The Occurrence, Volume 1, Issue 2

the occurrence Bryant Junior High|2019|Vol. 1, Issue 2

Halloween Decorations See story on 9 Table of contents > NEWS 2-3 Entertainment 4-5 feature 6-7 centerspread 8-9 Opinion 10-11 Sports 12-13 special spread 14

NEWS|page 2

Not just smoke and Mirrors

Health Professional Weighs In on The Dangers of TeenAge Vaping Chelsea nwankwo ver 20 percent of middle and high school students breath in something toxic according to the Center for Disease Control. The air in which they’re breathing is filled with artificial flavors and nicotine- it’s the smoke coming from a vape.

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are electronic smoking devices that were introduced with the intention of helping adults to quit smoking. These devices, however, in the past few years have gained popularity amongst teens.

What some people are unaware of though, is the harms that come with vaping.

Dr. Nathaniel Smith, director and state health officer, is a doctor who serves as secretary of health for the state. Over the years, he has done research on e-cigarettes usage harms. “[Vape products] all have nicotine, which is what makes them addictive. Most of them have flavorings and many of these flavorings are designed to attract young people. And once those flavorings are heated, they change into different chemicals.

Although those flavorings are safe to eat, no one’s really tested their safety once they’re breathed into the lungs. In fact, some of these chemicals when they are breathed in, they actually do cause permanent lung damage,” Smith said.

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Despite vaping’s popularity, parts of the vape itself make-up is unknown.

“There are other components [besides nicotine] in [vapes] though. [There are] the things that help the nicotine to dissolve in water. Glycerin is one of those [and] one of the chemicals they use is used in antifreeze as well, so there are some different things in there. Then, there are some people that use non-commercial products Image courtesy of Pixabay. that have THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that makes people high, that may also have other chemicals in it. Once those chemicals are heated up they may change into other chemicals that we don’t really understand,” Smith said.

Although some students are aware of its harms, they still continue to use these products.

“I have tried on multiple occasions to quit, but I’m addicted,” an anonymous student* said.

Even though there are no health benefits to vaping, some students continue to do it because of how

its makes them feel.

“It makes me feel at ease. When I don’t do it throughout the day it makes me feel so nervous and anxious but when I get it home and finally do it, it feels like all my stress is gone,” the student said.

Due to unknown things about vaping’s effects, it is advised by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that both teens and adults to not use these products.

If you’re struggling with a nicotine addiction, contact Be Well Arkansas at 833-283-WELL (9355) for help. *The student’s identity at their request has been concealed for their protection.

NEWS|page 3 Left vs. Right: The position of Presidential Candidates Note: This is a brief overview of some issues the current democrat and republican candidates have taken during the primary elections. This is not a comprehensive list of positions and none of the candidates nor their opinions presented are ordered in any significant way.

Democratic

Elizabeth Warren • Pro Choice

• Abolish the death penalty • Supports DACA • Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour • Increase taxes for wealthy • Believes in climate change • Ban assault weapons

Other Democratic Candidates

Joe Biden

Bernie Sanders

Kamala Harris

• Abolish the death penalty

• Abolish the death penalty

• Abolish the death penalty

• Supports DACA

• Supports DACA

• Wants to make college free

• Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour

• Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour

• Raise minimum wage to $15 an hour

• Tax carbon emissions

• Universal free school meals

• Universal free school meals

• Supports universal background checks for gun purchases

• Supports universal background checks for gun purchases

• Supports ban on assault weapons

• Pro Choice with some limits on abortions

• Pro Choice with some limits on abortions

• Pro Choice with some limits on abortions

Republican

-Pete Buttigieg- Abolish death penalty, eliminate private prisons, raise minimum wage to $15 an hour, eliminate electoral college, restore voting rights after prison, universal background checks, Medicare for all, tax wealthy Americans -Julián Castro- Abolish death penalty, eliminate private prisons, raise minimum wage to $15 an hour, make college free, eliminated electoral college, universal free meals in school, background checks for guns, Medicare for all but would accept Medicare for some, supports DACA, tax wealthy Americans -Cory Booker- Abolish death penalty, eliminate private prisons, raise minimum wage to $15 an hour, electoral college should be eliminated, restore voting rights after prison, in favor of background checks, few limits on abortion, Medicare for all, supports DACA -Andrew Yang- Abolish death penalty, eliminate private prisons, leave the minimum wage up to the states, college should be free, keep electoral college, restore voting rights after prison, universal background checks, Medicare for all, supports DACA, supports the wall

Donald Trump

Joe Walsh

Mark Sanford

William F. Weld

• Keep death penalty

• Keep death penalty

• Keep death penalty

• Supports building a physical barrier between US and Mexico

• Supports building a physical barrier between US and Mexico

• Supports building a physical barrier between US and Mexico

• Broader access to visas for immigrants

• Repeal Obama Care

• Against gay marriage

• Doesn’t believe in climate change

• Repeal Obama Care

• Pro Life

• Taxes should be reduced

• Pro Life

• Believes in climate change • Believes in arming school

• Pro Life

• Repeal Obama Care • Believes in climate change but would repeal certain environmental protection bills • Against family separation

• Pro Choice

• Wants to reduce government spending • Supports gay marriage • Repeal Obama Care • Believes in climate change • Wants to ban assault weapons

Fbla fall conference

Patricio Canchola This year the FBLA had their fall conference on October 8th in Arkadelphia at Henderson State.

More than 60 students attended the conference. Debra Catton and Libby Atkinson are the advisors of the group.

The officers are Olivia Sharp, Sabian Murry, Lydia Payne, Chelsea Nwankwo, Reece Stiefvater. All the officers were installed and received medals. Olivia Sharp is the treasurer.

Sabian Murry is the President. Payne is the secretary. Nwankwo is the vice president. Stiefvater is the historian.

Sharp was installed as the treasurer.

During the conference, the officers were presented with medals and had a keynote speaker, Miss Arkansas, Darynne Dahlem. She spoke about how many times she has failed to become Miss Arkansas and if you have a dream, then you should keep going after it.

FBLA will have another conference in the spring. This is a conference in which the students compete against other FBLA groups. This conference will take place on February 6th.

Entertainment|page 4 School Lunches Get Smooth Makeover, students pick favorites Maenzie Ellis Our cafeteria has many lines of different types of food to choose from. The newest line is the smoothie line. This selection has become popular in both lines due to its new arrival at the Junior High.

Many of the students have said they like it because it is sufficient, healthy, and they like that they have many choices of smoothies.

“It’s healthy and fast,” Ambreana Burt, freshmen, said.

There are several types of smoothies students can get from this line. A pumpkin spice flavor was added,

Livestock, Fried oreos and carnival rides, Oh my!

Gabi Dawson The Arkansas state fair took place October 11th through the 20th of 2019, and many went to the thrilling event which has now been an annual tradition of Arkansas for 80 years.

The state fair had published their own mission for this years event since it was the 80th year going and they wanted it to be big.

The mission of this year’s fair was that it needed to be an annual family focused event

and the options may continue to increase.

“I think strawberry is the most liked flavor from both grades,” freshman, Terry Thompson said.

This line started around September 30th on the first lunch according to the cafeteria workers. This line has around 150 to 200 students daily.

“Chocolate, banana and strawberry are the big hit,” Rebeka Cumblidge and Summer Boyd, food service employees said.

“We want to hear from the students to see what y’all like cause we want to make what y’all want,” Cumblidge says.

In the kitchen: Summer Boyd, cafeteria worker, prepring smoothies before lunch begins Sip of something new: A cup of one of the most favored smoothies, the strawberry banana Photos: Leah Beaumont

Arkansas’ annual state fair happend on October 11-20th. of 2019

that can offer a variety of entertainment and educational opportunities in a safe, family friendly environment.

The fair showcased agriculture, livestock, arts, and technology while also promoting youth and youth development.

Over 60 carnival rides were showcased and 20 bands performed on stage at this year’s event.

“My favorite part of going to the state fair is being able to go, and simply have fun with people, and make new friends.” Cyn-

thia Saavedra, 8th, said.

Saavedra enjoys being able to be in the company of others and enjoy the fun of the fair, while Grace Taylor, 8th, enjoys more of a tastier attraction to the fair.

“My favorite part of the fair is the food because you can try all kinds of food that you can’t get at a restaurant. Such as fried oreos.” Taylor said.

The Arkansas state fair was a big success this year and will continue on forwards the years to come.

A Night to Remember: The state fair takees pace in Little Rock annualy.

Photo: Submitted by Izzy

Entertainment|page 5 Hooked on Harold Stuffed fish Harold gains poularity amongst students Olivia osborn, The Occurrence From Bethel Middle School to the junior high, Harold the stuffed fish has become a local celebrity.

Emily Whittaker, freshman, has had Harold since October last year but she never really expected his popularity to grow as much as it has.

“I was just expecting him to be an inside joke between me and my friends like, ‘My fish has an Instagram account. I’m so funny,’ But you know when he started getting followers and when started people realizing he’s cool I really wasn’t expecting that, but it’s not a surprise,” Whittaker said.

As the months have gone on, Whittaker’s fish has Photo: Isabella Brown

been passed around to not only her the impact he’s made on everyone. friends, but to people she had never “Harold used to just be a stuffed animet before. Harold became popular. mal that sat on my bed and then I brought “He’s brought a lot of people tohim to school. Now he’s actually somegether, even people I’ve never spoken thing that people get influenced by and to before. It’s literally just a stuffed many people love him. He gets so much fish, but it means a lot to people,” said support now, she said” Whittaker.

Next year, Whittaker is going to take Photo: Emily Whittaker Herida hugs Harold in the grass on campus. Herida was Whittaker also lets students at Sydney Harold to the high school and wants to one of the many who helped get Harold so popular school carry him around for a few days. They take him see what the seniors think. She wants everyone to expearound to all their classes and take pictures with him rience “the beauty of Harold.” too. Whittaker takes some of these photos and puts them Harold the fish has a fanbase now and he’s always geton Harold’s official Instagram. ting more followers.

Harold is extremely special to Whittaker because of

Photo: emily whittaker

Photo: isabella brown

Photo: Leah beaumont

staff photography

Photo: emily whittaker

page 6|features

always happy to

BURNS teaches dance, Dreams help of opening studio in future

Photo: Kaitlyn Phillips

deeya rohant reshman Elizabeth Burns has always dreamed about teaching a dance class, and now her dreams are a reality. Burns teaches dance classes on Fridays for kids with disabilities. She loves dance, and wants everyone to be able to experience it.

“It’s for students who have a disability, either mental or physical, that normally people wouldn’t have an open dance class for them. That’s why we host it at our studio because we really want everyone to feel included because it’s not just able-bod-

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ied kids that can dance; everyone can,” she said.

Dance has been a part of Burns’s life since she first started taking lessons when she was 2.

“There’s always been something inside of me that’s wanted me to move around and dance,” she said.

For Burns, dance is not only her passion, but also a way to express herself.

“I know this may sound cliche, but it just helps everyone. If you’re frustrated, if you’re mad, if you’re sad, if you’re even happy, when you dance, it just makes you feel like you can be yourself,” she said.

Although Burns loves to teach dance, it comes with its own difficulties.

“I have a lot of work, because you have to come up with routines. Sometimes it gets hard to balance homework, but I always manage it,” she said.

Not only is it hard to manage schoolwork, but it’s hard to keep everyone focused during class.

“The hardest part is probably keeping their attention for long, and when you learn something

new, and you don’t get it the first try, sometimes it’s frustrating,” she said.

Even though it can be hard sometimes, Burns continues to teach classes, and dreams of owning her own studio one day.

To get through the ups and downs of teaching, Burns focuses on some of the more positive aspects.

“I really like my studio. Everyone is positive, and they’re always hyping you up before you do something,” she said.

The satisfaction Burns gets from teaching has made her love it even more, especially when it comes to teaching new students. She says the biggest reward for teaching the classes is getting to see the kids’ smiles.

“I really like to help people. I’ve always had that kind of mindset, and so I wanted to help people learn how to dance since that was my passion too,” Burns said.

Bianca Eueler, 9, sings the Star Soangled Banner. Euler has sung the National Anthem at various games in the country.

Photo: Peyton Johnson

features|page 7 Oh say can she sing Olivia Osborn Bianca Euler, freshmen, has been singing since the fifth grade and is now singing at events all over the state. This year, Euler sang The National Anthem at two Arkansas Travelers baseball games.

To sing at the Travelerś games, Euler sent out emails with videos of her singing. Later she was sent an email with the date of when she would perform.

“When you first go out on the field it’s kind of intimidating. It’s so nerve wracking be-

euler sings national anthem at Travelers’ game

cause you face towards the big screen where the flag and you’re right there. It’s kinda creepy because you can watch yourself,” Euler said.

After Euler sang at the Travelers game, she realized that her singing career could go somewhere and that it had potential.

“I felt like had some more options about what I wanted to do with my life and didn’t feel like I didn’t have to have an office life. I felt like I could actually do something I’m passionate about and want to do every day,” Euler said.

Euler really hopes to pursue a career in singing later in life as well.

“I’m not really sure what I want to do but I would really like to pursue a singing career. I’m also leaning towards a medical career.”

A new addition

Fisher cunningham has foster brother Gabi Dawson Not all family is connected by blood, and for Fisher Cunningham, freshman, this is especially true. Cunningham’s has a foster brother.

Cunningham’s family has been fostering for a couple of months now, but they’ve been thinking of fostering for a while now. Now, they’ve taken action. “[My family] just [doesn’t] like the idea of kids being alone or orphans,” Cunninghman said.

Cunningham’s foster brother, Daquan, is 10 and according to Cunningham the funniest kid he has ever met.

“He’s kinda weird, but like, in a good way,” Cunningham said.

Although Cunnigham recognizes the positives within this, there are still moments where he recognizes a negetive.

“He’ll never get to see or meet his [biological] family, and that’s really sad.” Cunningham said.

Cunningham’s family is hoping to adopt him, but first have to go through the process of fostering him.

“If he gets adopted, he will have a forever home, and that’s good,” he said.

Cunningham is excited to have a brother, and even more excited that it’s going to be Daquan.

Centerspread|page 8

Centerspread|page 9 Give Em’ Pumpkin to talk about:Sydney Stone’s Halloween Obssession

Deeya Rohant ith the arrival of October comes the arrival of the Halloween season, but for Sydney Stone, freshman, it’s a year-round event. This year, their front yard has been transformed into a cemetery complete with gravestones, skeletons and a mausoleum. Halloween has been a huge part of Stone’s life for as long as she can remember.

“My mom would read me Halloween themed poetry, like Edgar Allen Poe,” she said, “And I just kinda grew up loving that.”

Her love of Halloween stemmed from her mom, and created a fun tradition of decorating. However, for decorations like theirs, Stone’s family must plan

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months in advance.

“We plan it all year, but we start talking about it Nov. 1, we’re like ‘Okay, what can we do better this year’,” she said.

Most of their decorations are handmade, taking up to five months to build everything.

“We have this huge mausoleum that was hand-painted, hand-carved, everything, and that probably took like two or three months,” she said.

The mausoleum is the focal point of the cemetery and Stone’s favorite piece. Stone said building everything is hard, but getting everything set up is another battle.

“We have to put it up in two to three days, be-

Closing the casket Patricio Canchola hough most things in the school are new, something that kept from BMS is Dead Words. This is an event that all eighth grader students do during their English class. This tradition was continued on Oct. 29. During this event, students wrote down words that they want to eliminate from their vocabulary.

Nicholas Henard, English teacher, helped in leading the dead words.

“We wanted to create a fun, memorable experience,” he said.

This event happens every year during October. After the students write down words, they put them all into a coffin and have a funeral for them. This funeral happened in the blackbox. They chose this location to go with the funeral theme.

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cause if we don’t, it’s all gonna get blown over,” she said. “We’ll get up at dawn and go to bed at like ten, and just work on Halloween decorations all day.”

Stone and her family sometimes seeking outside help, but in Stone’s opinion, it also takes commitment.

“If you don’t have dedication, and if you don’t have the ambition to get it done, it’s not gonna get done,” she said.

In Stone’s mind, Halloween it gives people a chance to show a new side of themselves.

“Anybody can be anything that they want, and nobody can judge them for it,” she said.

Bryant Middle School’s Dead Word funeral tradition continued at junior high

Byron Adams, 8th, participated in the event.

“We had to write old words that aren’t strong and promise to use better words,” he said.

Though this was meant as an event for comic relief, studies show that having a stronger vocabulary can have a very profound effect on a students future.

“I think that this will help me be more descriptive in my writing and help me get better jobs in the future,” Rylie Rough, 8th, said.

Eighth-grade English teachers Tammy Lambert and Nicholas Henard prepare students for the ceremonial burial of the casket as student pallbearers transport it to the elevator on the second floor. photo: Akira Rankin

Page 10|opinion

Underneath the surface Need For More education on mental health and help for those stuggling with it One of teens’ biggest concerns is our appearance. We ask ourselves if our outfit is nice, if our hair looks presentable, but we disregard to check a part that we don’t see sometimes--one of the most important parts of us at times: our mental health. According to Polaris Teen Center, approximately one in five teens suffer from at least one mental health disorder.

Mental health is a spectrum ranging from mild to serious conditions.

Lexico defines mental health as being a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being. With mental health being more prevalent in today’s society, it’s only natural that as a result schools start recognizing this conversation as well.

Our school, however, does not fail to include themselves in this conversation. They have resources to help with mental health, offering counselors who are available to help whenever, and offers other things for students struggling with mental health related

issue. Mental illness, however, isn’t something limited to our school- its a worldwide problem.

Though we students aren’t in a position to change the entire world and its standings on mental health right now, we are within a community that still needs to be informed. Schools can provide more mental health education by including more of it into the health curriculum and specifying ways in which someone struggling with it can get help.

Even with that though, there will still be people who don’t necessarily feel like they deserve or need help.

That part is not on the schools; it is on us students, in return, to make sure that everyone knows that they are deserving of help.

Adequate help with something as significant as mental health should not be accessible to not only those with money to spare. If someone chooses to seek mental health help, they should not have to jump through hoops in order to find someone who

they feel safe with at the expense of their guardian’s financials.

Mental well-being is one of the most important parts of us. Our well being can sometimes be reflected outwards onto how we see ourselves, so whenever we ask ourselves questions on our outward appearance, let’s not forget to check on how we are coping mentally.

Emma-leigh dutkanych, the occurence

opinion|page 11 Editors: Chelsea nwankwo Lydia Payne

The journey to home

Writers: Patricio Canchola Makenzie ellis kenzie robertson deeya rohant olivio osborn gabi dawson

Student speaks about adoption and move from Africa

Photographers: Leah beaumont Isabella brown Peyton Johnson kaitlin phillips Kathryn Smith emily whittaker Cartoonist: Emma-leigh dutkanych Adviser: Meag abo The Occurrence is a student-run publication at Bryant Junior High, serving grades 8-9.

Letters to the Editor Policy: Signed Letters to the editor which are free from profanity, offensive language, and libel will be published when space permits.

Corrections: If a correction is warrarented it will be made through one or all of the social Media platforms as soon as possible and in the next issue of the newspaper.

Kathryn Smith I lived in Kijabe, Kenya for the first three years of my life. My parents were missionary doctors and adopted me and three older siblings while on term.

When they first saw me in the orphanage, they knew that I would be going home with them. When my dad asked about me, the worker said I was unavailable for adoption because I had so many medical issues.

Luckily, my dad pulled a few strings and got me on the right medications so they could adopt me. They decided it was time to move back to the states because their term was

over.

After many long flights and layovers we ended up in Houston, Texas at my mom’s parents’ house.

Even though it was just my grandparents, they had a five bedroom house. It was perfect for our family. My sister and I shared one room and my brothers shared another room.

And my parents shared the last room. We were only in Houston for about a month.

In July 2009 we drove from Houston, Texas to Alexander, Ark. We did not know anything about our house because my parents bought it online. When we moved in it just felt right.

It felt like home. For the first time in months, it felt like I was really at home.

page 12|Sports Grant Morehead, 8th

player profiles: cross country

layton Baugh, 8th

Whats your motivation to work hard?

“Why wouldn’t I?”

Whats your motivation to work hard?

“Jesus”

What else do you do besides cross country?

“Band, chess, gaming (is a hobby) [and] robotics”

What else do you do besides cross country?

“Hunting, fishing, baseball, basketball, band, BMX racing, horseback riding [and] football”

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Burger” If you could go anywhere, where would it be?

“In my room to play Xbox”

What is your proudest moment? “#1 Point Guard at Bethel [in] 2019” If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Grilled Shrimp” Who is your hero?

“Michael Jordan”

Isabella Sharp, 8th

What else do you do besides cross country?

“Robotics, swimming, [and] band” What is your proudest moment?

“I beat my class in Kahoot! by 10,00 points” If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Ramen. I may die of a stroke, but I’ll die happy” Who is your hero?

“Probably by Grandpa” What is your dream job?

“Principal Bassoon of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra”

page 13|Sports Grace Taylor, 8th

What is your proudest accomplishment?

“Being able to go to the Chili Pepper run” If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“It would be pasta salad.”

Who is your hero? “[My] dad because he inspired me to run. He used to do it.”

If you could go anywhere, where would it be?

“New York because there is so much to do there, like shopping and more.”

What is your dream job?

“Dermatologist. I want to help people feel confident and comfortable with their skin.”

Payton Brack, 8th

Whats your motivation to work hard?

“My motivation to work hard is getting to the collegiate level and getting a scholarship.”

What is your proudest accomplishment?

“Making Chili Pepper or running the ‘Army 10 Miles’ in Washington D.C.” Who is your hero?

“Eliud Kipchoge” If you could go anywhere, where would it be?

“Europe” What is your dream job?

“Airplane pilot”

Kaitlin Phillips, 8th

Mariel Ocana, 9th

Whats your motivation to work hard?

“I don’t want to get passed on race day.”

Whats your motivation to work hard?

“Probably to prove people wrong”

What is your proudest moment?

“I got a 14:12 two mile [time] at my last meet.”

What would you sing on Karaoke night?

“Probably nothing because I can’t sing”

What would you sing on Karaoke night?

“10,000 horses by Dan and Shay and Justin Bieber” If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“Mac and cheese” If you could go anywhere, where would it be?

“Somewhere on a beach”

What is your proudest moment?

“Probably how much I have improved throughout the years” Who is your hero?

“My parents” If you could go anywhere, where would it be?

“I would go to the Bahamas.”

page 14| Sports

the 100 Lydia Payne 19 years of teaching and coaching has landed Kenny Horn, head football coach and history teacher, 100 victories.

Horn has not always coached Bryant teams. For three years, he coached football and baseball at Glen Rose. During his few years there, Horn was able to create history that would last in their school for many years to follow.

“My most memorable moment [of football] was probably when I coached at Glen Rose. We won the first playoff game in school history.” Horn said.

As for celebrating his 100th win, Horn does not find this as exciting as some may think.

“It’s more just like another win, really. All I want to do is win every time we play. Fortunately, I guess we’ve done it 100 times,” Horn said.

Instead of just sheer talent, Horn believes that to have a winning team a team must focus on more than just the fundamentals of playing the sport.

“You got to have a lot of teamwork, a lot of hard work, lots of preparation and commitment. And commitment to all of those things, not just to football, but to

horn Gains Landmark football win

all of those things,” Horn said.

When asked why he chooses to coach, Horn takes his players into account when answering.

“I enjoy watching the guys compete.

I like seeing the guys take the coaching they get and applying it onto the field and I like seeing them being successful, and I like seeing them be successful playing high school football if they stay with it.

Hopefully they can take some of those things and apply it to their life and be successful in their life as well,” Horn said.

Some of Horn’s former players still contact the coach to this day.

“For as long as I’ve been in it, I still have guys that played for me call me regularly. Some of the guys I’ve played before play college now and I still talk to them and some of them talk to me regularly. Some of them even come to see me when they have time. I enjoy seeing those guys from a long time ago.” Horn said.

Besides coaching football, Horn spends his free doing more than his usual fishing or hunting activities. Horn en-

joys reading classical literature, Horn says this may come as a shock to people.

“I do read books, I wouldn’t consider myself an avid but I mean I like to read books. I like to read anything. If I see a book and I pick it up, read the first few pages and if it intrigues me then I’d probably finish the book. I like classical books, believe it or not. Moby Dick and Charles Dickens are probably one of my favorites.”

Horn said.

With 100 victories has come many encounters with different players. Through all of these encounters, one thing remains consistent about Horn’s thoughts on play-

ers’ work ethic.

“If someone is trying as hard as they can to be better, then they are never going to disappoint me-as long as they’re trying hard. That is really all you can ask for sometimes,” he said.

Horn offers advice to individuals who are thinking or just beginning their football careers.

“As far as not wanting to try, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to try. If you don’t try, how are you ever going to know? Not knowing is worse than failing, always. It is easier to fail and keep going then to never know if you could’ve,” Horn said.