Hallway Traffic

       

           Now I don’t know about you, but I really can’t stand it when I’m on my little ole way to class and BAM, right smack into the body that decided to stop and chit-chat right in the middle of the hall.  Each and every student here at Lake Hamilton has things to do and places to be. They don’t need to be stuck behind giggling girls and rambunctious boys.

            The five minutes between classes is supposed to be used for getting from one class to another, not for chit-chattin’ in the hallway. Maybe a student had to come all the way from the Jr. High, such as Mrs. LiMandre’s Spanish class, and head all the way to Mrs. Estes’ chemistry class, how do you suppose they’re going to make it in time with all the people gossiping about who’s dating who, standing around and blocking the hallways? Now I do confess to being guilty of walking around the halls multiple times during those five minutes, but I don’t stop and block everyone’s way.

            Eventually, I think, the school should start making traffic lines on the hallway floors so we can have a clean shot to class. Along with the lines, maybe there should be hall monitors to keep the crowds broken up, I know, I know, hall monitors, yuck. Monitors could do wonders for our school and getting to class on time, though. If this still fails to work then administrators just might need to think about narrowing down the time from five minutes to, say, three. Taylor Duke, a senior here at LH said with a mischievous smile, “I want to hit them with my books and then say sorry, didn’t see you there. I was just trying to get to class and NOT be tardy,” when asked what she thinks when stuck behind the chattering students. Now just because you would like to stop and tell your friend something that just cannot wait ‘til after school, you could at least be kind enough to stay out of other people’s way. Another student said, “Oh don’t get me started, it’s ridiculous, even for people as small as me I still have to fight my way through [the crowds].” The students that are on the smaller side, quite like myself, could get really hurt in these halls, an elbow to the face or a bump that could make us fall to the ground where we would then be trampled. Each year this problem becomes more pronounced as LH gains more and more students.

            I talked to two sophomores that tend to stop and chat in between classes, when asked why she feels the need to talk to her friends in the hall, Lexi Fairris said “Because some people don’t want to wait ‘til the end of school, they want to talk to their friends then and there.” Another sophomore stated, “It’s just fun to piss them [people trying to get past] off.” Why should students get counted tardy just because you kept them from getting to their destination? Sure, some teachers are more lenient about tardies in cases such as these, but some may not be. Three tardies result in a Saturday school and a Saturday school means no prom for juniors or seniors, maybe even some sophomores; I know that I sure as heck don’t want to miss prom because someone blocked me from getting to class.

            Just because you may not care about tardies, Saturday school, or not going to prom doesn’t mean the rest of the school doesn’t care either. So, be the kind person that I know you are and don’t clog up the hallways like five o’clock rush hour.

-Nikki Haak

Former Razorback Arrested By Cameron Anderson

Mitch Mustain, who is a former Arkansas Razorback quarterback was preparing for the NFL draft but has taken a turn for the worse being arrested on February 2^nd.  The LAPD booked Mustain with suspicion of selling prescription narcotics.  After attempting to sell Adderall to an under cover officer, Mustain was taken into custody.

          Being one of the most highly sought after high school football players ever, Mustain won the National Player of the Year Award his senior year at Springdale High School.  Every major college recruited Mustain but ended up signing with the University of Arkansas.

          In 2006, Mustain a true freshman started 8 games for the Razorbacks and won all 8.  Mustain was benched late in the season was over Mustain decided to transfer to USC in Los Angeles.  While at USC he started only one game, a loss against rival Notre Dame. 

          Prior to his arrest Mustain was preparing to workout for NFL scouts in hopes of improving his draft stock for May’s NFL draft.  With NFL teams doing extensive background checks, this does not help Mustain’s stock.  A close friend to Mustain says that he is still planning to enter the draft and the charges will most likely be dropped do to his prior clean record.  Only time will tell the future of the once highly wanted player in football.

                                            

            For thousands of years, flowers have intrigued people from all over the world. The daffodil is no exception.  If you enjoy marveling at the simple, elegant things in life or just have an affinity for horticultural arts, then spring on over to Daffodil Days between February 21^st through March 10^th.  The 9^th annual Daffodil Days at Garvan Woodland Gardens will be so captivating, you won’t want to “leaf.”  With over 165,000 gold, yellow, and orange flowers, your heart will fill with pleasure as you “Dance with the daffodils.”

            Daffodils, from the Dutch “De affodil,” date back to before 300 BCE, where they were used for medicinal purposes by the Greeks and Chinese. It did not take long for these colorful manifestations of charm to become part of their cultures.  According to Greek mythology, a Thespiaen hunter named Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water.  He inevitably died of starvation, and a daffodil grew in his place.  These floral delicacies have made their impact on Chinese history as well, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity throughout the New Year.  It is said that if a daffodil grows in someone’s garden on New Year’s Day, then he or she will have good luck for an entire year.

            Today, the popularity of daffodils is increasing exponentially.  There are now over 25,000 variations of daffodils and daffodil hybrids ranging in sizes from a mere five inches to well over two feet.  Representing rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, and eternal life, daffodils are most often associated with tenth wedding anniversaries and March birthdays.  They are not, however, limited to bouquet assortments. They often serve as the subject of paintings, photography, and even poems, such as “Daffodils,” by William Woodsworth. 

            The impression these little wallflowers have made on history is prevalent in gardens around the world. It’s “daffling” that something so small can unite so many cultures and generations.  Garvin Woodland Gardens is only a short drive away and open everyday from 9 am to 6pm.  For only nine dollars for adults and four dollars for children and dogs, Daffodil Days offers a mind cultivating experience at a dirt-cheap price.  You will feel much guilt if you don’t see Daffodil Days before they all wilt.

ROCKIN' THE SNOW 2011

             During homecoming week, January 10th through 14th, the inevitable occurred.  Snow fell deeper than just one inch in Pearcy, Arkansas.  The five inches of snow that accumulated had students rejoicing at the prospect of not having school on  Monday, January 10th.  Due to the strange Arkansas weather, the administrators of Lake Hamilton School District called off school during most of Basketball Homecoming week.

The snow began Sunday afternoon and continued into Monday morning, leaving the starving artists to stay home and paint until their hands became so thin and frail, they threatened to wither away completely.  Then, late Monday afternoon everyone got a text saying “NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!!” and the 80’s rockers, 90’s walkman owners, and 50’s poodle skirt wearers were burdened with chores and endless fun in the snow.  Everyone was anxious to hear what Wednesday would bring; another snow day or school?  Well, when the news that the icy roads on the bus routes were too dangerous to drive on, school was cancelled.  All of the Cowboys and Indies would have a draw and stay home; everyone was ecstatic.  That is everyone aside from a few bored students including Caina Cowart, who wrote on her Facebook wall that she didn’t know what to do with all of the extra time.  For some, the weather meant a social block.  Others took the opportunity to embrace photography or sled the snowy slopes.  It too quickly ended and everyone went back to school on Thursday to express their favorite genre through their clothing. 

I saw many students dressed as Indie music lovers and Hip Hop music masters.  One senior known for her love of dance and music is Jordan Harris.  She choreographs and performs various Hip Hop dance routines and definitely sported some cool Hip Hop attire on Thursday.  Then, it was Friday and the homecoming festivities were under way.  The maids were escorted onto the auditorium stage, looking stunning with their handsome escorts.  Later that night, the maids were presented with their evening escorts and the beautiful Erica Spivey was crowned the Basketball Homecoming Queen.  Afterwards, the games began and the student section went wild! 

          Although they were not victorious, the boys and girls basketball teams played with fierce effort and determination.  The student section represented Lake Hamilton’s intense school spirit very effectively with their cheering and dedication towards the Wolves and the Lady Wolves.  The maids rocked the court with their beautiful dresses and winning smiles.  The snow fell and the students rejoiced, the promise of no school granted.  In my opinion, this year’s basketball homecoming week was definitely one of a kind.

Taylor Duke

The Zenyatta Bobblehead

           On Martin Luther King Day for the last four years, the Hot Springs racetrack Oaklawn Park, gives away a bobblehead that depicts a famous and prominent horse. This year the bobbleheads resemble Zenyatta, the spectacular and world-famous racehorse most locally known for her participation in the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap in April of 2010.

 The ticket booths opened at 11:00 a.m., and to get a decent spot in the front of the line, we waited outside for two very cold and boring hours. When  ticket booths opened, we bought tickets for $2 each and walked swiftly to the bobblehead distribution table, trading our tickets for a white box containing the coveted statue. After returning to the parking lot, I finally got a good look at my new sculpture.  Two hours in the cold were worth it.

            The bobbleheads that Oaklawn distrubutes to fans every year are can not be compared to the goofy ones with huge wobbling heads. Zenyatta has a porpotional head that will not move unlike a normal bobblehead. Her head is slightly cocked to the side while her front leg is raised in the famous dance position she performs to the audience before every race. Her bridle is covered in beautiful pink apple blossoms and has her number painted in black. The unique painting of the horse, will turn heads at the race track.

            Zenyatta, born April 1, 2004 in Kentucky, has an astounding career consisting of 20 races, placing 1^st in 19 of them. She won Horse of the Year in 2010, the most prestigious award in horse racing. It goes without saying that Zenyatta is probably the most famous horse alive, and that is reflected in Oaklawn’s choice to immortalize her as a bobblehead.

            Does this little statuette have any value, though? While the adverage bid on Ebay will go for around $40, the highest bid ever has been over $100.
As years go on and the bobbleheads disperse, they will be worth more. They are a unique treasure from Hot Springs, and in the future, when it’s being picked out of an old attic, it will trace back to our home, our renowned racetrack, and the spectacular horse Zenyatta.

Westan Lakey 4th

Reading; An Adventure…

My grandma always tells me that books can take me anywhere; whether it be Germany in Soldier “X” by Don Wulffson, or Australia in the Tomorrow series by John Marsden.  If they can take me anywhere, then I know they can take all of you places too; all you have to do is crack open a book and get down to it.

I’ve read books that surprised me by sending me to places I didn’t expect to go when I first cracked it opened. I’ve been to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the Marked series by P.C. Cast, a place that used to be known as North America but is now Panem in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and even to the UK in the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. Though books are most definitely great for taking you places, they can give you so much information about things you never even knew existed.

            The Marked series is about vampires, of course considering that’s been the major hit since Twilight, that go through different obstacles while also being distracted with the troubles of teenage life. This series of eight books so far, has taken me to Oklahoma, Scotland, and even to an island in Greece. This series alone has taken me to places I haven’t had the privilege of seeing in person.

            The Hunger Games is technically set in North America but is no longer called that, but Panem. Panem consists of 12 Districts and a capital simply labeled Capitol. Original, right? This world brings out imagination by having people dyed pea green with blue hair and metallic gold eye liner. Taylor Duke, a senior here at Lake Hamilton, says about the books, “I liked how she [Suzanne Collins] made these extraordinary characters deal with extremely difficult situations that allow teens to make associations with the consequences of certain decisions and the confusing well of emotions that stir within us.” So, basically the books relate to us as teens while adding an adventurous twist that helps trigger the imagination.

            Another series is the Harry Potter series, which is, once again, about teenagers. These teens are quite special though, they have the gift of wizardry. Harry, Hermione, and Ron are the main characters and are the ones most commonly faced with major obstacles they must overcome. These three teens go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Hogwarts is located in Scotland but there are also references to London, which is where the famous Harry Potter lives during summers.  Though these books vary from 300-800 in page numbers, once you start reading you can’t put the books down! There is so much action packed into each and every page of this series. Westan, a junior at LH says about the series, “It’s interesting to read a book that is set in a place I’ve never had the experience of seeing in person.”

            These books are all found in our own library here at Lake Hamilton and were recommended by fellow students. Many people in LHHS have read these books and they are also quite well known to communities other than our own school. So if you would like to know more about the books ask a librarian or even a fellow student.  

Though it may take slight effort to make yourself sit down and read, in the end it’s completely worth it. Reading books set in different countries, worlds, and past times, gives you knowledge about places you’ve never even been! There are so many books out there and there is no excuse for not reading; Lake Hamilton has an incredible library with great librarians who are there to help at the first question. Read, let your knowledge grow.

 -Nikki Haak