Creative Writing for Lunch

Have you heard of the new Lake Hamilton Creative Writing club?  The head chefs are Mr. Lee, Mrs. Higgs, and Mr. Smith. With several chef assistants like me, we’re cooking up a literary magazine, so grab a menu and listen up.

What is a literary magazine? It’s a collection of writing submissions and artwork all from the student body. But we have a case of not having enough items on the menu. We need non club-members to help with the magazine; we can’t make everything ourselves, and borrowing ingredients from the cafeteria is out of the question. Anything with appropriate (FDA approved) content can be reviewed by the Creative Writing Club. Anything too long will be chopped up, steam boiled, and baked into an excerpt to fit the magazine.

The judging is done by club members: when we get a submission, we categorize it either as essay, poem, prose, or pastry (sorry pie makers). Then we select the ones that we like the most (or taste the best, we’re biased there) and give them to one of our specialized groups to review them. Expect mms and ahhs. The editing is begun with the author present and also includes suggestions and discussions, so don’t worry about us changing your recipe without your permission. We won’t steal a bite if you don’t let us.

You may think that as amateur cooks we have low standards, but it’s the opposite. This school has a Food Network special quality. Start writing your ideas down because this is going to be a feast. A literary magazine will take a few editions to get rolling, but don’t worry. With support from students, it will eventually become something to look forward to, like chicken nugget day.

                                                                                                                               Westan Lakey

What really goes on in our minds when teachers teach.

Of course, every teenager tends to “Day Dream” whenever a teacher is giving a long lecture about something you have no intention on knowing. But what really goes on in their minds? And how can teachers make it more interesting? By the end of lectures students usually have no clue what the teachers were even talking about, and not to mention, being able to ace a test over what they were saying.  The teachers lectures always go into things that are going be important for future reference. So shouldn’t we be able to hear what they’re saying and take it into our minds enough to be able to remember it?  And sure, teachers also have a hard time getting their point across to the students in school. Keeping our attention in class is one of the hardest parts of being a teacher. What are they going to do to keep our minds in track and in line?

It’s true that people’s minds wander off many times during the day. Everyone thinks about tons of different things, like work, their home, their boyfriend or girlfriend, past memories, and other things that catch their attention throughout the day. Depending on who they are, they are going to think about different things. Heather Young had a pretty detailed explanation for what all goes on in her mind during the day. She said “I think about things that I’m going to do to, like if I go to work or not, And if I don’t go to work then I think about if I have to do things around the house and what exactly those things are. I think about my boyfriend a lot of course; if I’m going to see him, what kind of date we’re going to go on and so on. And when a teacher says a word and it reminds me of something then I think about past memories. If they say something that makes me laugh then I never can concentrate on what they say after that.”

What can teachers do to make a lesson or lecture more fun and exciting? Heather Young’s response to this question was, “Maybe make it more interesting, to make it not seem like a jail-cell or something of that matter. I’ve noticed that teachers are more interesting have students that get better grades than when the teachers are up-tight. If teachers would just be The schools are always going to be one of those things that are going to be there.  And everyone enjoys a smile and laugh that accompanies a subject that you’re interested in. And even if you’re not interested in the subject then laughing in a class always lightens up the dullness of any kind of smart mathematical or science thing you’re learning about. If teachers were to understand these things, then everyone in the school would have a better chance of passing a class, semester, or even a year.Even if the teachers inside of schools always are looked to as just being teachers, it’s nice to have a face to remember, a class to look back on, and memories from past subjects to actually remember. Less daydreaming and more listening is the key to success in any kind of class your in; even if you’d rather think about other things.

more laidback, then students wouldn’t be as stressed and not want to listen to anything they say.” By “Laidback” Heather means she would rather teachers not be stressing all this work to be done. Students would rather know how to do things the simple way, instead of the hard way, to get assignments finished. Maybe if the up-tight teachers would calm down a little and try to simplify the harder things to students, school would be a lot easier.

How many people actually daydream in the classroom? According to an article by Gilbert L. Brown, 50 percent out of every 250 student’s minds tend to wander during studying for a test. Others stated that only 25% to 75% of a study session is actually used for studying. That means that the grades made are approximately only 25 to 75 percent efficient in the classroom! It may be a uniquely human ability that we are able to think about things that are not in the here and now. We can reflect on the past, look forward to the future, or fantasize about the impossible. According to the Washington Post, mind-wandering is more likely when people were shopping, reading, listening to teachers, or commuting.  Mind-wandering was observed at least 30% of the time during any of these activities. Daydreaming is a big part of anybody’s life and is at least going to take up some part of the day during various activities. We’re only human, and we’re only capable of stopping our mind from wondering so much during the day. Our brains make us curious and interested in learning new things, and if it tries to learn something too hard, it gives up, and wonders off to another world.

 -by Amanda Poole

There are many different types of classes in school: Computers, Art, Tech, Writing, and just the basic classes and different ways to keep a student aware of things going on in the classroom.  Different classes get different responses on students’ attention spans. Mr. Smith the high school Art teacher said “I just try to keep them engaged and interested really in what we’re doing that day. People like different things, so I try to make projects that everyone will enjoy doing. I make the art projects more personal to them, to make sure that they will actually keep on the right track. If I see someone slacking off then I’ll approach them in different ways. Like if it’s a student I know that never slacks off in class then ill assume that something is going on, and try to sit down and talk to them if possible. But if it’s a kid that normally doesn’t do the work they were assigned to do, then I’ll make sure I set them down and tell them what they are suppose to be doing and try to keep them from laying down and instead actually participating in class.”

Coach Graves’ response to what he thinks about when he sees a kid slacking off was “When I see a kid slacking off I think of the lack of motivation, and a great opportunity. They’re only going to be in high school once in their lives, so why not make the best of it? And there’s nothing I can really do about it either. Its their choice to slack off, its their choice to not get the best grades, I want them to be interested in what I teach, But if they aren’t then there isn’t much I can really do about it.” Of course the teachers have their own ideas on how to keep students attentions. Because they’re all made differently, and taught differently on how to teach. But they honestly try their hardest on everything that they do.

Whenever the teacher switches gears, it brings all the wandering minds back to the teacher, ready for a fresh try. Students in their classes might not always be aware of what’s going on but teachers always try their hardest to help every student in their own little way. Even if it might be sitting down with them one on one or raising their voices to make sure the student knows they mean business. To help students stay on topic, they could think of several of ways to keep students busy. Such as: Note Taking Sheets, a PowerPoint presentation, and by simply talking in a voice that seems more intriguing than others.

Obesity in Arkansas and State-wide

For the first time in generations, life expectancy of Americans may decrease due to an obesity epidemic. In Arkansas, research revealed that the state had one of the highest rates about obese young people in the nation: 20.9% of the state's youngsters were overweight while another 17% fell into the borderline "at risk" category.

In an analysis that might impact the debate over Social Security reform, experts concluded that the continuous increase in life expectancy can be reversed in coming decades, because more people are dying prematurely from diseases related to excess weight, including stroke, diabetes and kidney failure. They said that among adults, obesity increased 50% per decade between the years 1980 and 1990, to the point that today, almost one in three Americans is obese.

Near to us, in our state of Arkansas, it is possible see how obesity is affecting society. We can compare the epidemic of childhood obesity with a massive tsunami heading toward not just Arkansas, but for the entire United States! Obesity affects Arkansans in all areas of the state and across all levels of income, education, health care access, race, and ethnicity. Attention needs to be given to community centers, faith-based organizations, worksites, schools, rural or urban areas, and recreation facilities.

The country spends between  70 and  100 billion dollars  per year to deal with problems linked to obesity, like diabetes, dyspnea and fatigue, and dngina infarction, hypertension and a lot of other things.

People are adopting healthier habits, like quitting smoking, avoiding cholesterol and practicing safe sex. Still, that does not solve the problem of obesity, which can prevent the increase in life expectancy.

The U.S. is labeled in other countries, including Brazil, France, Japan, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina and most other countries all over the world as a country of unhealthy food.

But modifying the alimentation habits of a whole nation or even a whole state seems impossible, and principally in a country that is so expensive to eat healthy food, in a state that the taxes are always higher. The government should try a program of incentives for agriculture on American land to help decrease the prices of vegetables. This way, they can try to help the problem of obesity in the country. Arkansas, the land of rich barbecue, fried chicken and an infamously overindulgent former President should take steps to be a rare bright spot in America's battle against obesity.

Paulina Valamiel Lopes

Great Local Date Ideas

By: Madie Blancaflor

        Finally, the cutie in your biology class that you’ve been crushing on asks you out. Being the gentleman that he is, he lets you pick where to go and what to do, yet you have absolutely no clue what the date should be. Hot Springs is home to bath houses, a national state park, and a bunch of trees, but what about date possibilities? Believe it or not, this town can inspire the best of dates for all types of personalities.

          If simple is your style, then a dinner date mixed with some hanging out is the perfect date formula for you. Austin Womack, a sophomore at Lake Hamilton High School, says, “Typically, I like to take a girl out to eat pizza and then catch a movie. That way it’s relaxed and neither one of us is under any pressure.” Hotsprings.org names Behind the Mall Cinema as one of Hot Springs’ better movie theatres while Rod’s Pizza is home to their famous godfather pizza. Heather Young gushes that her boyfriend takes her to Don Juan’s for dates all the time. “It’s an informal, relaxed place where we can just be ourselves,” Heather confirms. Rod’s Pizza, Don Juan’s, The San Francisco Bread Company, and Gino’s are some of Hot Springs’ more informal restaurants where you can get anything from Mexican to Italian.

          Almost all guys love sports, and occasionally you find a girl who feels the same. If you and your date fit under this category, then a fun sports activity paired with some good food is just what you need. Cameron Anderson loves to take his sweetheart out to Buffalo Wild Wings. “It has great food, arcade games, and ESPN is on 24/7. What could be better?” Taylor Duke of Lake Hamilton High School agrees, saying, “It’s so much fun playing games, competing with your guy or girl, make bets, and just goofing off. Not to mention, with sports always on, there’s never a moment when you have nothing to do or talk about!” Along with Buffalo Wild Wings, hotspringsattractionguides.com recommends Fun Trackers for a fun place to take your boo. Go carts, an arcade, and bumper boats anyone? Nothing beats winning a go cart race! For more outdoor fun, Mountain Xpress, a free tour through the mountains surrounding Hot Springs, and Panther Valley Ranch, a dude ranch where you can go horseback riding, top the list. After you’ve horsed around for a few hours, head to Applebee’s or Chili’s for a relaxed atmosphere and a game on the big screens.

          Last, but not least, there are the romantics. This is where Hot Springs get’s REAL interesting. Ashley Kendal spills that her favorite date was when her boyfriend took her on a romantic picnic on an Ouachita beach. Lake Hamilton, Ouachita, and Lake Catherine are the three main lakes surrounding the Hot Springs area, all with beaches open to the public. Another super sweet date idea is a carriage ride downtown. Just think: riding around, snuggled up to your cutie, what could be more perfect? Candace Boehm, yet another LH student, describes her perfect date as a “romantic picnic in a field, out somewhere that you can see the stars.” If Hot Springs has nothing else, it definitely has fields. Out past the Lake Hamilton Bridge on Amity road there is field after field full of flowers, grass, and the occasional cow. You just have to remember to ask the owner’s permission before the date; nothing’s more romantic than getting shot at. Brack Teague gives us insight into the male mind by admitting that guys like romance too. “A walk downtown is romantic, but not to the point of questioning whether your ‘guy’ really is a guy,” he says. Hot Springs’ historic district downtown is perfect for a walk. Because it neighbors Hot Springs National Park, you can stick to the sidewalks and lights, or go on trails for a little adventure of your own. On the subject of trails, Garven Woodland Gardens is home to some of the most romantic trails. You’ll walk under trees filled with lights, over creeks cascading into beautiful waterfalls, and through garden after garden of gorgeous flowers. When it’s chilly outside, they offer hot chocolate as well. Kyle Rainwater, a junior living in the Hot Springs area, loves to take girls on romantic dinners. His favorite restaurants for dates include Olive Gardens, Outback, and Red Lobster.

          From a simple dinner date at Rod’s Pizza, to racing go carts at Fun Trackers, to a romantic stroll downtown, Hot Springs holds a date idea for everybody. So next time the cutie you’ve been eying from across the room asks you out, don’t worry. You live in a city chalked full of date adventures waiting just around the corner.

Signs He’s Not into You

       The million dollar question: Is he into me? Lake Hamilton High School is home to all kinds of drama, including relationship drama. Every girl hopes that the cutie in her biology class is secretly crushing on her too, but guys send so many mixed messages it’s hard to tell. While the signs a guy IS into are never concrete, there are so sure-fire signs that he is NOT into you.

       Associatedcontent.com, a website that offers tips and advice to teens on a variety of subjects, lists that not communicating, being busy all the time, and avoiding eye contact are the three top sings he’s NOT your Prince Charming. One guy admitted that when he’s “just not feeling a girl,” his cell phone mysteriously doesn’t get her texts, and her phone calls tend to go straight to voicemail. Emails? Whoopsie, that stupid spam folder is acting up again!

       Not only do many sites online tell you that a lack of communication is a hint, but so do teenage guys. Cameron Anderson, a well-known junior at Lake Hamilton, explains that when a guy won’t talk to you, text you, or stop to talk to you in the hall, it’s most likely not because he’s overly shy. Thomas Dutton, a right guard for the LH football team, agrees. He says that guys don’t typically wait around for you to call or text. If a guy is truly into you, he will start conversations just as much, if not more, than you.

       Guys also agree that when a guy suddenly gets a life, then he’s not into you. Guys do not get popular over night. It just doesn’t happen. So when he suddenly has plans with a million other friends you never knew he had, just cut your loses and move on. Mickey Bivens, a junior at LH, spills that guys make time for the girls they care about. So if he isn’t willing to sacrifice an Xbox game with his neighbor, he isn’t into you.

       Avoiding eye contact is another key sign that he doesn’t feel the same way. People always say that the eyes hold the key to the soul, and there’s actually a lot of truth in the old saying. Guys will subconsciously avoid eye contact when they don’t want to connect with what you are saying or doing. Sam Harvey, a sophomore, warns that this is the big, flashing red sign telling you to stop, turn around, danger ahead, you will die if you go any further. Avoiding eye contact means not only does he not want to be a boyfriend, but he probably doesn’t want to be a boy friend either.

       Take a hint, read the signs, listen to your heart, and follow your instincts. There are many signs that can tell you if he isn’t into you. Girls know that guys can be really clueless when it comes to relationships, but girls don’t have to be. Recognizing the signs of Mr. Wrong may help you make room for Mr. Right later on.

              -Madie Blancaflor

 The Art of Creativity

          Lake Hamilton stresses the four A’s: academics, athletics, arts, and atmosphere.  Of the four A’s mentioned art is the most important aspect of creativity in any school. There are different forms of art, actual art classes (painting, drawing, etc.), choir, theatre, band, or dance that entertains people daily. Lake Hamilton offers all of these activities for students to take part in.

When taking an art class at Lake Hamilton, students are given the opportunity by Mr. Smith, the art teacher, to join Art Club. To join, members pay dues of $20; that money gets the member a t-shirt and also helps pay for the trip to the Arkansas Arts Center. Members get out of school for a day to go to the Arkansas Arts Center, which is located in Little Rock, Arkansas in the historic MacArthur Park. The AAC offers fascinating exhibitions, live theatre and art classes along with the Museum Shop and Best Impressions Restaurant. Who wouldn’t want to skip a day of school just to go look at art? I don’t know about you, but I sure would!

How can art club benefit your future? Well, as Mr. Smith says, “It gives students a chance to experience the art community and go see artwork.” Along with that, it helps students gain an appreciation of the arts. It also gives you a chance to volunteer at different artistic functions; lets you get in touch with your creative side. An example of a function that I volunteered at while in art club would be the Hot Springs Film Festival. It was a lot of fun; I got to sit in the theatre, welcome people, and answer any questions visitors might ask. Art club members volunteer at the Hot Springs Film Festival every year. Another opportunity students are given when joining art club is members get to work on the Homecoming float and also walk along beside it, dressed according to the theme, in the parade. Walking along with the float shows that art club members have school spirit, we cheer on the football team, get them hyped up to win, and make younger students excited about the game, too.

This is my first year in art club, so I don’t know too much, but what I do know is that I have already had lots of fun. One major activity art club members are involved in is raising money for the Thea Foundation. The Thea Foundation buys art supplies for schools that don’t have enough money to do so. This is good because it gives schools that are in need of art supplies the chance to have some. Art supplies are key objects when it comes to art. If schools have art supplies, then students have what they need to express themselves.

Also, every year Lake Hamilton puts on an art show in the high school lobby. There is one showing here, at the school, and then students that have a piece entered go to competition. To have an art piece entered into the show, it has to reach Mr. Smith’s standards and expectations; usually, Art I classes don’t reach a high enough standard to be put into a show because they are not experienced enough quite yet. “The sixth annual LH art show will be mid-January,” says Mr. Smith; so, there’s something to look forward to this coming January. Any art from past art shows can be seen at LakeHamiltonArt.com. Being able to go to a website and see pieces from past art shows is a good way to see how much more work has been entered than past years, differences in the art, and how far students have come.

Art, altogether, is important because it gives a chance to express yourself in ways other than words. Art club gives students an opportunity to view beautiful and unique pieces done by talented artists; plus its loads of fun.

Nikki Haak

Gifts to Get For Your Special Someone

                        Each Christmas, we ask our sweethearts, “What do you want for Christmas?” and every time we get the same answer, “nothing.” Well we have to get you SOMETHING!!! How do we deal with our stubborn darlings? Take advice from people with similar interests as your significant other! Not everyone is the same, no. But, a lot of people share interests and have similar personalities. It is difficult to purchase a gift for someone besides yourself that they will really enjoy, but if you listen to what others advise and be creative, you can come up with something really great.

            There is an infinite variety of gifts to choose from. There are romantic gifts, memory making gifts, and many more! Each type of gift will have a completely different effect on your special someone than another, and each gift fits a personality type different than others. Gifts this deep need to have a lot of thought put into them!

            An example of a romantic gift would be a heartfelt poem that really captures how you feel about that person. Write about how beautiful they are to you, or just come out and say how much they mean to you. If poetry is not your specialty, don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The classic heart-shaped box of chocolates and a dozen of her favorite flowers will always make a girl feel warm and fuzzy inside.

            Another romantic gift idea would be to make your girl/boy a classic mix tape (or-more modernly a mix CD) of some great love songs that will really speak to them. Add some songs like: One more day-Diamond Rio, And I love her-Beatles, I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing-Aerosmith, All My Life-KCi and JoJo, Right Here Waiting for You- Richard Marx, If Tomorrow Never comes- Garth Brookes, and many others. Songs like these will help show your darling how you really feel.

            Memories can last a lifetime. Therefore, they are very important thing to make, especially when the memories are being made with your sweetheart. An example of a romantic Christmas present, perfect for making those long lasting memories, would be a walk down the Hot Springs Promenade. During the cold weather, steam flows off the hot water and paints a beautiful picture in the night sky. This is also the perfect time for sharing a cup of sweet hot chocolate. Grab your honey and hold them close for a stroll down the walkway and have a great time, with great memories.

            At first, choosing the right Christmas gift can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be! If you put your mind to it and add a little effort, you can come up with a really amazing gift. You know your loved one better than anyone else, so you can be the one who picks out the best fitting gift for their personality. The greatest part of Christmas giving is seeing that smile across their face when you give your special someone that special gift.

-Ashley Kendal 

Self-Help: It’s really worth it!

Each day teenagers all over the world think life isn’t worth living, or that others would be better off without them. Some of those teens may be you, or the people you pass in the hallways of school. Most often, people who are depressed or in a difficult to handle situation, wont go around with a sign around their neck telling the world, but instead keep it to them self’s. Weather they are embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid, if they wont seek help from someone else, teens must find some recourses to get help on their own.

          Self help materials can be very helpful when dealing with hard times. There are hundreds of self help books directed to teens involving: dealing with depression, stress, parents divorcing, pregnancy, and much more. These books are specially created to keep a teens interest, while teaching them how to deal with the hand times they are facing.

          One influential self help novel writer, Joyce Myer, teaches how to deal with any and every difficult situation imaginable, from a Christian point of view. Joyce was badly abused both sexually and emotionally as a teen so she knows a little about teen crisis. She strongly believes that everything happens for a reason, and no matter how bad things are for you, there’s always a way out, a way to be happy when everything else is sad. She has authored 80 books for teens, adults, and both, all self help books. A few of her titles are: Help! I’m: Stressed, Battlefield of the Mind for teens, Daily encouragements; There are so many more!

          Another inspiring writer is Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul. “Self esteem is a huge piece of my work,” stated Jack,’ you have to believe it’s possible and believe in yourself. Because after you’ve decided what you want, you have to believe it’s possible and possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, and coaches.” Jack has been through three marriages and lots of pain and stress. He has also created the Foundation for Self Esteem in California.

          One more self help author is Brian Tracy. He was born in Canada to a family that struggled financially and had very few luxuries in life. He was a high school drop out and started his career as a laborer, working in several physically demanding jobs during his teenage years. Tracy struggled with many problems while he was a teenager, and went on to be a very important person. He is a best selling self help author to more than 40 books. Tracey says,” You have to put many, many, many, tiny efforts that no one sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile.”

          As a teenager, there are many difficult situations that we may not know how to deal with, and that’s okay! We shouldn’t be expected to know how to handle everything, and these self help, as well as many others, understand that. If you’re stressed, depressed, or going through any other hard time right now, check out some books by these authors, they may be able to help you.

Why Do We Fight?

By; Claire Booth

People make an issue about being different.  What makes us ‘different’ anyways?  Does it have to do with our gender, where our family comes from and what we believe in?  The fact is: we are all different.  We all like and do things in different ways.  ‘It makes you think, why can’t people just be, people?’

High school is one of the major places bullying happens.  Even Lake Hamilton, the number one academic public school in Arkansas, falls victim to bullying.  Bullying leads to harassment.  Harassment leads to violence, and that leads to nothing good.  We all get angry and frustrated; however, it isn’t an acceptable way of resolving a conflict or gaining control of any situation.  No matter what problem you are having with someone else, you need to report it to an adult.  Starting a fight will only get everyone in trouble, and if it’s bad enough, you might get arrested.

It doesn’t just stop in high school; even young kids even bully one another.  I actually don’t blame them though; the people that are supposed to be good role models are actually pretty bad ones.  One of my friends got bullied in the third grade.  The kids would make fun of his name because it was something they never heard before.  They said that he looked stupid because he wasn’t as white as them, yet not as dark as others.  At the time, he had an accent. So they made fun of the way he spoke too.

Sadly, bullying is a worldwide thing.  Another, well publicized, example is from the United Kingdom.  A boy named Ben Vodden, who was 11 years old.  He told his mother he was being bullied on the school bus, she advised him to sit next to the driver.  Yet rather than look after him, the driver joined in the taunts and called the 11-year-old names that can’t be shown in the paper.  The boy - nicknamed ‘Giggles’ because of his “fun-loving and enthusiastic” nature - was found with shoelaces around his neck and tied to his bunk bed.  His parents said; “The simple fact is that Ben would not be dead if he hadn’t been bullied.  We strongly believe that."  The parents reported the bus driver to the school principal and they are taking him to court for the loss of love and life.

I was always told ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.’  I personally don’t believe this is true.  Words hurt, maybe not physically, but mentally and emotionally.  Scars are there, even if you can’t see them.  So try making new friends with different groups of people - not just the ones you normally relate to.

Place for Tunes(:

Lake Hamilton needs a place for all students to play their music. If you’re in the band, you are able to play in the band room. If you aren’t in the band, there is no place for you to play.

       At the high school, there are so many people who are in bands that would love to be able to play their music for the other kids. Since they do not have a designated place to play, they can’t play for other people. For example, a band that goes to school here is called Bad Acid. The members of this band are Sean Esquibel, Brian Burchfield, Jacob Howard, Harold Fountaine, and Santana Medina. Jacob is the lead vocalist, Sean and Brian sing back-up vocals, Santana plays the rhythm guitar, and Harold plays the bass. Santana and Sean are the creators of this band. Sean was recently interviewed and he said, “We would like our own spot to play our instruments. It would be a good thing for other students to hear our music and see what we stand for.”

       There needs to be a place for all students to play their music. But where could it possibly go? There are two places that might be acceptable: outside, or by the stairs outside of the cafeteria.

       The reason why there already is not a place to play is because the noise from the music could be a disturbance to students who are in class. If students could play outside, then there would not be a problem. Another reason that there already is not a music place is because the principals or the staff wouldn’t know what kind of music was being played. If a teacher or a staff member were to stand by to make sure the music is appropriate, then there would not be a problem.

       If a petition were to be passed around for all of the students and faculty to sign, then that could possibly help the idea of getting a place to play music around. If enough people singed this petition, it would make the principals think that many people support the idea of getting a place to play their music.

       In conclusion, if we were able to play music outside, it could make our school seem more diverse.

By: Casey Garcia

Plastic vs. Mesh

Recently, due to a reinforcement of the school dress code, we’ve been asked to trade in each of our decent, regular, boundary respecting back-packs for cheap, see thru, plastic or mesh back-packs. The reason for this is that a parent noticed that it states in the school hand book that we must bring plastic or mesh back packs, yet no one seems to follow the rule, so that parent then brought the rule up at a parent teacher conference. Neither back-pack is as durable as an ordinary back-pack, but which one is right for you? Let’s take a look.

            Mesh back-packs are more flexible and durable than plastic. They stretch and flex easier than plastic, allowing you more room for your text books, notebooks, and, folders. Also, they don’t tear as easily as plastic back-packs, but when they do, the holes don’t stretch or rip. On the down-side, the holes are big enough to let pencils and pens fall thru. They’re also not good for rainy days; they don’t provide enough shelter from water, causing everything in them to be soaked. Some inventive parents add padding to the bottom and sides to prevent annoying snags that tend to tear a mesh pack as metal spiral notebook rings catch easy on the material. Another method is to use small, clear pack cubes in which to place pencils, papers and other loose items. This option keeps your contents visible and protects the pack. Cheaper models may tear or snag and be less durable than higher priced models that usually have better construction. Without padding or liners, mesh packs do tend to wear out faster than traditional packs. Even cheap mesh packs can be value for money, depending on how rough you use them or if you reuse an old pack for outdoor activities.

Plastic back-packs, on the other hand, have no holes in the material, so they keep all of your papers, books, and folders nice, clean, and dry. Try to ensure that the vinyl is temperature resistant and UV treated to avoid fading in sunlight. And check the seams for double stitching to prevent water seepage during hard rains. They are also clearer than mesh back-packs so it’s easier for teachers to check for weapons or concealed items. They aren’t as durable or as flexible as mesh, however. If you tear a hole in a plastic back-pack, it will continue to rip, tear, and stretch until you need to replace it. They aren’t as flexible as mesh, so you may not have enough room for all of your school supplies. Clear packs are made from different thicknesses of vinyl plastic. Cheaper backpacks are probably made with thinner vinyl that is less durable. Better quality packs use higher gauge plastic and double stitch sturdy handles and shoulder straps into fabric-lined seams for added strength.

The back-pack you choose depends on your personal lifestyle and opinion. Plastic backpacks are better for people who hate getting their papers wet but don’t have a lot to carry. Mesh back-packs are for people who either own umbrellas or don’t mind getting their papers wet but have a lot of textbooks, folders, and notebooks.

Article by: Carl Gordon

Got School Supplies?

By: Jasmine Winter

How many times have you had to borrow a pencil or other supplies from a fellow student or teacher because you’ve lost one of your own? If you’re like me, it’s probably a lot. Usually there are two reasons you need to borrow supplies, either you lost them or you never had them to begin with.

My question is should we have our basic school supplies provided for us? Fellow classmate Casey Garcia says, “We should definitely have them provided for us.” Claire Booth also commented saying, “Pretty sure we should.”

The prices of school supplies seem to get higher every year, and each year you advance in school you need newer stuff. This can be very difficult financially on some parents, especially if there is more than just one child in your home.

I believe it would be a better change. That would benefit just about everybody, after all it is a recession. Your parents would have more money, and the teachers don’t have to yell about your lack of supplies. And even better you don’t have to be yelled at.

So why don’t we start talking to the school board about this, and make things better all around. Only you can be the change.

! Relationships Vs. Homework !

In Lake Hamilton school do teenagers choose there boyfriends / girlfriends over there homework? Alternatively, is it the other way around? Four out of five girls said homework first, boyfriends last! In addition, three out of five guys said girlfriend comes before homework! Therefore, I have noticed the more a relationship has grown the more students’ homework grades drop and their class work does that mean that the teachers are not explaining it that great or there just not giving us time to finish it?

The girls that choose their homework over their boyfriends said “If I do my homework first I can talk to him longer and don’t to worry about doing it later on or just forgetting about it.” In addition, girls that choose their boyfriends over their homework said, “I don’t care about school it’s a waste of time and my teachers sometimes don’t explain everything.” Most girls try to get their homework done before spending time with their boyfriend, but sometimes they can’t because they say, “I don’t understand it and I listen in class but sometimes it’s just not enough.”

On the other hand, the guys that choose their homework over their girlfriends said “it’s hard but I find time to spend with my girlfriend.” In addition, the other guys that choose their girlfriends over their homework said “I try to do half of my homework but might not finished by the time I call her then why should I finish it” guys think to themselves. Most guys try to get their homework done before spending time with their girlfriend, but sometimes they can’t because they say, “I don’t understand it and I listen in class but sometimes it’s just not enough.”

I think since teenagers at Lake Hamilton have a life and normally have jobs that they need time in class to try to finish their homework. In addition, say a teacher gives a student homework right before the bell rang and he/she does not have time to ask a question, because he/she has to get to their class before being late for class, and after school he/she can’t go back to the teacher because he/she has to go to work before being late to work.   

Clearly, some teachers don’t think about the students having a live of there own and I guess the students will never understand. Unless the teachers give us time to finish in class the students of Lake Hamilton will never understand how to finish there homework. Therefore, the teachers of Lake Hamilton need to give time in class to finish the work in class so there grades don’t drop for having a life or a job.                                                                                                                                                                                     

         

By: Heather Young

OMG

            The cutie in your history class just texted you from across the room and asked you on a date. You snatch up your cell phone and send an ecstatic text to your best friend, giving them all the details, in under two hundred characters. Think about all the time you spend texting compared to the time you spend in face-to-face conversations. According to research conducted by the Seattle Times, 75 billion texts were sent in America in 2009, compared to 28.8 billion sent in 2007. That’s a lot of conversation opportunities that were left unfulfilled, with the average number of calls made per month decreasing from around 400 to 200 in the three-year span. With texting being such a big part of today’s society, is our generation likely to develop lasting consequences such as bad grammar and a loss of social skills.

            Walking through the halls here at Lake Hamilton, I can’t for the life of me tell you the number of times I hear the letters “IDK” [I don’t know] or “LOL”[Laugh out loud]. Most phones have a limit on the number of characters sent per message. Therefore, society has developed acronyms for almost everything you can imagine in order to type and send texts more quickly. If you’re one of the people who send hundreds of text messages a night, it’s likely that those acronyms stick in your brain. One avid texter said, “I probably text hundreds of messages each night, so I often find myself saying and writing in ‘text form’.” This is where the saying, “old habits die hard,” holds true. A teacher here at Lake Hamilton, agreed that students spelling and essay techniques have changed over the past few years: “It seems that more students nowadays can not spell nor remember to capitalize. They sometimes even write an essay in text language!”

Besides forgetting the spelling of words, there comes another important issue: correct grammar. Commas, semicolons, conjunctions, and subject-verb agreement are not very common among the phone-savvy. With the bad grammar and spelling commonly used in texting, it seems logical that those habits carry out into your everyday life. “Most of the points taken off my essays I write in my English class are for silly mistakes such as forgetting to put a period or using double negatives. I get so used to writing like that in texts that I sometimes literally can’t remember the right way to write,” one person admitted.

            Alongside our proper English going down the drain, we also face the issue of social awkwardness.  I mean, think about it for a minute. Would you honestly say in person half of what you say through text? Whether it’s telling someone what you really think, confessing your love to that sweetie, or saying things you shouldn’t, you probably say things through texts that you’d never even dream of having the guts to say in person. Texting seems to give us a newfound confidence to say everything and anything. For some, talking in person has become a challenge because they are so used to “spilling my guts through a thirty-letter text,” as one person put it. Twenty years ago, people didn’t just pick up their cell phone to ask someone on a date. No, unlike today, you worked up the nerve to ask them without the three mile distance.

            Although it seems like texting can do a lot more harm than good in the long run, it does have its positives. Texting provides you with a quick way to reach somebody no matter what you’re doing, gives parents a little peace of mind as to better being in contact with their child, and allows you to be in a conversation with out the disruption of your voice to those around you. Over the years, phone companies have developed new plans and better phones that have made text messaging easier and cheaper, which is probably why it appeals to so many nowadays.

Whether it’s a date proposal, your life story, or a derogatory rant, you can almost bet that it’s sent through a text message. Texting has become such an important part of society today, especially among us teens, that the bad “habits” we use while texting seem to be carrying out into our everyday lives. Bad grammar, misspelled words, and not knowing how to hold a conversation are problems that are plaguing us today. Now by all means, I’m not saying we all need to throw our cell phones in the lake and start going to someone’s house just to ask what they’re doing on Friday night.  Just take in to consideration all the bad grammar and loss of social time you’re enduring next time you’re typing your day in under 200 characters on your nifty little cell phone.

By: Candace Boehm

A Growing Problem

By: Madie Blancaflor

            The great comedian, Bill Engvall once said, “Stupid people should have to wear signs that just say “I’m stupid.’ That way you wouldn’t rely on them would you? You wouldn’t ask them anything.” The same thing should go for the many problems of cyber communication. If only every misleading pop-up ad and possibly threatening site online had a sign that said, “STOP, I’m dangerous!” the world of virtual reality would be a much safer place. From cyber rejection to identity theft to spending more money on your health care than on your house, cyber communication has many problems and dangers. Cyber communication is gaining dominance and it’s becoming A large scale problem.   

           

Statistics on crunchgear.com show that the average person spends anywhere from 14 to 31 hours online a week. That’s about how many hours some people WORK weekly. CrunchgeAr.com also states that out of those 14 to 31 hours you view an average of 540 pop-up ads. Itpro.com states that 98% of your inbox is junk mail. So you end up spending more time viewing media ads than actually surfing the web. Half of those ads are probably connected to viruses too. Those viruses can lead to identity theft. Who wants a 45 year old creep with SER-I-OUS hygiene problems pretending to be you? The Federal Trade Commission estimates that up to 9 million people are victims of identity theft, and that’s only in the U.S. The Internet isn’t just used for gaining knowledge and information anymore. Too many people don’t realize the threat cyber communication insinuates.          

            Cyber communication can also be a danger to your health. Six hours and thirty minutes; that’s about how long you spend on Facebook a week. In addition to those 6 and a half hours you spend three and a half hours instant messaging your buddies; you waste an average of two hours on YouTube; and at least one and a half hours goes to sites that well, SHOULD NOT be viewed. Now if you add all that time spent online with the amount of time you spend at school or work, it doesn’t leave much time for physical activity. That leads to a sedentary lifestyle. A sedentary lifestyle leads to obesity and that just leads to big bucks spent on health care later in life. Cyber communication indirectly and accidentally encourages sedentary lifestyles. Now that is a major problem.

            Many of you are probably thinking, “Who in their right minds would care about pop-up ads and health care when we’re teenagers?”  But trust me; there are plenty of drawbacks to cyber communication that teens especially should be interested in. First off, it gives guys (or girls) at least 5 ways to reject, dump, and/or humiliate you, none of which actually requiring them to look you in the eye while doing it. I mean there’s texting, instant messaging, Emailing, social networking, chat forums…the list goes on and on. Secondly, it affects you getting into college. If you practice bad grammar the way you do online in your applications and essays, you can kiss those four years of no-parent freedom goodbye. You’ll end up living with your parents until you’re 40! Plus, without that college degree, how in the world are you going to pay for all of that health care I talked about earlier?  Another thing is that when you talk in “IM” or how most people do online, you get annoying- fast. Nothing is worse than a sixteen year old girl talking like this: “OMG gf! Like he thinks ima gona lik take him bck lik after that?  Rofl…IKR?!? I mean he lik had the lik nerve to lik call me annoying. ME? Annoying? YR! Ya, gf. Ima brb, cd9, ttfn, ttyl!” You could probably sell a recording of that to the CIA as a torture device for interrogation methods. (shiver)

            “The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless, that for some people it is a complete substitute for life.” I totally agree with Andrew Brown on this subject. Cyber communication is hailed as the best thing since sliced bread when in all reality; it could very well be the downfall of any country in the world. There are many growing problems in the world, and cyber communication is definitely one of them.

FFA...What Does it Mean?

            “Does FFA stand for the Future Flamingos of Arabia?”

            Sadly, this is what one of my friends asked me while riding the bus home one afternoon last year.  It made me sad to know that the only thing people associated the Future Farmers of America with was a joke.  At that moment I realized something had to be done to educate people on the importance of agriculture and the FFA.

            Now I know some of you are thinking, “I don’t want to be a farmer!”  But, that’s not what it is all about.  The FFA is a national organization that represents hard work, dedication, volunteering, and respect for nature as well as humanity.  The FFA was founded in 1928 by a few young farmers devoted to the livelihood of their community.  They had in mind the idea of helping future generations sustain a larger population and have the wisdom to understand that agriculture is the foundation of everything we know to survive.  Thanks to those young visionaries, we are able to grow with technology and organize a method of living with so many mouths to feed.

            Speaking of food, have you ever wondered where the food you consume comes from and what it took to grow the food that nurtures your body?  Or, where your clothing originated?  Well, it’s agriculture.  Without agriculture, we would all be naked and starving.  For instance, our clothes come from textiles such as cotton and satin, denim and silk.  And, if you were wondering, it doesn’t matter if you are a vegetarian or an omnivore because all food comes from the work of agriculturalists.  Our food is produced from animals like cattle and swine, and our fruits and vegetables from crops grown on tilled soil and trees planted by calloused hands.

            I asked my advisors, Jason Braziel and Alex Dykes, a few questions about what FFA meant to them and how they thought FFA could benefit students.  Mr. Dykes said “FFA changed my life.  When I was in 8^th grade I was quiet and shy.  Mr. Westerman (retired principal of Lake Hamilton) encouraged me to join and get involved and from that point on, my heart was 100% in FFA.  It made me break out of my shell.”  This is the case for many children who join FFA.  They build up their leadership skills and become more outgoing.  Mr. Braziel told me “FFA can benefit students by changing an otherwise introvert student into a very outgoing and expressive student.”   He also stated “An already confident student can benefit by learning to work with others and learn to follow-not just lead.”  Both points made create a balance between leader and follower, a necessary combination to be a productive member of a team.   So whether you realize it or not, the FFA is an integral part of every community big or small.  Next time you get the chance, take a moment to recognize those who make your community a friendly, safe environment and sustain the livelihood of all mankind. 

Also, with FFA representing volunteering, volunteer work is often done by members.  FFA members are known for their dedication to the well being of society.  So, when there is any chance to recycle, clean, build, or an opportunity to donate, FFA members are there willing to work and ready to get the job done.  Being in the FFA since my 8^th grade year and now being a senior and my chapter president, I have evolved into a leader through this great organization.  I have helped out more in my community, as well as worked with others on creating a better environment for future generations through donating, volunteering, and examining issues around the world.  In Arkansas, the event FFA for FFS, of Future Farmers of America for Food, Fiber, and Shelter is a great way to get all chapters to make a difference in their society.  Every year, thousands of items are donated by various schools to help those who are in need of a meal, a shirt on their back, or a roof over their head.  Furthermore, at the Arkansas Leadership Conference, members are encouraged to give back to their community by volunteering to make place mats for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital or clean kennels at the Humane Society of Hot Springs.  So, I encourage you to join our schools Future Farmers of America chapter, put on your work boots, and make a positive difference in the community. 

            .                                              

By: Taylor Duke

Stop Stereotyping!

             On October 20^th students at Lake Hamilton wore purple for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in memory of the six youths, who lived in various locations, that committed suicide. They were bullied and harassed because they were gay or said to be. This is an example of stereotyping, or a general assumption about a person or group of people.

  The color purple was selected because purple symbolizes "spirit" on the rainbow flag, a symbol for Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Gender (LGBT) pride that was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978.

            Many students at Lake Hamilton High treat others differently because of how they dress, act, or because of the group of people they hang out with. The youths who were said to be gay may not have actually been gay, just dressed the part or acted a little on the feminine side. Maybe they were stereotyped as homo because of the people they were friends with.  At Lake Hamilton High almost everyone is guilty of stereotyping, this is because students at Lake Hamilton are not experienced with difference. Stereotyping effects the way the student body treats one another and gives a bad reputation to the school. What good is being in a wolf pack if we don’t get along? 

            Why must people assume that someone isn’t cool or good enough to talk to just because they look or act different? That’s who they are and prefer to be. If others would look past all that then they can see that person is just unique. Just because they may not be popular doesn’t mean they are a freak……just anti social, and that might be because of all the stereotyping. If someone dresses in a peculiar way…don’t automatically assume they are gay, emo, wannabe, prep and so on. So what if they are? Just because someone is different don’t make them any less of a person. They are human just like the rest of us.

            I’m not innocent, I admit I have stereotyped, we all have. Why do we label each other? Who really cares what people dress, act, or look like? What really matters is what the body underneath it is like.  If students would look past appearance and get to know one another then the student body could make the school a better place. Students shouldn’t be afraid to walk the halls because of what is being said.

In the end no matter what has been said, we are still together until graduation, so why not get to know each other before the chance is gone.

                                                                                              Amber George

The Exchange Music Venue

 

          Are you looking for a sweet place to go and hear local musicians play? The Exchange is a perfect place to see shows. The Exchange, found at 107 Exchange St, is an experimental or underground rock venue where local and touring bands play shows. Many teens go to the venue and get a better experience on music. They also see bands that are very different in many ways.

           I recently spoke with Bobby Missile, who owns Ballistic Missile Booking. Missile has been living and booking shows at The Exchange for 5 years. He also books shows for Low Key Arts down town, and about 30 other bands and venues all over the world. The Exchange, “Exposes people to things that are different than people going to shows in large cities. It exposes them to things they wouldn’t usually see or the norm,” said Missile. During shows at The Exchange the atmosphere is “Definitely exciting and happy, where people get to see a great band.” I have been to The Exchange for shows many times. The venue always has an energetic group of people, and everyone is very friendly. Each time the shows have been a big deal and everyone, especially the bands, are pumped. “A lot of people don’t appreciate a large show as much, and it’s more intimate because it’s such a small room at The Exchange where a full house is 30 people.” Missile says. Large shows with many people aren’t taken as seriously, or aren’t as big of a deal as the shows at small venues. The crowd is closer to the bands and can actually speak with the members at smaller shows, like at The Exchange.

          When asked what he likes seeing the most at the shows, Missile said “You know, good bands, people performing well, people meeting new people.” I asked Missile if he encourages kids to be in the music scene or play music he said, “Oh yeah, definitely. It’s much better than just sitting at home or watching TV. It’s an artistic culture that needs to be recognized, a culture where people don’t really have enemies, and get along. It is just a friendly lifestyle.” Missile is also helping that artistic culture be known in other ways. He is currently in the bands Attractive and Popular, Church of The Snake, Cold Mold, The Holy Shakes, Mother Hug, Prison School, and Mental Mission. If you or any of your friends are interested in seeing local musicians play, or in expanding your music compilation, The Exchange is a great place to go.  

           Some of the upcoming bands at The Exchange are Future Islands (Baltimore), Cold Mold (Hot Springs), Lonnie Walker (North Carolina) on November 14^th, 9:00pm-11:30 pm. Come down to The Exchange for an awesome all ages venue!

                                                         By Ashley Hill

Behind the Scenes: Coach Leatherwood

By: Madie Blancaflor

          When you hear the name “Coach Leatherwood,” you automatically think of his loud voice and…let’s say unique style. While everyone knows how loud his voice is, not many truly know how loud his actions are. Coach Leatherwood is adored by not only his dedicated football players, but also by the students privileged enough to know the real Coach. From high school to college and even now in his carrer, his love of sports and his unique personality have inspired many.

            Born in Alabama, Howard Leatherwood fell in love with sports at a young age. Throughout high school, he played football and track. I never would have guessed he ran track, but he was good enough to win all-state in both sports. After high school, he was offered a football scholarship to OBU in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and seized the opportunity. Enter a young woman named Joy (now known as Mrs. Leatherwood). “He was such a sweetheart. I remember that short hair and those sideburns,” she laughed. “We were set up on a blind date, and the rest was history.”

            Coach Leatherwood has been a coach at Lake Hamilton since before 1979. Throughout his years here at LH, he’s been a Drivers Ed instructor and an assistant football coach. He’s assisted the wolves in winning two state championships (in 1998 and 2008) and at least 4 conference titles.

            In the years since 1978, he has gained the respect and admiration from many. Cameron Anderson, a junior on the football team, adores Coach Leatherwood. “He’s not like other coaches. He doesn’t have favorites… he pretty much hates us all,” he jokes. “Seriously, though, he’s like a second dad to the majority of us [the football team], very protective. We all adore and look up to him.” Not only do his players admire him, but students do too. Candace Boehm, a sophomore at LH, emphasizes that people just love Coach Leatherwood. “I love how he’s a giant teddy bear under the hard exterior, but at the same time, he doesn’t take crap from anyone.” I think it’s safe to say that Coach Leatherwood has a huge impact on the student body from his loud, sonic boom of a voice to his thunderous personality.

Throughout high school, college, and now his career, Coach has sparked imaginations with his somewhat strange way of talking and dressing. If you are a student at Lake Hamilton, you can’t go a day without hearing “Come here to me, boy!” or “Get away from me!” (I think he might have bipolar personal space issues). As a football player or manager, you’ll hear “Get up! You’re killing my grass” and “You done died on me!” at least 20 times a day. As for his choice of clothing, Coach typically wears maroon pants, a gold or white LH shirt, an old towel on his head, and a hat that he keeps half way up instead of pushing it all the way down. His players think he’s superstitious about his hat and towel because he refuses to get a new towel (even though it’s currently tinted yellow with sweat) or sport the new hat he has hanging up in his office. Cameron Anderson and Ashley Kendal both suggest he wears these hard-to-miss accessories to block out the sun (no one wants a hat tan line!) and to absorb sweat, but neither one is sure…maybe Coach just likes the look. Mrs. Leatherwood apparently does.

            With his own personal style, his own way of talking, and his loud personality, there is no way to describe Coach Leatherwood as anything other than Coach Leatherwood. He is looked up to as a coach, a leader, and a role model. There is no question that he has definitely had a major impact on the student body, from his Drivers Ed students to his football players. Whether it’s because of this sonic boom voice, original phrases, or overall personality, Coach Leatherwood is definitely someone you can never forget, and we are lucky to have him here at Lake Hamilton.