Livewire Vol 4 Issue 5 May 2014

STUDENT ATHLETES SIGNING

MAY 2014 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5

2014 SENIOR WILLS

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

CONTENTS VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

STUDENT LIFE 5 | Senior Wills

As school comes to a close, the seniors say their good byes and pass down their legacy to underclassmen.

ACADEMICS 9 | College Map

A look at where graduating seniors have committed to spending the next few years.

11 | Admissions Q&A

Important details on being prepared for college from a Western Kentucky University admissions counselor.

12 | Top 10

Should students be recognized as being a top 10 student? Haley Steinmetz explains her point of view on the subject.

13 | Retired Teachers East says goodbye to two teachers.

14 | Teacher of Year

Find out who students chose as the Livewire Teacher of the Year.

May 2014

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19

P R OG R E S S I O N 15 l Same questions, different people Explore the progression and changes through the stages of life from childhood to adulthood and beyond.

16 l Four year recap A flashback through the seniors high school experience.

17 l Music Progression Look to see how far the music department has progressed throughout the years.

18 l Progression Quiz Can you spot which classmates have progressed significantly over their time at East?

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SPORTS 19 | Athletic signing

Check out where some of the senior athletes signed.

20 | Softball Feature

A glance at Kelsey Graven’s softball career.

OPINION 21 | Head to Head

Different perspectives on whether or not kids should join the military at age 18.

26 | Editorial Board

A look at why freshmen should be treated like other high school students early-on.

ON THE COVER:

As the year concludes, the Livewire focuses on current and future stages of life for seniors and for Bullitt East.

19 l Room Swap Check out what is in store for class location next year pertaining to the old and new buildings.

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advisor editor-in-chief executive editor creative editor graphics editor business editor advertising editor photo editor designated grader copy editor copy editor copy editor copy editor copy editor

Larry Steinmetz Kendall Mayfield Cassidy Grom Kim Flaherty Mackenzie Perdue Jennifer Cischke Allsion Drake Nick Kinser Sal Lanci Layne Cutler Hannah Deaton Hannah Perdew Sammy Ewing Tiffany Prell

staff writers

REJECT THE COMFORTABLE; PURSUE THE COMPELLING

Rachel Grant Lauryn Waldridge Haley Steinmetz Eliza Love Isaac Shelton Jessica Hanna Haley Simpson

Peyton Maki Sarah Link Austin Jewell TJ Rayhill Michael Murphy Samantha Gentry

BY CASSIDY GROM

cassidy.grom@gmail.com | @cassidygrom

I was recently asked, “If you knew you were going to die before your college graduation, would your actions change?” It was a morbid question, but a worthwhile one all the same.

It made me think: If I would have received a piece of paper on my first day of Bullitt East that told me I only had four years to live, would I have made the same choices?

For the most part, I think I would have continued to live my normal life. I still would have munched on a chicken patty every Tuesday and I still would have gotten disproportionate soccer tans every summer. I probably would have still led the first FCA sports camp and continued to stick forks in people’s yards as a prank.

However, some things I would have changed.

The details we think important become insignificant when we are faced with the finiteness of our lives. I would have spent more time staring at the stars with my friends and less time studying for that next exam. I would have made a point to say “thank you” and smile more often. I would have built intentional friendships with those around me instead of building my scholarship resume. In essence, I would have stopped surviving and started living.

peers to reject the comfortable and pursue the compelling. My message hasn’t changed.

For many of us, we will start college in the fall. We will hit the books and try to satisfy our lives with the next big thing. Yet, are we ever truly satisfied?

In my short 18 years, I have realized that no matter what pants size I am or the figure on my paycheck, I will never be content with my position in life. C.S. Lewis once said, “If I find in myself desire that no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” For me, Jesus Christ has given meaning to the otherwise meaningless four years that we call high school. Sure, I would have changed a few small things about my Bullitt East experience, but because of my faith and the opportunities I’ve had to be able to share its message with others, I can truly say that I lived like I was dying.

In a speech last spring, Grom talked about her vision for students to go beyond the status quo.

Read the manuscript here.

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 comitted 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 witheld 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.

Last spring, I stood in front of the class of 2014 to give a speech at the ring ceremony.

Most people only remember my bizarre elephant metaphor, but the underlying message was to reject the shackles that society places on young people. I encouraged my Layout: Samantha Gentry and Cassidy Grom

Volume 4, Issue 5

SENIORS ASK FRESHMEN Freshmen and seniors receive the opportunity to question each other about experiences surrounding East.

BY ELIZA LOVE

eliza.love29@gmail.com | @liiza24

What are you looking forward to most in your high school career?

I think high school will be really fun altogether. Specifically, I’m looking forward to events like the senior trip and sport’s tournaments.

There’s still a lot of people I don’t really know, so meeting new people is definitely something I’m looking forward to.

How do you plan to get involved through high school?

What classes are you excited to take?

I’m excited to take AP and Honors classes because they’re challenging and get you more prepared compared to other classes.

I’m looking forward to being in Yearbook because I think I’ll learn about communication and how to work with others.

I want to join clubs and meet new people.

I’ll get involved by playing sports and going to other events and cheering on our school teams. Also, I will start to be active around the school and also the community.

What is your favorite aspect of Bullitt East?

I really like the school pride that Bullitt East has. The teachers are very dedicated and so are the students which makes the high school experience much better.

May 2014

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FRESHMEN ASK SENIORS Do you recommend taking AP and Honors classes?

AP and Honors classes are beneficial because they help prepare you for college classes and challenge you as opposed to regular classes.

How should I manage my time with school and sports?

In the spare time when you’re not playing sports, you need to use that time to focus on school. In the time you would use to take a nap or do other things, do your homework instead.

How do you manage your time while keeping your grades up?

You need to get organized and have a plan.

Get something like an agenda to know what you need to do. You’ll forget stuff so write things down.

How do you get involved?

Find a club or sport that you are interested in. There’s something out there for everyone so put yourself out there and everything will work itself out in the long run.

Layout: Eliza Love

4

SENIOR

Daniel Acosta I, Daniel, will my 17 frogs that I left in the school, you just have to find them… to Mrs. Turner.

Cassandra Adams I, Cassandra, will my closet to Emily Brumley, my smile to all those who need it, my love to Daron Hansen, my heart, mind, and soul to the Lord, and my good looks to my mother.

Katelyn Alcorn I, Katelyn, will all underclassmen my desire to make Bullitt East bully free.

Amanda Alford I, Amanda, will Megan Geyer my flag and rifle abilities, to Emily King and Baylee Hutchens. I will the many memories at the lunch table and in the Kia, and to Heidi Woods I will my love of bonfires and UK basketball.

Taylor Alvey I, Taylor, will my ability to get good grades, and live up your senior year to Morgan Jones and Greg Vincent.

Kaylan Anderson I, Kaylan, will my talents of getting good grades and my musical talents/abilities to help any underclassmen in need of it.

Josh Armstrong I, Josh, will over the knowledge that the senior project and senior memory book suck, but you have to do it to the junior class.

Beulah Ayers I, Beulah, will my ability to make amazing friends to Faith Vittitoe.

Justin Bagby I, Justin, will my ability to do the least amount of work possible but still get good grades to any of the lazy underclassmen.

Autumn Baker I, Autumn, will mercy on anyone who will take pre-cal, amazing memories, good times, and great relationships with future teachers to the class of 2015.

Mackenzie Bass I, Mackenzie, will Tyler Sharpe my common sense.

Kyle Beck I, Kyle, will my ability to do my best and be successful to the junior, sophomore, and freshmen class.

Linda Bellou I, Linda, will my goodluck and height to Logan Henry.

Taylor Blain I, Taylor, will my awesome personality and breath-taking looks to my little sister Jordan. I also will my ability to miss as many days as possible and still get good grades.

Taylor Blair I, Taylor, will all of my awesome memories to Brayden Blair.

May 2014

Alex Blanford I, Alex, will my ability to procrastinate and still receive good grades to the underclassman.

Jeri Bogard I, Jeri, will my ability to be lazy and still get things done and my parking spot to Gabby Childress.

Nick Bomar I, Nick, will my ability to miss school and still somehow miraculously survive to Ethan Steilburg. Since I am going to Louisville Speed, I will my ability to go where you most desire to Ethan as well.

Caitlyn Bonzo I, Caitlyn, will my fabulous hair and my amazing high school experience to Michael McGoff.

Ariel Bosh I, Ariel, will my colorful personality to the ones who want to stand out and be colorful as well!

Blake Brewer I, Blake, will my ability to capture and tame wild horses to Jacob Moore.

Sydney Bright I, Sydney, will my cheerleading abilities to Austin Wheeler and my good looks to my brother, Daniel Mantell.

Jenna Bryant I, Jenna, love to procrastinate and then stress about it later, but I still pass.

Brittany Burks I, Brittany, will all A’s and B’s and all the GREAT, fun memories and times to all of the junior class. I also will my ability to never study for any test and still pass.

Thomas Burks I, Thomas, will memories to Hunter Burks.

Kimi Burns I, Kimi, will the ability to make memories and spend as much time with your friends and family as possible. Also, I will the opportunity to co-op because it was amazing to leave school early every day!

Good luck class of 2015, you’ll need it!

Phillip Burress I, Phillip, will my amazing features to Austin Jewell.

Darby Capito I, Darby, will my senioritis to my sister, Addy, who will be a senior next year.

Emma Caracolias I, Emma, will my ability to be open minded to new ideas and new people.

Emily Carpenter I, Emily, will my ability to succeed even through the toughest times times to Austin Carte. Have an amazing high school experience!

Shelby Carver I, Shelby, will my ability to laugh at just about everything to Cory Gollar and Nick Starkey, and a pack of depends to go along with it. Make the most of your high

school years!

Shane Childers I, Shane, will my common sense to all those underclassmen who desperately need it.

Zachary Ching I, Zachary, will my extreme apathy and ability to not write on paper for weeks at a time and still have good grades to Kayla Buckler.

John Wesley Clark I, Wesley, will the unfortunate ability to think successfully on a third shift basis only to underclassman.

Leigha Colvin I, Leigha, will my ability to not have the best attendance but still get good grades and still keep everything on track and organized.

Christin Comstock I, Christin, will my ability to keep my good grades, but pass them down to juniors.

Calvin Conaway I, Calvin, will my talents in audio and technology to Josh Yurt. Have fun buddy!!

Courtney Coogle I, Courtney, will my ability to get through high school while procrastinating to my sister, Sarah Frazier.

Matthew Cook I, Matthew, will my piece of cake schedule to Dylan Silliman so that his senior year will be as chill and fun as mine has been.

Cameron Corbell I, Cameron, will my ability to find happiness in the hardest of times to anyone who is struggling.

Austin Coulter I, Austin, will my leadership skills, nunchuck skills, and computer hacking skills to my cousin Travis Cole. I will a great junior and senior year to my girlfriend Morgan Terry.

Patrick Coyle I, Patrick, hated high school, got good grades, but leave my beanie to Kalie Hah. It has majestic powers that act as telepathical projects to kill enemy targets.

Camron Creager I, Camron, leave my ability to fall asleep in every class to Daria Reynolds.

Matthew Cumming I, Matthew, will proceed in what you want to do after high school and to make your last year fun or last two years to Jacob Ranalli, Andrew Davis, Jasmine Orr, and Luke Davis.

Austin Curtsinger I, Austin, will my phone charging station in Mrs. Brocks 6th period class.

Destiny Davis I, Destiny, will my OCD to Layne Davis.

This will keep him organized, responsible, and he will have my ability to get good grades.

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R WILLS Megan Davis I, Megan, will my ability to eat in class and get caught to Shelby Wellman.

Mallory Daugherty I, Mallory, will good friends and memories that will last a lifetime to my sister Christina Daugherty.

Kyle Defler I, Kyle, will my brother, Justin, my amazing social skills, my beautiful handwriting, and my compulsive lying.

Breanna Devine I, Breanna, will my amazing choir singing voice to Erica Hall.

Melanie Dombi I, Melanie, will a wonderful senior year to all of my underclassmen friends. I will Shelby Hester and Megan Cooke wonderful memories here at BE. Ryan Downs I, Ryan, will my parking spot to my brother as well as my locker. I will my calculator and locker to Alli Kersey and also all my late work.

Alyssa Dunn I, Alyssa, will my humor to Morgan Grant and my ability to leave for school ten minutes before the bell rings to Dustin Roeder.

Claire Elder I, Claire, will my ability to stay awake in even the most boring classes to all underclassmen. You will need it.

Erin Elmore I, Erin, will my friendliness to Brianna Elmore.

Daniel Embry I, Daniel, will my homework and pencils.

Victoria Embry I, Victoria, will my ability to speed and still not get pulled over to my sister, Whitney Embry.

Logan Ernspiker I, Logan “Ernie”, will the fact that my Jeep with 4WD will pull your truck with 2WD anywhere. Also, CHEVY SUCKS!! Will to Cole Green.

Dylan Ferguson I, Dylan, will my football ability to the OLine. I leave my good looks and swagger to Willie Foster.

Anthony Fitts I, Anthony, will my ability to make friends and be a good role model to my main chick Maria Fitts. I love you mom! And Pops!

Nicole Fladung I, Nicole, will my ability to make good grades, and never be tardy to class to Emily Brumley.

Chanz Foster I, Chanz, will my ability to make artistic ways to Andrea Parton

Layout: Maki Maki Tribe

Shelby Graham I, Shelby, will my volleyball abilities to anyone deserving and as dedicated I was.

Kelsey Gravens I, Kelsey, will my ability of being a good family member to my softball family and my catching skills to Karla Yarbs and little sister Karlee Hoffman.

Cassidy Grom I, Cassidy, will my leadership skills to Kendra Adams in hopes that she will confidently share the Gospel and lead FCA. Evan Haag I, Evan, will my ability to have a job and still get good grades to Danny Foley.

Myranda Haarman I, Myranda, pass down the “Haarman ways” to Madisyn and Spencer Haarman, which included; personality, procrastination, and all my love. Also, to all the rest of my family and friends here try to enjoy your remaining time here at Bullitt East, make the most of these short four years.

Heather Hammiel I, Heather, will my locker organizer to Rachel Hammiel, my sister, because she can be messy.

Jessica Hanna I, Jessica, will Katelyn Hanna my luck and patience because you will need it. I will you my ability to go through high school making it the best you can. But no, I do not will you the clothes in my closet so stay out! I will Samantha Mulvanney my good decision making but my ability to still come out of high school with amazing memories I will never forget. To everyone else: I will you my boredom and torture from being in my classes because I’m out!

Bri Hare I, Bri, will my softball skills to my twin Emily Salyer and my good looks to my cousin Clayton Duke Miller.

Stephen (Alex) Heimer I, Alex, will my understanding that high school is not something to be taken too seriously, my ability to slack/not care and still get great grades, my dashing good looks and my parking spot (184) to Chalan Walton.

Shay Hensen I, Shay, will my chest hair to Brandon Klefot.

Ted Hightower I, Ted, will my Netflix talents to Robert Hartley, title of strength to Zach Hopper, science skills to Steven Brown, defense and speed to Cole Stump, and singing voice to Maddie Klumb.

Dylan Hooper I, Dylan, will my salesman skills to the boys tennis team.

Jasmine Hooper I, Jasmine, will fun times, great friends, and hard work does pay off to Alyssa, Haley, Evan, and Emily.

Amberlyn Hopper I, Amberlyn, will my ability to always be positive no matter what circumstances I face to Zach Hopper.

Justin Hughes I, Justin, will my sock game to juniors because you should look good in order to do good in school. What better way to do that than having a nice sock collection?

Talayna Jesse Hear ye’, hear ye’: I, thou fairest maiden, will thy putrid gym socks. Thy blessed soul, which shall receive them, is Leah Clark.

Bianca Joplin I, Bianca, will my ability to sleep in class to Kitona Joplin.

Jeff Kemp I, Cowboy, will not sleep in school.

Evan Kerr I, The Evan Kerr, will my tenacious and bodacious bod to my still maturing brother Ian Kerr.

Megan Klefot I, Megan, will Brandon Klefot two more successful years in basketball, Bayley Dahl my followers, Ashley Webb and Dixon an exciting senior year, and all of my underclassman friends an unforgettable high school experience.

Hayley LaGrone I, Hayley, will all my great memories and success to my brother, Seth.

Salvatore Lanci I, Salvatore, will peace to those who have figured out the simplicity of it all.

Hunter Lane I, Hunter, will my ability to get away with wearing sweats half of the school year to Gabby Childress.

Joshua Lane I, Josh, will my great golfing ability and my great team spirit to Luke Whitley.

Brian Leewe I, Brian, will my parking pass 206 to the senior class of 2015.

Keenan Loudenslager I, Keenan, am moving on to bigger and better things and I’m going to experience life now! I send my love to all the whole upcoming senior class, but I really send my love to my brother Kain. I will to you, Kain Loudenslager, my ability to convince our mother to letting me stay home. Enjoy your future days off little brother, Love Ya! Katie Lucas I, Katie, will knowledge and mercy upon anyone who decides to take pre-cal, wonderful memories, and relationships that won’t be forgotten to the class of 2015.

6

SENIOR

Morgan Lucas I, Morgan, will my libero skills and crazy fun times in Lexington to Jen Cischke.

Adrian Maddox I, Adrian, will my ability to be lazy in school and get decent grades to J.T Morsey.

Brittany Marcum I, Brittany, will to Taylor Short leave all of our fun memories in Florida. To Cole Gilbert, I leave the trip to Kings Island and going 120 mph down a long country road.

Zach Marlett I, Zach, will my backseat of the tennis van to Nick Starkey.

Lori Martin I, Lori, hereby bequeath the rights to the self and identity to the former and latter generation.

Zac Masden I, Zac, will my running ability to Tate Hatfield.

Cassidy McCord I, Cassidy, will my ability to get good grades and survive high school to my sister Cayla McCord.

Elizabeth Meredith I, Elizabeth, will my sassy and sarcastic sense of humor to Alexis Dixion.

Melanie Metcalf I, Melanie, will my ability to procrastinate to Abby Pickett. I will my drama legacy to Trase Milburn. I will my good grades to Wyatt Hudson. I will my school spirit to Kahlee Hann. Finally I will my memories to Katie Cook.

Paul Miles I, Paul, will my good looks and room to Allen Miles if he wants them. I also will my ability to always be right to Amanda Edelen.

Dylan Moberly I, Dylan, will my extraordinary bouncy ball collection to Jaydon Sanders.

Kenneth Moody I, Kenneth, will my ability to be awesome, to be a person that everybody will love until the end of time to Shelby Creek.

Nathan Mullins I, Nathan, will my creativity, likeable personality, and along with a little procrastination to Shane Brown.

Samuel A. Mullins I, Samuel, being of sound(ish) mind and body hereby leave my extensive ability of woeflay to Mrs. Bailey, in the hopes of further enlightening the student population.

Jared Murdock I, Jared, will my talents of leadership, gym shorts, and responsibility to the freshmen.

Michael Murphy I, Michael, will my severe procrastination to Mark. I will my athletic ability to Hunter Simmons and I will my devilishly handsome looks to Bryan Peak.

May 2014

Max Myers I, Max, will my ability of choosing Netflix over homework and still keeping my grades up to Mikayla Calhoun.

Aaron Nall I, Aaron, will my ability to play guitar extremely well to Chase Parker.

Zach Napier I, Zach, will the sacred parking spot 98 to Michael Montgomery.

Celeste Noe I, Celeste, will the juniors my favorite teacher and my ability to keep good grades.

Kaitlyn Nutt I, Katie, will my ability to get ready every morning to Laura Acevedo.

Chandler O’Bryan I, Chandler, lend my pull-out couch to Jacob Moore, you’re welcome.

Kathryn O’Leary I, Kathryn, will my crazy loud laugh to Shelby Creek, and the ability to not ever get in trouble because of it.

Michael O’Neill I, Michael, will my ability to procrastinate and still get good grades to my brother Jarrett O’Neill and my sister Carley O’Neill.

Bradley Orkies I, Bradley, will my grades stay at an A/B average and I am passing all of my recreational classes. My friends that I see close to me are Tristan Wade, Tucker Waddell and Matthew Cook. My talents are photography and drawing, my favorite memory was going to represent my school at school basketball games.

Morgan Orr I, Morgan, will my drive to push on through whatever life may throw at you to the Marching Chargers. I will my ability to keep a smile no matter what the day may bring to Nick Wiliey. Finally, I will my pride to that of Trevor Ervin, may he use it to inspire and cheer his students for years to come.

Andrea Parton I, Andrea, will my ability to have friendships and the ability of friendly love and the memories of school to Patience Miburn.

Chase Patton I, Chase, will my baseball and pitching skills to Jake Reese, Jared Riordan, Alex Lucas, Garrett Wilson, and the rest of the baseball team.

Trevor Payton I, Trevor, will my good looks and athletic ability to Grayson Payne. I also will my humor to Jordan Blain.

Rachel Peak I, Rachel, will my confidence, my ability to get along with everyone, my love for reading, my love for writing, and my very,

very high amount of tolerance to Lindsay Neighbors.

Mackenzie Perdue I, Mackenzie, will the volleyball team another successful season, Hunter a state football ring, and Eliza my unconditional love for corgis.

Jamie Perkins I, Jamie, will my crazy adventures that go anywhere and everywhere to Kameron Vombrock.

Jenny Pinkley I, Jenny, will the best four years of high school to my little sister Emma, my ability to get work done but have fun at the same time to Kaylee Wyatt and Gabby Wasson, and my talent to play tennis to Taylor Carter and Amber Coleman.

Austen Pollard I, Austen, will my locker 117 and my ability to have fun, but still get things done to my cousin, Dillian Lamkin.

Danielle Poole I, Danielle, will my good grades to my younger brother Luke, my detective skills to Halli, my presenting skills to Sierra, and my turquoise rain boots to Amanda.

Faith Pope I, Faith, will my sarcasm to any underclassman brave enough to take on the responsibility.

Olivia Pruitt I, Olivia, will my ability and love for golf to all the golfers at Bullitt East. I wish you all the best of luck and thanks for all the great memories.

Alison Pulliam I, Alison, will a heart and passion for this community to the FCA for years to come.

Always be a 268 generation! Isaiah 26:8 Alex Ralph I, Alex, will my ability to google answers to any assignment imaginable to my sister Jessica Ralph.

Haley Randolph I, Haley, will my ability to work well under pressure and get good grades to Loren Roby.

TJ Rayhill I, TARJ, will my good driving skills to any classmen who is privileged to drive as many cars as I have. I also will my easy and short school day to any future senior who has been as successful as I have in high school.

Morgan Raymer I, Morgan, will my softball talents to the underclassmen to keep our program strong and our tradition ongoing.

Louise Reese I, Louise, will my amazing English ability to Ben Reese.

Cooper Rice I, Cooper, will my locker and my four other lockers that are all in first hall, lockers 119-

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R WILLS 123. You never know how much space you need so use the five lockers wisely and rent them out to your friends.

Courtney Riggs I, Courtney, will my ability to never listen to the lectures in class but still tend to get good grades to everybody in school.

Emily Ritchie I, Emily, will my support through easy and hard class to Morgan Utterback. Have fun with your senior year! Thank God you’re going to have easy classes though… You won’t need my Pre-Cal brain anymore!

Jessica Robertson I, Jessica, will my awesome ability to procrastinate and still get good grades, my school and all the memorable moments of high school to my sister, Jenny Robertson.

Meghan Roby I, Meghan, will all my smarts and my great athleticism to my wonderful sister Taylor Roby.

Jacob Roeder I, Jacob, will my ability to talk to females and pull good grades to Deshaun Harris.

AJ Romine I, AJ, will my love to the wonderful Kristen Dewilde. Also I would like to leave Cole Stump my D-end abilities and Thornsberry my memories. I will my ability to make friends to Meg. Joseph Runner I, Joseph, will my ability to have fun while learning the great friends and memories I made to Jason Beverly.

Jake Rush I, Jake, will my ability to grow a Beard to any underclassmen worthy.

Kelsey Russell I, Kelsey, will the ability to receive a certified nurse aid title through the vocational programs to be a nurse after I graduate.

Brooke Ryan I, Brooke, will my choir memories to Lori Rush, Mikayla Calhoun, and Kameryn Hoffman.

Alicia Schwenker I, Alicia, will my knee brace to the Bullitt East Ladies Soccer Team because you all were there to support me when my knee did not. Elizabeth, Alnee, Kayla, Taylor, Shelby, and KAyla- I love you all and I will miss you when I go away to EKU! All of you and the rest of the team made my high school experience bearable. Oh, and BEAT MERCY! E-A-S-T East East East!

Katlyn Scott I, Katlyn, will my crazy memories to Garett Scott, my poor attendance to Jessica Grayson, and my bada** attitude to Jared Guillaume.

Elena Sergiampietri I, Elena, will my exchange student memories and experiences to Amanda Layout: Maki Maki Tribe

Riposo.

Cassie Sharp Procrastination is not always a bad thing, just make sure you get good grades.

Make the best out of highschool.

Ashley Shea I, Ashley, will my now sassiness to all the underclassmen that have Sarah Akridge.

Abby Shelton I, Abby, will my ability to calculate the entire cross country team’s running splits in my head to Sierra Poppell, late nights, early mornings, and wild memories to my yearbook staff, my bus seat from sophomore year to Isaac Shelton, and finally, I will my position as editor-in-chief of the yearbook staff to no one because no one can replace me.

Taylor Short I, Taylor, will my ability to keep one real friend and not have a bunch of fake friends.

Haley Simpson I, Haley, will Isaac my awkwardness, good memories to room 324, and Garret a great four years of high school.

Tevin Smith I, Tevin, will my chicken patty Tuesdays and my wrestling abilities to Nate Sneed. I will my intelligence to Sarah Link.

Madison Swan I, Madison, will my 1st chair + amazing trombone playing abilities to Travis Houpt.

Marc Spalding I, Marc, will my rank/position to the next person in Jr Guard.

Kyle Starkey I, Kyle, will to Nick Starkey sanity in this asylum.

Cambron Stewart I, Cambron, will an amazing four years of high school to JB and CY, my ability to lead the redzone to BS, and DM three more victorious soccer seasons.

Devan Strong I, Devan, will my ability to procrastinate and still get good grades to Logan Henry.

Taylor Szukis I Taylor, will my hope for humanity to the future generations, because I have none left.

Wesley Taylor I, Wes, will my great class schedule of five classes to all underclassman.

Garrett Tingle I, Garrett, will my parking spot to one of my very good friends, Shane Satori.

Meridith Tompkins I, Meridith, will my ability to have a good relationship with teachers and reach all goals that have been set to Savannah Smith.

Ezra Richard Troutman I, Ezra, will my ability to entertain people

through the power of BECN to Brayden Blair. Also, I will Cruise Coulter’s treehouse to Jalin Troutman. Slimpickins.

Rhett Troutman I, Rhett, will my entire body to science and to Mrs. Payne’s future classes.

Tucker Waddell I, Tucker, will my ability to procrastinate and still get good grades to Tyler Smith.

Andrew Wagner I, Andrew, will my ability to learn what is being taught in class while also sleeping.

Lauren Waldridge I, Lauren, will my brother Hunter Waldridge a happy and successful last few years of school.

Celeste Walsh I, Celeste, will my saxophone “chocolate thunder” to Sophia Tellman and my love to Joshua Logsdon.

Kylar Ware I, Kylar, will a wonderful tennis season next year to Cory Gollar, Taylor Carter, Amber Coleman, and Savannah Kruse. I hope that it is filled with good memories, I’ll miss you guys!

Daniel Watts I, Daniel, will my memorization skills to Brandon Brown, my spider-man ability to Molly Laughlin, and my senior-itis to Wyatt Hudson. May you cherish these gifts for eternity.

Jordan Weldon I, Jordan, will my ability to get away with never paying for dress down and get food from the teacher’s lounge without getting caught to underclassmen.

Danielle Wheeler I, Dannie, will my attitude to all those who doubt themselves and my thanks to my second mom, CG. Without her I don’t know how I would have made it.

Andy Winans I, Andy, will my parking spot #59 to my boy Trent Merideth.

Sydney Wiseheart I, Sydney, will my strength and my perseverance to any student who feels like giving up. “where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”

Tobias Wolff I, Tobias, will my ability to understand languages and speak in a German accent to Joe Watts.

Deena Yeager I, Deena, will locker 540 to my good friend Michelle Martin.

Tyler York I, Tyler, will my leadership role in the RedZone to Paul Eldridge, and my athletic ability to Wheeler.

Jazmin Zamalloa I, Jazmin, will my parking spot and food to my brother Patrick Zamalloa.

8

Louisville Area

ARE WE THERE YET? ACADEMICS December 2013

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

Layout: Mackenzie Haley Simpson Perdue

10

Emily Ritchie

SPALDING UNIVERSITY

Celeste Noe

LOUISVILLE SCHOOL OF MASSAGE

Rebecca Sparks Taylor Alvey

GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING

Louisville, KY Morgan Orr Melanie Metcalf Alex Ralph Myranda Haarman Meghan Roby Taylor Blain

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY

Bowling Green, KY Katie Lucas~Joseph Runner Megan Vance~Cameron Creager Tyler York~Emma Caracolias Phillip Burress~Trevor Payton Darby Capito~Jordan Weldon Heather Hammiel~Sydney Bright Cassidy McCord~Paul Miles Elizabeth Meredith~Mackenzie Perdue Chandler O’Bryan~Megan Vance

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Murray, KY Morgan Lucas

MURRAY STATE

Upland, IN Cassidy Grom

TAYLOR UNIVERSITY

New Albany, IN Devan Strong Josh Lane Faith Pope Andrea Parton

INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTHEAST

Notre Dame, IN Morgan Raymer Kayla Raymer

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

Los Angeles, CA Daniel Embry

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Rexburg, ID Caitlyn Bonzo

BYU-IDAHO

Lexington, KY Cambron Stewart~Abigail Shelton Bianca Joplin~Haley Simpson Emily Carpenter~Shelby Graham Mackenzie Bass~Katlyn Scott Madison Swan~Ted Hightower Emily Fryman~Brandon Samuels

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

Campbellsville, KY TJ Rayhill Zach Napier Sydney Wiseheart

CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY

Bardstown, KY Kelsey Gravens

ST. CATHERINE COLLEGE

Jessica Hanna

EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL

Meridith Tompkins Cameron Corbell

PAUL MITCHELL HAIR SCHOOL

Jasmine Hooper Lexie Ferguson Mallory Daughtery

SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY

Brittany Burks~Kaitlyn Nutt Justin Bagby~Shelby Wilson Cassie Sharp~Lauren Waldridge Brooke Ryan~Nicole Fladung Evan Haag~Garrett Tingle Taylor Blair~Austin Curtsinger Kaylan Anderson~Kimi Burns Cassandra Adams~Erin Elmore Justin Hughes~Olivia Pruitt Courtney Riggs~Beluah Ayers

JCTC

Louisville, KY Patrick Coyle~Kathryn O’Leary Jenny Pinkley~Brittany Marcum Sarah Fife~Danielle Poole Jessica Robertson~Jamie Perkins Ariel Bosh~Dylan Hooper Rachel Peak~Bri Hare Wesley Clark~Katelyn Alcorn Destiny Davis~Danielle Wheeler Ashley Shea~Breanna Devine Shane Childers~Brennan Hayes Blake Allen

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

Michael O’Neill~Tevin Smith Tucker Waddell ~Jared Murdock Nathan Mullins~Blake Brewer Austin Coulter~Daniel Acosta Logan Ernspiker~Linda Bellou Jacob Roeder~Sydney Wiseheart Breanna Devine

MILITARY

Bradley Orkies Rhett Troutman Jake Rush Kyle Beck Leigha Colvin Megan Klefot Taylor Szkius Lucas Alcorn Kenneth Moody Brian Leeve Zach Marlett Amberlyn Hopper Andrew Waggner

UNDECIDED

Richmond, KY Zac Masden Alicia Schwenker Masi Sanders Kendall Mayfield

EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Berea, KY Megan Davis

BEREA COLLEGE

Williamsburg, KY Tyler Krauth Autmn Baker

UNIVERSITY OF CUMBERLANDS

Morehead, KY Louise Reese Amanda Alford

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY

Highland Heights, KY Melanie Dombi

NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Tuscaloosa, AL Hayley LaGrone

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

Lynchburg, VA Alison Pulliam

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Miami, FL Jazmin Zamalloa

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

YOUR COLLEGE QUESTIONS ANSWERED

ANDREW GOTT

Western Kentucky Admissions Counselor

BY ISAAC SHELTON

JIShelton362@gmail.com l @Isaacshelton1

1. Q-Key things that you look for on an application?

A- At Western Kentucky we mostly look at scores. A student can be accepted if they have a reasonable GPA, ACT, or SAT. Students who want to be accepted need to have an ACT composite score of 20 or greater. You can also be accepted if you have a SAT (math + critical reading) of 940 or higher. Finally, you could be accepted to WKU if you have an unweighted high school GPA of 2.50 or higher; students who want to apply for WKU need to achieve the required CAT score.

2. Q-What would you say is more important, GPA or the strength of the class?

A- Western Kentucky looks at your GPA score. If you’re applying for a scholarship then we [admission officers] will look at the strength of the class.

3. Q-What are certain things that you would not like on an appli-

cation? What looks better on an application, being really involved or having a high GPA? A- Western is one of those weird schools that really focus on the students’ scores. If you have a low score, especially if they [the student] have both a low GPA and ACT score. Like I said before, Western Kentucky is a school based on scores. Normally, we look at a student’s GPA score. If a student was applying for honors, then we [admission officers] will look at the student’s involvement and GPA scores.

4. Q-What are some of the best ways to get

involved in college?

A- This question really stood out to me, colleges in general offer so many ways to get involved. There are academic groups, religious groups, sports, and even performing arts. There is really something for everyone.

December May 2014 2013

5. Q-How important is it to know what career path you want to fol-

low when you apply for college?

A- It’s not really important; there are a large amount of students who don’t know what they want to do with their lives. There are even more students that think they know what they want to do and change their career field. It’s totally fine to keep your options open and explore different career fields.

6.Q-How crucial is your ACT score?

A- When you apply for a scholarships it’s pretty important, most colleges look at the ACT, GPA, strength of the class, and the students involvement. If you have a higher ACT score you will have a higher chance of getting a scholarship.

7. Q-Does the high school you go to affect your decision?

A-No, a lot of universities don’t even know about the school. They [general admission officers] are looking at high schools all over the state. Normal admission officers wouldn’t know the difference between Bullitt East and Bullitt Central. It is especially difficult to determine a school’s reputation if the school was out of state.

8. Q-Do you really check social media to determine your decision?

A- Admission officers at WKU don’t check social media. I’ve traveled with other admission officers that do check social media.

I do follow people on Twitter and I usually just turn a blind eye.

9.

Q-Is it better for a student to know more than one language going into college?

A- When you go into college, WKU especially, you are required to have two credits of the same language

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

BOP TO THE TOP 10

BY HALEY STEINMETZ

haley.steinmetz72@gmail.com | @haley_steinmetz

Class rank (specifically the top ten) has always been a big deal at Bullitt East, but opinions about it, and even traditions involving it, have started to change.

The debate about whether or not the top ten students should be honored and recognized as much as they are has been going on for a long time, but now administrators and other groups are stepping in and doing something about it.

Many students and even staff members argue about whether or not class rank is an accurate evaluation of how smart a student is. While being in the top ten is considered an accomplishment, it may not really be worth all that it takes to get there. The bottom line is, there are more important things that colleges look for in an applicant.

Some people say that being in the top ten is a big deal and should be a goal for students.

The people that think that agree that being in the top ten means you are one of the ten smartest people in the school.

On the other hand, other people tend to argue that being in the top ten is not a big deal and doesn’t prove how smart a person is. Junior Tate Hatfield said, “I think it [the top ten] evaluates who tried the hardest and who made the best effort.”

To further prove Hatfield’s point, Kwasi Enin, a 17 year old who lives in New York, was recently accepted into all eight ivy league universities (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, Pennsylvania, and Yale). This is an astonishing accomplishment, considering the Ivy League colleges are the Layout: Isaac Shelton, Cassidy Grom, Haley Steinmetz

most elite in the entire nation and are extremely difficult to be accepted into. However, Enin was one of the very few to not only apply to all eight, but to be accepted into all eight.

Take all that into consideration, and then take into account that his class rank was eleventh.

Now I’m not for sure, but I’m willing to bet that, considering he got into every single Ivy League university, he’s probably pretty smart.

I’d say he might even be the smartest in his school, yet he’s not in the top ten of his class.

That being said, the validity of the top ten is questionable.

Not only do those people consider the top ten unreliable and invalid, there is a large group of people that disagree with the idea that there should even be a top ten. So many people think this, in fact, that Bullitt East and other surrounding schools no longer celebrate or honor the students who do make the top ten. This is the first year that the changes will be implemented in graduation. The decision was made by the directors, the assistant superintendents, and the superintendent.

“Basically valedictorian or salutatorian no longer exist, they’ve been replaced with magna cum laude and summa cum laude,” explained Tammi Terry, a counselor at East. Terry is also the senior sponsor, which means she coordinates graduation and the events around it. To qualify for magna cum laude, students must have a 4.0 GPA or above. Currently, East has 50 students who qualify for it. Summa Cum Laude, on the other hand, takes at least a 4.26 GPA. Only six people at East currently qualify for it.

Most of the people in the top ten have GPAs that are over a 4.0. To get that, they have to take AP classes which count as weighted

grades. For those students, that means countless hours of studying, homework, and about ninety dollars for every AP test they take. If they’re doing it just to learn or become smarter, that’s great. But to me, it sounds a little excessive just to be in the top ten. Dana Steinmetz, counselor, said, “I’ve had students in the past that are so overwhelmed and stressed because they’re in six AP classes as a senior that they can’t get a job and they really need one, or they can’t be the captain of their sports team or the president of FCA. Those are things they’ve always wanted to do but they can’t because they don’t have time since they have so many hours of homework a night.” This shows that taking many AP classes just to be in the top ten can get in the way of other aspects of life, such as relationships and involvement.

Being in the top ten students of your class is not the most important thing colleges look for in an applicant, they also look at how involved you are and how well rounded you are. However, if you simply do not have the time to do anything else but study and do homework, it becomes very hard for you to actually get involved and be well-rounded. Colleges also take into account your ACT or SAT score, which doesn’t factor into your GPA. At the end of the day, it boils down to your priorities. If you’re shooting for the top ten, good for you.

But still try to realize that it may not be the most important thing in the world. And if you aren’t in the top ten, know that it doesn’t make you stupid. Regardless of your goals or class rank, being smart or getting a good education is all about how hard you work and how determined you are, and building up a good resume means more than just being number one in your class.

12

EAST SAYS ADIOS TO IT’S ROOTS As the year concludes, East must say goodbye to two retiring teachers. Gil Hardin and Cesar Torres. The LIvewire sat down with the mentors and their friends to discuss the impact that they are leaving on the Charger Nation.

BY SAMMY EWING

sewing600@gmail.com @sammy_ewing_

CESAR TORRES El profesor de Lengua extranjera, Cesar Torres Sr., se está jubilando.

Or in English, Foreign language teacher, Cesar Torres, is retiring.

With more than eight years of teaching Spanish and Latin American Culture at Bullitt East, Torres has decided to retire. Students and staff are sad over the fact and will miss him when he leaves. In retirement, Torres plans to continue with his hobby of fixing up old Volkswagens.

Throughout the time working at East, it has become his second home.

“I have just become so close and comfortable with the school that it has become a home for me. I will miss all the great memories that I share with the school and the faces of the students that I have helped along the years,” stated Torres.

Many staff and students started to feel as if Torres had become a part of their family. Cross Country and Trackand Field coach Lenny Raley expressed how close Torres has gotten to the Track team and how all of them are thankful for the help Torres has provided as an assistant coach. “Over the past three years of Torres assisting me with coaching, he has joined our track family. With his prior knowledge to the sport, he has helped our program grow,” stated Raley.

Retiring due to health problems, Torres plans to spend his retirement relaxing, getting better, and picking up his hobby of fixing up old Volkswagens.

GIL HARDIN This is not a joke: Hardin is retiring.

Known for his corny jokes, Gil Hardin has decided to leave the Math department and retire.

After twenty plus years of working at Bullitt East, Hardin is leaving.

Staff and students will miss him and his jokes dearly. Once in retirement, Hardin plans to golf, relax, and spend time with his grandchildren.

Over the years, Hardin has become very close to the staff and students and finds it very hard to leave them. “This school is really magical. The kids don’t realize really how great it is until they have to leave.

The staff and teachers here are amazing and I love working here. I’ll miss the kids more than anything though, I love teaching and working with kids, and that’s why I’ve stuck around for the past three or four years even though I could’ve retired,” stated Hardin.

Students and staff will miss Hardin when he subtracts from East. “I will miss him, he taught me that solving problems in the real world isn’t about plugging something into an equation, you must learn to do things on your own,” stated senior, Kyle Starkey.

The reason for retiring is due to health issues being brought upon Hardin and the fact that he will be making the same amount of money retired as he would be working. As for what he is doing during retirement, Hardin has it all planned out. “The funny answer I give everyone is drink, chase women, and play golf. But actually, I plan on spending more time with my grandchildren and be a substitute teacher every once in a while to keep my mind active,” explained Hardin.

May 2014

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

2014 LIVEWIRE TEACHER OF THE YEAR After only being at East for a year and a half, Mrs. Jennie Nelson has impacted so many students in a positive way.

BY SAL LANCI

salvatore.lanci@gmail.com

Don’t write her off. She’s the write one for the job.

Creative Writing and English II teacher Jennie Nelson wins Livewire teacher of the year.

Despite being at Bullitt East for just under two years, Nelson has had a big influence on her students. With her personality, she has connected not only with her students, but also with the teachers she works with. Nevertheless, Nelson hopes that she contributes to the academic success of a student in addition to connecting with her students.

Even though Nelson began teaching here last year, her teaching style has allowed her to positively affect her students. One of Nelson’s English II students, Sonny Foreman, thinks that she won because, “on the real, she, like, always helps you if you need it and you can really tell that she legitimately cares about her students.”

Evidence for Nelson’s dedication to her work is that she is one of the first teachers here and one of the last to leave. Fellow English teacher and room-sharer Andrea Isaacs noted about her commitment, “I remember her watching her teach HAVPA last year which is an elective and I would be in the classroom for my planning and she would have these

amazing lessons and she had kids up and learning dances and putting on these massive art projects and presented these ridiculous prezis every single day that she had created.”

Part of Nelson’s ability in getting kids to do this is her purposeful interactions with them.

Isaacs stated, “I can name so many teachers that care about their kids but it manifests in different ways. She is noticeably connected to as many children in this building as possible and I can’t say that about any other teacher.

I think it’s hard enough to care for the kids we’re supposed to be responsible for that maybe I don’t always see the opportunities for the kids who are not on my radar but she always finds a way to remember their names ask them questions and it doesn’t matter if they’re on her radar or not.”

Another way that Nelson connects with her students is by relating her personal stories to her English class. Nelson stated, “I end up relating stories a lot to curriculum, especially teaching sophomores for English. It’s always related to how we use rhetoric, how you actually use Caesar. Hopefully no one will ever have to worry about having a Cassius in your life, but you might, you never know.”

relationships. Isaacs stated, “She values a good rapport with her colleagues and makes sure that they’re being held accountable for caring about their students as well. She’s not discriminatory” based on age, experience, or department.

Nelson wants to provide consistent empathy for her students, but she also wants to give them academic rigor, even if it means making them stand on their desks to prevent them from sleeping. She stated that now is “the time in brain development you become stagnant. This is why we have apathy in adolescents because your brain is literally, like, plateauing, while in your twenties you peak again so you start seeing people in college go, ‘Oh my gosh! This is what I want to do with my life!’ and I want them to find that now because if you can...harness that curiosity [now]-I don’t even care if it’s about English; I mean, it should be about English because everyone uses English to speak, but I don’t care if it’s about English-but if you can find that curious spark and harness it early, then you’re five years ahead of the game. Even if you’re not the smartest cookie, you’re still ahead of the game.”

Although forming student relationships is important to Nelson, so is developing teacher

Layout: Jennifer Cischke and Kendall Mayfield l Photo: Hayley Lagrone, Mackenzie Perdue

14

The Questions:

PROGRESSION

1. What’s the hardest part of your day?

2. What’s the favorite part of your day?

W

e really do have a problem - our society that is.

We wish away youth, but evade getting elderly.

And we usually forget the little things - like seeing a hundred different shapes in the clouds when we were little.

Or what all that crazy anticipation leading up to our first kisses felt like. Or that first time behind the wheel of a car, the windows down, the radio up, and the parents at home. I’ll admit, growing up does have its perks. But, sometimes, growing up is just hard.

People change as time goes on. Mentalities evolve to meet the constraints of bitter realities. The Livewire staff worked to illustrate progression, give insight into the minds of others, and allow people to revisit the past and glance at the future. And most of all, to highlight some of the little things you may have forgotten or have yet to discover.

3. What job do you want when you get older? (or what job did/do you have?)

4. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?

5. What are your thoughts on marriage? (How long have you been married?)

6. What does a hero look like?

Kirsten Elizabeth Stone 2004, 9 years old Taylorsville, Kentucky

Emily Rose Petri 1998, 16 years old Mt. Washington, Kentucky

Alyssa Christine Reister 1992, 22 years old Mt. Washington, Kentucky

JD and Kathleen William JD: 1931, 83 years old Kathleen: 1932, 82 years old Louisville, Kentucky

1. Math cause you have to learn to multiply decimals and like divide decimals and things like that.

2. Science cause you get to learn more stuff about nature and you get to do fun stuff. We did Oreo faces of the moons and we dissected owl poop.

3. I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals and I want to help them when they are sick.

I want to work with big and small animals.

4. Probably get a lot of acres for my farm and my horses.

5. I don’t know that one. Some boys are cuter.

6. A hero is awesome and strong and powerful and humble and they can fly and they wear superman suits.

1. The hardest part of my day is waking up in the morning and having to get out of bed.

2. My favorite part of the day is getting home to take off my shoes and watch TV and relax.

3. When I get older I want to become a marine biologist. I love knowing there is a whole nother world under water and so many different species.

4.If I had $1 Million, I would pay off our house and cars and buy a new camper and car then ask what my family needs. I would also take a nice vacation.

5. I believe that if you love someone, you should first move in with them. If you can stand them after that, then you should get married.

6. A hero is seen helping other and one who is an underdog.

Most heros aren’t popular but in the end are seen as caring and kind.

1. The hardest part of my day, everyday is getting out of bed in the morning. There’s no such thing as “enough sleep” once you’re in college.

2. My favorite part of my day is enjoying my morning coffee and reading the news before the madness begins.

3. Well, right now I am in nursing school to get my bachelors in nursing. I want to do traveling nursing across the US and possibly other countries. My main interest right now is in pediatrics.

4. If I had 1 million dollars, shoo.

I would finish college than take off traveling the world. Buying houses all over so I could just visit them all whenever I wanted.

I guess I would invest a little and give some to charity, because it’s the “mature” thing to do.

5. Oh marriage. I believe everyone should marry their best friend and do everything in their power to make it work till death do them part. The reason our grandparents marriages all last is because they go by the mentality, “If it’s broke you fix it, not replace it.” I believe our generation is too quick to “replace” when things aren’t working.

6. A hero is someone that is completely selfless and willing to do anything to better others and the world around them without giving their own benefit a second thought.

1. JD: Sitting and not being able to run around like we used to.

We don’t get to explore like we used to.

2. JD: The morning when we are able to get out of bed. It’s a blessing to know that we are still alive for another day.

3. JD: 34 years driving a forklift; Kathleen: Worked in a grocery, raised children and grandchildren.

4. JD: We would give it away to my children and grandchildren.

Kathleen: We would give it to people who are hungry and in need.

5. JD: Do you know Kathleen?

Wasn’t it 60 years? No longer than that. We got married in 1951, so 62 years. If you love your companion, you can’t beat it.

6. Kathleen: Somebody that does good for somebody else. I would say my hero would be my husband. He’s taken good care of me.

fOR INFORMATION ON THE STORY BEHIND THE PICTURES, FOLLOW THIS LINK.

May 2014

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

THE LAST FOUR YEARS BY: NICK KINSER

professional.nicholas.kinser@gmail.com l @nicholaskinser So, here we are. Four years after the fact.

A couple weeks ago I was sitting on my Grandmother’s porch in Leitchfield, Kentucky having a conversation with my father. In any conversation we have, I always like to let him talk. No matter what we’re talking about, I always like to let him talk. Something that he always finds humorous to talk about, and I find quite interesting myself, are the many stories that came out of the four years he spent in and around Edmonson County High School. He talked of all the odd teachers he had, one in specific that liked to throw erasers at sleeping students. He talked about a principal who, at that time, with the ability to punish children physically, beat the backs of my father’s knees in with a leather belt. He talked about him and his wild friends and all the ridiculous shenanigans they got themselves into. My favorite story perhaps is when he and his best friend skipped school to play pool, eventually getting caught by his friend’s father who just so happened to be a police officer. He talked about the many sports he played, especially baseball, and the awesome experience of getting to watch his school’s basketball team win a state competition. He continued to talk, and during a pause in his nostalgia I asked him, “What do you think was the most amazing part about your high school class?” He seemed a bit confused. In a roundabout way he explained the class wasn’t too important to everyone. There was no metaphorical spirit glue holding everyone together, it was just high school.

He spun his own question back to me, “Why do you ask? Have things changed?”

“Yeah Dad, things have changed a lot.”

Looking back at the last four years, it would be a lie to say that the class of 2014 has been anything less than extraordinary within the long, proud timeline of the Charger Nation. As a class we have excelled beyond any expectation in sports and scholastics and have, hand in hand, gone through many tragic losses together. We have been filtered and re-filtered through three different schedules, lost and regained an almost entirely new administration, flashed red and gold in Rupp twice, forged the most

Layout: Jennifer Cischke and Kim Flaherty

remarkable student sport section in the state, shot through the national ACT score expectation, built bigger, stronger clubs, and lost more valued souls than ever need be. It is because of these things that this class has become, at the least, recognizable, but at the most, noteable.

It’s difficult to look back at these last four years and see how much death that has pushed its way into our community. We, as a class and as a school, have faced the lost lives of loved teachers, students, friends, and family members. Whether by suicide or other fateful events, we have all mourned together. Within these closing weeks of school, we honor the passings of these last four years. Daniel Goodlett, David ‘Kevin’ Conklin, Mr. Brian Walters, and Jacob Brainer.

It’s quite obvious that within the last four years, things have changed a bit. Exiting our sophomore year and returning as juniors we not only walked back onto Bullitt East ground with a different scheduling system, but an almost completely reinvented administration. Senior Cambron Stewart commented, “It feels like all the assistant principals, along with Mr. Foster, are all really understanding and they like to make school more of a fun experience,” he affirms, “they’re all really friendly and easy to talk to, and if you’re in trouble it really feels like they try to help you out.” Stewart stated, “Honestly, if we hadn’t gotten this new administration, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the rest of high school.”

Along with our new administration came a new A/B scheduling system that deviated the framework of our junior year away from our usual block scheduling. Along with this, we returned our senior year to a new seven-period scheduling system. So, over the last four years, with three different class scheduling systems, which one is the best? Out of a group of twenty seniors, with twelve out of the twenty votes, block scheduling was the winner. In second, with six votes was seven-period, and last with two votes was A/B scheduling. Obviously, everyone has their own opinion. Senior Alex Hiemer stated, “Honestly, I feel like block was the best,” Hiemer went on to say,

“You got the most instruction time in each of your classes, at least per day, and I feel like it helped me get more worth out of all my classes while at the same time not being as stressed out because you’re only dealing with four classes at a time.”

Without a doubt there has been a prominent spirit uproar in the Charger Nation our final year roaming these red and gold halls. With two state showings under their belt, the boy’s basketball team, along with the returning Coach Bobby Blackburn, set high standards for their 2014 run. Despite the fall to PRP in regionals, a strong, new bookmark for the Red Zone Rowdies was put in Bullitt East’s history books. Senior Blake Brewer stated, “We may have not gone to Rupp this year but the Red Zone made every venue feel like Rupp, that’s what I think was the most prominent thing about RZR this year.” The Red Zone has always been a staple point in BE’s pride. This pride was also shown during the football season. Stewart also said, “Although I think the Red Zone showed out well during the football season, what separates the football season’s Red Zone from the basketball season’s Red Zone is that we really opened up the basketball events to freshman and sophomores.” Brewer affirmed, “Everything with RZR was probably the highlight of my senior year.”

The Livewire staff offers this article as commemoration to these last four years. That being said, we can’t cover everything, we didn’t cover everything.

Sadly, we just don’t have that kind of time and space. But, we want to hear your stories, all of them.

So, although this article will be covering some of the many things that have happened, we offer everyone who has been apart of these last four years the opportunity to send your stories to the e-mail provided (professional.nicholas.kinser@gmail.com). As your stories are received they will be tweeted out in links to our website via The Livewire twitter account.

Once again, we’d like to emphasize if there is something that we don’t cover in this article that you feel strongly about and would liked to be covered, send us your story to the e-mail provided below, it is our hope to make everyone feel not only a part of this article, but a part of this story that we all share.

16

BANDING TOGETHER

BY SALVATORE LANCI salvatore.lanci@gmail.com

Take some notes.

Senior band members reminisce about their band experience.

While starting band might have just been because they wanted to play an instrument, band is much more than a bunch of people making music together. Band makes a class into a family and develops its members into leaders.

We all have that quirky story of why we started doing something and the band members are no different. Senior trombone player Madison Swan started playing the trombone “actually as a joke. Mrs. Greer asked us in sixth grade if anybody wanted to switch instruments and someone dared me to raise my hand and she was like ‘Great! I’ll put you on trombone!’ and it just kind of stuck.”

A little less spontaneous and a lot less selective of her instrument(s) of choice, senior tenor saxophonist Katie Glauber plays every single woodwind except the flute. “In fifth grade I played clarinet and then in sixth grade I switched to alto saxophone and then I switched to tenor saxophone and then everything else kind of fell into place, except the flute.”

May 2014

The band members have developed strong bonds with each other since they are with each other so often. Senior tuba player Morgan Orr said, “I’ve been in band for eight years and a lot of stuff has happened in eight years and it’s kind of given me a place to go to whenever I had a problem and people to talk to.”

Glauber added, “In marching band you become like a family. You spend over 30 hours a week with each other and you spend the night with each other for competitions, so you just get to know each other really well.”

Swan joked, “I seriously think I spend more time in the band room than I do at home.”

In addition to cultivating their musical prowess and improving their sociability, band has inwardly strengthened those within it. Swan said, “[Because of band] I’m a lot better at the trombone now...Pretty much all of my leadership roles have come from being in band. I was field commander of the marching band this year and section leader last year. And I’ve learned to connect with people easier and got over my fear of talking in front of people. It’s helped me break out of my shell.”

to make yourself better. Orr stated, “[Band] teach [es] leadership skills. In marching band, you have to rely on your friends to let you know what you’re doing wrong and I have to step up a little bit and let the younger ones know what they’re doing wrong.”

Despite band having a great impact on their high school careers, some of the seniors plan on taking different paths in regards to band after high school. While they want to participate in band, how they are going to do it varies.

Glauber asserted, “I will march in college.”

Swan said, “I’m not majoring in it or anything,” but she would like to join the trombone choir at the University of Kentucky where she will be attending next year.

Orr doesn’t know if it will be through college or through organizations or as an extracurricular, but like the others, he wants to continue his participation in band.

However, leadership is more than just trying ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW EAST STUDENTS?

BY TIFFANY PRELL & PEYTON MAKI @tiffffmprell23 | @makipeyton

Progression of all sorts of relationships plays a huge role at East.Try and see if you can match up some of East students’ relationships!

1.

2.

Shelby Graham

Matt Cook

3.

Jenny Pinkley & Kylar Ware

4.

Hunter Shannonhouse

6.

Cruise Coulter, Ezra Troutman & Rhett Troutman

Kristen Dadisman & Josh Stearns

5.

7.

BrookeAnn Armstrong & Connor O’Bryan

8.

Mackenzie Bass & Derek Willis

This couple has been together for three years.

They met through mutual friends during her freshman year, his senior year.

This couple has been together for five years, only breaking up once for 4 months. She considers him a best friend, not just a boyfriend.

At the beginning of this student’s senior year, he got into a serious relationship. This has really made him grow as a person.

This senior has been impacted a lot throughout high school due to her family. They’ve made her a much more independent person.

This couple has been together for three years.

They started out as friends first, and then bonded through basketball.

This group of senior boys has been friends for as long as they can remember. They bond through athletics and think of themselves as brothers.

This senior used to ride BMX bikes at the beginning of high school, but has now been a cheerleader at East for two years.

These two seniors have been friends since they were in the third grade.

Their busy schedules have been a conflict, but they’ve been able to work through it.

A

E

B

F

C

G

D

H

1.) G 2.) D 3.) H 4.) C 5.) A 6.) F 7.) B 8.) E

Layout: Kim Flaherty, Tiffany Prell, and Peyton Maki

18

CHARGER CHANGE

UP

BY HALEY SIMPSON

@haleysimp7 l haley.simpson7@gmail.com

There’s so much room for activities.

Starting the 2014-2015 school year, Bullitt East will be reorganized, and many teachers will be uprooted from the rooms they have been in for years.

Next year with the opening of the College and Career Readiness building, the school will be reorganized in what seems to be an attempt to strengthen the departments. While the intentions for the move are good, there are worries about the new building being open in time and the impending problems the move may cause. Students are for the most part frustrated about the move because it will possibly cause more hallway traffic problems with more people leaving each hall and it is another year with major changes.

English teacher Jennie Nelson believes that the move will strengthen the departments and enhance the educational process for students.

Right now, the entire English department is scattered throughout the school, and Nelson is a cart teacher. “I think this will undoubtedly benefit departments. We’ll be able to keep each other accountable on rigorous curriculum but also be a launching pad because we can just walk out in the hallway and talk about our lessons and take that information back into the classroom,” said Nelson.

However, not all of the departments will be put together. The science department is be-

ing separated in order to suit the Freshman Academy. When the teachers move, several of the science teachers will be moved into first hall, where there are actual science labs.

Take English teacher Brian Brashear’s current room for example. Right now it is being used as an English classroom even though it is designed to be a science room. Biology teachers such as Chris Ryan and Shannon Payne will be separated when Payne moves from third hall to first hall because the Freshman Academy needs her room. Payne will also be the only member of the science department who will not be in the new wing with the rest of the science departments.

It’s not just Payne and the science department who are feeling the heat. Business teacher Amanda Comstock is moving into the College and Career Readiness center from second hallway where she has been for several years. “I think the move will be great, but I’ll miss everyone,” said Comstock.

There are also worries from the teachers that the new College and Career Readiness building will not be open in time for school to start.

This can cause many issues if that happens.

Many teachers will be left roomless at the beginning of the school year until it opens. If that happens, it will be detrimental to the education of students. Currently, the building is on track to be completed by the end of June.

“The teachers will have time to move into the building and get their classrooms ready,” said principal Willie Foster.

Currently, hallway traffic is just one of the issues that plagues student life at Bullitt East.

Five minutes is barely enough time for some students to make it across the school for their classes. Sometimes just walking from third hall to the new wing can be a daunting task that can take an entire class change. With the school being organized by departments, the traffic can only be expected to increase. You will have hundreds of students leaving one hallway just to go another, only creating more

traffic problems. The exodus will more than likely cause major backups in the hallways.

“I just don’t think this is going to work. With a bunch of people trying to leave the same hallway at once, it just won’t flow well,” said junior, Abbie Howell.

Another disadvantage that comes with reorganizing the school is that this will be the third year in a row where the student body has undergone a major change. During the 20122013 school year, Bullitt East started their first schedule change, the AB schedule. After that year, the administration made the decision to change the schedule again to the new seven period day schedule. The past two years have been hard on the student body, especially the junior class. The juniors have been strung through every change the past two years, and they are about to undergo a final one before they graduate. “It’s something different every year I’ve been here. It’s so inconsistent because once you get used to something, they change it,” said junior Daria Reynolds.

Tradition is one thing that Bullitt East boasts with pride. Excelling in athletics and academics is something that the community has come to expect from their high school. Few outside the school know about the traditions that happen on a daily basis to make Bullitt East have its friendly environment. One example is social studies and English teachers, Nate Fulghum and Andrea Isaac’s “Friday Song”.

Every Friday the two teachers gather their classes outside to do the “Friday Song”. The song unites the two classes and has become a regular tradition for the two teachers. When the move takes place both Fulghum will move into third hallway with the social studies department, and Isaac’s to first hallway with the English department. Inevitably ending the “Friday Song” for the two teachers. “I would love to continue the Friday song, it’s something the kids love, but ultimately if we are spread all around the school that’s something I’ll have to talk to Mr. Foster about the disruption of the educational process,” said Fulghum.

To read more about the room swap situation and where everyone is moving to next year, go here.

May 2014

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20

SPORTS

FROM BEAUTY TO BEAST

BY JESSICA HANNA

jessicahanna@gmail.com | @JessNicole8

Kelsey Gravens has had the same hobby since she was five years old and still continues that interest. That passion is the game of softball.

Any sport takes hard work, determination, and focus. Kelsey has had all of those qualities that have made her successful and plenty more. You have your standard athletes in high school who love wearing a uniform and being a part of something more than just school and their circle of friends; they are at every practice and still put work in but you can always tell others are giving more effort.

They goof around and don’t take many things seriously and they don’t take much of the coaching that’s given to them. Then you have your out-of-the-ordinary athlete that outshines the others because they work twice as hard.

They have the best stats on the team and all of their opponents know exactly who they are before they even step on the field. They eat, breathe, and live sports. Surprisingly, both of these types of athletes describe Gravens. The only difference is that she used to be the normal athlete but is now the outstanding athlete.

As a freshman walking into the big leagues, it was a struggle to start taking the coaching and critism from the people around her, especially the coaches because that was something she wasn’t really used to. “Kelsey has always been a good athlete, but has improved in her knowledge of the game and her attitude and work ethic. Freshman and May 2014

sophomore year Kelsey was learning the game and learning what it takes to be a wellrounded player and leader but did not accept coaching very well,” says Varsity head coach, Ricky Hoffman.

Gravens has always been a catcher, even when she was little. Coming into high school she had the opportunity to look up to upperclassmen on the team that played in the positions she did and to see what level of talent it took to start varsity. With all those upperclassmen she knew it would take a while until she got her chance to shine.

Her later years were a little different. “Junior and senior year, she became a student of the game and developed a work ethic that put her above and beyond to improve her ability and knowledge of the game. She became a coachable player and leader and now understands what it takes to be a winner,” said Hoffman.

Gravens came into her junior year with a different outlook on things and began working towards her goal as a varsity starter. “In the off-season of junior year, I took a lot of time to improve myself as a player. I went to the batting cages and hit, went to Ninja Sports Performance and put in work at least a few times a week,” said Gravens. “I felt myself start to get better as a hitter and a catcher,” she says.

When she took that first step on the field at

practice, even the players could tell she had put in the work and became stronger, faster, and more knowledgeable. Starting center fielder states, “She worked really hard to become a better player. She’s put in a lot of time and effort by staying after practice and going to Ninja on off days and she took extra time in the summer to improve herself. When she came back in the fall we were all really impressed with how much she had grown as a player.”

This year Gravens is hoping to accomplish even more than years past. Two years ago, the team won regionals and was sent off to state but failed to show out in the state competition. Gravens is hoping this year will be different. “This year I believe our team will go further than we have in the past. I have worked so hard to finish my senior year out with a bang and take home those state rings,” said Gravens.

After graduation, Gravens plans to attend St. Catherine College to play softball and hopefully become a starting player. “Kelsey will do great in her next chapter of life. She realizes that working hard to achieve a goal is the path to success. She will be a great asset to the school and community,” said Hoffman.

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

Dylan Ferguson Western Kentucky University

Zach Napier Campbellsville University

Zach Ching Wright State University

Chase Patton Spalding University

SIGNING STARS

BY MICHAEL MURPHY

mmichaelmurphyy@gmail.com | @murphymichael25

The superb senior athletes at Bullitt East have proven that they aren’t afraid of commitment.

trip with the team, and I thought it was a great fit for me.”

A senior year for a high school student can be very stressful. Maintaining grades, deciding what college you will be attending, what you want to major in, and ensuring that you have met all of the necessary requirements to graduate is a monumental task. Throw athletics into that list and a 12th grader’s life can become near impossible. Several students have thrived throughout their high school career in athletics at Bullitt East and have decided to continue their legacy into college with them. The recruiting process of a high school athlete can be stressful, yet exciting at the same time. The decision makes for a more enjoyable senior year and an incredibly proud group of supporters.

Signing with a college can greatly reduce stress and improve playing ability during an athlete’s senior year. Courtney Pfister, who signed to play basketball at Midway College, said her decision was like a weight being lifted off her shoulders. “It’s my senior year, so it was pretty stressful anyways, but knowing where you’re going to school is very reassuring.”

Athletes at the high school level can be approached several different ways when college coaches show interest in them. Zac Ching, who signed to play baseball at Wright State, says first contact with a member of the coaching staff was during his junior year.

“The recruiting coordinator came to one of my games last year and I stayed in contact with them throughout the remainder of the season and in the college visit process.”

Track standout Meghan Roby was approached differently by the Bellarmine recruiting staff. “They actually called Coach Raley and we remained in contact for a long time. Obviously, I was very familiar with the campus, and later on I went on an overnight

Zac Ching said so far through his senior year, his decision has made him more relaxed because he knew what his future entailed.

The recruiting process can be a burden and he was excited to not have to worry about it throughout his senior season. “I just want to play ball,” Ching stated.

Choosing a college is not only a decision for the athlete. It is not uncommon for an athlete to be influenced by one’s family, friends, coaches, and fellow teammates. The decision itself results in a very proud group of friends and family. Chase Williams, who has played alongside Zac Ching since he transferred here for his sophomore year, speaks of how proud he is of Ching and how he truly believes it is a great decision that was made by a great player. “He has a great work ethic and is just a great guy to be around. I’m just happy that I could be along to see him succeed. I am proud to call him my teammate,” Williams stated.

Layout: Kim Flaherty and Michael Murphy | Picture submitted by Abby Shelton

Meghan Roby Bellarmine Universtiy Alex Ralph Bellarmine University Tyler Krauth University of the Cumberlands

Courtney Pfister Midway College

Kelsey Gravens St. Catherine University

Morgan Raymer St. Mary’s College Kayla Raymer St. Mary’s College

To read Austin Jewell’s opinion on college signings, follow this link to read his article!

22

OPINION

BY SARAH LINK

sarahgayle.21@gmail.com | @sarahgayle_33

Uncle Sam’s calling you, every last one of you.

Everyone should be able to join the military, because it is everyone’s right to protect and serve.

War is always something that brings up multiple opinions, good or bad. No matter the opinion, I think everyone can agree that it’s definitely here to stay. Soldiers work really hard to keep war out of America.

How is killing people ,some being unarmed, justified? For most, it is not, it simply never could be. For others, it is the only lifestyle they could ever dream of. So, why such different opinions? War is something that will always happen, wanted or unwanted, big or small, it is just going to happen. Young adults should be motivated to enter the military; it is their country’s future. The way to see it, you can either be a positive reinforcement in another country, or fight the problem in our very own county.

“If you go into the

L N E S T N E D U T S D L U SHO

military when you are 18, then you can retire by the time you are 38. That’s 20 years, not a bad retirement,” Lieutenant Justin Owens said concerning the pros of joining early.

About 1,800 colleges work with military students to make a schedule that works best for their duty and provide additional help. The Montgomery G.I. Bill, plus the Army College Fund gives up to $72,900 for any enlisted soldiers that meet the requirements, a huge benefit for any young soldier hoping to get into college. According to Military.com, there are also over 2,300 scholarships and grants offered to soldiers, of varying branches and careers.

However, joining the military at 18 is not for everyone. It takes effortless passion, unlimited endurance, and a level of unmatched maturity mixed with the independence of no other. Sadly, some people aren’t ready for it. On the other hand of maturity, LT. Owens enlisted at 17 and then came back to high school for his senior year after he completed his infantry combat training, and he is still currently on duty going on 12 years. Seeing every class of new Junior Guard students go in and go on, he has realized that some of them leave thinking they are on top of the chain in the military.

“Students think they can barely pass or fail a class and then come out and be a military leader. To be a leader you need knowledge,” LT. Owens said, “However, if you are willing to let it change you and you have the right motivation, it will start to work on you [make you more mature.]”

Senior, Tevin Smith, said that the purpose of the military is to “protect and serve.” The military is the number one driving force that leads the country and the defending force. They go to the front lines in other countries. All so you can sleep at night. Yeah, you’ve heard the same spiel over and over and over again. However, just take in this scenario. A man sitting in a trench in Afghanistan. In his final valiant effort, he shoots three opposing soldiers.

Two are dead. Unfortunately, his act brings

him death. He receives a funeral, a 21 gun salute. To his brothers and sisters in arms, he is their hero. To everyday citizens, however, his name will not cross their minds as they eat with their families. His acts will not even be noticed, his honor never told of.

Go visit the warzone in Afghanistan. Never, could you ever stay there, not without a stable government. You could not raise a family there. You couldn’t survive, not while dodging flinging bullets. That could’ve just as easily been America. Soldiers fight each and every day, so the war does not come to us. Yes, a lot of innocent people die, but that happens anyway. We see it when felons shoot up movies, malls, and our daily lives. At least they are protecting us with their guns.

Some people would say that it is against their religion. However, the Bible even stated in Ecclesiastes 3:8, “There is a time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.” I’m not saying that God supports war, but He definitely acknowledges it. In the bible, (Exodus 15:3) it also states that the LORD is a man of war. In several places in the bible it talks about God sending legions of people to bring judgment on other nations. Which is what war is.

Chase Askins, sophomore, said, “The purpose of the military is to protect everyone.

They come first.” That sums up soldier mentality. While the saying, “There are only 2 people that would die for you; the son of God and the American soldier,” might seem a little far-fetched, but that’s exactly what the 7 million dead or wounded or missing soldiers did and still do.

It is not the fact that they hate their enemies in front of them; it is that they love the people that stand behind them. You get up, go off to work. For the most part, you are safe.

They get up, grab their guns, and set off not knowing what the day will bring. They do it for you. They do it for love.To say that people, especially 18 year olds, can’t join the military, is saying that they can’t take one of the most rewarding and honorable jobs out there, to be an American Soldier.

?

Y R A T I L I M E H T N I T LIS

BY CASSIDY GROM

c a s s i d y. g r o m @ g m a i l . c o m l @ c a s s i d y g r o m

They sponsor concerts at our school, air commercials on our televisions, rent a storefront at the mall, and even provide posters hanging on some of your classroom doors.

High school students are bombarded with advertising coming from every branch of the military. Dazzled by the promises of college money, those considering the military rarely pause to reflect on the effects of enlisting in the military and the moral issues surrounding combat.

In recent years, the ROTC classes have grown into one of the largest programs at East. National Guard recruiter Sergeant First Class Troy Gibson stated, “The ROTC programs really do not promote any one particular branch or whether or not the individuals in that [program] should join the military.” However,the program seems to be doing both.

ROTC stands for Reserve Officer Training Corps, which sounds a lot like training officers for the corps, and hanging front and center in the ROTC classroom in third hall is a large National Guard banner, which is a sub- branch of the Army.

Gibson stated that the main reason Bullitt County students enlist in the military is patriotism, but “a real close second, if not tied to patriotism, is for college because the military offers quite a bit of help for college for soldiers.”

However, Gibson also stated, “I wouldn’t recommend anyone join the military just for college because it is not something to take lightly.”

Recruiting officers are specifically assigned high schools. Gibson regularly visits five schools including the three schools in Bullitt County. The repercussions for not meeting their collective quotas or “goals” can be severe. Gibson stated, “[not meeting our goal] could hurt

the state. Because if we didn’t make our goal, we could get downsized as a state and not get as much funding.”

As if the promotional materials and recruiting officers aren’t enough, the military can use your own friends to suck you in. Gibson said, “We have a referral program. Basically, if they know someone who is interested in the military and they refer them to a recruiter, they can earn a higher pay rate before they got to basic training.” A similar refer-a-friend tactic is used by cable providers, car mechanics, and orthodontists. It is no question that the armed forces use every tactic possible to make themselves look appealing to teenagers. They have to because if many students would really consider the implications of war, they would not join.

War can leave lasting, unseen effects on young brains. There has been a recent rise in military employees that experience post traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder resulting from psychologically painful experiences. Recruits develop this disorder after experiencing the blood and pressures of war.The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 30 percent of veterans from the Vietnam war had PTSD. According to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, “the Veterans Administration’s mental health budget shot up from $3 billion in 2003 to an estimated $7 billion in 2014.”

Furthermore, it is often difficult to justify one’s beliefs with the reality of war. On the front line, you may have to shoot at fellow human beings, and you may even kill. Even if you are in the reserves or National Guards, you could be called to active duty. We often dehumanize people different than us and slap on the label of “enemy” without first considering that they, too, have a family they are trying

to protect, and that they, too, might simply be obeying orders.

Finally, war and by extension military service, goes against many religions. According to the Pew Research Center, 74 percent of all Americans believe in heaven and 54 percent believe in hell. This begs the question: How do you, as a potential military employee who is likely religious, know that the person you are shooting in combat will go to heaven?

Theoretically, you might not only end their life on earth, but could also send them to a torturous afterlife.

For the 18 or 19 year old recruit who joined the military for the college funds, that is a weighty decision to make.

EDITORIAL BOARD

FRESHMAN UP Don’t stick a toe in the water. Jump!

around the second half of the school year.

Bullitt East needs to have that same mentality concerning freshmen; easing them into high school is more detrimental than allowing them to just “jump” into it.

One of the biggest problems with Freshman Academy is the fact that they are so sheltered from the rest of the school. They are unable to get to know the school. The freshmen memorize where their seven classes are, and that’s it.

Freshmen at BE receive plenty of preparation before their first day of high school even arrives. The administration wants to shelter the freshmen from the rest of the school, thinking it is to their benefit. A little coddling is okay, but babying the ninth graders will only put them at a disadvantage in their high school career.

Bullitt East offers incoming freshmen lots of preparation. They allow the feeder middle schools, Mt. Washington and Eastside, to visit BE for a day to tour the school and get a feel of the atmosphere. Counselors go to the middle schools to talk to the eighth graders about their next four years. Bullitt East also holds a freshman orientation in the summer before the first day of school. During the orientation, students are given handouts and advice on high school. They, again, tour the school, not only seeing where all of their classes will be, but also meeting their teachers. Finally, they are told that if they are still uncomfortable about beginning high school, they are welcome to contact counselors to arrange a private tour.

High school is a big step. Preparation like this is needed. Why put so much effort into the preparation if it’s purpose won’t be needed due to Freshman Academy? Freshman Academy is used to describe the area of Bullitt East specifically designated to house freshman classrooms. In many cases, the only times freshmen ever venture out into the rest of the school is for lunch and an elective. Other than that, they’re stuck in one section of the school for an entire year. That is overdoing it.

Kara Thompson, freshman, said that being in Freshman Academy makes her “feel like a little kid.” Freshmen receive enough preparation coming into high school. Also, the administration knows freshmen are new to the school, and are therefore much more lenient with them. If a freshman can’t find a class, he or she won’t receive a tardy for being late until May 2014

“Just because we are freshmen doesn’t mean we should be sheltered from the school. We are people, too. We shouldn’t get treated differently,” freshman Ian Whitehair said.

Also, it’s impossible to hide ninth graders from everything that goes on in high school. They will make upperclassmen friends through clubs, sports, social media, etc. Just because they don’t have classes with upperclassmen doesn’t mean they’re oblivious to what happens throughout the school. They know when a fight happens, or what bathroom was vandalized and by who- mainly due to social media. Freshmen are high schoolers and they need to be treated like so.

“We’re not experiencing high school,” Thompson said. The Freshman Academy is pointless. Ninth graders will be revealed to the realities of high school sooner than later, no matter where their classes are.

Furthermore, the babying that freshmen go through is detrimental to the rest of their high school career. The poor kids not only have one first day of high school, but two. They are so sheltered and coddled their first year that they are unprepared to be let loose their sophomore year. The new sophomores don’t know where their classes are, but are somehow expected to get there on time with much less tardy lenience.

“The transition to sophomore year is made harder for the freshmen because of how easy they get it [their freshmen year],” said junior Teekay Brown.

Troy Wood is the freshman principal and is very much in favor of the Freshman Academy. While there are perks to the system, many believe the cons outweigh the pros.

“Many students find it difficult to adjust to high school. This often results in low grades, higher absences, higher number of discipline referrals, and a higher number of dropouts.

The academy model has proven offset all of the aforementioned,” Wood said. While the freshmen crank out astonishing statistics, sophomores keep it real. The first year of high school is important, but the numbers have to drop at sometime.

“Other advantages with the way we design our academy are the teaming concept and common planning. The teaming concept places a student on a rotation with the same team of teachers,” Wood said. Once again, a dramatic difference from sophomore year. Sophomores have teachers and classes from across the school.

The freshmen seem to enjoy being separated from the school in the very beginning of the school year, only due to the fact that they are intimidated. Once the school year continues, ninth graders become bored with the same old scene, making them antsy to explore what high school really is. Wood said, “The plans for next year’s academy [primarily in the top of the new wing] will bring forth slightly greater seclusion, so it will be interesting to see the impact that might have.”

Ultimately, though, the pampering that freshmen go through only causes most of them to mature at a slower pace. If they were around upperclassmen just a tad more, they would get the feel of how high school really works.

They would be surrounded by wiser peers who could be great role models for the newbies.

Allowing freshmen to have classes throughout the school would not only benefit them, but it would also put pressure on upperclassmen to act more responsible since they are who the ninth graders would look up to. Freshman year can be scary at first, but the ninth graders often get comfortable quickly, especially at a great school like Bullitt East.

Freshman year is the first year of high school, not a transition into high school.

ww2.bullittschools.org/BEHSLivewire/

EPILOGUE

BY KENDALL MAYFIELD

kendallmayfield@gmail.com | @kendallbugg

Four years ago, I entered room 324 as an even more awkward and amateur version of my present-day self. Communicating outside of my friend group and writing any way but creatively was not my forte, yet now I sit and write an epilogue, as the editor-in-chief, for the last Livewire of my senior year and I realize how much my past four years as a “journakid” mean to me.

Sophomore year was a blur for me. I only had the privilege of participating on the Livewire staff for one semester due to my other required electives. Being the rule-follower that I am, I did everything that alumni Mckenzie Perdew and Cameron Love assigned to my fullest potential; however, even as a copyeditor, I never got as connected or involved in the class as I should’ve, at least not until my junior year. I was given the role as a copy editor again and I really invested into the group that I ran, “Kendall’s Kuties”.

We were inseparable and unstoppable, and with the amazing guidance from former editor-in-chief Keenan Cischke, I was able to apply myself enough to get promoted to an even higher position. He trained me and encouraged me to step up and become the leader that I am today, and by the time that junior year was over, I knew that I was fully equipped to be the editor-in-chief.

When I found out that I would be the editor, I spent long hours planning out every detail to create a successful news source. It wasn’t until the first day of school that I realized how much talent my staff really had and through the year I have had the privilege of watching them grow not only as journalists but as people, but it hasn’t been a walk in the park.

We’ve constantly been challenged to raise the bar and to make an impact on the student news of Bullitt East. We’ve even experienced a few solid writers transfer schools. I’ve witnessed lots of stress and intense work nights from this group, but in the end, I can’t say that I’ve had a stronger bond with any other group of kids at the school. Through these long nights and constant breakdowns, we’ve become a family.

I am beyond impressed with the work of the sophomore staff members. Going into the year, I can’t say I knew much about many of Layout: Layne Cutler and Kendall Mayfield

them. Deciding what positions and roles this group should play was a very daunting task; however, now I know that they could handle anything thrown their way. These students are easily some of the most dedicated and inspiring that I have known and I know that they will obtain many future leadership roles and take the Livewire in a successful direction. They are the group that I can count on to come up after school hours and to really put 110% into their writing. I can’t express how much I appreciate these staffers. They’ve made my job and year a little more doable. The junior staff writers are the most entertaining group to participate in the Livewire thus far. They bring so much humor and light to the room and I have watched them bloom so much this year as they took on leadership roles and tasks.

I’ve noticed the constant stressful looks on their faces and the difficulty to balance their rigorous schedules as well as journalism, but they always pull through. They are the kids that talk about journalism constantly and are always challenging what peers believe. They are certainly capable of taking the Livewire to new heights.

The senior staffers have been the largest shock to me. This group is so diverse and really shouldn’t mesh at all, but journalism is the one thing that brings them together.

We have Michael Murphy who is a first year staffer and easily one of the strongest sports writers I’ve ever met, Nick Kinser who is always bringing something new to the table and can take the most in-depth and well-thought-out pictures, Sal Lanci who has literally saved my life this year (enough said), Jessica Hanna who is the most efficient and timely writer currently in room 324, TJ Rayhill who is full of bright ideas and who has brought many things I can and can’t explain to the staff, and Lauryn Waldridge who has been my moral support through the year. And who can forget Mackenzie Perdue (2.0) and Haley Simpson? These two have invested just as much time as I have into the work and production of the Livewire and have been able to help guide our new staffers.

Haley is constantly my go-to for timely news and Mackenzie has impressed me with her hidden Adobe Illustrator abilities. There isn’t a friendship that I am more intrigued with

though than the one I made with my executive editor, Cassidy Grom. She and I are polar opposites in many ways and going into this year, I was a bit nervous about how we would coordinate, but there is no one else that I would’ve wanted to have this experience with.

She is now one of my good friends and has become that person that I can rant and rave to after long days.

As for my adviser, Larry Steinmetz (aka Steiner): he has definitely made my high school years memorable. He has allowed me to break out of my shell and grow as a leader as well as a person. Through the obnoxious jokes, heart-to-hearts, good times, and bad times he has become someone that I look up to. He has constantly pushed me to get better and has truly prepared me more than any teacher. He is the only teacher that has seen me infuriated, in tears, obnoxious, and full of joy and I appreciate all that he has done for me in the last four years.

It’s been harder than I thought that it would be to kiss the Livewire days goodbye. To be honest, I can’t say that I had any intention of ever even being on the newspaper in high school, much less becoming an editor; however, it’s had the largest impact on my high school career. The Livewire has honestly been my life and has given me something to look forward to each day. Our class is like the group of students in one of my favorite classics, The Breakfast Club. As diverse as we are, we have built an everlasting friendship and family. Knowing that I won’t be walking into the freezing temperatures of room 324 each day and immediately being bombarded with the loving encouragement from my peers and the irrelevant jokes from Steiner next year seems unreal, but the fact that I’ve gained this much experience from a class is unbelievable. That’s the beauty of the Livewire. Forty years from now I probably won’t remember every article written, but I’ll remember the memories and bonds created in the most unexpected ways.

With that being said, it’s time for this book to close but for a new one to open. Thank you for the memories and the friendships Livewire staff and room 324. It’s been an experience that I will forever hold dear to my heart.

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