchez
NamesSanchez@gmail.com | @NamesChiz
In this corner with a degree in biology, all the way from Jefferson county we have Mrs. Battcher! Mrs. Battcher is the new freshmen science teacher at Bullitt East. With a masters in teaching from the University of Louisville, Battcher has taught at Jefferson county schools for four years. Battcher hopes to help her students learn in a safe environment where they are free to ask questions, however she won’t let them slide with work as the new teacher has very high standards. Battcher also hopes to help all teachers reach their highest potential. Battcher’s college of choice was Purdue University. While at Purdue she also participated in several extracurricular activities. Battcher was part of the sorority Delta Gamma. While in Delta Gamma, Battcher was a part of several philanthropic charities. She helped with service projects to raise money for Service for Sight and Aid to the Blind. Battcher also helped with religious volunteer Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 15
work. while at Purdue. She would help lead Bible studies on the campus. She also went on mission trips with her church to Inner Mongolia in China. While on these mission trips, Battcher helped teach English to Chinese students.
Battcher.
As for academics, Battcher received her Bachelors in here major, Biological Sciences. In 2010 she received her Masters in teaching from the University of Louisville.
The Science teachers at East are eager to have a new coworker in their department. “I’m excited to have another Biology major here.” said Shannon Payne, a sophomore biology teacher.
Battcher hopes to be a helping hand to freshman. “I’d like to be a teacher that any student can come to and ask questions,” said Battcher. However, being a guiding mentor does not mean easy classes with this teacher. “I have really high standards that they need to meet,” stated Battcher.
Battcher still sees the need to try her best, however. “I want to help every student succeed to their highest achievement” said Battcher.
With an illustrious and high hopes for this year, Battcher is a welcomed member to the East family.
As a new teacher, Battcher has certain goals to accomplish at Bullitt East. Battcher sees both the yin and the yang with her students. “I believe every student is capable of an A, but I know everyone will not get an A” said 15 8/20/2014 8:01:28 AM
Welcome To Charger Nation Tiffany Darnell by haley steinmetz
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz
Tiffany Darnell is the new exceptional education teacher at East. She is taking the place of Angela Herrlein. She graduated high school from East and then went to Western Kentucky University, where she later graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2008 and her master’s degree in 2012. This is Darnell’s fifth year as an exceptional education teacher, but her first year at East. “I graduated from BEHS and wanted to come back to where I started. I know BEHS is a great place to work and they strive to be the the best. I hope to guide students to do the best they can in the classroom this year. I am here to make my students college and career ready,” she said.
Other New Staff Members: Leo Craven; College reading, freshman English
Ryan Kurtz by rachel grant
rachelgrantt@gmail.com | @rachel_grantt
Twenty-six year old Ryan Kurtz will be taking on the position of a special education teacher for the 20142015 Bullitt East school year. Kurtz graduated from the University of Louisville with his minor in criminal justice. He is now attending Georgetown College for his masters in LBD/Special Education. Although Kurtz has been a substitute for the past three years, this will be his first official year as a full time teacher. Last year subbing long-term in a special education department, Kurtz learned that not all students learn in the same way. Kurtz says, “There are kids out there that need special programs and assistance to help them along in their education.” Deciding to teach at Bullitt East was a “no brainer” for Kurtz. He graduated from BE in 2005 and has been coaching football here for the past three years.
Fhatj Anderson; Freshman computer applications
Melissa Speakman;
Family consumer science
Kurtz says, “A lot of the teachers here at BE are the same ones who put up with me and helped me get through high school. These same teachers are the ones who have helped guide me and push me in the right direction towards teaching.” Kurtz feels that the 14’-15’ school year will be great and that Bullitt East is the right place for him.
Brenda Thornsberry b y l a y n e cutler laynec17@gmail.com
Brenda Thornsberry is the new math teacher at Bullitt East. She teaches transition and remedial math, along with geometry. Thornsberry wanted to teach at BE because she attended East as a student and “loves the tradition it represents.” She went to Western Kentucky University and majored in mathematics. Thornsberry has been a teacher for three and a half years and used to teach at Bullitt Central. Her goals for this year are to get all of her students ready for the college ready benchmark. “I’m most excited about football season and house competitions,” Thornsberry said. August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 16
Michael Whitfill; AP Human Geography and survey of social studies
Se S
@ ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:01:51 AM
Livewire
@belivewire www.belivewire.com
student run, 27 page full color print magazine that publishes monthly
Live Tweeting, Season Previews, Editorials, Season Recaps, Feature Articles, Breaking News, Student Life, Hyperlocal Coverage, Academics Twitter @BELivewire Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Allison Drake NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 17
Instagram @belivewire 17 8/20/2014 8:01:51 AM
18 Things To Do Before 2018 by layne cutler laynec17@gmail.com
1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Eat as many chicken patties as you can on a Chicken Patty Tuesday. Chicken Patty Tuesday is everyone’s favorite lunch day. Make it interesting with your friends and challenge them to see who can devour the most patties. Participate in powderpuff or rocketball. Girls, get tough and enjoy playing some football. Guys, spike the volleyball on all your friends and maybe throw in some spandex. Dress crazy and cheer in the RedZone of a big game. There’s nothing like chanting the “I Believe” chant at a basketball game with hundreds of BE fans decked out in red. Participate in all homecoming/spirit week events. Yeah, you might look dumb dressed up as a baby, but if that’s what spirit week calls for, grab your pacifier!
Go to at least one game or match for every sport. You may not make every game, but at least once during your high school career you should attend a tennis match or a bowling tournament. Ride the elevator without getting stuck. It’s no secret that the school elevator is sketchy business, but chances are you’re going to get injured at least once during high school, so cross your fingers the elevator has a good day. Befriend a foreigner. It takes a lot of guts to pack up all of your stuff and move to a different country for a year of high school, the least you could do is offer them a seat next to you at lunch.
August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 18
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:02:04 AM
8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Count and take a selfie with every charger horse in the building. How many likes can you get on Instagram of you and a charger horse? Join a club or sport. Not only is it required, but it’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone and meet people you wouldn’t normally meet. Go to prom. Don’t look back at high school and regret not going to prom. Dance the night away with your closest friends. Sign a wall in the prop closet. First, you need to find the prop closet. Then, admire the decades of signatures decorating the room. FInally, add your John Hancock. Join the Livewire or Endeavor staff. Journalism and yearbook are two of the most unique classes at BE. Get the inside scoop along with gaining real life lessons.
13.
Discover the bandroom secret. This information is highly classified and super well-kept. Good luck.
14.
Come up with a good senior prank. Don’t be a part of a lame senior class with a lame senior prank. But remember, pranks are supposed to be funny, not mean.
15.
Ride the charger horse. The horse is mobile, so track it down and grab a saddle.
16.
Get your teacher off topic for the entire period. Teachers need a break from teaching. Give them that way out! Try to keep it going until the bell rings so you can skip out on the math homework coming your way.
17. 18.
Make Mr. Brangers laugh. This is a difficult task. Find his weak spot. Tweet at Mr. Foster to bargain for a dress down. But, remember while doing so to be safe, be responsible, and be respectful.
Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Layne Cutler NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 19
19 8/20/2014 8:02:22 AM
by haley steinmetz and eliza love
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz eliza.love29@gmail.com | @liiza24
artwork by kacie heichelbech
August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 20
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:02:26 AM
love
einmetz
h
Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Eliza Love NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 21
21 8/20/2014 8:02:29 AM
6 Movie Quotes To Reme
by haley steinmetz
haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz
1. “After a while, you learn to ignore the
names people call you and just trust who you are.” - Shrek During your four years of high school, it is easy to get lost in making an attempt to “find yourself.” Really, though, what you should be focusing on is creating yourself. The person you are and the personality traits you have are all up to you to decide. Positive, negative, motivated or not, productive or not, friendly or unfriendly...you decide for yourself.
2. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never
know what you’re gonna get.” - Forrest Gump (Forrest)
Life will throw curves and changes must be made based on those curves. Unpredictable things will happen throughout life, and those things just have to be accepted in order to move on.
3. “If you want something, go get it. Period.” The Pursuit of Happiness (Chris Gardner) Never give up on your dreams; fight for them. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard for it.
August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 22
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:02:30 AM
member In High School 4. “Happiness can be found even in the dark-
est of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Albus Dumbledore)
Every day you spend as a high school student will not be perfect. It’s inevitable: you will have bad days and even bad weeks and there will be times that it seems that nothing is going right. However, even during those rough times, you can create your own happiness by finding something you love or surrounding youself by people you love.
5. “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I
see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.” - The Lion King (Rafiki)
Your past experiences can serve as valuable lessons. Take the bad things that have happened to you and learn from them, that way you can still make something good out of them.
6. “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Ferris)
Life, especially high school, really does go by fast. The end of it will be here before you know it. That being said, stop and enjoy what is happening right now instead of planning for the future or dwelling on the past. If you don’t enjoy it, you really will miss it.
Layout: Haley Steinmetz NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 23
23 8/20/2014 8:02:30 AM
August 2014
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 24
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/
8/20/2014 8:02:31 AM
by gavin blain
28
21
BS- @ Hopkinsville
14
7
Sunday
9
8
BS- @ Nelson County GS- @ Fern Creek BG- Etown CC
30
BS- @ J Town GG- Heritage Hill GC V- @ Oldham County
23
BS- Western Hills GG- Heritage Hill GC XC - Bernie Keene BG- Heritage Hill GC
16
BS- Fern Creek GG- Woodlawn Springs GC V- North Bullitt GS- Central Hardin BG- Maywood GC
GS- Bullitt Central BS- @ Bullitt Central GG- Heritage Hill GC BG- Heritage Hill GC
24
BS/GS- Butler GG- Old Kentucky Home GC
17
10
GS- Martha Layne Collins
3
Wednesday F- Waggner
26 F- @ Oldham County
BS- Marion County V- @ Spencer County
F- Central Hardin
19
F- @ Spencer County
12
5
Friday
25
BS- @ Spencer County GS- Thomas Nelson BG- Etown CC V- @ Fern Creek
18
BS- North Bullitt V- Whitefield
11
BS- DeSales BG- Doe Valley GC V- Nelson County
4
Thursday
GS- Whitefield XC- Gatorland
27
GG- Eagle Creek CC XC- Trinity BG- Central City
20
BS- @ Hopkinsville GG- Hurstbourne CC XC- Bluegrass BG- Glasgow GC GS- Thomas Nelson
13
GS- Male XC- Central KY.
6
Saturday
Sports Calendar
BG = Boys Golf BS = Boys Soccer F = Football Key: GG = Girls Golf GS = Girls Soccer V = Volleyball GC = Golf Club CC = Country Club XC = Cross Country
29
BS- Bardstown GS- @ Shelby County GG- Elizabeth Town CC V- @ Brown
GS- Mercy GG- Heritage HIll GC V- North Hardin
22
GS- @ Bardstown GG- Elizabethtown CC V- Bullitt Central
15
GS- North Bullitt GG- Shawnee GC
2
1 BS- @ Whitefield GG- Lincoln Trail GC V- Spencer County
Tuesday
September
Monday
gavin.blain@gmail.com | @brother_blain
Layout: Haley Steinmetz and Gavin Blain
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 25
25
8/20/2014 8:02:31 AM
13
20
27
19
26
V- @ Bullitt Central
6
Monday
12
5
Sunday
28
XC- MKAC Conference
21
XC- Bullitt Championship V- Fairdale
14
BS- @ Shelby County
7
Tuesday
29
22
15
GS- @ North Oldham
8
1
F- Fairdale
30
23
V- @ North Bullitt
16
V- Doss
9
GS- @ Spencer county V- Bethelem
2
Wednesday Thursday
October
31
F- Shelby County
24
F- North Bullitt
25
XC- Lexington Catholic
18
XC- Fast Cats Classic
F- @ Bullitt Central
17
11
XC- Greater Louisville
4
Saturday
10
3
Friday
Sports Calendar
Compiled by Allison drake
Allison.Drake14@gmail.com | @AllisonDrakee
BEHS Map and Room Assignments August 2014 NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 26
ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/ 8/20/2014 8:02:34 AM
Layout: Allison Drake NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 27
27 8/20/2014 8:02:35 AM
Member
NewsmagazineBEHSaugust2014issue1.indd 28
8/20/2014 8:02:36 AM