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Delectable art competition entries iess “No one wants to see a woman run the military.”
Promenade: P The old verses the new T w
See page 10
Your thoughts, your words:
See page 6
New miniature golf course now open in Mt. Pleasant
Senior Tyrel Hansen on presidential candidate Hilary Clinton.
CONTENTS News..............p. 1 Opinion.........p. 4 Features.........p. 5 Sports............p. 7 A & E............p. 10
Hawks
PHOTO BY SCOTT BUTLER
The interior of the new Cosmic Golf in Mt. Pleasant is decorated with black lights and strips of neon tape to increase visibility of the course.
BY JEREMY ZABRISKIE
Cosmic Golf, an indoor, 18-hole, miniature golf course, recently opened its doors to the public in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Scott Butler and Calvin Shelley
opened the attraction in order to eliminate traveling long distances for the sake of entertainment, and give locals a new form of amusement. “If you want to do anything, you have to drive either north or south,”
said Butler. Cosmic Golf is now located at 152 West Main, Mt. Pleasant, and is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, and from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays. “There’s really nothing to do in Mt. Pleasant, so it’s nice,” said Trevyn Tucker, a junior from Fairview and a member of Butler and Shelley’s target market: teenagers. The late nights and neon interior are geared toward young customers The indoor course is decorated with black lights, illuminated obstacles and holes featuring vectoresque designs. The black lights are on after dark and during the day, normal incandescent lighting takes prevalence to help golfers see the ball, the lines and the obstacles. The course also sports a large number of unique impediments that block the path of the ball.
“I was actually impressed by the obstacles,” said Cameron Tucker, senior, of Fairview. “I thought they were going to be lame.” There are various moving impediments that block various parts of the course, such as windmills, spinning paddles that demand impeccable timing. The cost is $5 for patrons 12 years and older, and $3 for any age under 12. Butler said Group prices and discounts are offered for special occasions. Monday nights have an price deduction for the locals. In the near future, Butler also hopes to start leagues and competitions similar to that of the Bowling Alley in Ephraim. “It’s a great alternative to Xbox, Wii, Playstation, etc.,” said Butler. The owners of Cosmic Golf are hoping to create a new, active form of entertainment for the communities and students of Sanpete.
Woodshop class at NS expanding students’ horizons BY BRITTANY CAMPBELL
A new class has been implemented into the woodshop/vocational program at North Sanpete High for the second semester of the school year; eight students are being granted opportunities that were once prohibited. The newly added Assisted Cabinetry and Millwork is allowing students with special needs the opportunity to experience a vocational career with the help and supervision of both advanced woodshop students and several teaching assistants. “The drive for this program is so that all students, regardless of their ability levels, will have a positive and safe woodshop experience,” said Richard Peterson, North Sanpete High’s shop teacher. And Peterson is assuring just that. Students with special needs have often attempted woodshop and other vocational
classes only to be discouraged when confronted with required testing. Beginning woodshop classes alone has over fifteen safety tests that must be passed with 100% before a student can begin working with tools in the shop. “We’ve tried to get students into woodshop before, but they can’t pass the tests,” said BethAnn Chidester, a severe special education teacher at North Sanpete High. “We are hopeful that this new program will afford them a sense of success.” Within this new class, eight students with special needs have been paired with eight advanced-woodshop students. Peterson hopes that by creating these pairs, the safety of the students will be insured. “These [eight advanced] students were selected because they have perfect safety practices,” said Peterson. “This is only allowing them to further their See page 3, Woodshop
PHOTO BY REBEKAH LARSEN
Karl Bailey, a senior from Fountain Green, helps a student in the Assisted Cabinetry and Millwork class.
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Students and nation react to 2008 presidential race BY JOHN ALLAN
North Sanpete High School: political hotbed? As the 2008 presidential elections draw closer, major candidates campaign heavily to win voters and many NSH students have strong opinions on nominees and their platforms. “Swear words come to mind,” said Tyler Allen, a junior from Wales, when asked how he felt about Hillary Clinton, a frontrunner in the Democratic race for the oval office. Clinton, McCain, Obama, Romney and Huckabee were the major candidates for both party nominations. (Romney has suspended his campaign for the time being.) Super Tuesday determined the official standings: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are the respective Democratic and GOP nominees for the state of Utah. Romney was running for the Republican nomination, but stepped down after failing to make a dent in
McCain’s lead in the number of delegates. Obama is still pursuing the Democratic nomination in a close race against Hillary Clinton. Each of these candidates has won support from Utahns, and especially Romney. Romney has a strong economic background—he was the governor of Massachusetts and played an administrative role in organizing the Salt Lake Winter Olympics. Many LDS church members are disappointed in Romney’s decision; nearly 60 % of the state population is affiliated with the Mormon religion, and that fact is reflected in the primary results. Romney garnered 89% of the Republican vote in Utah, sweeping away the other candidates. NSHS mirrored the state in support for Romney—four out of five students indicated support for Romney. Romney dropped out of the race after a poor showing on Super Tuesday, while Republican John McCain swept away the delegate count on
Super Tuesday and at subsequent proposed policies. Most Sanpete she strongly opposes the war in citizens and Utahns in general have Iraq. primaries. Some Romney supporters still hope for a a conservative ideology, and ClinSurprisingly, the other popular 2012 run at the presidency, despite ton is a liberal. She is for govern- candidate at NSH is a liberal. Romney’s recent endorsement of ment intervention in large social See page 3, Campaign programs such as health care, and McCain. In face of Romney’s overwhelming support in Utah, there is an almost equal hostility for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, especially at NSH. Why does Hillary pick up so much flak? “She’s too liberal and seems fake,” said Nathan Bench, a senior from Fairview. “No one wants to see a woman run the military,” said Tyrel Hanson, a senior from Fountain Green. Robert Peel, a senior from Mount Pleasant, points out the he dis- A political cartoon © Daryl Cage depicts the recent overthrow of the Romney campaign by agrees with Clinton’s John McCain’s high delegate count.
New senate bill could place thousands into certain teachers’ pockets
COURTESY OF HOWARD STEPHENSON OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Senator Howard Stephenson speaks to an audience about state policy. Senator Stephenson is sponsoring a bill to raise pay for specific teachers.
BY KRISTINE BUSBY
Teachers at North Sanpete School District and around the state are debating about the efficacy of a new bill being discussed by the State Legislature that may raise some select teachers’ salaries by thousands. Senate Bill 35, sponsored by Senator Howard Stephenson, proposes that teachers who teach certain math and science classes be given an extra $5,000 a year to
help boost the number of the teachers in those core subjects. Some teachers at NSHS disagree with the bill and say that math and science are not the only subjects that need more teachers. “As an incentive to get people to that area, it’s a good idea, but there are other areas that there are shortages,” said Teresa Connelly, the Family and Consumer Science teacher from NSHS. A number of teachers at NS, in-
“If they’re going out there to cluding Scott Butler, Brad Bentley wouldn’t that encourage them to and Jeff Ericksen, agree with Con- stay for money?” asked Dax Hig- make the money,” said Ledingham, nelly and believe that Senate Bill 35 gins, a science teacher from NSHS. “I think they’re not coming into Benjamin Morley, a social stud- teaching.” might work better if it included all ies teacher from NSHS, shares HigLedingham and Bailey, along teachers. “If they’re going to find $5,000 gins’ opinion and says that if quali- with many other teachers feel that, for science and math teachers, they fied people are needed, they have to especially for math and science teachers, there are other job oppordang well better find $5,000 for be paid. Shawn Ledingham and Tyler tunities that pay more; the $5,000 teachers,” said Butler. Principal John Ericksen also Bailey may agree with the idea that boost won’t be enough to attract agrees with the idea that all teach- payment attracts people, but they the amount of teachers that is needdo not believe that it will draw peo- ed in Utah. ers deserve a pay raise. “If you want a well rounded edu- ple into teaching positions. cation, it’s going to be kind Counselors’ Corner of hard if you don’t pay everyone,” said •Seniors must check their transcripts to determine if they have enough credits to graduate. Ericksen. Although these faculty •Mr. Hansen and Mr. Keisel are currently holding SEOPs for sophomores and freshmen, respectively. Call 462-2452 ext. members strongly op- 211 for Mr. Hansen or 462-2452 ext. 217 for Mr. Keisel. pose the bill, •Current ACT Test and Registration Dates: other faculty April 12th...........Register by March 7th members are June 14th.............Register by May 9th still trying to decide wheth- •Seniors with credits being earned from alternate sources er they think need to finish by May 1st to participate in the graduation cerit will attract emony. math and science teachers •To apply for financial aid, seniors should fill out an application at www.fafsa.ed.gov or not. “If teachers are leav- •Congratulations to Mckay Jones and Travis Christensen for winning an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. for five ing for money,
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New AB schedule trial produces mixed reactions Picture of the A or B letter on wall
PHOTO BY REBEKAH LARSEN
North Sanpete High posts the schedule every day by placing an A or B in a case by the office.
BY CHAD MCKAY
North Sanpete High has made an unprecedented change to its schedule this year; the traditional same-class, every-day agenda has been switched to a trial run of a type of block schedule. The plan for a change has been in the works for many years now. Many schools across the state and nation have changed to this schedule because added credit requirements are easier to fill on block schedule. North Sanpete High has recently upped obligatory credits for graduation, and consequently saw the need of this new schedule. This new arrangement, called AB schedule,
turns the regular seven-period day into two four-period days. This makes each class period eighty-five minutes long. Most of the students are primarily concerned with the extended class periods—it’s harder for students to pay attention once the class times go over an hour. “I hate [AB schedule] because the classes are so freaking long,” said Mandie Mecham, a freshman from Fairview. Block schedule also skews with the accustomed attendance policies; students who miss one class period have to make up twice the amount of work they had to last year. “It takes more responsibility of the students,” said Ed Staker, a science teacher at
Woodshop continued from page 1
Campaign continued from page 2
mentoring/teaching skills.” The curriculum is set up in such a way that the student pairs work together in the shop to build confidence and create a safe, productive and fun work environment. “I believe that all students can learn, and that the learning process should be a positive and enjoyable experience,” said Peterson. The nature of the course benefits two groups of people working to enjoy one thing—the freedom of creativity. The students with special needs are getting opportunities that were once unavailable to them and the advanced students are deepening their woodworking skills by becoming teacher themselves. “My hope is that the advanced students will have a better understanding of woodshop, exploring the career of teaching, being a mentor, and of self confidence,” said Peterson when asked of his hopes for his students. The student pairs must pass off all safety tests, create work drawings for their projects, and design and build those planned projects. The class is currently working on several wall clocks. After the first project is completed the student pairs are free to choose a project that is to be completed and sent home.
Obama was the Democratic nominee in Utah with a 56% win over Clinton’s 40%, and he is the second choice in the presidential race for most NSH students. Obama has strong views on education; he believes that government should be more involved in ensuring every child has a first class education. Also, he strongly opposes the war in Iraq. Currently, Obama has a marginal lead over Hilary Clinton’s number of delegates. John Edwards comes in third with delegate number, but he dropped out after Super Tuesday. However, Obama has picked up negative reactions as well. Some speculation that he does not put his hand over his heart during the pledge and does not respect the American flag is just that, speculation. Nevertheless, Dyllon Tabler, a sophomore from Fairview, feels that he is “not patriotic.” Only time will tell whom Americans want as the future president. But NSH students can help decide. Most seniors will be voting in the next presidential election.
North Sanpete High. “Missing one day is like missing two days of work.” Furthermore, the newly implemented AB schedule doesn’t accommodate students in concurrent enrollment. The broadcasted college classes can’t be moved to fit every-otherday schedules; they must be attended every day. “AB schedule is the worst thing alive,” says Tanner Allen, a senior from Wales who is in concurrent enrollment. “It has completely screwed up our lives at the Ednet.” Despite the negative aspects of AB schedules, most students actually approve of it when it is compared to the conventional every-day schedule. In a survey conducted by the NS Times, 78% of students were in favor of the switch, and if given the choice, they would keep it. There are positives to the AB schedule. Longer classes give more time for labs and prep time; there is also more time to interact with the teacher in a classroom setting. “Longer classes gives us more time to do homework and other assignments,” said Leah Gull, a sophomore from Wales. Students also enjoy the variety—having a different schedule each day keeps them interested. The majority of this year’s freshmen followed the traditional schedule at North Sanpete Middle School, but they haven’t experienced high school without the AB schedule. For the most part, students are transitioning well. The transition to block schedule is definitely a new experience—with positive and negative aspects—for students and teachers alike.
HAVE YOU ENJOYED AB SCHEDULE THIS YEAR?
NO 22%
Yes 78%
ADVANTAGES OF AB SCHEDULE
Longer Classes 14% More Time for Homework 35% Different Classes Each Day 40% One more class period 11%
DISADVANTAGES OF AB SCHEDULE
More Homework 15% Longer Classes 54% Forgetting if it is A or B day 30%
BOOKS ¹ HOME DÉCOR ¹ GIFTS ¹ ART & COLLECTABLES
Talk about Savings! x x x x x
SAVE Gasoline SAVE Travel Expenses (food, etc.) SAVE Impulse Buying costs SAVE Baby-Sitting costs! SAVE more TIME for YOU! SHOP YOUR LOCAL SANPETE COUNTY MERCHANTS Tuesday— Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 22 West Main Street, Moroni 436-9604 MAIN STREET MORONI
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Voice
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NS Times Staff Editor-in-Chief Brittany Campbell ManagingEditor Rebekah Larsen Photography Editor Jeremy Zabriskie Graphic Designer Sara Lafollete Advisor Ben Cox News Kristine Busby, editor Chad Mckay Brandi Peahl John Allan Features Nia Ricks Jared Jakins Hilary Workman A&E Katie Carpenter, editor Sara LaFollette Erin Cowley Caleb Rose Sports Scott Bentley, editor Chana Thompson Kim Draper Cheyenne Syme
HOW TO SUBMIT LETTERS
Email: news @nsanpete.org Or Give letters to Mr. Cox LETTER POLICY The NS Times welcomes letters on any topic. (Appropriateness will be determined by the editorial staff.) If published, work may be edited for length, grammar, accuracy and/or clarity. Letters must include writer’s full name and phone number, though only name will be published.
Our View It’s been said that voting is pointless; one person holds one ballot in three million, so why even bother? It is true that environmental redemption and world peace are not going to spring from a single check mark, but a change can be initiated. Besides that point, voting is important for a variety of other reasons: democratic processes are not possible without the democracy, and it is a duty—a privilege—to contribute to the running of a nation. Citizens need to be informed, stay informed and use their knowledge to make choices for the good of the people—the good of the country. Politicians watch voter turn-out, and they orient their campaigns and policies to accommodate the wants of the biggest group that votes.This is the first year many students here at NSH will be able to vote, and the youthful electorate is abysmally represented at the polls. That means that we’re being overlooked—platforms and advertising are not geared toward us students, and it’s our own fault. We can make much more of a difference in this area then many of us are aware of. On another note, sometimes just a few votes can tip the scales on a huge decision. In the presidential election in 2000, a few hundred votes were a deciding factor, and they had enough clout to place a man in the White House. So this November, seniors, remember to register, and remember to let your voices be heard.
THE PUBLIC FORUM
Your comments, questions and letters are appreciated!
More sports coverage
College classes at NSH
A change for the better
Policy compliance
Dear NS Times Editorial Staff, I am writing to tell you my concerns about the fact that the newspaper doesn’t include nearly enough sports material as it should. There are some articles, but I wish there were a lot more, especially about boy’s basketball, and more specifically, the JV team.
North Sanpete High needs more classes that can count as college credit. Yes, we can take classes at the Ednet, and we have a few concurrent enrollment classes at the high school, but we need more opportunities. In small schools like North Sanpete, opportunities for college credit aren’t as abundant as in large schools. We need more AP classes; it isn’t fair when we don’t have the same chances other students have. We need to take as many college classes as we can while we are in high school, but we can’t. There are too few options.
AB schedule has been a very good change for our school. I am very glad that our school now runs this way. The block schedule has been a very helpful to me because it gives me more time to learn. Block schedule is also nice because we don’t have to follow the same routine every day. I think AB schedule has also helped with the attendance problems at North Sanpete High. It seems to me that fewer students skip class as frequently.
This morning at North Sanpete High School I saw several breaches of the Safe Schools policy. Where is the enforcement? Nobody at NSH seems to pay attention to this kind of thing. I see a lot of PDA, clothing against the dress code and bullying at NSH. There should be better enforcement of policy designed to get rid of this kind of behavior. We need to improve in this area.
~Lane Allen
CORRECTIONS
t In the Corrections section last week, librarian Nan Ault’s name was incorrectly given as Nan Allsen. r ăF BSUJDMF i-FBEFS PG UIF #BOEu QSJOUFE MBTU XFFL XBT XSJUUFO CZ ,BUJF $BSQFOUFS OPU ,BUJF )FBMFZ
~Anonymous
~Ali Stallings
~Anonymous
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NSH National Honor Society works to connect community and academia BY HILARY WORKMAN
Throughout NSH, students saunter around in their blue and yellow shirts emblazoned with the phrase The New Flavor of Cool. These students are members of the National Honor Society, an academically elite club at NSH. “Our purpose is to help smart people do good things,” said Ben Cox, the advisor for the North Sanpete National Honor Society. Member selection is based on GPA and extracurricular involvement. The students in the NHS must maintain a 3.5 grade point average. All students that qualify are informed via mail and asked to complete a resume. A committee of faculty members reviews the applications to decide who will be admitted. “Either it can be an exclusive organization or it can be open for lots of opportunities,” said Cox. “We chose the opportunities.” Applicants are rarely rejected; the NSH National Honor Society has 70 members, which is a large
number when compared to other schools. Currently, the National Honor Society at NSH does not have a limit for numbers. Once admitted, members are invited to an induction ceremony that officially names the new members. “We are a prestigious organization; there has always been an induction ceremony,” said Cox. The National Honor Society is a community-service-based organization. The club holds six service projects every year and also many activities to get members involved in the community and school environment. This year club members have held a talent show at the retirement home and read Halloween stories to the children at the elementary schools throughout the county. “We find people we think have a need and try to help them as a club,” said Stephanie Honey, a junior from Mt. Pleasant and also the treasurer for the NS National Honor Society. This month, in an effort to build a little healthy competition in the school, the National Honor Society
PHOTO BY BEN COX
National Honor Society members roast hot dogs and woofums at the NHS opening social. National Honor Society is an organization that promotes service in the community and school.
is holding Mad Skills Week. It is a multi-leveled contest in which clubs and classes throughout the school compete for prizes, gift certificates, and bragging rights. Each individual will compete for his or her
respective affiliation in any of the following categories: Guitar Hero, Art, Music, Poetry, Debate, Cooking, Engineering, Sports, Math, Chess, Movie/Flash Animation, and a Brain Bowl with Trophies
and certificates will be awarded to winning students and clubs. “We thought it would be a positive way to get the school involved in good activities,” said Honey.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
NSH secretary returns to past stomping grounds to help students and juggles many tasks
PHOTO BY REBEKAH LARSEN
Melanie Lee, the North Sanpete High front office secretary, speaks with two students who came in for information on a school activity. Lee helps with a “little bit of everything” at NSH.
BY REBEKAH LARSEN
The phone rings, and Melanie Lee swivels around from her computer to pick it up. “Front office, this is Melanie, may I help you? I’ll switch you over to his voice mail –just a moment. Thank you,”she says, and then looks up to help a student waiting at the front desk.
Lee is the front office secretary, but she does a little bit of everything at North Sanpete High. She reads announcements on the intercom to the crowded halls in between classes, she helps with billing, she takes care of the needs of students who come into the front office, and she also pages school officials with a walky-talky set into the wall next
to her computer when the occasion arises. “I help anyone and everyone who needs help,” said Lee as she took a cookie from some students who had wandered into the front office, looking for a taste-tester. Lee is a returning Hawk, and a native to Sanpete county. She was born in Gunnison and grew up in Fairview. She graduated from North Sanpete High School, and she then attended the LDS Business College in Salt Lake City. “I wanted to do accounting—I loved doing it in high school, but I didn’t want to do that much school, so I just did Administrative Assistant,” said Lee. After she graduated with her degree, she went to work for a law office in Salt Lake called David Isom Law, and she also worked for Systems West. “I did a lot of payroll stuff for Systems West, and billing,” said Lee. Now she works at NSH, and many students are glad she does. “She is the bomb-dot-com shiggity,” said Parker Earl, a junior from Mt. Pleasant.
Despite this ebonic description, Lee listens to a lot of country music—she doesn’t have a favorite song or singer; she likes all different types. Her favorite food is pasta, and she likes football and is a true 49ers fan. When asked what she does for fun, Lee laughed. “I like to sleep, and I like to play volleyball,” she said with a smile. “I
played my sophomore year in high school.” Lee is married and has four children, three boys and a girl. They live in Mountainville, between Fairview and Mt. Pleasant. “I drive my kids wherever they want to go,” she said. “I took them snowboarding the other day—it was my first time, and it was so hard!”
STUDENTS, wanna get published on the web? ,
Post your own writing and read other students’ work on the Hawk Literary Magazine Send your work to Nan at nan.ault@nsanpete.org or hand it in at the library. Visit www.nsh.nsanpete.org/~nan/litmag to view student work
6 STUDENT OF THE MONTH
Gamers guild member combines fun with school spirit BY JARED JAKINS
Isaac James, a junior from Fairview, has killed thousands. Thousands of virtual Orcs, that is. As a co-founder of the North Sanpete Gamer’s Guild, James joins other gamers for video game action and adventure twice a week. Usually his expert skills of dominating virtual worlds are put to the test in Warcraft 3 and Starcraft. Other games the guild enjoys are Call of Duty, Neverwinter Nights and retroarcade games. However, don’t be fooled by the quirky game face and the clever screen name. James, whose first name is actually Christopher, is very active in other clubs and organizations throughout the school. He is a member of the chess club and a trumpet player for the NSH jazz and pep bands, as well as a member of the drama club. He also sings in the North Sanpete concert choir. When seating himself for his interview he straightened his scarf, which was ingeniously knotted as a tie, and laced his fingers over his folded legs. The following is a brief moment from the highly entertaining and tightly wound web of an interview. What would you say is your favorite book? James: I love all fantasy and will read anything anyone recommends, but I would have to say Ender’s Game is my favorite.
PHOTO BY JEREMY ZABRISKIE
Isaac James often can be found in Jason Strate’s classroom playing video games or in the band room swaying to the sound of his trumpet as a member of the NSH jazz band. James is a member of the Gamer’s Guild, a club that meets twice a week to play video games.
And favorite movie? James: Well actually, I don’t like to name favorites because then people start to know you by your favorites, and then people start to give you things and you just have to pretend to like them. You can maybe just twist my statement a little about Ender’s Game.
Right, I see what you mean. How do you feel about your height? James: I can’t say I like it. People seem to think I’m good at basketball but really I can never seem to find pants. James is a towering 6’7” and can’t help but look down on everyone. He claims to be a
connoisseur of random facts and his interview clearly proved it. He enjoys hanging out with friends, reading and,of course, gaming with the guild. Isaac James is an interesting, odd, funny, quirky, strange, intelligent, aloof and an extremely nice individual. It’s definitely worthwhile getting to know him.
Two-night promenade continues tradition and brings in money for junior class BY REBEKAH LARSEN
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For nearly 200 years, adolescents across America have been displayed for society in a celebrated tradition. From frothy dresses to Def Leppard to plastic decorations, this debut has seen changes, but its purpose has remained essentially the same over time. According to Ed Staker, a science teacher and the junior class advisor of four years at NSH, junior prom has been a part of North Sanpete High for nearly a century, and it hasn’t changed much despite its age. “It’s always been formal—suits and tuxes,” said Staker. “It has also always been around the first part of March.” The first mention of a formal promenade was made in a diary of an Amherst College student. Prom was originally intended as a formal dance for graduating classes, but high schools soon adopted it as a form of debut for students. The first proms were simple affairs of tea and Sunday best arranged by parents, but as the years have progressed, little changes have been made. Live bands and crepe paper festoons used to be the norm during prom season at North Sanpete, but now DJs and ordered backdrops are used. “It’s more plastic,” said Staker, in reference to the current decorations. Standard music and dress are definitely not the same—official prom songs have reflected the popular music of each generation. Classes from the 90s voted Def Leppard ditties for their prom themes, and Aerosmith’s “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” blasted over the speakers in 2007. Students now spend more on clothes and dates, but not much more has altered. “It’s evolved a little bit,” said John Ericksen, the principal at NSH. “I think prom is still for the parents.” Apparently, promenade at North Sanpete High has always been important for the community as well as the students. NSH is the only school in the state to hold prom over two consecutive days—Friday and Saturday.
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“We have always had two nights,” said Staker. “One administrator tried for one night, and the community rebelled.” Parents and community members alike come to see the students perform a formal dance; it’s been a tradition since the prom was initiated at NS, some seventy-odd years ago. “We did poll everybody, ten to twelve years ago, about changing to one night, and the parents were up in arms,” said Ericksen. For the past few years, the junior class has voted on the issue, and the traditional two-night dance has stayed, letting community members have two chances to watch the promenade. “It gives more people the option to come,” said Erickson. It also gives the school an added monetary boost. Every year, the school loans the prom committee around $2000 to prepare for the upcoming dance, and every year the committee pays the school back and then some. “The funds come from ticket sales,” said Staker. In fact, the prom is now one of NSH’s biggest fundraisers, bringing in about $3000 over the top of the loan every year. According to Ericksen, that money is then placed back into the junior class account to fund trips and reunions. The prom is still a night of display, but now it also serves a practical purpose: the role of moneymaker. POLL RESULTS: We asked more than 300 students how they felt about the cost of prom and whether they would like to have the promenade one night or two. These are their responses.
IS PROM TOO EXPENSIVE?
WOULD YOU PREFER ONE NIGHT OR TWO NIGHTS OF PROM
One 27%
No 41% Yes 59%
Two 73%
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A new sport brings global athletes to Sanpete County BY BRANDI PEAHL
Heather Schenck flies high above the ground into the wind, looking down at the snowy Alaskan territory. Carving turns, ascending hills—it’s all in the experience of snow kiting. Kite boarding involves using a power kite to pull a rider through the snow on a snowboard or skis using wind power. Snowkiting gives the opportunity to snow board and ski everywhere. Kiters can go up and down hills and across flat surfaces steering with a control bar. Long distances can be covered in a short amount of time while towing a heavy sled. Heather Schenck and her husband went on an Alaskan expedition last March. They had the opportunity to snow kite where not even skiers were allowed to go “My favorite part is that it is never-ending,” said Schenck, vice president of Windz Up, a snow kite distribution and instructional company based in Mt. Pleasant. “You create the lines and follow the powder.”
The company provides lessons and sells snow kites and related products. The instructors teach on Skyline, which is up Fairview Canyon. The lessons are given on weekends and range in price from a $75 introductory class to a $250 advanced all-over-the-mountain class. The distribution branch of Schenck’s company ships the snow kites all over the country. A company in Vietnam makes the snow kites. They are sent to Mt. Pleasant then sent around the country. Though the sport is relatively new to many people, it is rapidly growing. Enthusiasts across the world are discovering the easy and exhilarating speed that snow kites provide. Sanpete is a hotspot for learning and experienced kiters. The curious and the seasoned come from local towns to European nations to take training classes up the canyons in Sanpete and then go on expeditions across the globe. Kiters who have trained here have gone on snowkiting trips in Antarctica and Greenland, traveling only by snow kite.
PHOTO BY BRANDI PEAHL
Kite boarders from all over the world are flocking to Sanpete for a new competition March 1st & 2nd.
There is a competition in March that is for the industry called the US Open Snowkite Masters. The competition is March 1-2 and is in Skyline, involving kiters of all ages. The competition is divided into
two parts: freestyle and racing. Freestyle involves jumps and aerial tricks. People who compete get to go much higher than snowboarders can. Racing competitions are called
Kitercross. Several kiters are racing, going over obstacles, and just like any other race the first one to the finish line wins.
Athlete of the Month Shaylin Mackey combines talent and discipline
PHOTO BY CHYEYENNE SYME
Mackey, performing in the “drill down” at a recent basketball game has dedicated hours to NS High’s Drill team.
BY SCOTT BENTLEY
It’s 5:30 a.m. and when most teens are still slumbering away in their beds, 22 alarms penetrate the early morning silence. These 22 rub their eyes and half-heartedly pack their things for both school and 6 a.m. practice. And for these girls one thing rings true--it’s going to be
a long day. For Shaylin Mackey, the drill team captain and senior from Fountain Green, getting out of bed was difficult at first, but she quickly adapted. “She is one of the best dancers on the team and has made drill fun,” said Valerie Demill, a junior from Moroni and the fitness mistress for
the entire team. Drill team practices from 6-8 every morning, and this is just the first practice of the day. They reassemble at 3:30 every afternoon and work hard throughout the night. “The weeks before region were the hardest practices because we had so many and they were long, but it was worth it in the end,” said Mackey. Where did Mackey’s motivation for this full-on dedication, which lead to a region title, come from? “Stacey (the drill team advisor) has brought drill a long way,” said Mackey. “She motivates the team and sacrifices so much for us. She’s our coach but is still our friend.” North Sanpete’s recent region title was its first win in six years for the Spiriteers. “I was kinda surprised that we won, but we were very deserving and I was happy about it,” said Mackey. The drill team took the same momentum that clinched the region title and were able to pull off a solid
10th place finish at the state tournament. Despite a glitch in the music during their routine the team still was able to pull through. “We were working as hard as we could during practices and performances,” said Mackey. “By working
as a team and getting along well together, I believe that we did the best that we could.” And Mackey will now rise before the sun comes up with the pride of knowing that she has had yet another successful season.
phone:[435] 462-5111 steve and cathy
66 south state street mt. pleasant, ut 84647
8
Spring Sports Previews BY CHANA THOMPSON
Photo by Jeremy Zabriskie
Nathan Bench and Drew Kleven work out with the soccer team. The NSH boys’ soccer team recently began conditioning for the 2008 spring season. The team works to overcome academic challenges as well as and physical obstacles.
Softball BY CBANA THOMPSON
Softball has been a consistently successful sport at North Sanpete High, and this year the girls have high hopes for a good season. “I am so excited; it is going to be awesome,” said Kortnee Schuhmann, a senior player from Mt. Pleasant. Head coach Chad Larsen of Moroni is looking forward to this coming season—he feels that the girls will be willing to make it into a good one. According to Tori Ann Cox, a senior player from Fairview, some of the players are already getting together to prepare for the softball season, but most people don’t start conditioning until tryouts. Despite the Lady Hawks stellar performances in previous years, there are things to work on for this season. The team will have to adjust to a loss of many key players; many of the team members graduated in 2007, so the remaining players will have to step up. Schuhmann feels that keeping a positive attitude is another problem that faces the team—when they get down they stay down, and optimism plays big into performance. Notwithstanding these setbacks, the NS softball team is enthusiastic for the new year. They are looking forward to another match against Juan Diego. Last year it was one of their toughest region games, and if they can beat the Soaring Eagle this season, they have a good shot at a title. “We have a good chance at taking state if the girls want it,” said Larsen “They are capable of it if they work toward it.”
Baseball BY BRITTANY CAMPBELL
The NSH baseball season approaches with mixed feelings. Despite the stats of last year, the Hawks are hopeful that with a little hard work and some improvement they will be able to clinch a region title. The Hawks finished fifth in region in the 2007 season behind front runner Juan Diego, then Carbon, Emery and Delta. The Hawks won three out of eighteen games and one out of ten region games. But Head Coach Lee R. Sorensen believes this is the season the Hawks will succeed. “We are hoping to win the region title,” said Sorensen. “But I think we just have a few things to work on.” The overall attitude is a key part of the team’s performance. “I’d like to see us really show up to play and win at the start of the season,” said Cameron Tucker, a senior from Fairview. Sorensen has planned several drills for specific improvements. “If we work on our hitting tactics we could have a real shot against, say, Juan Diego,” said Sorensen. But physical and mental preparation is just a fraction of what it takes to win a region title. “Leadership is really important,” said Sorensen. “I am really looking to seniors Mackenzie Brown, Tyler Daniels, Karl Bailey and Shaun Seely for this.” Tryouts will be held February 25th, 26th, and 27th and the Hawks first game will be held with home-field advantage on March 10th against Park City.
Boys’ Soccer
The season is approaching quickly for the NS boys’ soccer team, and along with conditioning and tryouts, eligibility issues are hanging over the team. “We have a lot of talent, but a lot of people have a problem with grades, so if we had all of our players eligible then we could take region,” said Tyrell Hansen, a senior from Ft. Green. “Other than that, I don’t know what to expect.” According to Head Coach Andy Coons of Spring City, the boys’ soccer team has a large number of ineligible students who will not be able to participate in this soccer season unless they pull their grades up. “It sucks that some of the kids aren’t eligible,” said Coons. “I hope that in the future they will know that if they get their grades up for the season that it is worth it.” But that is not the only problem that faces the boy’s soccer team. As of right now, the soccer field is buried in ice and snow. For now, training and preconditioning are indoors. “This year we are doing a three-week fitness camp,” said Coons. “We are focusing on defense and working hard on offense.” Conditioning for the upcoming season is something of a prerequisite for hopeful team members. According to Jonathon Bundy, a senior from Fountain Green, conditioning is like boot camp. The boys have been doing a fitness program after school, preparing them for the upcoming season; they strain through pushups, sprint exercises and long distance running. Conditioning takes a lot of upper body strength and endurance, but the positive results are evident on the field. Despite eligibility issues, the team and coaches are enthusiastic about the new season—they are working hard, and they want to show it. “As a team we are improving together,” said Coons. “I am looking forward to this season; it should be a pretty good year.”
Tennis BY CHEYENNE SYME
The North Sanpete boy’s tennis team is anxiously waiting for the sun and the upcoming season, enthusiastic and restless to begin their practices. Last season the team took region for the first time in nine years in a tie against Juan Diego, and they plan to do it again. “Our team is a lot more older—more experienced players—and hopefully we will be just as good as last year,” said Head Coach Jeff Ericksen. Last year, the team did not have a lot of seniors, and the juniors and sophomores took on the challenge with gusto. “Taking region last year was great--I was kind of surprised we were able to pull it off, but we were very deserving,” said Scott Bentley, a senior from Mt. Pleasant. “This year we should take it again because we have so much talent and experience.” The team will be experienced with six returning seniors, Josh Benson, Scott Bentley, Colton Clark, Brian Anderson, Spencer Shelley and Jarryd Seely, and maybe a few fresh faces to add to the mix. Tryouts are scheduled for March 3rd, and the team usually accepts between eighteen and twenty players. Team members haven’t gotten a lot of practice during the winter; the snow has been falling relentlessly, and the courts are buried under nearly two feet. Coach Ericksen is excited for the new season, and ready for tryouts regardless of weather conditions. “We’ll have to break out the snow shovels first,” laughed Ericksen.
Track BY REBEKAH LARSEN
The North Sanpete High track team is ready and waiting for the season to begin; members have been preparing throughout the winter, training and competing, to rip up the track come March. “We’ve been conditioning since the beginning of January,” said Liz Larsen, a junior from Fairview and a short-distance runner. “Right now we’re strengthening our core, not really working on getting fast.” Many runners have been conditioning all year, but the official team workouts began two months ago. The team usually heads to the NSH weight room on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after school to train. The focus is on developing endurance for the upcoming, more rigorous practices on the track. The NSH track team has also been preparing by attending indoor track meets. They recently competed at two indoor meets at BYU in Provo, Utah, one of which was the official state indoor track meet. Stephanie Honey, a junior from Mt. Pleasant, and Shyanne Ison, a sophomore also from Mt. Pleasant, had solid performances in their respective events. The team coaches have great expectations for this year’s collection of runners—few seniors were lost with graduation, and now the lower classmen are stepping up. “We have an extremely strong sophomore class”, said Scott Butler, the head track coach from Fairview. “We also have some returning juniors who are strong.” As the snow clears off the track and the countdown becomes shorter and shorter, team members and fans alike are growing in anticipation for a promising season.
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Basketball season ends with tough home loss
PHOTO BY SCOTT BENTLEY
Carson Jorgenson goes up for a shot against Uintah as Jared Bailey prepares to grab the rebound. The Hawks lost thier first-round game against Uintah, 63-60.
BY SCOTT BENTLEY
The attempt for a state title by the NSH boys’ basketball team ended abruptly Saturday night with a loss to the Uintah Utes 63-60.
The game started badly as the Hawks were faced with a devastating problem in the first quarter. Russell Christensen, the leading scorer and rebounder for the Hawks, had to leave the game permanently due
to an injury sustained on the court. EMT Tami Bentley evaluated Russell and determined that it may have been a tear in his meniscus. The Hawks also ran into some early foul trouble with players Shaun Seely, Creed Ebell, Justin Curtis and Karl Bailey. They managed to escape disaster and go into the half
down five. The third quarter looked troubling for the Hawks as the Utes came out with the hot hand offensively. The Utes hit four three
pointers in five possessions to start the quarter. This seemed to be the nail in the coffin for the Hawks as they traded baskets for most of the third quarter. They went into the final quarter down 11. But the Hawks proved to be a tougher match for the Utes as they opened the fourth quarter shooting well. The lead was cut down to three. Karl Bailey proved to be the work-horse for the Hawks in the fourth as he pushed his scoring total into double digits on three possessions. He visited the foul line twice and made two other layups to bring the Hawks within just one point. But once again foul trouble got to the Hawks as Ebell, Curtis and Seely had to back off defensively for fear that they might foul out. The Hawks had their chances in the last minutes but the Utes proved too tough to handle. This put the game out of reach, ending the Hawks hopes of toppling Judge Memorial, whom they would have met in the next round had they won.
Five wrestlers place at state BY CHANA T HOMPSON
The NSH wrestling season comes to an end with a firm fourth place at state. The tournament lasted three days at UVSC, starting Thursday, February 14th and ending Saturday, February 16th. According to head coach Andy Messersmith of Ephraim, more boys placed higher and there were more kids in the finals then there ever has been before. According to Messersmith, the whole tournament was nerve wracking but the moment that stood out to him the most was when Cheyne Christensen and Keaton Cheney lost by one point in the finals. As predicted for one wrestler in particular at North Sanpete, Dylan Clark a senior, placed 1st. He broke the state pinning record and recieved the “outstanding wrestler award” for the tournament. The top 5 placers at state were, Dylan Clark 1st, Teejay Clawson 2nd, Sheyne Christensen 2nd, Keiton Cheney 2nd and Reggie Clawson who placed 3rd.
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10
Voice
of
the
Mighty
Hawks
NS drama teacher writes and produces her own melodrama
PHOTO BY REBEKAH LARSEN
Drama teacher Tanya Roundy critiques student actor Matt Daley in preparation for the upcoming school play. Roundy’s second production this year, In the Vain of Dudley Doright will run March 13-14.
BY KATIE CARPENTER
Tanya Roundy, the new English and drama teacher, has decided to try something different at NSH this spring by directing the students in her very own play, In the Vain of
Dudley Doright. This classic melodrama was written by Roundy six years ago and has been performed three times since, making this performance its fourth. The story is about Dudley Doright, a classic hero that falls in
love with an omnipresent heroine, Sweet Charity. The two characters become engaged, but before they can say ‘I do’, the nasty villain, Lucifer Rockbottom, also falls for Sweet Charity. Rockbottom resorts to drastic measures and kidnaps
the heroine. The climax breaks as Sweet Charity gets tied to train tracks and Dudley Doright attempts to save her. Sound dramatic? Jillian Coombs, a junior from Fountain Green and the assistant director of the production feels it’s not just dramatic—it’s different. “With a melodrama you’re allowed to be as over the top as possible,” said Coombs. “No one ever gets in trouble for acting too much.” That makes this particular play perfect for the NSH drama club, which is bursting with exuberance. Some of the lead talent displayed in this production includes that of Heather Barker, a junior from Mt. Pleasant, Brigham Blackham, a senior from Mt. Pleasant, and Robert Peel, another senior from Mt. Pleasant. Peel, who plays the part of Lucifer Rockbottom, loves acting as the villain. “I get to speak with an outrageous French accent and yell at people while doing it!” said Peel. Although Peel, Barker and Blackham take the leads, expect to see lots of students in the production. Many others are involved in putting this production on—thirty to be
exact. With so many participants, it can be a little difficult to keep everything under control. “We’ve had a hard time getting people to rehearsals,” said Coombs. “Right now it’s a little messy, but hopefully it’ll come together.” Coombs says it’s also been difficult because the cast hasn’t had a set script. “They’ve been making it up as they go in some parts of the play,” said Coombs. She says that the participants have been trying out new things that seem to work, so they add it into the ever-changing script. “Every single rehearsal they stop doing their lines and go off onto something else!” said Roundy with a laugh. In the Vain of Dudley Doright will be showing at 7 p.m. from March 13-14. The cost is $3.00 for students, seniors, and children under twelve, $5.00 for adults. DVDs of the performance will be selling for $8.00. “If you want a good laugh, this is the play to see,” said Roundy. “It’s fun for families and the audience gets to participate a lot.” The spring North Sanpete drama production promises to be a new look at the performance talent at NSH.
Two NS art students receive awards in Springville art competiton BY SARA LAFOLLETTE
Students prepared for months, if not years, for the event; and their efforts have reached an excellent conclusion. The Utah All-State High School Art Show has come to an end. This year marked the 36th annual art show held at the Museum of Art in Springville, and high school juniors and seniors across the state of Utah, including students from North Sanpete, were the welcomed participants. The exhibition takes place February 23rd – March 28th. “It’s a prestigious thing,” said Paul Allred, the art teacher at NSH. “It’s comparable to sports championships.” Allred set February 8th as the deadline for project completion. Afterward, he took the projects to Snow College to be observed by jurors who selected five pieces to be
placed in the exhibition. The exhibition has been judged in its entirety , and awards went to two of our students this year: Ethan Aldridge and Rebecca Lee. Individual students were allowed to enter up to two pieces. Categories for competition included drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry and more. Lee, a senior from Mt. Pleasant, had two projects prepared: a painting and a clay sculpture/set featuring cake(s). The painting, which she completed last year, was pictured on the Sanpete County August 2007- July 2008 telephone directory. The clay cake set was her most recent achievement, and the winner of the Congretional District Award of Merit. She joked that hunger inspired the project. “I started at the beginning of the school year, and I just barely finished,” said Lee.
Aldridge, a junior from Moroni, them to pr prepare early submitted a sequential competition; equential art piece feafor this co turing a zombie-related bie-related cartoon in a giving them notificacoffin-shapedd frame. He received tion about a year in adan award of excellence. This is a proxcellence. vance. Th Brad Aldridge, fessional comdge, Ethan’s father, fessio owns a private, which vate, frameppetition pe ti making busiusiddeserves ness withh ssuch prepawhich Ethan rations. n ra is involved. The d. Ethan usedd aawards prehis father’s’s sented equiptment too make exconstruct thee ccellent adcoffin framee ditions to dit with assissany portfotance from his lio. Winning older sister, Erika scholarships, sch Aldridge. getting a piece gett No matterr what pictured in a pic kind of project book compioject his boo students prelation, beeP S L fer, Allred Ethan Aldridge, a junior at NSH, won an award ing part of encourages a traveling of excellence for his sequential art piece. HOTO BY
ARAH
AFOLLETTE
show and having dinner with the Governor of Utah are also possible outcomes. “It gives the kids a professional platform,” said Allred. And professional it is. The submitted artwork must meet certain specifications in order to be considered—polished and mature work is expected by the judges. Allred believed NSH was very well represented this year, and it clearly shows. Allred has had only four pieces make it through to the exhibition in the past—one for every year he’s taught. One belonged to previous Eric Heywood who went on to win an award of excellence. Heywood was previously Allred’s only student to have won an award at this competition. The awards ceremony will take place March 8th .
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Let’s Talk Fash ion Have you ever walked down the hallway and seen something completly unique and out there?
Whitney McKay – Senior “I love basically all of Vogue magazine.” Money Spent on Clothes Monthly: At least $200-300 Favorite Store: Nordstrom Does your mom pick out your clothes? We collaborate Who inspires yours style? Coco Channel, Audrey Hepburn
Jonathan Bundy – Senior “Pants are for squares” Money Spent on Clothes Monthly: $5.00 Favorite Store: Wal-Mart Does your mom pick out your clothes? No Who inspires your style? Ross
Becky Reese “Modest is hottest!” Money Spent on Clothes Monthly: about $20 Favorite Store: Maurices Does your mom pick out your clothes? No Who inspires your style? Whatever’s on sale
Go online to read more stories and see more photos at www.news.nsanpete.org
Dyllon Tabler – Sophomore “If it doesn’t make you feel good, it’s not worth putting on” Money Spent on Clothes Monthly: $10 Favorite Store: Wherever it is cheapest Does your mom pick out your clothes? No Who inspires your style? My mood
Teresa Connelly “It doesn’t matter how it feels, its all about how it looks.” Money Spent on Clothes Monthly: $100 Favorite Store: JC Penny’s Does your mom pick out your clothes? Not anymore… Who inspires your style? Stacy from What Not to Wear
Life As We Knew It aims to set priorities right
PHOTO BY JEREMY ZABRISKIE
Life As We Knew It is just one of many that are on Ault’s recommendation list.
BY CALEB ROSE
Prescriptions, Sundries, Gifts and More
Where your first choice is still your best choice.
Title: Life As We Knew It Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer Genre: Futuristic drama Number of pages: 337 Rating: A+ Nan Ault, NSH librarian, nominates Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer as the February Book of The Month. “This is a well-written, approach to the possibilities of the future,” said Ault. “It really lets the reader see how priorities change with stress and fear.” Miranda’s life was that of a typical teenager—she hung out with her friends, enjoyed being a member of the school swim team, and occasionally got into a few arguments
with her recently-divorced parents. But Miranda never expected what was about to devastate the entire world. She ignored the warnings, but once the news circulated, it was the most-talked about news in the school, town, state, and even country. What is this frightening news? A meteor was predicted to shatter the moon. The masses become overwhelmed and as they witness the event of the millennium, life, as they knew it, begins to come to an end. With rushing currents, massive snowstorms, a loss of food, and death, Miranda begins to reevaluate her priorities. Written from Miranda’s point of view, this diary reveals the inner workings of a teenager witnessing the end of times.
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TEACHER TRIVIA USE THE TEACHER’S LAST NAME ONLY
R ENTE IN TO W
THE COGNITIVE QUEST How well do you know NS High? Answer all the questions correctly and e-mail us your answers. The quiz is open to students and members of the community. We’ll select two students and one communtiy member to receive an NS Times t-shirt! Just e-mail your answers, t-shirt size, name and phone number to news@nsanpete.org. Freshman Level: What is served for lunch every Thursday?
Across
Down
1.) Owns a chinchilla 3.) Recently got engaged 8.) Favorite soda is Mountain Dew 9.) Will be taking a group of students to Europe this summer 10.) Recently changed her name 11.) Stripteases for his class 14.) Used to be the principal at Fairview Elementary 16.) Girls’ basketball coach 17.) Went to school to be an English teacher 18.) Wrote the spring play 19.) Loves Youtube videos 21.) In charge of the yearbook 23.) His favorite band is Guster 24.) Once lived in Tennessee 25.) Wife’s name is Amanda
1.)Played football for Snow college 2.) His family owns the pool in Chester 4.) Lives across the street from the school 5.) Likes Don Quixote 6.) Will be the girls’ golf coach 7.) Helps to coordinate prom 12.) Makes excellent apple juice 13.) Once did ballet 14.) Coaches track 15.) Lives in Nephi 19.) New math teacher 20.) Used to teach shop at the middle school 22.) Was a rancher before he was a teacher
Sophomore Level: Who is the sophomore class president? Junior Level: What is the very last word in the school song? Senior Level: What is Principal Ericksen’s middle name?
Oscar Nominees Contest th
The 80 annual Academy Awards is coming up on February 24. Mark the nominee that you think will win in each category. The person with the most correct answers will receive two movie tickets to Ephraim Towne Theaters. In the event of a tie there will be a tiebreaker contest. Please cut out this form and turn it in to Mr. Cox. Best Pictures
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Juno No Country For Old Men Michael Clayton Åtonement There will Be Blood
Cate Blanchett: I’m Not There Ruby Dee: American Gangster Saoirse Ronan: Atonement Amy Ryan: Gone Baby Gone Tilda Swinton: Michael Clayton
Best Song in a Movie Falling Slowly: Once Raise it Up: August Rush How Does She Know: Enchanted So Close: Enchanted Happy Working Song: Enchanted
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Visual Effects The Golden Compass Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Transformers
George Clooney: Michael Clayton Daniel Day- Lewis: There Will Be Blood Johnny Depp: Sweeney Todd Tommy Lee Jones: In the Valley of Elah Viggo Mortensen: Eastern Promises
Best Animated Feature Film Persepolis Ratatouille Surf ’s Up
Best Directing Julian Schnabel: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Jason Reitman: Juno Tony Gilroy: Michael Clayton Joel & Ethan Coen: No Country for Old Men Paul Thomas Anderson: There will be no Blood
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Casey Affleck: The Assassination of Jesse James Javier Bardem: No Country for Old Men Philip Seymour Hoffman: Charlie Wilson’s War Hal Holbrook: Into the Wild Tom Wilkinson: Michael Clayton
Best Actress in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett: Elizabeth: The Golden Age Julie Christie: Away from Her Marion Cotillard-Le Vie en Rose Laura Linney: The Savages Ellen Page: Juno