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