The Eagle's Nest 12.1 by Jeff Ferrell

KEEPI N G THE S TUDE NTS OF RHEA COU NTY HIGH SCH O OL I NFORMED SI N CE 1996

BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

The Eagle's Nest

SUMMER ADVENTURES PAGES 6 & 7

SURVIVING YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR PAGE 4

VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1

EAGLE FOOTBALL HEATS UP FALL SPORTS, PAGE 9

Mr. Fisher accepts coaching position By ALEX GREEN ALEXG@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

This year, a new entry appeared in the list of administrators on the cover of the RCHS Student Handbook— Russell Fisher, Graduation Coach. Many of you have no doubt noticed Mr. Fisher’s absence from his corner classroom on the edge of the History Department, and some may have even seen his new digs down in the Main Office. Rather than continue to teach history, Mr. Fisher has taken on the responsibility of helping students clean up their personal histories. Failing a class or two in school or otherwise falling behind can be a stressful and ultimately overwhelming experience for students. How do you catch up and keep up at the same time? As Graduation Coach, Mr. Fisher’s job is to work closely with students who have hit snags in their high school career, and help them develop strategies and plans to get back on track. He then monitors those students to make sure they’re staying on track for a diploma. I sat down with Mr. Fisher recently in his new office and talked to him about his new position. First on my mind: Why did he give up History to become Graduation Coach? “Basically, someone needed to do it.” he says. “Mr. Levengood asked me

photo by alex green

Mr. Fisher has left the classroom to take the position of Graduation Coach, and help students stay on track to collect their high school diplomas some day.

to do it, and I thought about it for several days and decided that I’d give it a shot.” He adds that he doesn’t view this position as leaving the teaching profession, be-

cause he still interacts with many students every day. I asked him if he missed his teaching job. I was met with a quick, “Yes. Yes I do. I miss the

classroom. I miss....I miss the interaction with groups of students, but remember that I’d been doing that for a long, long time. I probably truly did need a change, be-

cause sometimes you kind of get in a rut if you do the same thing over, and over, and over again.” He continued to tell how long he actually had been teaching: thirty-seven years. His career began back in 1970 at Rhea Central High School, then he moved to Spring City High School and then to RCHS in 1974 when the doors opened and taught in that pink room on the corner for thirty-two years. This year marks his thirtyeighth year in the Rhea County school system, and the first that he hasn’t taught. Now in his thirty-eighth year and longer teaching, I asked Mr. Fisher if he looked to be Graduation Coach until his retirement. He answered, “Probably. Retirement is fairly close,” and he began to laugh. “My goal is to work forty years,” he went on, “I might work longer, I might less,” he said and laughed again. Then I asked him the question that I believe everyone is pondering. “When do you plan on retiring?” “No definite date,” he explained, “My goal has always been forty years.” “Do you look forward to retirement?” I asked. “Some days. Some days,” He said with a smile. “But I don’t think about it a lot. Just at some point in your life you see MR. FISHER page 3

Band equipment travels in style in new trailer By STAR HOUSTON STAR@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

photos by cory smith

The Band Council (inside) and seniors (seated) hang out with their new equipment trailer, purchased with the help of La-Z-Boy.

The band has a nice new addition this year— an equipment trailer that was kindly donated to them by La-Z-Boy. The band is very appreciative of the new trailer; it will make carrying their equipment to away games and contests more convenient and save money on costly rentals. The band has made good use of the rig as they traveled to the first away games, where they rallied the crowd with their upbeat stands music and entertained them during the half-time show with selections from the musical Grease. The show includes the songs “Grease,” “Summer Nights,” “Beauty School Drop Out,” “Sandra Dee,” “Greased Lightning,” “Born to Hand Jive,” and “We Go Together”. The band has worked hard under this

summer’s record high heat so they can put as much as they can on the field earlier in the year. Learning the show has been made easier this year by the use of new, easier to understand coordinate sheets that have replaced the cryptic chart packets of old. This is the band’s third year under the direction of Mr. Brad Denton. Drum majors this year are Britney Conely, Brooke Smith and Maria Shepherd. Ms. Hood has been shaping up the color guard this year with the help of the flag captains Alyssia Lindsey, Olivia Carver, Serlena Martin, Crystal Jones, and Jessica Yearwood. As fall progresses don’t be surprised if the band kids look a little harassed or start napping during lunch. Contest time is right around the corner and they are working hard to have all of their show ship shape by the time it rolls around.

The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

Mrs. Walling honored; JROTC preps for 2007-08 By CADET CAPTAIN JUSTIN LINGER JROTC PRESS CORESPONDANT

The Golden Eagle Battalion has started out strong with SFC Harris and CW3 Walling leading the way. We’ve been issued uniforms, received rank and title, and are preparing for squad and platoon competitions. Also this school year, in December, the J.R.O.T.C. Program will have a formal inspection to determine if the program will keep the title of Honor Unit With Distinction. However, J.R.O.T.C. isn’t all about formations and staying in line. On Fridays, cadets get to go outside for more of a “fun day”, after a week of learning in class activities. At the beginning of the 20072008 school year, members of the Junior and Senior class had the option to appear in front of a promotion board to receive rank and titles. This is a major event in the J.R.O.T.C. Program each year. Cadets could appear early on a Saturday morning for uniform inspection, a written test, a verbal test by a board of superiors, and the marching of fellow cadets. There will be a formal inspection this year for the Golden Eagle Battalion. Cadet Command Officers from Fort Knox will be inspecting our program. They will observe as the staff officers brief them on how staff duties are performed. Company Drill will also be observed as they determine the fate of the Golden Eagle Battalion.

¡Una clase nueva y distinguida! By La Clase de ESPAÑOL II HONORS

photo submitted

Mrs. Walling (left) accepts the award for 7th Brigade Senior Army Instructor of the Year, presented on July 17th by 7th Brigade Commander Colonel Valerie Border. The 7th Brigade operates in the states of Ohio and Kentucky for Senior ROTC and covers all high schools in the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

After they have carefully inspected the program, they will determine if the battalion gets to keep Honor Unit With Distinction for the 17th consecutive year. On a higher note, the SAI CW3 Lois Walling received “SAI of the year” for her performance with the J.R.O.T.C. Program. By being chosen for this award, it has been made clear that CW3 Walling is the best SAI in the following four states: Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. CW3 Walling out-performed 170 other SAls to win this award. One important part of

J.R.O.T.C. is the special teams. The special teams consist of Raiders, Pentathlon, Rifle Team, Drill Team, and Color Guard. The Raider Team has practice 2 to 3 times a week, and the first competition is the weekend of September 14th-15th. The Raiders also have competitions on the dates of Sept. 21st-23rd and Oct. 19th-21st. The Pentathlon Team consists of the most physically fit cadets in the Battalion. Pentathlon competitions are Sept. 13th, Sept. 20th, Sept. 25th, Oct. 4th, and Oct. 23rd. Rifle Team competitions will be starting soon after prac-

tices begin. Drill Team competitions are Nov. 3rd, Feb. 16th, and March 8th. The pride of J.R.O.T.C. comes from the display of discipline and fine uniforms we wear every Tuesday. However, on Fridays, there are times set aside to have fun with fellow cadets. Cadets have several options for activities such as kickball, the obstacle course, or just a good old fashioned PT formation. We enjoy every Friday whether we are playing games outside or strengthening our minds and bodies.

Administration considers expansion options

RCHS food service wins award By NILAM PATEL NILAM@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

By SARAH HEATH

This summer, the RCHS Food Services and lunch program was recognized for promoting a healthy school environment. Deciding factors included the healthy food choices offered, such as deli sandwiches served on whole wheat bread, wraps, and low-fat cookies. The one-hour lunch itself was lauded for its various activities that provide opportunities to walk and exercise.

SARAH@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Eagle’s Nest wins top design award By MR. FERRELL FERRELL@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Rhea County High School’s Eagle’s Nest newspaper took first place in JS Printing’s Semiannual Newspaper Design Contest for the second half of the 2006-07 school year. Entries are judged on technical merit, visual appeal, and overall design. Winning publications are featured on the company’s Web site, at http://www.jsprinting.com/ design-contest/, and used as sample publications at events and trade shows around the country, including the National High School Journalism Convention. JS Printing is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and has printed The Eagle’s Nest since 2003. The Eagle’s Nest was awarded $1,000 which will be used to offset printing and equipment costs.

¡Bienvenidos a RCHS! Para el año escolar 2007-2008. ¡Profesores nuevos, alumnos nuevos ya son águilas! Como todos sabemos, el verano pasó rapidamente y hizo mucho calor. Gozamos muchas actividades. Por ejemplo, nadamos, fuimos al cine, y algunos viajaron. Phat Le viajó a Vietnam. Cassie Swiney y Adam Roddy visitaron la Florida y muchos otros traqbajaron. Algo fantástico y nuevo este año es la clase nueva de Español II Honors. Los miembros de la clase son Chris Armstrong, Emilie Belisle, Kelcie Dyer, Will Garrison, Ashley Godoy, Kim Harris, Jonathan Johnson, Crystal Jones, Meghan Jones, Phat Le, LaShana Morgan, Andrew Patton, Adam Roddy, Thomas Shaw, y Catherine Swiney. El señor Daugherty enseña la clase. Algunos de nuestros proyectos son: leer novelas, estudiar el arte de España, escribir nuestros propios libros en español, y mucho más. Entonces, bienvenidos, y esperamos que Uds tengan un año fabuloso.

photos by julius smith

POWER PLAY. On September 7th, members of the John Jacob’s Next Generation Power Force came and sprayed the football team with water, bent bars, and spoke about drugs, abstinence, and making wise choices.

Eight years ago, in 1999, Rhea County High School began to exceed its limit of a 1200-student population. Since then, many discussions have been held about the need to expand for the constantly increasing student population. It’s something that takes time though, and definitely can’t be done overnight. Now, since we are expecting the arrival of new students because of the TVA second reactor, some drastic measures may have to be taken. Why it has taken Rhea County so long to realize that RCHS needs additional space? “Well,” local school board member Bimbo McCally said, “it hasn’t taken us this long to realize the school needs expansion, it’s just that the county is hesitant about money and we need proper funding.” That funding won’t be coming from a sales tax increase, however. Last Monday, the Dayton City Council decided not to allow voters to choose whether to help support the county schools with an increased sales tax. All three municipalities in the county had to agree on the increase for it to take effect. But that’s not the only avenue available for funding. The TVA impact money along with the new project on Watt’s Bar will help out. Money might also come from a raise in property taxes, or a wheel tax. Even when the funding is finalized, construction at RCHS won’t begin imsee EXPANSION page 3

The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

RCHS welcomes new teachers Compiled by CORY SMITH CORY@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Anthony Williams

Originally from Lenoir City, Coach Williams has nine years of previous experience in teaching before joining the Rhea County High School staff this year. He holds a Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Tennessee Weslyan and a Masters degree in education in Trevecca Nazarene. He’s teaching Wellness and P.E., and coaching Boys’ Basketball.

Lincoln Head

Originally from the capital of our great state, Nashville, Mr. Head will be teaching Algebra I this year. He holds a Bachelors in Math from Tennessee Tech.

James Harrison

Mr. Harrison is originally from here in good old Rhea County. He holds a Bachelors degree in Business from Bryan College and an Associates degree in Mathematics and Physical Science from Roane State.

Brandi Groce

Mrs. Groce graduated from Soddy Daisy High School in ‘03, and joins us this year teaching English. She holds an Associates degree in science from Chattanooga State and a Bachelors of Science from U.T.C.

MR. FISHER from Page 3 need to sort of refocus and change gears.” I then turned from his future and focused on his past. “Why did you start teaching?” I questioned. “To be honest with you, I don’t know,” he said. “Because that’s the only thing I ever wanted to do— even as a small child, I always wanted to be a teacher. I don’t know exactly why that’s what I wanted to do, but it was. I never had any other aspirations.” “I always liked reading,” he went on, “I always liked school. I got lots of attention, because I was an only child for a while, and I just always liked school. That doesn’t mean I always made straight A’s, because I didn’t. There were things that I didn’t like, but overall I liked it. I enjoyed school very much.” I then asked if he had planned on teaching for forty years when he began his career. He laughed and answered, “You know, I really didn’t think about that until I had done it for about twenty years, then it hit me: well, you’ve been here twenty years, you’ve done it twenty years, are you going stick with it, or are you going do something else? I had other offers early in my career, but I didn’t take them. This is what I wanted to do, and I think I’m lucky to have had the chance to do it this long.” Curious about why he’s taught this long, I asked him what’s kept him in teaching. “Well it wasn’t the money,” he answered quickly and laughed again. “I like young people,” he explained, “My battery would get recharged daily

by kids who wanted to learn, or who learned, or did well, or tried. I just thought it was fulfilling. You know, I wasn’t going to work; I was going to school. I still don’t come to work. I come to school. “It is hard work, but it’s a different type of work. It’s hard mentally. I think one of the things that lots of people don’t understand is that teaching school is a hard job.

“

One thing that makes me terribly proud is that I teach with a lot of kids that I taught, and it is rewarding to see them come back and do the same thing that I’ve done for so long.

”

It takes a lot of preparation and a lot of paper work to do one hour in front of a classroom, and I think a lot of people don’t stop and think about that. If you’ve had a real effective, good strong teacher, that’s what they’ve done. “Throughout my career, I’ve tried to follow two basic goals: be on time and be prepared. That was just something that engraved in me as a child, and I guess that came from my mother who believed if you had an eight o’clock appointment, you need to be there at seven fifty.” “When you look back over your career, what’s the overall

emotion?” I asked. “Well . . . I’m happy that I’ve done what I’ve done— I have no regrets that I chose this career. You almost look back in it in amazement that it’s lasted that long and it’s been that long, because to be honest with you, it doesn’t seem like it’s been forty years since I first stepped into a classroom. I’ve seen lots of changes, and sometimes I’m in awe at the way things have changed, the way people change, the way technology changes. “I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had the opportunity to do what I’ve done, that I’ve had bosses that had faith in me and believed that I had something to offer, and you go home tired, but you’re pretty satisfied most days.” I asked the thirty-eight year veteran what some of his proudest moments were in teaching, and I waited as he pondered the question. “One thing that makes me terribly proud,” he says after a second, “is that I teach with a lot of kids that I taught, and it is rewarding to see them come back and do the same thing that I’ve done for so long.” Since he has taught for so long, naturally he’s watched the students change over the years. “I’ve been around so long, I can see that human relationships, relationships between kids are totally different now than they were thirty years ago, and the connections are different— they like each other for different reasons than maybe they did thirty years ago. There’s a see MR. FISHER page 8

from Page 2 mediately. The earliest any construction might begin is February. Even if all goes as planned, the new additions would not be up and ready for school use until sometime around 2009 or 2010. The arrival of the TVA second reactor construction crews will add new students to our already packed school. Though the exact number of students is not known yet, it is for certain that more space will be needed. This means something needs to happen quickly, and the best solution is portable buildings. School and county officials are considering leasing five of them starting at

$40,000 each. They definitely won’t be permanent, and they won’t effect any future plans of construction. Recently a team of commissioners, school board members, and school administrators, including Mr. Levengood, toured modular buildings at a Meigs County school, and were pleased with what they saw. Mr. Levengood agrees that the portable buildings are a good temporary solution to the overcrowding, though he is concerned that if the school gets them, everyone will think that the problem is solved, when really it would just be delayed. He is requesting ten classrooms for the high school, and a biology lab.

photo submitted

Portable classrooms like these may be Rhea County’s best option for a short-term solution to its crowded schools.

Austin Peay State University – a Tennessee Board of Regents institution – is an equal opportunity employer committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body.

see TEACHERS page 8

EXPANSION

See the preview. Then decide. AP Day is your chance to preview life at Austin Peay. We’ll cover everything from admission standards to student life. You’ll have the chance to talk with students and faculty, tour campus buildings – and try our cafeteria food! (We promise, it’s really good.) We’re rolling out the red carpet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CST), Saturdays, Oct. 20 and Nov. 3. Pick the date that works for you and your parents, then register at www.apsu.edu/APday.

Student Life The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

Surviving your

FRESHMAN YEAR

Cory Smith and Alex Green examine some of the potential hazards and pitfalls many newbies are likely to fall prey to. Some you may have already encountered. Others— well, be on your guard!

Freshmen year— the beginning of the four-year journey through high school. We all go through this crossroads, this beginning of an event that you are made to believe is the most important time of your lives. In many ways, it is: this is the beginning of the time you make friendships that you will cherish the rest of your lives. These four years will produce fond memories, and memories you’d rather forget . . . and these years will prepare you to take on the real world. After going through the journey on which you are just embarking, we have compiled a few points that we have found useful through our own experiences.

By RILEY BREWER RILEY@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Don’t procrastinate!! Alex knows from personal experience that procrastinating will cause much grief with any member of the RCHS English Department. (Any department for that matter.)

Mr. Wilkey is always right, even if he isn’t. It isn’t a good idea to argue with a teacher, even if they are wrong. After all, they went to college— what have you accomplished?

If you’re in the middle of an important conversation, the intercom will interrupt you. It’s an un-written law— the intercom always goes off at the wrong time. You can’t really blame the office though, their Mind Reading Kit hasn’t arrived in the mail yet.

We can always go back to four lunches. Mr. Messimer means business.

photo by mr. ferrell

Even for the most confident students, making the transition to high school can be a bit intimidating at times.

Try not to be late for school. Trust Alex’s experience, the gate will close whether you are in, out, or in between.

When in the Vocational Hall, stay away from those vending machines! Mr. Cooper is serious about the signage posted: vending between classes is prohibited.

Always fill out your pass. You never know who might snatch it and check it, and before you know it, you’re doing hallway calisthenics.

Pick up after yourself. Yes I know, this shouldn’t have to be mentioned, but I’m sure you would hate to force Mr. Messimer into taking action.

To answer the question: Yes, the breezeway always smells like that.

When you hear the clown horn approaching you from behind, get out of the way. Mrs. Perry really doesn’t want to run you down, but you may force her to if you don’t clear out. see FRESHMAN page 8

Avoid driving disaster! Summertime Cinema By CORY SMITH

CORY@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Being the extremely experienced and professional driver that I am, I have been convinced to share with you some of my superior knowledge and experience. Mind you, I have previously caused two traffic accidents within ten days, racking up approximately ten thousand dollars of physical damage and have earned myself quite a reputation as the driver to avoid on the road. However, out of my pain and turmoil, I have been convinced to share my hard earned wisdom:

Tyler Humphrey and Will Garrison sit around and rehash the best and worst of the summer blockbusters.

If you can stand it, leave for school a little early. The doors open as early as seven, and I’m sure whoever happens to be out front will greet you with a smile, or a nice song on a bull horn. Trust me, traffic is less likely to rear-end you the earlier you leave home.

As for after school, stay just a few minutes in the parking lot until the traffic rush dies down. The closer to mid-rush you leave, the more likely you are to drive up on a genius who decides to pull a U-turn on Back Valley. Besides, I doubt the administration will suspend your driving privileges for waiting for traffic to relax.

Pay attention. No matter when you drive, always watch

photo by mr. ferrell

Cars queue up in the RCHS parking lot for the daily after-school exodus.

for those around you. You never know where Jimmy Dean Dyer is on his motor scooter.

Avoid using a communication device of any kind when driving unless absolutely necessary. The use of the device distracts your attention from that ditch that your car is about to hurl in to at around fifty miles per hour. Who are we kidding here?— probably closer to seventy.

Use common sense. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want that goof in front of you to do.

Slow Down! Trust me, the few minutes you might save are nothing compared to the time it takes to fill out a police report, call your parents and explain your genius, and clean up the aftermath of your time-saver.

Avoid members of the Class of 2008. We’ve totaled at least three cars, caused thousands in damage, kept insurance companies in the black, and completely and totally ignored the above guidelines. Be safe out there!

Will: Hey, Tyler! Did you go to the movies over the summer? Tyler: Yeah, dude, I watched all the biggest releases. Will: What were they, doofus? Tyler: Let’s see, Spider-Man 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, The Simpsons Movie, Transformers, and maybe some others. Will: Heck yeah, dude! I love that Transformers movie! Tyler: Yeah, me too. That girl was hot. Will: Y-y-you remember that one part when those robots fought? Tyler: Yeah... I thought that Bumblebee was way too important in the movie, though. Everybody hates Bumblebee. Will: I like Bumblebee! Tyler: Touché. I liked the movie, though. I mean, gigantic robots fighting in the middle of the city with the army and air force going after them! What’s not to love? Will: Yeah. It was cool. I don’t know about the storyline, though. It was pretty... Tyler: Cliché? Will: Yeah. That’s the word. Tyler: How ‘bout Spider-Man 3? Will: I liked it. It was confusing, though. I mean, who was that black Spider-Man? Tyler: It was symbiote suit Spidey! Will: Symbological Spidey? Tyler: NO! Symbiote! Will: It was still confusing. Did you understand the story at all? Tyler: Yeah, no problem. It was not hard to grasp. Especially not if you’re a fan of Spider-Man. I hated the ending, though. It seemed pretty anti-climactic to me. see CINEMA page 8

The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

300 worth its weight in Spartans

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures Courtesy of twentieth century fox film corporation

Captain (Vincent Regan), Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and the Spartans stand ready to halt the advance of the Persian army in Warner Bros. Pictures’, Legendary Pictures’ and Virtual Studios’ action drama 300, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

This story takes place in ancient Greece as the massive and the seemingly unstoppable Persian military is sweeping across

DVD REVIEW by Lauren Collins the entire world. It is the story of 300 Spartan soldiers fighting to the death against the nearly one million in the Persian army. I thought the action in this movie was innovative and enjoyable. The story moved along smoothly enough, with only a few inner story lines that I frankly couldn’t have cared less about. I find it interesting, but not surprising, that some have pummeled the film for its historical inaccuracies. However, that shouldn’t be an argument against

Homer Simpson takes a relaxing ride aboard a wrecking ball in The Simpsons Movie.

Simpsons Movie falls a little flat

the film— the filmmakers never intended the movie to be taken as historical fact. It was actually based on a comic book. Director Zack Snyder simply wanted to blend the story of the 300 into an entertaining film and I think he did a very good job. 300 is visually beautiful to look at. The art, costume, and digital designs are flawless and actually become a character themselves in the film. You can forgive someone who forgets they’re watching a movie instead of a moving piece of art on screen. It is that impressive. The bottom line is if you’re looking for a movie with a great story and many outstanding visuals, then 300 will not disappoint. However, be prepared for the battle scenes. The film is, after all, rated R, but I thought that even the battle scenes were done in a very artistic way and aren’t simply blood and gore like your average splatter film.

Simple idea: Take one of the most beloved TV shows in America and make it a featurelength movie. This was the basic idea behind The Simpsons Movie. Does it work? Yes and no. As Homer Simpson even says in the movie, “I can’t believe we’re paying to see something we get on TV for free!” However, for long-time fans of The Simpsons, it’s really not unbelievable at all. Almost every character from all of its years on television make an appearance at some point in the movie. The movie even opens up with a sketch from The Itchy and Scratchy Show! Longtime fans of the TV show will no doubt be right at home with the plot and charac-

ters as soon as they take that first step into the theater. And besides, if you’re like me, you’re thinking,

MOVIE REVIEW by Tyler Humphrey “What could be better than the Simpsons and popcorn?” The answer to that, of course, is “Not much.” However, the movie does have shortcomings. With a running time of only 87 minutes, it’s hard to make yourself shovel out the money to go see such a short

movie. Also, the movie has quite a few jokes that will make you chuckle, but instances where you will laugh out loud are few and far between. Another problem is that most of the audience for the movie are already fans of the TV show and the jokes are far too predictable for long-time fans. And although the storyline is entertaining enough, it lacks the ability to really draw you in. So if you’re just out for a good time at the movies and want a few good laughs, rush to the nearest movie theater. But if you’re looking for an epic storyline or an emotional rush, you may want to just look elsewhere.

Deathly Hallows draws Harry Potter series to a conclusion Well, readers, the final installment of the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hit bookstores on July 21st, 2007. All of the previous J.K. Rowling books show the struggle of young Harry fighting for his life and the truth after he discovers a

BOOK REVIEW by Nilam Patel whole new world on his eleventh birthday. This last book has more twists and turns than the previous six. Don’t worry there are no spoilers ahead, just hints! Harry, now of age, has to fight for his

life in order to defeat Lord Voldemort— a classic “good vs. evil” plot with modern twists in the world of magic. Once again, it is Harry who must fight for the good of everybody, with the help of his loyal companions, Hermoine and Ron. This last installment ties all the loose ends and answers most, if not all, of the reader’s questions. Harry has to find and destroy six horcruxes (pieces of Lord Voldemort’s soul bound to physical objects) in hopes of defeating the Dark Lord. Harry must follow a trail of clues and remember the advice he was given even though everybody tells him otherwise. Harry’s previous mentors, such as Hogwarts Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore and his Godfather, Sirius Black, have died— but Harry has to be courageous and follow their teaching. Harry journeys through to

Paramore’s Riot! a solid release MUSIC REVIEW by Victoria Dewitt

In June of this year, Paramore released their latest album, Riot! If you’re familiar with Paramore you probably already have the album loaded onto your iPod, or maybe in your car stereo. If not, they are a five piece band with a female vocalist, and a pop/punk, undeniably catchy sound.

When I heard the first single released from Riot!, “Misery Business” I had high hopes for this album. However, listening to Riot! track by track, I was surprised. Like most albums, Riot! has its ups and downs. A handful of songs on the CD are bland and forgettable; Others have generic, often pre-

revelations, battles, and treachery among his own. He is ultimately presented with the choice of hiding or fighting; living with his loved ones or traveling a dark path in order to find some light. Harry discovers many truths and deals with the loss of characters who had become familiar to us in all previous six books. Readers are going to have bittersweet feelings about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. J.K. Rowling does a magnificent job combining everything together and making the book an easy and fun read. Readers, if you have been lazy about reading the last book due to size or time, you have been missing out. However fictional, it is nice to leap into a world of magic and wonder while taking a break from the real world.

dictable or cliché lyrics. Overall, lead singer Hayley Williams’s vocal skills compensate for the sometimes bland lyrics, though. The band’s smooth, fast-paced sound is a big improvement from their last album, All We Know Is Falling. Despite a few misses on this CD, it pulls through and deserves a spot in everyone’s CD case.

afting in swollen waters, catching a ride on the newest roller coaster, hanging out by the pool— summer days are a chance to catch your breath and have fun. Are you ever curious about what the students and teachers of Rhea County High do during break? Although those tacky orange admission bracelets were torn off and thrown away, our students’ and faculty’s stories are souvenirs for our newspaper. Sleeping late was not on the agenda for these tourists, as they journeyed across all corners of the globe. Although another school year has began, reflecting back on these vacations can keep a little bit of summer with us while we adjust to our busy schedules. { Compiled by Alex Brown }

Lindsey Roden learned about our state’s history this summer, while having a blast in the fast-paced city of Nashville, after a classic American car trip landed the Roden family in our state capitol. While there, they toured Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage and the famous fullscale replica of the Parthenon. Lindsay was also excited to look at Vanderbilt University.

Julius Smith landed in Glasgow, Scotland only two weeks before the terrorist attacks in the UK. Julius united with some family in Glasgow and sailed on Loch Lomond. He visited a castle in Sterling, and traveled to Straford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare. At King’s Cross station in London, he visited Platform 9¾, made famous by the Harry Potter series. Julius also walked around Stonehenge and took the Chunnel to Paris, where he saw the Eiffel Tower. Julius is pictured here in front of the Paris Opera House.

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Julie Gillette, Shea Congioloso, and Britany Edwards (not pictured) made our school proud by attending Volunteer Girls State during the break. The girls were given the task of discussing topics dealing with the state legislature and developing new governments.

Kelsey Lacombe and Lauren Johnson had fun in the sun at Fort Walton Beach in Florida. Daddy never took the T-Bird away from these two; Kelsey and Lauren had a blast the entire vacation! The two dined at Sonny’s BBQ for great beach grub and adored spending time with family and friends along the beautiful Florida coast.

Matthew Crockett and his family experienced life western style this summer. These tourists viewed the spectacular Grand Canyon and traveled to one of America’s most exciting cities; Las Vegas! “How grand it was!” remarked Mrs. Crockett. “The city lights and attractions were my favorite highlights,” claimed Matthew.

Phat Le went around the world in 22 hours when he visited family in Vietnam. He spent three weeks hanging with his friends and relaxing at Mui Ne beach. “I recommend driving a scooter rather than a car, unless it’s a taxi,” Phat added about the congested traffic. He snapped this photo as they made their way through the congested streets.

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Mr. Ballentine and Mr. Brown were honored to represent RCHS at the Educators Orientation Visit program in San Diego, California during their vacation. Their activities included boarding a World War II landing craft, touring a carrier escort vessel, and witnessing first hand the strength and dedication of our soldiers at a Navy Seals training camp area. “Touring a nuclear submarine was another awesome experience. It was hard to imagine these guys can actually stay under water for up to six months at one time,” said Mr. Ballentine. Their tours began as early as 4:00am and kept these two extremely busy all day. Right: Mr. Brown seems to enjoy the weapons demonstration. Below: The group on the deck of a Navy carrier escort.

The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

Musical summer blockbusters

TEACHERS from Page 3

By WILL GARRISON

Peggy Bates

Mrs. Bates, from Rhea Central, made the jump to the high school level this year. Mrs. Bates is originally from Dalton Georgia. She holds a Bachelors degree in English from Rhodes College, and a Masters degree in education from Tennessee Tech. She will be teaching Freshmen Algebra I and Tech Path Geometry.

Mike Kinney

Coach Kinney left us for a short period last fall and returned in the middle of first semester. This fall, he returns to his previous position of teaching Geometry. Coach Kinney will also be the assistant coach for the Baseball Team.

Raylene Soderstrom

Ms. Soderstrom, originally from Medford Oregon, will be teaching Algebra I and Geometry, both for Technical Path students. She holds a degree in engineering from Oregon State and a degree in Secondary Education with a Math concentration from Tennessee Tech.

Paul Harris

Sergeant Harris joins us this year as the Army Instructor for our JROTC Department. Sgt. Harris is originally from Birmingham Alabama. He holds a Bachelors degree in Social Science from Thomas Edison State, and he recently retired from the United States Army after twenty two years of service to our country.

Brittany Hayes

Coach Hayes is a 2003 graduate of Cumberland County High School. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Physical Education and Health from Maryville College. She will be teaching Wellness and Girls’ Weight Training this year. She will also be the assistant coach for Girls’ Basketball and head Softball coach.

WILL@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

From Sean Kingston’s, “Beautiful Girls”, to Amy Winehouse’s, “Rehab,” there was definitely no shortage of chart topping songs this summer. These hits include Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, Hurricane Chris’ “Ay Bay Bay”, Justin Timberlake’s “Summer Love”, and The Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah”. Maybe the most impressive thing of the summer, though, was how a few artists just seemed to pop up and say, “Here’s a billboard topping hit.” I’m talking about artists such as Sean Kingston and Amy Winehouse. These two seem to have just hit it big over the summer, and now their songs are everywhere. Since most had never heard of the two, here’s a little history of the two artists. Kingston got his start on MySpace.com, by constantly sending messages to producer, J.R. Rotem. Kingston continued using MySpace to his advantage by putting his new songs on his site for anyone and everyone to listen to. By doing this, he has attracted a huge amount of fans who just can’t get enough of his unique musical style, which has been described as a mix between duwop, R&B, and a bit of Jamaican roots to make it solid. Most had never even heard of Winehouse before this summer, but she has had many hits all through the 2000’s. The only thing, though, was that they were in the U.K., not here. Her hit, “Rehab,” actually landed in the U.K. in 2006 and became a top ten hit. When it finally did land here, though, it was almost immediately recognized by the music industry as a breath of fresh air. People just can’t seem to get enough of her jazzy sound which came from listening to her parents music

Ms. Greer joins us this year in the Guidance Department. She is originally from Portland Tennessee. Ms. Greer holds a Bachelors degree as a Social Worker from U.T.C. and a Masters degree in Education with a concentration in School Counseling.

FRESHMAN from Page 4

Don’t go to Guidance unannounced and expect to be seen. You need to make an appointment, otherwise, the probability of being seen is slim to none. You will get a hamburger eventually. Trust me, even after four years, Alex and I have discovered that most of the time, it is easier to try new things and be assured food, than to rush the sandwich line and be forced to wait half of lunch to get your sandwich.

13 Shelley Rader

Originally from Lincolnton, North Carolina, Ms. Rader will be teaching Special Programs Math this year. She holds a degree in K-12 Special Education from Southern Wesleyan.

from Page 4 Will: Yeah, I don’t even remember the ending. I just liked the blowing stuff up. Tyler: The thing that really caught my attention was “Emo-Spidey.” That was hilarious. Will: What’d you think about Pirates of the Caribbean 3? Tyler: That was the worst movie of the summer. And Hairspray came out this year... Will: Pirates of the Caribbean 3 was a terrible movie. The story was bad, the action sequences

collection as a kid and listening to her uncles, who were both professional jazz musicians. As the summer comes to an end, we get discouraged, but not to worry, as we have many songs that will remind us of those good times we had, whether it’s about that one girl you chased all summer or some of that wild partying you did. I’m sure we’ll have much to look forward to in the up and coming year from all artists and genres.

Amy Greer

CINEMA

photo by Adam Bielawski

Amy Winehouse performs at this summer’s Lollapalooza festival.

were bad, and even the acting managed to be bad at times. Did the story make any sort of sense to you at all? Tyler: Nope. It sure didn’t. Will: It was one of the most boring movies I’ve ever seen. What’s there to be excited about when the story will bore you to tears, the action sequences make you long for something cool to finally happen, and the attempted humor falls flat on its face? Tyler: Absolutely nothing, I guess. Will: Did you go see the new Harry Potter movie, Order of the Phoenix?

Relax. High school is a blast if you don’t worry too much. Find cool friends, enjoy that hour-long lunch to experience those awesomtastic lunchtime activities, and once more relax. Trust us, high school isn’t the end of the world, even though it seems bad sometimes.

Tyler: Yeah. I didn’t think it was very good either. The movies just seem to get worse and worse as they go along and don’t seem to catch the magic of the books. Will: I guess this year wasn’t such a good year for blockbusters, eh? Tyler: Yeah, there were a lot of big name movies this year, but none really stood out or broke the mold. Will: I guess you’re right. We’ll just have to see how the rest of the year turns out.

photo from icanhascheezburger.com

Yes you will, Freshmen. Yes you will. Although Alex prefers the chicken sandwich. Or the World’s Best Corndogs.

MR. FISHER from Page 3 world of difference between an eighteen year old today and an eighteen year old in 1975. “I think today’s eighteen year old is much more experienced in almost everything. They are more independent. They are more responsible for themselves in that many of them are basically self-supporting. They have jobs. They pay for their cars. They come and go as they please, and it amazes me that that change has come, although it didn’t come quickly. “I look at that and the way people look fashion-wise. For the life of me, I’ve never understood why people want to wear holey britches. Now I get a little chuckle out of some of that. As my daddy would say, ‘A cat couldn’t catch a rat in those pants they’re so full of holes.’”

I asked him what advice he’d give to new teachers, having the wealth of experience he does. He laughed and said, “First of all, I’d tell them it’s a very important— I think it’s a very important job, because lots of kids spend more time with their teachers than they do their parents, so you’ve got to set a good example first of all. Part of a good example is establishing a good work ethic, because to be a good teacher, you don’t just have a job. It’s almost as if you’ve made some sort of a pledge— and I would say make sure that it’s what you want to do, because if it is and you get started, it’s sort of addicting.” Finally, I had one last question on my list. “What makes you do what you do?” Mr. Fisher looked right at me and said, “You know, people come back and tell you you did a good job. That means a lot.”

Sports Eagle Varsity Football launches exciting season By RYAN SMITH RYAN@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

As fall begins and the temperature begins to cool the RCHS football team is doing just the opposite. The Eagles have started their season by scorching first three opponents by a combined score of 131 to 20. The key to this seasons offensive production looks to be the play of the offensive line and veteran running backs Julian Sharp and Chris Roberts. The lined, anchored by 6’4”, 303-pound Brandon McLeroy, helped the team amass a staggering 358 yards rushing in their performance against the Hixson Wildcats, and had almost that many against Soddy Daisy. Junior quarterback Jacob Swafford has also improved his play after taking more varsity snaps. Hopefully this trend will continue as he gains experience throughout the rest of the season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles have been extremely stingy, allowing an average of around seven points a game. Juniors A.J. Brown and Jacob Moffet rank among the top in the Chattanooga area with 3 interceptions each so far this season. Also, Senior Tyler Talent finished first in the Chattanooga area in sacks and tackles for loss after the Eagles opener against Cumberland. The defense will continue to face tougher tests as the season progresses, but if the defense can maintain its tenacity and ability to cause turnovers then the future looks bright for the Eagles. As far as special teams are concerned, 2006 all-region punter Josh “Jash” Davis continues to nurse an injured groin, but still ranks among the top punters in the area. Davis booted an amazing 66 yard punt in the Eagle’s latest performance. Junior Carlos Rodriguez has performed solidly when handling the teams kick-offs; Rodriguez even showed his tackling expertise late in the game against Cumber-

By BROOKE SMITH BROOKE@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

photo BY ALEX GREEN

land when he made a touchdown saving tackle. After a shaky start, place-kicker Timmy “The Toe” Dotson showed signs of improvement in recent games. Three-year recipient of the Most School Spirit superlative Devo Paschal is extremely excited about the Eagles season. “My boys are going to go out there and give 110%. We’re gonna take every opponent behind the woodshed and show em’ how the Golden Eagles do it,” Paschal says. The team needs many more fans with this mindset for when they take on the Brainerd Panthers. That battle, which will take place in Evensville on Friday, looks to have major playoff implications for both teams, and will, no doubt, be exciting.

By SARAH HEATH

At summer’s end, a new beginning started for the Lady Eagles soccer team. On July 9, a group of 20 dedicated girls gave up half of their summer vacation to start preparing for the season that

awaited them. So far, the team has been working well together and more progress is in store for them. Team captain Sarah Spivey said, “This year has started off as a productive year, everyone has a great attitude and we’re all working toward the same goal.” She also added, “It

Volleyball is underway at Rhea County High School! With a few games already behind them, the 2007-08 volleyball team has learned the ropes and are ready to go. The team had an uncertain start this year, since Coach Eldredge had left, and there seemed to be no one to take her place. Finally, toward the end of the summer, Mrs. Perry agreed to take over the position, and Mr. Ray joined her as an assistant. On short notice, they had to get to work quickly to prepare for the season, but both of the coaches’ previous experience made this a bit easier. Although changing leadership can certainly affect a team, Perry and Ray are hopeful that they will have a good season. With very few practices before the season, the volleyball team had to stay dedicated to prepare for their first games. The Varsity team had a rough start, but the JV team has pulled off two strong wins over Cumberland and McMinn Counties. During a rebuilding season, the girls are working their hardest to make it the best season possible.

Cross country team warms up for 2007 By ROCHELLE NORDYKE ROCHELLE@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

photo BY SARAH HEATH

TOP: Chris Roberts leads the way for Rhea County running back Julian Sharp against Cumberland. ABOVE: The Eagle’s #2 Fan, Dustin Paschal, cheers the team to victory against Soddy Daisy.

Girls soccer team faces tough challenges SARAH@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

Volleyball team seeks to bounce back after shaky start

really helped by starting practice earlier.” Back for his second year, Coach Heath said, “This group is bonding together as a team a lot better and sooner than last year.” It’s obvious to see that each and every one of the girls have a passion for the sport and want to

improve their skill. The team has played aggressively in their first few games, though so far their record is 0-4. It’s tough for them, because they face an extremely stacked see SOCCER page 10

Once again, cross county is hard at work. They are being lead by Stefan Holder, their coach of six years. For the boys, the captain this year is Jacob Henley with co-captains Michael Cooper and Billy Whisman. The girls’ captain is Kara Hollingsworth with co-captains Katie Arnold and Mallory Dyer. Cross country has been having practice since the middle of July. On Labor Day, the cross county team ran at Chattanooga State in the 5k FCA run. There were 325 individuals, their ages ranging from 6 to 79. Our boys had an outstanding persee XCOUNTRY page 10

The Eagle’s Nest • Back-to-School Edition • September 2007

Eagle golfers anticipate post-season success By RYAN SMITH RYAN@RCHSEAGLESNEST.ORG

photo by ryan smith

Rhea County senior Ryan Maddux tees off in the match against Grace Academy.

With the post season looming near, the Rhea County golf team is off to a running start. The Eagles look to improve upon a 155-1 season last year in which the team failed to make it past the district tournament. Led by two time and defending state champion Hunter Green, the Eagles participated in the Palmetto Tournament at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina last weekend to get prepared for the postseason. The district tournament will be played at Lake Tansi in Crossville this week. RCHS

Head Coach Micah Ruehling looks for Seniors Zack Drake and Ryan Maddux to provide leadership along with Green. “I don‘t believe that Zack and Ryan have yet to play to their full potential so far this season,” said Ruehling, “I look for them to step up during the coming weeks.” The team also relies on the services of juniors Kelly Lane and Ryan Welch. Underclassmen Jacob Davis, Daniel Tromanhouser, Nick Rikkert and Jeffery Morris also make contributions. Senior Drake says, “Last year we fell apart in the district tournament so this year we look to turn things around. We defi-

XCOUNTRY

SOCCER from Page 9

from Page 9

district— playing against girls who have been playing soccer since they were small. According to Coach Heath, the girls “play good for the level of talent that they have, there is just not enough individual skill.” He has been stressing to the team that they all need to work on their own in the off-season. The team is progressively getting better, it’s just going to take time. They could certainly use your support, so come out and cheer on the Lady Eagles soccer team at their next home game against Walker Valley on September 25.

formance. Tim Cook came in second out of 44 high school boys, with a new personal record of 18:13. He was ninth overall. Tim also won a new pair of shoes in a drawing. Four other guys ranked in the top ten, including Michael Cooper (3rd), Artemio Pascual (5th), Jacob Henley (6th), and Tyler Cruver (10th). Katie Arnold was fourth out of 25 high school girls, with a personal record of 21:56. Their first official meet of the season was on September 11th, at Fletcher Park. The girls did well, coming in 6th out of 23 teams. The guys came in 3rd, and Jacob Henley just squeaked in under the 18:00

photo by lauren collins

Rhea County girls hustle in an early season game against Grace Academy.

Clip ‘n’ Save Sport Schedules! Date

Opponent

Varsity

August 21

Cumberland

5:00

August 23

Bradley

August 28

mark, with a time of 17:59:84. On September 15th, the team competed in chilly weather for the Tennessee Classic in Nashville, where Rhea County represented the only public school from its region. Katie Arnold and Alyssia Lindsay turned in notable performances, placing 81st and 86th, respectively, in a field of over 256 runners. About half way through their season, the team still has some room for improvement. Coach Holder said, “Right now it’s apparent the boys are way ahead of the girls. The returning boys have put in a lot of work over the summer, but it’s still early in our season and I know the girls are going to get the job done.”

SOCCER

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

nitely have the talent to do well in the post season this year, but it will require all of us being on top of our game.” That is something that the team has done well through the first half of the season. Green has consistently shot in the low 30’s and tied the school record of 32 numerous times this season. Hopefully it is a mark that he will be able to break before his high school career ends. When asked about his chances of winning his third consecutive state championship Green said, “I’m looking forward to it; I think my game is coming around, and I think I definitely have a shot to win.”

Date

Opponent

Time

August 21

Grace