THE
TILGHMAN PADUCAH TILGHMAN HIGH SCHOOL
2400 WASHINGTON STREET
PADUCAH, KENTUCKY
BELL
TUES. DEC. 15, 2015
VOL. 92 NO. 5
Tilghman inducts new NHS members by Teri Doss
Photo provided by Wayne Walden
Seven students score above 30 on ACT
Hassel awarded Paducah Bank’s Teen of the Week
by Teri Doss When asked The Tilghabout how she man Bell gained such would like to a high score, congratulate Lucie Tyrrell the seven commented Tilghman “It’s really students who helpful to take scored a 30 a lot of pracor above on tice tests, and the Octobe sure to get ber session a good night’s of the ACT. sleep before The students Photo provided by Wayne Walden the day of the who achieved these high scores are seniors Jack Boyd, test in order to improve your ability to Lauren Eickholz, Carter Noneman, Con- focus.” High scores on the ACT will nor Orlowski, Lucie Tyrrell, and juniors help these students to be competitive John Holtgrewe and Landan Ross. The when applying for scholarships to colnational average composite score in lege. The next available testing date is February 6, 2016. 2014 was a 21.
The Paducah Tilghman chapter of the National Honor Society recently inducted 26 new members. These students were inducted at the 34th ceremony held in the cafeteria on November 24. To be a member of NHS, one must maintain a 3.5 GPA and uphold the four tenants of the National Honor Society: Service, Leadership, Character, and Charity. The new members include seniors Logan Bakehouse, Jennai Mitchell, Carter Noneman, Jessica Tillson, and juniors Nick Beeny, Nina Brown, Chris Chumbler, Jacob Curry, Reagan Davidson, Vanessa Davis, Will Denton, Roberto dos Remedios, Hunter Grubbs, John Holtgrewe, Talia Housman, Amiya Jones, Claire Kelly, Caroline Meiners, Nikole Mitchell, Darby Moffatt, Jennifer Moore, Travis Myers, Landan Ross, Landon Rutherford, Michael-Ellen Walden, and Maddie Ybarzabal. These members now make up a society that totals 53 juniors and seniors. Throughout the year members are required to fulfill 20 hours of community service. NHS is sponsored by Mrs. Hancock and is headed by NHS President Meg Hancock, Vice President Teri Doss, Treasurer Thai Daniels, and Secretary Matthew VanHoose.
by Abigail Hawkins Senior Micheal Hassel was selected for Paducah Bank’s Teen of the Week during the week of December 14th through the 19th. Micheal is the son of Crystal and Cornell Shackleford. Hassel is Field Commander of the Band of Blue, a member of Prime Rib, and played major roles in Oklahoma!, Cinderella, and
Photo by Claire Kelly
Shrek over the last three years. He is a member of Beta Club, and is Vice President of Student Council. He participated in the Youth Lead Program his junior year. He plans to attend the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with a degree in musical theatre. Hassel said, “I was shocked to see people recognize what I have strived to achieve. I am honored to be chosen for this award!”
Paducah Power System holds annual food drive by Charli Doss Photo by Claire Kelly
During the Holiday season, the Paducah Power System holds a canned food drive at various schools throughout the Western Kentucky area. The food is donated to Paducah Cooperative Ministry and the Salvation Army. Every year Mr. Nantz sponsors this event at Tilghman. Students, bring in your canned food to help give back to the community. This year let’s share our tradition of excellence with people in need, and donate as many food items as possible. It is always a competition between the local schools to see who collects the most. The last day to bring in canned food is Wednesday December 16.
Four Tilghman juniors named Paxton Scholars by Teri Doss The McCracken The Paxton County Community Scholars ProCareer Endowment, gram works to Inc. (MCCCE) reincrease student cently announced self-esteem, parthe selection of six ent or guardAfrican American ian advocacy, high school juniors peer and mencurrently enrolled tor interaction, in the Paducah Inmaintenance and dependent and Mcimprovement of Cracken County academic perforSchool Districts mance, and prepPhoto provided by Wayne Walden who will participate in the 2015 aration for college Paxton Scholars Program. Four of the six transition. These students will receive colstudents are juniors at Paducah Tilghman. lege scholarships based on the grade point Vanessa Davis, Amiya Jones, Tyrese Jones, averages from their junior and senior years and Brianna Wagner were selected from 23 of high school and through the first two seapplications that were submitted. mesters of college. Information provided by the McCracken County Community Career Endowment, Inc.
Hancock announced as Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist by Alaysia Hamilton The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has made it their mission to honor students that excel in academics and services. For years, high school students have applied for the Coca-Cola scholarship for a chance to be selected out of over 87,000 applicants. Based on her service to the community, academic excellence, and leadership, Meg Hancock has been named a semifinalist in the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Program. Meg is the captain of both Mock Trial and Speech and Debate team, a member of the Academic Team, the Paducah Human Rights Commission, the PTHS Orchestra and
Photo by Claire Kelly
the Kentucky Junior Historical Society. She is the President of the National Honor Society and an alumnus of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program. After high school, Hancock plans to attend Duke University. When asked about her accomplishment, Hancock said, “It’s really exciting to be in a pool of other students who are passionate about serving in their community.”
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A Tip of the Hat... by Lucie Tyrrell and Matthew VanHoose
“What is the worst Christmas present you’ve ever gotten?” by Parker Belt and Matthew VanHoose
A tip of the hat goes to the Christmas spirit. When the calendar finally hits December 1st, there’s no denying that contagious feeling of happiness and warmth when you hear the first Christmas song and see the first Christmas decoration in your house. The Christmas spirit infects us all, whether we’re singing carols or baking cookies for Santa. So put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and cozy up next to the fire because baby, it’s cold outside. A tip of the hat goes to acronyms for being the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). You’re having a conversation with somebody, and you realize that saying all those words take too much time, and time is money. What’s your solution? ACRONYMS (Awesome, Crazy, Rad, Orange Names Yeti Man Sauce). They’re like shortcuts…for your mouth!! In case you haven’t noticed, acronyms are the new hip way to communicate with others, have a good time, and be totally LAID BACK (Let’s All Immediately Decide Bad Acronyms Can’t Kontinue). YOLO. A tip of the hat goes to the new year. 2016 brings with it the promises of new adventures, friendships, and experiences. It’s the perfect opportunity to start fresh. If you regret not doing your math homework for the entire first semester, 2016 is the year that you START DOING YOUR MATH HOMEWORK (nerd). Become a metaphorical sponge, and soak up the juices of new experiences in the new year.
...A Wag of the Finger
“A Webkinz.”
Eric Riffe (9)
“A $20 gift card to Aeropostale.”
A very cold wag of the finger goes to fingerless gloves. Who in their right mind would think it looks cool to wear fingerless gloves. Yes, this is a direct roast to those of you who wear these atrocities. Gloves are meant to keep your hands warm, but fingerless gloves fail to serve this purpose. These aren’t trendy, these aren’t edgy. Fingerless gloves are just a huge arrow that points at you and says “I’m self-conscious about my palms.” In the new year, take some time to learn how to sew and go right ahead and sew some fingers on those gloves. A wag of the finger goes to Mistletoe. Bear with us, mistletoe can be pretty stellar, but when’s the last time you got caught under a mistletoe with someone you actually wanted to kiss? Having to formulate excuses in the heat of the moment when you find yourself under the mistletoe with someone who’s just not for you is a difficult situation. With Christmas right around the corner it is in your best interest to start planning your exit strategies now. A wag of the finger goes to Olive Garden for promising the decadence of unlimited breadsticks while this is literally impossible given the laws of nature. According to science, matter cannot be created or destroyed; according to Olive Garden, this basic rule of nature is faulty. The famed Italian restaurant offers unlimited breadsticks. If these breadsticks were really unlimited, why is world hunger still a problem? “Wag of the Finger” and “Tip of the Hat” are trademarks of Stephen Colbert and his TV show, The Colbert Report. Neither Paducah Tilghman nor The Bell Staff claim any ownership of these trademarks.
Ella Bailey (10)
What to leave behind in 2015
“A faulty gerbil (it died the next day.)”
by Kaki Shadoan and Darby Moffat
Raina Cain (11)
“I got the rabbit costume from A Christmas Story.”
Jack Daniels (12)
Photos by Parker Belt
The Tilghman Bell THE TILGHMAN BELL, A PRODUCT OF THE JOURNALISM CLASS, IS AN OPEN FORUM FOR STUDENT EXPRESSION AND IS DISTRIBUTED MONTHLY TO THE STUDENTS OF PADUCAH TILGHMAN HIGH SCHOOL FREE OF CHARGE. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: ABIGAIL HAWKINS COMMENTARY EDITORS: PALMER STROUP, ANNA CHAMBERS FEATURE EDITORS: MATTHEW VANHOOSE, ABBY SPICER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS: HANNAH HUNT, DALY SPICER SPORTS EDITORS: MATTHEW VANHOOSE, JACK BOYD BUSINESS MANAGER: MADELYN CHAMBERS STAFF WRITERS: PARKER BELT, JACK BOYD, ANNA CHAMBERS, MADELYN CHAMBERS, WILLIAM DENTON, J. ROBERTO DOS REMEDIOS, CHARLI DOSS, TERI DOSS, HUNTER GRUBBS, ALAYSIA HAMILTON, ABIGAIL HAWKINS, TALIA HOUSMAN, HANNAH HUNT, CLAIRE KELLY. CAROLINE MEINERS, DARBY MOFFAT, KAKI SHADOAN, ABBY SPICER, DALY SPICER, PALMER STROUP, LUCIE TYRRELL, SAMUEL TYRRELL, MATTHEW VANHOOSE, MADDIE YBARZABAL PHOTOGRAPHER: CLAIRE KELLY CARTOONISTS: MADDIE YBARZABAL, TALIA HOUSMAN ADVISOR: SUSAN HANCOCK
As the year comes to a close, we’re looking back on everything that has made a mark on 2015. The New Year is about changing your ways for the better, but to do that we must leave some things behind. Let’s all vow to make 2016 the best it can be by ridding ourselves of things that we could just simply do without. 1. Ridiculous Dances: The year 2015 is filled to capacity with overrated dance moves that are just plain stupid. Sure, it was entertaining to watch the low-quality choreography of these dances storm the internet at first, but seriously, we’ve had enough. Nobody wants to watch you Whip/Nae Nae, Hit the Quan, or do the DAB. Hopefully, 2016 will bring back the era of jazz hands and swing dancing. 2. Math (in general): Honestly, who wouldn’t want to leave math behind? This annoying, mandatory class has only taught us how to hate. We can’t even do our homework because our notes are smudged and soggy from our tears. Whatever, it’s fine. 3. Man Bun Tryhards: It’s over. If your hair is barely being held by a hair tie and your “bun” is the size of Alfalfa’s, then it’s a “no” from us. Also, the purpose of a headband is to keep hair out of your face; if your hair is 1-2 centimeters long, you don’t need it! No offense to the originals, but this worn-out hairstyle’s 15 minutes of fame has expired. 4. Macklemore: “Downtown”—enough said. Actually, Macklemore should’ve been left in 2012 with “Thriftshop.” 5. Wannabe Savages: If your life goal is to be recognized as a savage because you roast someone on social media, then you seriously need to reevaluate your life. Let’s leave behind today’s definition of a savage for the people who are just craving retweets that aren’t actual uncontrollable beasts in the wild. Let’s start up the trend of taking the high road and just being nice to one another.
What to see in 2016 by J. Roberto dos Remedios
As Christmas and New Year’s approach, so does the end of the year. 2015 was filled with memorable moments, from the heartbreaking to the tear jerking, and from the serious to the hilarious. No one can predict what exactly 2016 holds in store, but we do have some events and important dates scheduled already. Here’s my list for what I’m looking forward to in 2016. Albums—New year means new music. This year we were treated with Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” Adele’s “25,” The Weeknd’s “Beauty behind the madness,” and much more. 2015 was filled with a variety of genres and styles in music that kept the year singing along. In 2016, more albums are scheduled to drop by Kanye West, Panic! At the Disco, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, Sia, and Gorillaz. We’ve already seen a small sliver of greatness from P!ATD’s “Death of a Bachelor” with “Victorious,” and the surprise twitter remixes from J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store in music. Movies—If you don’t already know, 2016 will be a superhero blockbuster year. Scheduled to release are Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Suicide Squad. Aside from superhero movies, there is one title that I cannot wait for: Finding Dory. I loved Finding Nemo, and I’m sure it’s sequel will not disappoint. Presidential Election—The biggest candidates have boiled down to Donald Trump, the butt of internet jokes, and Hilary Clinton, the first (if she were to win) female president. I don’t know too much about the debates enough to make an intelligent prediction or side, but this upcoming election is sure to be history in the making. 2016 is sure to be an amazing year. There are even more things scheduled and speculated to release next year that I can’t list them all. And even from what we do know, we can’t predict some of the wacky and extraordinary phenomena that could happen on a dime. I can’t wait for next year.
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Keeping the Christmas magic alive by Maddie Chambers Think back to when you were a little kid. The magic of Santa Claus coming down the chimney while we slept would keep us up at night. Remember those imaginary sounds you thought you heard on the roof? It was obviously the reindeer carrying his sleigh full of gifts. Our parents would hush us and warn us that Santa wouldn’t come if he heard we were still up and about. The sun would rise and you were the first one up in your house! The magic had happened. The cookies were gone and the glass of milk was empty. Presents magically appeared under the tree while you had been sleeping. There was definite evidence that Santa Claus had come to town. Do you ever feel as if the magic has disappeared now that you are older? If so, it’s time to bring it back! All you have to do is BELIEVE. First off, you must realize The Elf on the Shelf is not just some silly toy for little kids. This Elf is an official worker for Santa. It jumps around from place to place in the house to spy on the family and make notes on whether you are naughty or nice, so you’d better treat him with kindness when he comes around. Each day be sure to keep your eyes out and be on your best behavior, because you never know where or what those sneaky elves might be up to. Secondly, do you think you’re too old to set out cookies and milk for Santa? Well, maybe Santa is too old to be up all night giving out presents, but he still does it! Making cookies for him is the least you could do. Also, you can’t forget about the reindeer! Set out some carrots for them to chew on while Santa prepares your gifts. No matter how old you are, it is fun to wake up in the morning and see what is left of these treats. You have to imagine how jolly Santa was as he grabbed his cookies and how grateful those hungry reindeer probably were from flying around, house to house all night. Lastly, if this still isn’t enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, I recommend you spend a day dedicated to all the Santa Claus movies. Tim Allen does a wonderful job playing exactly how you picture Santa to be. There is enough magic and happiness in all these movies to last you all of December. Who knows? These movies might be a TRUE representation of Santa and his elves at the North Pole. Christmas time is the most magical time of the year and if you disagree, I truly hope you participate in all the Christmas activities I mentioned in this article. It’s that time of the year when you have to bring out your inner kid! Let yourself believe in the magic of Santa, flying reindeer and the busy elves relaxing for the first time all year. Be one of the lucky ones who can hear the magic bell ring when others just think it is broken. The Magic is still alive.
Fulfilling your New Year’s Resolution by Anna Chambers Every January, the world seems to come to a halt while people desperately try to carry out their New Year’s Resolution. We all gravitate towards the typical: lose weight, smile more, spend less money, procrastinate less. But all those things are so broad and meaningless. If we start to personalize our resolutions, then maybe we could actually follow through with them. If we can take a classic resolution and add an aspect that makes it more fit for us as an individual, there may be hope for our goals for the year. Your resolution should be something you love. Your goal for the year should be something that makes you happy and that you would enjoy doing. If you want to lose weight, don't just declare you’re going to lose weight; make your goal something specific that you enjoy doing that will result in weight loss. This year I’m going to walk my dog every day! This year I’m going to start hiking! Whatever your “thing” is, make it something you wake up every day looking forward to, not something you dread. If you can be active in a way that you actually enjoy, then the weight loss will simply be an added bonus. Your resolution should be something that challenges you to be a better person. It shouldn't be something created to please anyone else; it's something that is created just for you, by you! Your resolution should be something that makes you consciously think about what you want to do and how you want to be. Your resolution shouldn’t be something you’ll disregard by February. Deciding to eat healthier this year shouldn't stop after a few pieces of broccoli. If you really want to better yourself and follow through with your resolution, you have to have dedication, and you must have the will to do it. It's easy to say you're going to do something, but it is much harder to actually do it. Far too many people believe that they can “be more productive” in a matter of two weeks (especially the two weeks after the New Year) and that's just not true. It will be easier if you break your resolution into manageable chunks; set up a few “little” goals that will lead you to ultimate success. Sometimes, your resolution takes lots of time, even a whole year, and that is okay! Any kind of resolution is going to take time, and we have to understand that that is normal! We are all striving to be better every day of our lives and when picking a resolution, we want something that will actually make a difference. No matter your resolution, we should all shoot for a better year than the last and find happiness in all that we do. Happy New Year!
The best thing about Christmas by Lucie Tyrrell Everyone knows that there are some downsides to Christmas: trying to shop in the mall for all your presents on Christmas Eve, the crazy family members you wish you didn't have to see, and pretending like you love the handmade sweater your old neighbor made you (for the 10th year in a row). While it's an annual struggle to get through these hardships, you know that it's all worth it. Why is that? BECAUSE IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!! If someone asks you what the best part about Christmas is, a few things immediately come to mind: - gifts - seeing family - Christmas movies -candy canes -Christmas music -hot chocolate But after a few minutes of hard thought, you realize that the list truly goes on forever. In all your infinite wisdom, you finally understand that it is impossible to pinpoint just one thing about Christmas that makes it the best holiday. It's a combination of the music, the spirit, the decorations, the food, the gifts, and most importantly, the time you get to spend with your family and friends that truly make it the most wonderful time of the year.
Growing out of Christmas with Santa by Maddie Ybarzabal You’ve known the tale of Santa Claus all your life. You know how it goes… You behave all year. You sit on Santa’s lap, telling him all the things you dream of getting. You write letters addressed to the North Pole. You bake cookies with your siblings on Christmas Eve and leave them out that night. You wake up on Christmas morning and tear through the gifts, seeing if the big man has brought what you asked. And has he? No. Because Santa isn’t real. It was magical, wasn’t it—Christmas morning? You felt purely happy. You believed in everything. Santa was real and he had come. But around age 10 your pesky older brother decides to hint at the fact that your parents were the ones to eat the cookies on Christmas Eve. Or maybe it’s the big, bad eighth grader who wants to ruin your spirit and tell you the only reason you hear something tapping on your roof at night is because you’re imagining it. Or maybe you’re like me, and it’s your babysitter that whispers, “You know Santa isn’t real, right?” a month before your ninth Christmas. Call me bitter, call me childish; I don’t care. I wish Santa Claus was real with all my heart. I wish my Santa-addressed letters traveled from the post office in Paducah, KY, to the North Pole post office. I wish my family’s Elf on the Shelf went to Santa’s factory every night to report my behavior (which was always nice). I wish there was a sleigh guided by a red-nosed-reindeer that flew around the whole world in one night. I wish it was all true. But it isn’t true and that’s okay. Just because a fat man dressed in all red doesn’t slide down your chimney on Christmas Eve, that doesn’t mean Christmas can’t still be magical. It isn’t all about the presents or the tales. It’s about the family, traditions, and giving. Christmas can be magical at any age; it’s all about what you make of it.
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Speech members take top honors by Claire Kelly This month the speech team took fourth place overall at the Murray Tiger Invitational Speech Tournament where seniors Meg Hancock and Jack Daniels were named tournament champions in Improvisational Duo. Hancock was also named tournament champion in Original Oratory, while Daniels received third place in Broadcast Announcing and fourth place in Impromptu Speaking. The team had six other podium finishes at the tournament. Earning third place wins were senior Kathryn Winfield (Poetry) and junior John Holtgrewe (Extemporaneous Speaking). Earning fourth place was junior Nina Brown (Dramatic Interpretation). Sisters Addie and Kate Rogers received a fifth place award in Duo Interpretation, and receiving sixth place were Kathryn Winfield and junior Monyette Drew in Improvisational Duo. Later in the month, the speed team competed at the Marshall County Invitational Speech Tournament. The team of juniors Claire Kelly and Michael Ellen Walden took first place in Improvisational Duo, and the team had six other podium
finishes. Junior Landon Rutherford earned fourth place in Broadcast Announcing. Receiving fifth place awards were Michael Ellen Walden (Prose) and senior Hasaan Ali (Extemporaneous Speaking). Earning sixth place was junior John Holtgrewe (Extemperaneous Speaking), sophomore Marco Garcia (Impromptu Speaking), freshman Grace Raber (Declamation), and freshmen duo Addie and Kate Rogers (Duo Interpretation). Also receiving Top 10 finishes were Claire Kelly (Broadcast Announcing), Michael Ellen Walden (Broadcast Announcing), Marco Garcia (DeclamaPhoto provided by Wayne Walden tion), junior Monyette Drew and senior Kathryn Winefield (Improvisational Duo), Claire Kelly (Original Oratory), sophomore Anna Grace McGee (Original Oratory), and sophomore Emery Wainscott (Program Oral Interpretation). Members of the team who earned podium finishes at either tournament are prequalified for the Kentucky High School Speech League state tournament. They will travel to the University of Kentucky in March to compete.
Hart and Hawkins named Paducah ensembles December Rotary Scholars host upcoming Christmas concerts by Hunter Grubbs
University. The Tilghman Bell Devon Hart is a would like to congratumember of FBLA late the December Rotary and Beta Club. He Scholars of the month, Abalso plays basketball igail Hawkins and Devon and is undecided on a Hart. Each Wednesday in college. When asked December, the two attend about his first Rotary the Rotary club meetings meeting, Devon reat the Carson Center where plied, “It was great they spend the whole day seeing so many peolearning about Paducah ple coming together and enjoying a lunch from to help make Paducah the different sponsors. At a better community.” each meeting the Rotary Hawkins and Hart Scholars listen to a new Photo provided by Wayne Walden are both excited to see guest speaker and discuss how to make what they will experience and accomplish their community a better place. Abigail Hawkins is a member of NHS, in their lives. They are active students and Beta Club, Friendship Baptist Church, and are happy to represent Tilghman in a positive Concordia. Abigail also plays soccer and is way. Congratulations, Abigail and Devon. a cheerleader. She plans to attend Samford
Band of Blue wraps up marching season by Charli Doss The Band of Blue wrapped up the marching season on October 31 at the KMEA 3A State Marching Band Championship Semifinals. The band competed in several marching events prior to the State competition. Tilghman’s band went on the road to the McCracken County Mustang Marching Classic, the Graves County Marching Invitational, and the Hopkinsville High School Marching Invitational. Tilghman placed first in the class 3A in all of these events along with winning other sectional pieces. The Band of Blue was awarded with best color guard and percussion in all of these competitions. The Band of Blue competed in the KMEA 3A West Regional Quarterfinals on October 24 at Lindsey Wilson College. They placed in the top eight qualifying to compete at the State competition. The band then traveled to Allen County Scottsville High School on October 31 for the KMEA 3A State Marching Band Championship Semifinals. The Band of Blue finished in 15th place at the State Marching Band competition. After the marching band competition season ended, the Band of Blue had several members selected to participate in the First District All-District Symphonic Honor Band. The First District All-District Symphonic Honor Band will take place on January 7-9 at Murray State University. The band members selected are Audrianna Hughes, Nick Beeny, Chris Chumbler, George Dobson, and David Goulooze. These students have also been recommended to audition for the 2016 KMEA All-State Band on December 12 at John Hardin High School.
Check out Christmas articles on pages 7 and 8! Merry Christmas!
by Will Denton Kicking off the holiday season with music, several Paducah ensembles will be hosting Christmas concerts. Concerts will consist of several songs to showcase the group’s talent and provide entertainment for audience members. The Paducah Tilghman Band of Blue recently had their Christmas concert in the Tilghman auditorium. The concert featured the songs “Holiday Fanfare,” “Greensleeves,” and “Santa of Seville.” The Paducah Tilghman Orchestra also performed at this concert along with the advanced members of the Paducah Middle School Orchestra. The Paducah Symphony Orchestra will also be holding a Christmas concert. It will take place downtown at the Carson Center on December 12. The concert starts at 7:30, and tickets for the event can be purchased on the Paducah Symphony Orchestra website. Tilghman’s annual Choir concert will also be held this week at Immanuel Baptist Church on Friday, December 18. Starting at 7:00, the concert will consist of several songs by the Tilghman Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Choralaires, and the a cappella groups Prime Rib and Concordia.
Paducah Pubic Schools ranked sixth in state by Daly Spicer Niche.com recently released their 2016 list of the best school districts in Kentucky, ranking Paducah Public Schools sixth. Analyzing data that was mostly provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Education, the website gave each district a grade on academics, which accounted for half of the districts’ final scores, health/ safety, resources/facilities, faculty, after school activities, and sports. Our district obtained a B- in academics, a B in health/safety, and an A- in faculty and in resources/facilities. The district got A’s in both extra-curriculars and sports, and received an A+ in diversity. In parent/ student surveys that were also analyzed by Niche.com, Paducah Public Schools received a 4.5 out of 5 rating. Many of the reviews pointed out all of the opportunities, talent, and pride the district has to offer.
Walden named NSDA All-American by Claire Kelly Junior Michael Ellen Walden has been named a National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Academic All-American. She has also received a Degree of Superior Distinction from the NSDA Society. To earn the Degree of Superior Distinction, Walden had to accumulate over 750 total competition and public service points. The Academic All-American award is given to students who have earned the Degree of Superior Distinction, have made above a 27 on the ACT, and have at least a 3.7 GPA. Walden is currently the only junior in Kentucky to hold this distinction, and she is one of less than 25 Class of 2017 Academic All-Americans in the nation. Walden has also been a member of the Kentucky All-State Speech Team for two years. This title recognizes the Top 150 speech and debate competitors in the state; Walden is currently ranked 43rd in the state. She has also received the title of Tournament Champion in categories including Storytelling and Improvisational Duo at many invitational speech tournaments. In addition to competing on the speech team, Michael Ellen Walden is a member of the Varsity girl’s soccer team, Varsity academic team, National Honor Society, and Concordia. She is a founding member of the PTHS Improv Troupe and Storytelling Troupe. She was recently seen as Fiona in Tilghman’s “Shrek: the Musical.”
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In the blink of an eye
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by Hannah Hunt With all the tragedy that has recently hit Paris and the rest of the world, it has brought to my attention that life can be taken away from us in an instant. As humans we take things for granted without even noticing it, but in our last moments, flashes of regret inevitably pass through our minds. Things such as, "I wish I told my mother that I loved her today," or "I wish I had enough courage to pursue my dreams." No one wants to have those thoughts cross his or her mind, so here is some advice on how to live your life to the fullest. Make sure you tell your family that you love and appreciate them. Your family members do everything in their power to make sure that you are safe and cared for. They have helped you through the trials of life and have supported you and your crazy ideas whether they have liked them or not. Take the time out of your day to talk to them and tell them that you love them. Try to make the effort to treat everyone with respect. You might not agree with everyone's views, but that does not give you the go-ahead to ridicule them for their beliefs. Agreeing to disagree can be one of the hardest things to do, but it shows that even though you don’t agree with that person's stance you can respect that they have their own opinion and that they are their own person. This helps eliminate enemies, and disliking someone takes too much energy. Follow your dreams and aspirations because life is too short to do something that you hate. If you have the dream to become a writer, a musician, etc., go for it! You might hear the same, "You won't make enough money" or "You won't succeed" speech over and over again, but if you are really passionate about something, you will find a way to make it work and you will find a way to succeed. Be the person that you want to be, not what society wants you to be. Dress the way you want to dress. Jam out to the music you love. Obsess over your favorite films and TV shows. Embrace your sexuality. Take pride in your ethnicity. Express yourself and wear it on your sleeve. Who cares if other people think that your interests are weird? In my opinion, being your true self and loving the skin that you are in is the most important thing in this world. Try new things and get involved. If you're a human being, chances are you have made statements like, "I'd love the try that!" or "It'd be so cool if I could be a part of that one day!" Get out and try things that you’ve been always dying to do! Learn how to sew, try out new foods, get involved in a club, take an art class, run for student body president. If you have ever wished to try to achieve something, now is the time; if it ends up not being your cup of tea, then you can say that you at least tried it. Life is too short to live with regrets, so do what you love and strive to be a good person while doing so. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated and take care of our home, earth. As for the tragedies that have hit Paris, we should keep the families of those who have lost loved ones in our thoughts and not give up hope on humanity. Never take life for granted because it can be taken away from us when least expected.
What are you going Martin O’Malley to do After School? walks the walk by Palmer Stroup “Man is least himself when in his own person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth.” This quote from Irish writer and aestheticist Oscar Wilde is both an explanation and comment on our innate nature. It is that we are unconsciously constantly feigning our emotions only to show our true colors when the threat of exposure is eliminated. This remains entirely true in our high school. Recently introduced into our school system is the “anonymous” social media app After School. At its most basic, After School is capable of superficially hiding the identities of its maliciously minded student users from one another. Anything can be said about anyone on this public, public school discussion board. While on its own, After School is harmless. Most of the posts on it are completely false. Everything on it is a joke. It’s full of humiliating, name calling, rumor spreading trash; it is endless gossip, infinite jest. Not a thing that is said on it is completely serious; however, what may being said for fun could actually harm the individual it is directed toward. People have feelings too. I see After School as being capable of being one of the worst cyber bullying outlets ever discovered by students. Its anonymous posting system allows for an even more powerful wall for a bully to hide behind. I believe Tilghman students are above using this kind of petty trash. You may not have the app on your phone, but it’s still just as easy to hear about something said about you. All it takes is one screen shot and then that one hateful message about you can be sent to everyone. Oh, and have I mentioned that it’s not completely anonymous? Yes, it turns out the school board found out about it and have been logged on to it since the beginning. Yeah, they’ve seen everything that’s been posted so far. They know who is on it and what they’ve posted (had to sign in through Facebook, remember?). How they did it exactly though is beyond me. So next time you feel like calling someone fat or anything terrible like that, remember who’s going to see it. Just for one moment think about what you are going to say. You might really hurt someone… or maybe even yourself.
by Daly Spicer “There’s a big difference between leading by polls and leading by principle,” Martin O’Malley jabbed at Hillary Clinton during the second Democratic debate. With Hillary Clinton's big name and Bernie Sanders’ big personality, it's no surprise that the former governor of Maryland is indeed last in the polls. It's a downward spiral of cause and effect. He hardly gets any press or screen time during debates due to his low poll numbers, thus preventing voters from hearing about his policies and bringing him up in the polls. During the campaign, he's been pegged as the boring politician whose name you have to google every time you think of "that other guy running against Clinton." Despite popular belief, O’Malley is a pretty interesting guy (for a politician). While Sander’s hobby is plotting his vengeance on Wall Street and Hillary’s is sending e-mails, O’Malley plays guitar and used to be in a rock band. Granted, having a decent acoustic rendition of Taylor Swift’s hit “Bad Blood” is not grounds for being elected President. Unlike Sanders and Clinton, Martin O'Malley has executive experience. For seven years, he was the mayor of Baltimore and went on to become the governor of Maryland for eight years. While holding these positions he proved to be consistent with his political views, not just verbally, but through actions. In 2013, he signed legislation to abolish the death penalty in Maryland. In 2012, O'Malley signed a bill that legalized same sex marriage. Meanwhile, Clinton, the current front runner, was still opposed to gay marriage. His support for the LGBT community goes as far back as 2002 when he signed Maryland’s first anti-transgender discrimination law. Under his leadership, Maryland was ranked the number one state for women in America by the Center for American Progress. O’Malley signed the state Lilly Ledbetter Act in 2009, giving women more time to file pay discrimination lawsuits. Though Hillary has supported equal pay, she did very little during her time in the Senate to address this issue. As governor, he also enforced common sense gun control laws, preventing anyone involuntarily committed to a mental hospital from owning one, banned 45 different assault weapons, and put a limit on magazine capacity. Hillary may have a long resume, but her list of accomplishments is short. History shows that Martin O'Malley has potential to actually get things done in the White House. It’s easy to dismiss a candidate completely just because you don’t hear CNN sing their praises or FOX rip them apart every day. Don’t just leave it to the media to narrow down who you vote for.
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Christmas Vacation LOOK-A-LIKES by Jack Boyd and Samuel Tyrrell
Uncle Eddie
Matthew VanHoose (12)
Audrey
Mallory Myers (10)
Day in the Life of Mr. Morse by Alaysia Hamilton and Anna Chambers Mr. Morse seems to be your typical English teacher, but he is anything but typical. The Bell got to see behind the blonde beard. The Morse Morning Method is to slowly slide his daughter, Etta, off of him without stirring her, his wife or the fifteen cats they share the bed with. After sparkling his teeth with Crest toothpaste, he goes to his kitchen to select the ideal blueberry bagel and slather the perfect serving of brown sugar cinnamon cream cheese on top. Before walking out the door, he grabs his iced coffee and Britney Spears CD, so he can listen to “Toxic” on the way to school, every single day. Walking into school, he thinks about Mr. Davis’ smile and hopes for one of his famous warm hugs. All morning he dreams about the ham and cheese sandwich and Nutter Butter waiting for him under his desk. However, on a bad day that isn’t enough for him, forcing him
to go to Dunkin Donuts and stress eat. His record was 13 donuts after a previous student yelled at him and caused him to hide under his desk until she left. He isn’t weak though; he only plays on expert level on Guitar Hero. On the ride home from school, he finishes the Spear’s album and thinks about how much fun it would be to jump in a pile of leaves (he LOVES fall). His pregnant wife, Kate, awaits him at home with a Mountain Dew and he’s disappointed because it’s not Pumpkin Spice Mountain Dew. He still Photo by Claire Kelly loves her though. When asked if there was anything he wanted any of his students to know, he replied, “I’ve had my beard for seven years, and my wife would leave me if I shaved it. I really love The Walking Dead; it’s gotten to the point that Etta chews on baby dolls, trying to eat them. I really enjoy a good knuckle pop; I can pop mine three ways, but my middle knuckle is my favorite. Yeah, that’s about it.”
“Dear Abby” Rusty
Ty Weglarz (12)
Dear Abby, Relationships. Christmas time. These two things seem to be great if you have both of them. However, for those of us who don’t, the holidays can be a little less merry. With the help of Hallmark movies, Christmas albums, and holiday posts on Instagram, society is doing a great job at making me feel like I will end up a lonely cat lady on Christmas in the future. How do I make the most of this Christmas even though I am single? Sincerely, The Girl in Green and Red
Mrs. Griswold
Chloe Waggoner (12)
Dear Girl in Green and Red, Christmas has definitely become more “romance mainstream” over the past few years. Being single, it is so easy to feel like you are missing out when you see other couples spending Christmas together. However, Christmas isn’t really about high school relationships. It is about family! Think about it. You can make memories with a boyfriend who you know you won’t last 6 months, or you can make memories with family members that will last forever. The way to make the most of Christmas is to dive into activities with these people whom you love and who love you. Go shopping with your siblings or decorate with your parents. Enjoy what is right in front of you! Focus on the blessings you have now, or else you will never be satisfied with your circumstances. Merry Christmas!
XOXO, Photos by Jack Boyd and Sammy Tyrrell Photos courtesy of Google Images
Hancock’s of Paducah Supports the Speech Team
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Celebrating Christmas around the world
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by Talia Housman We all know the traditions from our childhood, like putting out cookies for Santa or hanging our stockings on Christmas Eve. But this isn’t so for everyone around the world. There are some traditions that are unique to the United States, such as what we eat for Christmas dinner or how we decorate. Other countries have traditions that are unique to them. Let’s take a trip around the world to learn about some of these traditions. In the Philippines, celebrations start early. You might see and hear Christmas events around the beginning of December. Traditional decorations one might see include a lantern called the parol. This is typically made out of bamboo and Japanese paper that is hung in the window or outside. Another decoration is the Belen, which is the nativity scene many Americans are familiar with. In this scene, the baby Jesus is in the center surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the Three Kings, and shepherds with their animals. On Christmas Eve, the Phillipines celebrate Noche Buena. Family members gather together and to have a feast, one similar to the U.S.’s Thanksgiving as it around their harvest. This celebration is also shared with the Spanish. In the Ukraine, Christmas isn’t celebrated until January 7th. Decorations called Verteps are showcased during Christmas time. These are scenes that often depict the Virgin Mary or Joseph or the Christ Child. During the Christmas Eve meal, there must be at least 12 different foods on the table. Some people decorate eggs or Pysanky, dependng on what region in Ukraine they live in. Children also go around the neighborhood and spread grain and colored seeds to wish people a happy har-
vest for the next year. In Germany, Christmas celebrations begin around December 1st. During the holidays, Germans make lots of cookies, gingerbread houses, and spice cakes. On December 5th, children leave out their shoes in hopes of finding presents inside of them the next day (the day known as Nikolaustag). The type of presents received depends on how well they have behaved throughout the year. On Christmas Eve, there are multiple “figures” that visit the children. The first is the Christkind, a fairhaired beautiful girl with a crown of candles who carries a basket of presents. The second is Weihnachtsmann, or the Christmas Man. The third is not so friendly; it can be one of three spirits that accompanies the Christkind. The three spirits that might be the Knecht Rupprecht, Pelznickle, and Ru-klas. Egypt celebrates Christmas on January 7th. They do this because it corresponds with the 29th Coptic month, Khiahk. They observe advent for 45 days leading up to Christmas. A lot of people fast from meat or poultry during this time. During the Christmas season, houses are decorated very similar to Americans. When the Christmas services let out, people go home and enjoy fata. This is a meal of rice, garlic, and boiled meat. On Christmas morning, people visit friends and family and eat Kahk, which is a special kind of candy. Those in Egypt also go out and spend time at parks and movie theaters. From the United States to all over the world, have a Merry Christmas!
Coping with loneliness Refuse to be a scrooge at Christmas time over the holidays by Caroline Meiners
by Darby Moffatt
“Faithful friends, who are dear to us, gather near to us once more.” But what if this isn’t the case? Many people have loved ones who live too far away to come near to them during the holidays. Whether they’re taken away for work, school, or other situations, the separation makes it hard to have a “merry little Christmas now,” especially during the time of the year when family and friends are the emphasis. It’s no fun being depressed during the holidays. While your couple friends are cuddled under blankets, sharing mugs of hot chocolate, and watching White Christmas, you’re talking to your mom about whether or not you can put up your Christmas tree. When some people are having cute gift exchanges, you’re stuck at home making sure that the gift you bought for your loved one makes it to them on time. Most American carols emphasize the love that is shared when people come together. Being in a long-distance relationship has you singing along to tunes like “All I want for Christmas is you,” “I’ll be home for Christmas,” and “Christmas (Baby please come home).” Being alone at Christmas can be hard--but here’s something to consider. Some people have no one to love around Christmas. Appreciate the fact that you have your loved ones in your life. You may not be with them right now, but you have good memories with the people you love. Think of the New Year and all of the memories you’ll make. Remember that you’re not alone and have fun with the friends you have near. Don’t let the separation ruin your holidays!
How to make Santa’s favorite cookies
If you find yourself lacking Christmas spirit, or if you come to the sad realization that you’re the Scrooge of your family, no worries. The Bell has your back. 1. ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas gets everyone’s sleigh bells ringing. There is nothing better than curling up with a cozy blanket and drinking hot chocolate while watching your favorite Christmas movies. 2. Driving through the Christmas lights can bring so much joy to your life. Seeing all the twinkling lights while listening to Christmas music makes everything better. 3. The holidays are all about family; take the time to put up your tree and decorate it with the people who mean the most. Unpacking all of your passed-down ornaments or the ones that you made out of macaroni noodles in kindergarten is definitely one of the best parts about Christmas. 4. What would the holidays be without food? Baking cookies and icing them with your dysfunctional cousins who insist on doing it themselves certainly makes for some entertaining memories (and pictures). Appreciate this season while it’s here and don’t forget to spread some holiday cheer!
The Bell’s Naughty and Nice list
by Maddie Chambers
by Caroline Meiners
Would you like to know the secret recipe for Santa’s favorite cookies? Well then, it’s your lucky day! Set these out and I can assure you that not a crumb will be left on the plate. 2 teaspoons of 1/2 cup of butter cream of tartar 2 1/4 cups of sifted flour 1 teaspoon of soda 1/2 cup shortening 1/4 teaspoon of salt 2 eggs 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons of vanilla
Naughty 1. The debris after Chicken Day 2. When Twisters is closed 3. People that can’t walk in the hallway 4. Beating upperclassmen for good seats at sporting events 5. Failing a test you actually studied for Photo by Maddie Chambers
Mixture: Shape rounded top of dough into balls. Combine 3 teaspoons of sugar with cinnamon. Roll balls in the sugar mixture. Place 2” apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in 400 degrees from 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!
Nice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Chicken Day Mr. Davis Hype student sections Excellence in all activities Teachers that let you use their microwaves
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North Pole sends a visitor
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by Darby Moffatt and Maddie Ybarzabal This holiday season, Tilghman gained even more diversity by welcoming its very first Elf on the Shelf. Each night, Blue the Elf travels all the way to the North Pole to report students’ behaviors to Santa Claus. He brings a little more magic to the school every day, and some of us might need that come finals week! Make sure you say goodbye to him before you leave for the break; he won’t come back until next year.
Blue on his first day of school, welcoming the students.
You see this elf guarding the hoop...What do you do?
Blue chowed down on his first Wing Wednesday.
Blue loved the taste of Mr. Davis’s popcorn.
Mr. Morehead gave Azul a Spanish lesson. Photos by Maddie Ybarzabal
Give back this Christmas Holiday Gift Guide by Maddie Chambers We are all so blessed, and sometimes we forget to take a step back and see all that we have. There are some people who through the holidays struggle more than ever. Make it your goal to give back this holiday season. Our school participates in the canned food drive as a way to give back. Our teachers encourage us by giving out bonus points for bringing cans, but we shouldn’t need that. It may not mean much to you, but it helps hundreds of people through the holidays. Also, many churches and other groups can get together to participate in Operation Christmas Child. All you have to do is pick the gender and age of a child you think would like to receive a box. In the box, there can be anything from toys to tooth brushes. By sending this to a child across the world, you are possibly giving them their first gift. If you are more interested in helping a local kid have a good Christmas, you can participate in a program called Angel Tree. With this program, you can get a local child’s name, age, and what they wished to receive for Christmas. After you have all of that information, you go out and shop for them. If you are interested in doing this, contact the Salvation Army with further information. Shopping for Christmas gifts is one of the best ways to get in the Christmas spirit so this is a perfect way to give back! Lastly, WPSD and Regions Bank are working together on a way to help struggling families this season. From November 24-December 19 participate in the Toy Drive! This is such an easy way to help make a child’s Christmas. All you have to do is purchase an extra toy or two and take them to any local Regions Bank location. They request that you to bring the toys to them unwrapped. There are plenty of ways to help others during the holiday season. These are the most common, but if none of these seem to excite you, get out there and search for more ways! Think about all the good food and presents you receive this time of the year and realize how blessed you are. I highly encourage each person to participate in one or more of these charity programs this Christmas.
by Hannah Hunt and Caroline Meiners For your Mom 1. Pajamas-You exhaust her, so you might as well give her something comfortable to sleep in. 2. Nice Cooking Utensils-If you like good, home cooked meals, chances are she needs some of these. 3. Chore Coupons-This is a cheap way to give your mom exactly what she wants from you. For your Dad 1. Gift card to his favorite home improvement store-You probably broke it, but he’s going to fix it so you might as well help pay for it. 2. Book on his favorite topic or hobby-Even though your dad loves you, he might need some time in his “man cave” reading about vintage cars. 3. Bonding Time-Dedicate a whole day to your Dad and let him choose the activities for the day. (Within reason, of course!) For your Siblings 1. Video Games-Video games are always a very accessible way to prove to your siblings that you’re better than they are. 2. Gag Gifts- Sometimes you think that their existence is a joke, so giving them one is fully appropriate. 3. iTunes Gift card-You’re giving them money to fuel their terrible music taste, or to steal their jams. For your Significant Other 1. Things that correlate with inside jokes-There’s nothing more personal than something that only you two can laugh about. 2. A Mix-Tape-Tailored specifically to songs that make you think of him or her and the love you share. 3. Framed Pictures-This gives them a memento of a joyous time that helped your relationship grow. Also, if you break up, they can use the frame again.
Conspiracy theories behind the Holidays by Hannah Hunt, Caroline Meiners and Claire Kelly 1. Santa--He’s real! Ever since the economy went bust, he hasn’t been able to get all of the materials he needs and has had to lay off elves. 2. Frosty the Snowman- He’s an alien. He accidentally landed on Earth and ended up indoctrinating children to make small shrines of him for when he “comes again one day.” When he melted, his body was beamed up to the mother ship. 3. Rudolph- His magical feed corn is actually illegal narcotics. That’s why his nose is always red. 4. Nutcrackers- They come alive at midnight and eat the cookies that are left for Santa. That’s why he leaves you bad presents. 5. Elf on the Shelf- These funny looking elves are actually working for the government. Big Brother is real, people. 6. Nativity Scene- Miniscule people take refuge in these every year. Every time you put them away, you’re suffocating a nation.
Some things in life take your breath away…
At Jackson Purchase Pulmonary Medicine, We give it back… Jackson Purchase Pulmonary Medicine Roberto dos Remedios, M.D. Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine 1111 Medical Center Cir Mayfield, KY, 42003 (270) 251-4040
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Netflix presents: Master of None
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by Alaysia Hamilton After weeks of scrolling through a very dry fall season of Netflix, the new original series, Master of None created, written and starring Aziz Ansari, offers belly clenching laughs. With help from Parks and Rec creator, Alan Yang, this was the first time Ansari played a part behind the camera. Master of None is a fantastic and relatable show that portrays how a modern Indo-American man deals with current social issues. This “semi-autobiographical” production shows the personal and professional life of Dev, played by Ansari, a middle-aged actor living an everyday life in New York City. Each episode has a theme from dating, his work life and even to his social life. Even though the themes are quite common, he shows a message that we didn’t expect. Ansari makes us understand that the Indian population in America has been seriously overlooked when it comes to the acting community. Ansari uses this theme quite often by using clever, snide remarks. He does this so well that if you aren’t paying attention you will miss
Photo courtesy of Google Images
Artist Alley by Talia Housman
Artist Alley’s featured artist of the month is Thomas Purefoy. He is a sixteen year old junior who has been in the art department for three years, but he has been drawing his whole life. He has dedicated almost all of his time to the art program except for some time recently when he was recovering from surgery. Thomas is battling Crohn’s disease and will have to his whole life, as long as he takes care of himself, he should be fine. Photo by Talia Housman His favorite drawing subject is portraits and still lifes, to do these he likes to use pencil. He is inspired by modern artists and artists on Instagram. When he gaduates hewants to get into graphic design and intends to study to be a graphic or classical artist in college. Thomas would like to keep art as his only job. When Thomas found out he had been selected for Artist Alley he wanted to make a special work of art. He made a collage of different pictures and then used markers and colored pencils to make this piece which he names, Abstract. This piece features different social icons along with bold lines and bright colors. Tip for artists: If you love what you love, let it kill you.
it. The episodes hit so close to heart that sometimes you aren’t sure whether to laugh, cry uncontrollably or to throw your remote at the television. Aziz Ansari plays such a phenomenal lead character it’s not difficult to forget about the cast. Every character is so unbelievably accurate that I can’t imagine them playing any other role. The cast even includes Ansari’s real parents. The other most recognized actress, Noel Wells, former SNL cast member, stars as Rachel, Dev’s main love interest. Their relationship is fun and spontaneous. It’s unquestionable that they are very comfortable around each other in front and behind the camera. Master of None doesn’t teach you something that you didn’t know; it portrays a perspective that no one has thought of. The Netflix original takes you on an unforgettable ride that will make you question yourself and our society.
ABC’s 25 Days of Christmas highlights by Abby Spicer Tuesday, December 1st 9pm: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live action) Wednesday, December 2nd 8:45pm: The Santa Clause Thursday, December 3rd 4pm: Jack Frost (live action) Friday, December 4th 9:30pm: Elf Saturday, December 5th 5pm: The Polar Express Sunday, December 6th 4:45pm: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Monday, December 7th 6:30pm: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Tuesday, December 8th 6pm: Frosty’s Winter Wonderland Wednesday, December 9th 12am: The Year Without a Santa Claus Thursday, December 10th 4:30pm: Rudolph’s Shiny New Year Friday, December 11th 1pm: The Family Man Saturday, December 12th 2:30pm: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town Sunday, December 13th 9:30pm: Toy Story 3 Monday, December 14th
11:30am: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tuesday, December 15th 6pm: The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Wednesday, December 16th 10:30pm: Nestor, The Long Eared Christmas Donkey Thursday, December 17th 8:45pm: Disney’s A Christmas Carol Friday, December 18th 7:30pm: The Santa Clause Saturday, December 19th 10:30am: Jack Frost, (live action) Sunday, December 20th 9:15pm: Elf Monday, December 21st 2:30pm: Santa Clause 3: The Escape Claus Tuesday, December 22nd 4:30pm: The Year Without a Santa Claus Wednesday, December 23rd 9:45pm: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Thursday, December 24th 11am: Home Alone: The Holiday Heist Friday, December 25th 12:30pm: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Source www.abcfamily.com
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These holiday Bell picks top albums classics are what you need to hear It's the most wonderful time of the year, and the only way to possibly make it better is to listen to Christmas music. What makes Christmas music so good? Some may say it's the holiday cheer that the song possesses, but we think it's something different. Christmas music is the best simply because it is a catchy reminder of why we celebrate such a wonderful holiday. It makes us appreciate a special time with family and friends and reminds us to be thankful for all of our blessings. Below is a list of our top 10 favorite Christmas songs. As Buddy the Elf reminds us, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear."
Vega Intl. Night School
by Kaki Shadoan and Lucie Tyrrell
I Love You, Honeybear
by Hannah Hunt
1. “Santa Baby”- Eartha Kitt
3. “Silver Bells”- Dean Martin 4. “Jingle Bell Rock”- Bobby Helms 5. “White Christmas”- Lady Gaga
Fading Frontier
2. “Baby, it’s Cold Outside”- Will Ferrell & Zoey Deschanel
6. “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”- Andy Williams
8. “Blue Christmas”- Elvis 9. “Home for the Holidays”- Perry Como 10. “All I Want for Christmas is You”- Mariah Carey
Depression Cherry
7. “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”- Bing Crosby
I Love You, Honeybear, kicked off 2015 with an unconventional yet heartfelt story narrated by Joshua Tillman (whose is best known for his pseudonym Father John Misty). Tillman goes into detail about the highs and lows of his and his (now) wife, Emma Tillman’s relationship. Even though this album seems like it would be Alan Palomo (better known as Neon Indian) contributed to 2015 with his amazingly colorful and unique record, Vega Intl. Night School. Palomo perfectly portrays the premise of night school (staying up past midnight to see how human nature really works) with the use of funky and up-beat synths that could keep a party going until the break of dawn and that could bring Four-piece group Deerhunter left their fans on their toes early this August when they released a mysterious countdown on their website. Fans were led to believe that the group would not be releasing music anytime soon with front man, Brandon Cox, still injured from his collision with a car. Little did we know that the countdown would lead to a new track, "Snakeskin," and the announcement of
fully loaded with sentiment--which it is-the sappy exterior of this record is offset by Tillman’s inexplicable use of satire that is evenly sprinkled throughout the album. If you are into a folksy yet soft rock sound, I Love You, Honeybear is a must have in your music library. out the wild side in anyone. All fourteen tracks that make up Vega. Intl. Night School are heavily influenced by the buzzing club scene of the early 1980s, where the mix of disco, funk, R&B, and synth-pop made the night never ending. Vega. Intl. Night School will, undoubtedly, make you want to get up and dance the night away. a new album, Fading Frontier, being released earlier that October. Fading Frontier is Deerhunter's first album to consistently follow one genre, Indie-rock, making the album very smooth and easy listening. Even though past Deerhunter albums have contained a number of fantastic tracks, this is arguably their first album to make the whole listening experience equally enjoyable.
Two-piece band, Beach House, has done it again. Their fifth studio album, Depression Cherry (and the rest of the duo's albums), is practically perfect. This album perfectly displays Beach House's unforgiving talent of making haunting, yet graceful music, with the mix of lead singer Victoria Legrand's rich vocals and outstanding combinations on the keys and gui-
tarist Alex Scally's amazing ability to hold the bass line. Depression Cherry goes in depth about the joys of depression and the negatives of happiness. When listening to this almost trancing album, you can't help but daydream or become nostalgic. If you are into the genre dream pop, Depression Cherry is your cup of tea.
Must watch television shows of 2015
Photos courtesy of Google Images
by Anna Chambers 2015 has been a great year for television. From hip-hop soap operas to killer comedies to zombie apocalyptic thrillers, prime television is taking over. With so many new shows to pick from, it’s hard to decide what you should binge watch and anxiously wait for another season. Here are the top three hottest TV hits of 2015.
1: Empire: This show focuses on the Lyons, a family who started out with nothing and transformed their life into a glamorous empire. Luscious and Cookie Lyon built
what would be the leading record company in hip hop history, Empire Entertainment. Luscious has a diagnosis that determines he has roughly three years to decide to which of his three sons he wants to hand over the company. Throughout the two seasons, two sons, Jamal and Hakeem, fight over who is the better artist, while Andre is trying to prove that he is the most worthy of running the company when he’s gone. No longer married, Cookie and Lucious are constantly in a feud, and she further complicates an already difficult situation. Empire is filled with drama and an impeccable cast with Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. This show is what everyone is talking about, tweeting about, and watching. 2: Scream Queens: From the creators of American Horror Story, this show brings out the humor of horror. It all goes back to the mysterious murder at Wallace University in 1995 when a sorority pledge goes wrong. Years go by and no one speaks of the tragedy until a new murderer on campus starts killing the members of Kappa Kappa Tau while wearing a red devil costume. Casualties start to pile up while the girls desperately try to figure out who the killer is. With an amazing cast including Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, Abigail Breslin, and more with guest stars Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande, this show completely took off in 2015 winning the Critics’ Choice Award for Most Exciting New Series. It’s laugh-out-loud comedy meets edge-of-your-seat horror and is one of 2015’s best TV series. 3: Fear the Walking Dead: A prequel to The Walking Dead, the show takes place in sunny California when suddenly, very strange things start to happen. The sickness and disappearance of people is the beginning of a pending apocalypse. The story follows Madison Clark and Travis Manawa who are forced to learn how to adapt to their new life and stay together in order to survive, all the while trying to blend their very different families. They are faced with the dilemma of reinventing themselves or embracing a dark future. This show depicts what the world looks like as it is transforming into a terrifying apocalypse; the beginning of the end of the world. With leading actors Kim Dickens and Cliff Curtis, this show is an intense drama you wouldn’t want to miss. It even won “E! Online’s Best. Ever. TV. Awards New Show You’re Most Excited to See” before airing.
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Coldplay returns to the top
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by Palmer Stroup After their dismal, introspective acoustic album, Ghost Stories, indie rock band Coldplay’s future seemed like a candle burning the last of its wick. However, their new album, A Head Full of Dreams, comes unexpected, as it breathes new life into the decade defining band’s career. A Head Full of Dreams is as classic as Coldplay has ever been but also new and fresh as it ventures into new areas and types of music that the band has never crossed into. A Head Full of Dreams is the band’s seventh studio album and is widely rumored to be their last. The album itself is a bold celebration of life and color. The music is very worldly as they draw inspiration from several different ethnic cultures and their instruments. The first single from the album is “Adventure of a Lifetime.” This song really produces a sense of unity and fun that has been lacking from the band in recent years. Every member of the band stands out yet they all come together to form an incredibly rich piece of music. The song has one of the greatest guitar riffs the band has ever come up with and is so catchy that the lyrics could be possibly overlooked due to the orchestra of color the band is putting out. It is in this immensely layered song that you hear the album’s central message. The song is trying to tell us that our lives are short and that we must revel in the days we have left. Sooner than later they will disappear, just like a dream we don’t want to forget. The album’s title track is very different musically from the rest of their catalogue. It is unique in its use of strings and percussion. It has a very ethnic and worldly sound, almost as if the rhythm has been beating inside us the whole time. It is both foreign and familiar. Other hit songs on the album are “Birds”, “Hymn for the Weekend” (which features Beyonce) and “Up & Up”. In addition to coming out of their dark, musical depression, A Head Full of Dreams is also a pleasant throw back to the early days of Coldplay. It has a youthful vigor that is at times both angry and optimistic. It yearns for the past yet is simultaneously hopeful toward the future. A Head Full of Dreams is both a fantastic voyage into the spoils of life and a warning sign to those who burn too brightly. With such a metaphorical and musically deep album as this, one can only dream about what Coldplay is going to do next.
Photo courtesy of Google Images
John Mulaney makes a comeback by Daly Spicer Netflix released John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid last month. The title is a reference to the closing joke about Bill Clinton, who self-proclaimed the nickname in the 1992 Presidential election, but it more so seems to allude to Mulaney’s own career. Three years ago, his stand-up special, New in Town, premiered on Comedy Central. The then thirty year old comedian secured an abundance of fans with his positive humor, quirky impressions, and magnetic storytelling. Two years later, FOX aired his sitcom, Mulaney. The show was essentially a regurgitation of New in Town, but with a Seinfeld-esque setting and a tacky laugh track. Its flop left many fans who were less familiar with his long resume of successful projects wondering if he was out of material. Turns out, he wasn’t. Fans took a breath of familiar, but fresh air after John Mulaney walked on stage at the Chicago Theatre for The Comeback Kid. His failed sitcom didn’t appear to leave him with any cynicism. His jokes, for the most part, remained lighthearted and only tiptoed on the negative side when he dabbled in self-deprecation. That’s the charm of Mulaney. While many comedians rely on a political agenda, dark humor, and shock value to incite laughter in their audiences, he provokes a large guffaw by merely showing off his extensive film knowledge and talking about strange interactions with New Yorkers and his French bulldog, Petunia. Mulaney had an even wider variety of polished impressions this time around. In the middle of his anecdote about meeting Bill Clinton, he performed a brief synopsis of the 1993 film, The Fugitive, allowing him to do a strikingly accurate impression of Harrison Ford. However, the funniest impressions were Mulaney’s exaggerations of everyday people who have crossed his path. He mastered every little detail of the person, whether it be the shoulder bounce of a peppy real estate agent or the eye movements of a baby fixated on a cheerio. Mulaney turned them into larger than life characters on stage, making it impossible for viewers not to be amused. Undeterred by his sitcom, John Mulaney reminded everyone why they became enchanted with his comedy in the first place. He preserved his happy shtick but managed to stay relevant. It’s safe to say he has definitely made a comeback.
Christmas oldie terrifies viewers by Will Denton
If you’re feeling like you need to sit down, relax, and cringe, pop this oldie into your deteriorating VCR and watch this terrible movie in horror. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, made in 1964, has claimed the notable award of the 75th worst movie ever made. Some movies are bad, some are just dumb, but this movie would insult the intelligence of a toddler. The combination of bad acting, massive plot holes, and terrible cinematography creates a cringe-worthy plot line that only a masochist could enjoy. If you don’t know what a masochist is, you’re probably not one. From the get-go you meet the Martian family. There is the Kimar (father and king of all Martians), Momar (the mother), Bomar (the son), and Gimar (the daughter). As you can tell the writers obviously put in massive amounts of time to come up with these exceedingly generic names. The Martian parents are concerned that their children are watching too much earth television, making them sick. The only thing that Kimar can think to do is consult the ancient elder Martian, who recommends they allow the children to be children and have fun. Naturally, Kimar decides the best way to do that is to steal Santa Claus from Earth. Now I don’t want to spoil this suspenseful plot (even though the title does that for you), but the Martians do capture Santa, along with two earth children. One Martian disagrees with the idea of “fun” and betrays the group upon arrival at mars, sending the group on mars into chaos. Over Christmas break, if you find some spare time on your hands, consider watching Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. It will really make you appreciate all of the movies you previously considered to be bad, because none of them will beat this one. So sit down, relax, and enjoy the movie. I’m sure you’ll regret it.
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Basketball tips off by Charli Doss & Parker Belt The Lady Toragainst Carbondale nado Basketball High School. The team started the seagirls were down son on December from the beginning, 1, 2015. The girls but continued to came out strong battle back to cut with a win against into Carbondale’s Calloway County lead. In the end, 58-44. Tilghman the girls fell short Photo provided by Mrs. Stieg was led in scoring 60-43 to a very solid by Miriah Donelson with eighteen points. Carbondale team. Carbondale High School Whitney Jones-Shaw and Sophia Patterson went on to win the Massac County Superalso contributed to the score total with each man Tournament and Miriah Donelson was scoring in double figures. named to the All-Tournament team. Following their first home opener, the The boys’ basketball team started off girls traveled to Carlisle County for a dou- their season on December 3rd against a ble header with the boys’ team. The Lady solid Carlisle County team winning 90-63. Tornado beat Carlisle 68-55 in a hard- After a slow start trying to get through the fought battle. Seniors, Miriah Donelson first game jitters, the boys put forth a team and Whitney Jones-Shaw, led the team in effort to come out with a win. Four of the scoring with a combined forty-seven points. starting five led the team to a victory by Brantarious Miliken also had her first ca- scoring in double figures. Jesse Dunigan, reer double-double recording ten points and Devon Hart, Brannon Warfield, and JJ Reed twenty-one rebounds. all scored ten or more points with Hart havThe Lady Tornado played in the Massac ing the team high of twenty-two points. County Superman Tournament in MetropoThe boys faced off for the second game lis, Illinois, last week. The first game was of the season against Ballard Memorial against the host school, Massac County. High school. Tilghman won 80-40. SayThe girls played a hard-fought game, but veon McEwen led the boys in scoring with fell short 50-43. Miriah Donelson had six- twenty-four points. Hart, Dunigan, and teen points and Whitney Jones-Shaw had Reed also contributed in the scoring effort thirteen points to lead the team in scoring. with each hitting the double-figure marFor the second game the Lady Tornado was gin. This was a high-flying, physical, and matched up with a Region 1 foe, Graves fast-paced game with plays like an off the County. The girls suffered a tough loss backboard alley-oop dunk from McEwen to against the Eagles 54-23. The third and fi- Reed that sent waves of excitement through nal game of the Superman Tournament was the crowd.
Fantasy football explained by Jack Boyd & Sammy Tyrrell
The start of the NFL season is accompanied by one of the most intense activities in which a man can take part in--fantasy football. Some treat it as a casual pastime, while others worship it as a second religion. For five months, participants let professional football completely dominate their lives. Every stat line is memorized, point projections are debated, and risky manager moves are made. Should I drop DeSean Jackson because he is facing a tough secondary and claim him back next week? These kinds of questions keep fantasy owners up at night. Trying to predict how a certain player will perform any given week is nothing other than pure speculation; yet hours of research and expert opinion are poured into each lineup decision. Now some of you may be confused by how fantasy football actually works. Here are the basics: first you join a league of 8, 10, or 12 members. This league can consist of your friends, colleagues, or even complete strangers. The members of the league are the people that you will be matched up against each week. Next step is the draft. The draft is very similar to real-life professional draft. Each member gets a turn to pick whichever player they think best fits their team. After all the members of the league have selected their team, it is now time to see who made the best selections. Each week, how many yards, touchdowns, fumbles, interceptions, field goals, etc., are made by a player, determine, how many points you will receive. Every year, new players emerge and older players fade away. I mean who would’ve guessed that Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback of all time, would throw nearly double the amount of interceptions as touchdowns, and end up getting benched? Did anyone expect Devonta Freeman, the second-year running back with only 225 yards and one touchdown last season, would emerge as the league’s best fantasy scorer? The key to a winning fantasy season does not rest in your football IQ. It is nearly a guarantee that the one with the best team on paper will not be the one getting the prize money when the season is done. This is not us telling you that fantasy football is not fun. It is intense and completely changes the way you watch football. Every weekend ends in you’re watching Sunday Night Football, biting your nails, saying a prayer that your tight end gets one more reception so that you can topple your opponent. The prize money is only part of the reason to play. It is five straight months of friendly trash talking, bonding, and getting to watch America’s favorite sport. Whereas it’s too late to start this year, make sure that you play next year. You will not regret it. And do not forget that, no matter what, your highest scorer will be on the bench in a last minute, impulsive, terrible decision, and the person in your league with the least amount of football knowledge will come out on top.
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Donelson named player of the week by Charli Doss
Senior Miriah Donelson was named Paducah Sun Player of the Week for the week of December 7. Her play against the Calloway County Lakers and the Carlisle County Comets gained her this honor. Donelson started the season off strong by leading her team to wins against Calloway County and Carlisle County. Donelson came into this season as an automatic floor general being the only returning starter from last year’s Region One Runner-Up team. She had a solid performance in the season opener against Calloway finishing with eighteen points, nine rebounds, and five assists. The road trip to Carlisle didn’t bother her comfort zone any as she also finished with twenty-five points. When asked how it feels to be named Athlete of the Week, Donelson stated, “It makes me feel like I’m actually making the improvements to get better, and that I’m finally getting rewarded for the work that I have put in all four years of high school.”
Archery season starts up by Hunter Grubbs
The Archery season has just started and the Tilghman team is already nailing bull’s eyes. Even with a smaller team than last season, members are excited to compete in our region. When asked how the team will do this season, Talia Houseman replied, “The better preparation and head start this year will improve our stats from last year.” The team has 3 matches scheduled for January and a schedule has already been made to hand out to students. “This year will be fun and exciting for all archers. We seem to always fill our practices with laughter and joy. I love everyone on the team and we get along great,” was said by Logan Bakehouse. The team practices twice a week and is improving drastically. Mrs. Ross, who is the coach, is happy to see the season begin, “I’m looking forward to our first full year of archery ,and I am expecting great things from both our returning archers and our new ones.”
Paducah claims Chiefs by Palmer Stroup
Starting this summer, Paducah will be having its very own baseball team. The team will be called “The Chiefs” and will be playing at Paducah’s Brooks Stadium. The Brooks Stadium Commission signed a contract to join the Ohio Valley Summer Collegiate Baseball League. The other teams that are a part of this league and will be playing primarily against the Chiefs will be the Owensboro Oilers, Fulton Railroaders, Dubois County Bombers, Hoptown Hoppers and Madisonville Miners. This is the first time in over fifty years that Paducah will have its own traveling team. The original Paducah Chiefs were first established in 1903, and since then they have been under many different leagues, names, and managements. The new team manager is Greg McKeel. He was appointed this position by Dr. Frank Hideg with the unanimous approval of the Brooks Stadium Commission. The team’s new coach will be Joe Hall. Hall previously played in the major league himself for three seasons between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. According to the league’s new website, they will be playing with wooden baseball bats and have an estimated forty game season that will be played primarily in June and July.