Dear Author... } Be prepared to be disturbed while reading “ Wilder Girls.” Rory Power’s debut novel begins with the premise of a nightmare. The Raxter School for girls has been put under quarantine for the past 18 months. During those months, the Tox has made its presence known by infecting the girls and the teachers. It comes in flare-ups, and by the time these are over, the girls are irrevocably, physically changed in weird ways. For instance, Hetty, the main narrator, essentially grew a third eyelid during a flare-up and lost vision in her right eye. Life is still extremely difficult on the island, despite the Navy’s help. Hetty and the other girls try to survive despite the Tox and find the truth behind their situation. Power’s writing style annoyed me at first.
Students benefit greatly from fine arts classes Abby Doriot Staff Writer
Fine arts classes are a requirement for the Academic Honors diploma, but many students prefer to take them even without the requirement. They enjoy the way they are able to let loose in those classes and have fun. Students and teachers alike believe that fine arts classes benefit them in many different ways. “I think that [art classes] give students a chance to be creative, and it’s kind of like a mental break from all the other classes,” said Melissa Lyles, Scottsburg High School art teacher. “When I walk into the dance room, the stress and tension from that day is completely released from my shoulders. I forget what upsetting things happened that day and just try to focus on dancing. I am able to express myself through dancing, which makes it more personal for me as an individual,” Brooklyn Watts (10) said. The classes provide a safe place to relax and let students bring out their creative sides, whether it is a class at the high school or an extracurricular outside of school. They also teach students to be themselves — no matter what other people think of them. “[Fine arts classes] can unlock hidden
talents that people didn’t know about…They also show you to never worry about what other people think because it’s something to be proud of,” Keyton Hollan (11) said. Fine arts classes open up students’ minds to see what they have been missing. Some students may go their whole high school experience without being exposed to new things that they could shine in. “I think our fine arts program is an absolute necessity. I mean, you’ve got a ton of students that are artistically inclined… Not everybody is mathematically inclined or English based, so being able to express yourself artistically, whether it’s in one of [Mrs. Lyles] classes or in choir or band, fine arts is a must,” said Brian Schmidt, Scottsburg High School guidance counselor. The things students learn in those fine arts classes can help shape the rest of their lives. In those classes, they learn soft skills that other classes cannot teach them, such as how to express themselves, how to be confident in who they are and how to have fun in the midst of all the stress brings. “I think that it opens their eyes to new things, and it makes them realize that they can do things they wouldn’t do without having someone assign a project to them,” Lyles said.
“Wilder Girls”
by Rory Power
The book began with very stitled fragments and was awkward to read. It did grow on me, and I found Hetty’s narration to be very poetic and honest. Her thoughts sounded just like they should for someone in her position. Hetty was such a strong character. She always wanted to do the right thing, even at great cost to herself. The other characters were not as developed. The majority of the minor characters felt bland and superficial, like they did not have any personality and were there solely to push the plot along. I did feel sympathetic for all the characters because they did not have an easy way to escape a living nightmare. So many interactions between the characters felt absolutely pointless and immature. The relationship Hetty had with another girl
Java Station 56 “Tiffany and I were both washing dishes and talking and we heard a slamming of the door upstairs. I went upstairs to recreate it, and it was the door to the third story. There was no one up there. There wasn’t like a breeze or anything like that.”
also felt forced and unnatural. Wilder Girls continually kept me on edge, purely because weird things kept happening, literally non-stop. All of these events did not fit together and felt too disjointed to really contribute to the overall plot effectively. That is not to say that “Wilder Girls” is not a good book. It is, and it is perfect for the spooky season. Power definitely has great writing skills, and “ Wilder Girls” is great for a debut novel.
Signed, Rita Nicholson Copy Editor
Haunted attractions around Scott County
- Elaine Ronau
As fall arrives and Halloween is quickly approaching, many students crave a chilling encounter. If you would like to experience Scottsburg’s spooky attractions, check out these locations around Scott County.
Bridgewater Cemetery Scott County Heritage Museum “I have seen a ghost standing in front of my desk, heard noises and footsteps, and even saw lights turn on and off. The ghosts here do like to play tricks on people. However, they are not mean ghosts.” - Jeanne Abbott
“It was definitely a haunting experience. The hairs on my arms were probably standing by the end of it. Overall, it was just a very creepy place. I’m not the type to have haunted experiences but I know I felt something,” - JT Robbins (11)
By Tierra Combs, Justice LaMaster, Rita Nicholson, Harmony Richey
Features
October 2019
11
