October 2011

Volume XCVII

October 2011

Est. 1914

Bristol, Tennessee 37620 Issue I

Habitat for Humanity

By Jessica Grenvik

After over a year of planning and designing, construction on the Bristol, Tennessee Habitat for Humanity house commenced on September 16. Tennessee High School students have been heavily involved in the building process.

Mr. Latham, a supervisor of the THS participation in the process, said, “Habitat for Humanity is a fantastic opportunity for Bristol families… We couldn’t have done it without the partnership with THS.”

After Holston Habitat chose a family to live at the location, 1217 Florida Avenue, construction began. The family, Charles and Elizabeth Otey and their daughter who is a Jacob Moseley and Austin Dye lending a helping hand senior at THS, was required

by Habitat to work at least 500 hours on the house. They were present for most of the construction project and worked side-by-side with THS.

Mr. Richmond’s class provided the flooring and the storage building. Other shop classes made and installed the floor tresses.

The swim, football, and cheerleading squads helped with much of the construction.

To raise funds for the project, JROTC cadets sold concert tickets and held a Pizza Hut fundraiser. The Special Olympics, also known as Viking Buddies, sold t-shirts. On September 23, Slim Pickin’s hosted a bluegrass concert, with all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. The “head and shoulders” of the fundraising, however, was Leadership Challenge, which raised about $3,100.

Many local businesses donated supplies to the project, including Gibbon roofing, A.O. Smith, and Honeywell. These supplies equated to approximately $5,000.

With the help of Kay Ward, the family was able to shop for house decorations. The family also got to choose the color of the siding and the cabinets.

The house is now in the final stages of development, and the public dedication ceremony is October 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the home site. At this point, the family will be given the keys and will be permitted to finally move into the gorgeous home with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms.

By the Maroon & White Staff The estimate on the house was approximately $60,000.

Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful opportuSenior parking lot. nity for people to directly reach out and help others in 7:11 a.m. the community. Reflecting on the project, Mrs. Ward

Rather than spending four worthless minutes in Viking Hall or the said, “Generous time and effort went into this home. cafeteria, you decide to stay in your car and listen to your jams. An adminWe should be very proud of it.” istrator approaches your car and demands that you relocate to one of the designated areas.

You’ve got four minutes left. Policy is policy. Three minutes are spent walking to the location, and one minute is spent trying to find a seat in the crowded stands. Then, you must navigate the crowds to try and get everything done before you run out of the little time you have left to get to class. What’s the point?

In some areas of regulation, there needs to be leniency. Our school

By Travis Berry laws, like any, need to be equipped with elements that accommodate a

With a student population changing school environment and scenarios. of 1,209, Tennessee High School

How do you know when there is not enough slack, or if laws are selectively houses humans.

However, being over-interpreted? In one instance, after school, one student was this was not true on Monday August 22, approached by Coach Paul Pendleton regarding whether or not he was for an opossum had made its way into supposed to be in the parking lot. This accusation was made challengthe ranks of the Mighty Vikings. ing whether or not he was enrolled at THS. In fact, however, the student

Ms. Susan Greshem was called in to did go to school here. Perhaps realizing his mistake, the administrator substitute for Mr. Evandro Valente, probably exproceeded to ask an unusual question regarding what shoes he was wearpecting a normal day at work. ing. The student, Mitchell Rector, replied, “Flip-flops?” Coach Pendleton

Close to the end of her third period planresponded to Mitchell asking whether flip-flops were allowed by the dress ning, Greshem noticed a rustling noise behind her code, seemingly trying to find something wrong with the situation. Withwhile at her desk. Upon inspection, the source of out evidence of wrongdoing, the administrator left Mitchell and the four the noise was none other than an opossum! It had or five students (most of them wearing flip-flops), to what they were doing made camp in a small, DVD-shaped box. and departed.

Custodian Chris Hall, Dr. Mary Rouse, Mr.

Events like these, clear acts of random aggression in overly enforcChris Estep, Mr. Roby Witcher, and Officer Jeff ing the handbook as the law of the land, leave students feeling rebellious Boling were all eventually called in to inspect the or hesitant toward authority. When arriving five minutes past the bell is chaos. considered skipping in the handbook, and you’re likely to end up in I.S.S.,

“I opened up the box and the thing hissed why not just leave campus and get a sick note to reduce your punishment? at me, or whatever opossums do, and by the time You are going to lose more class time by spending the day in ISS or OSS I turned around the sub had already ran out the for minor tardies than you would for being 5 minutes late. door and she was gone,” Estep said, describing the

In a similar circumstance, teachers are required to count students substitute’s reaction. late even if they arrive moments after the bell. This ridiculous rule en The opossum was also described as not courages students to have their parents call a withdrawal for them rather remarkable in stature but rather “normal-sized” by than facing possible ISS for only 3 tardies. Even the best students are late Estep. Maintenance was called and the friendly critsometimes, and it is very easy to be late 3 times over a long 9-week period. ter was escorted off the premises. Its whereabouts Consider morning announcements as well. Notice that announcements remain unknown. do not finish until about 7:40 a.m. Why should students be counted late at

“We originally thought it was a prank and 7:31 when the academic day hasn’t even started? went to check the camera for a student sneaking an

And finally, the craziest one on our list is the address request. On opossum into the school,” stated Mr. David Collins days when the train impedes the progress of a large group of students as he shared his recollection of the event. coming from across the train tracks, the office will actually take up any

But upon checking the cameras, Collins student’s address that is late and check if the possibility is even there. Well, noticed that the opossum had walked in on its own what if you don’t live near the tracks, but had to pick up a friend on the accord. other side? What if you were eating breakfast at a joint on the other side

Although the entrance point of the opossum of the tracks? Protocol like this is illogical and meaningless when the time was unable to be pinpointed, he was first spotted spent checking every address of the tardy students wastes faculty time, outside the band locker rooms in the hallway to the and may not even affect why the students were late by the train in the first right of Estep’s room. The opossum made his trek place. up the main hallway and then all the way to the left

Over regulation is becoming commonplace in the halls of THS. wing of the school, almost reaching the vocational There comes a time when a line must be drawn between adhering to the mezzanine, before deciding to backtrack to Varules and madly stretching them. As a class, we feel that some lines have lente’s, where the nocturnal creature hid. been crossed that need not have been.

Stop Overregulating

Features Haunting in Bristol

By Suzy Spanovich

Most people know about Tennessee High’s ghost, Agnes, but what other ghosts are rumored to haunt Bristol?

Defriece Park: In 1876, sixteen year old Viola Kennett was ice skating on the frozen pond in the dead of winter when the ice broke and she drowned in the frigid depths. Her screams are apparently heard on cold, winter nights.

Old St. Luke’s Hospital: This hospital, now a private residence, is on the corner of Shelby and 10th Street. The third floor is said to be haunted by the spirit of a man who hanged himself during the Great Depression. Some say they can hear him sing.

The Bristol Train Station: The train station is supposed to have a number of ghosts, from a foot on the tracks to a lovesick man waiting for his girl. Coughing and footsteps are said to be heard while alone in the train station, and the elevator seems to have a life of its own.

West Mary Street Bridge: Sightings of a young woman holding an infant child are rumored to be seen often standing under the bridge.

Woman’s guide to building the perfect sandwich

By Halie Dyer

Ladies, there will come a time in your life where you will have to make a sandwich for your man, and producing a delicious one can make or break a perfect relationship.

You can begin with a nice sourdough or pumpernickel.

For his ultimate sandwich, Calvin Duvall suggests using toasted bread as the perfect foundation. If you are building a sandwich out in the wilderness, you can toast it over a campfire, or while on the road, toast it on the hood of his car.

Many choices of meats continue on the path to the perfect sammy. There is a plethora of deli items more unique than plain old bologna. Try prosciutto, an Italian cured ham. Caleb Davidson likes black pepper turkey, while Jon Creger prefers roast beef. Gabe Proctor favors black forest ham prepared by a little old lady in the mountains of Frankfurt.

After meats, you can’t forget cheese. French and Italian cheese masters make the best. Gorgonzola, a more mild form of blue cheese, can be good for your more adventurous men. Zac Killion’s favorite is mozzarella. Or if you are making a sandwich for a simplistic man, Austin Dye suggests the good ole standby, grilled cheese. When in doubt, cheddar is better.

Last, but not least, condiments. To switch it up, you might want to add jalapenos or banana peppers. Harrison Lewis’ favorites are bacon and mayo. Patrick Quinn can’t have his sandwich without mayo and pickles. You could always ask if they would like mustard as well.

As you can tell, when making a sandwich for a man, there are a few rules to follow. The more meat the better. Throw vegetables to the wayside. And never, ever forget the mayo.

The Perfect Viking Woman

By Josh Fehr

What makes the perfect Viking woman? Is it incomparable beauty? Is it brute strength? Is it braided hair? No! It’s all these wonderful qualities rolled into one. So which of our Lady Vikings is the embodiment of perfection? The answer can’t just be one…

The perfect Viking woman would have – The stunning eyes of Maggie Matson The golden locks of Tori Payne The warm smile of McKenzie Dickson The amazing courage of Courtney Trivett And the empowering team spirit of Jenny Matheson

Criminal Justice

By Logan Whiles

This year, a new class has already made a strong impression on the students of Tennessee High. Mr. Presnell, a former FBI agent, teaches the class of Criminal Justice. To get the inside scoop on our most interesting new class, I sat in to get a feel for how it’s taught and if it’s worth it to take it.

Walking into the latter forty-five minutes of Mr. Presnell’s fourth period, I see a familiar sight: a PowerPoint presentation. At this point, my expectations for the class were admittedly lower than I hoped for. A typical PowerPoint will put me to sleep within minutes during any of my other classes, but after noticing that the presentation’s topic was on vigorous defense, I was given a feeling of optimism. This presentation actually seemed like one that could keep me awake. Sure enough, I felt myself immersed in the lecture halfway through the first slide. In Laymen’s terms, vigorous defense is an act of extreme violence, sometimes murder, to defend oneself. This topic was obviously very interesting and set a promising tone for the class.

Another factor that contributed to the attention-grabbing presentation was Mr. Presnell’s teaching style. In fact, Zac Killion said the best thing about the class was that there was “a lot of hands-on.” He has that overpowering kind of method that can be associated with Coach Shank’s or Chandler’s ways of giving lectures. He also uses familiar physical metaphors to explain his points that are easy to understand.

About halfway through the interview, a video was shown that involved a real-life court case having to do with a woman killing her boyfriend as an act of self-defense. After the video, Mr. Presnell went into a class discussion on what was just shown, and to my surprise, the students in the class participated.

Overall, the students I interviewed thoroughly enjoyed this new subject. According to Mr. Presnell, “the class is very engaging and interesting.” Some students liked the class so much, they have already signed up for Criminal Justice 2 in the fall. “Now I can watch any of the crime shows and know what they’re talking about,” said Killion. Application of this subject is apparently not difficult in real-life. To promote his new class, Mr. Presnell says, “you’ll work very hard; however, the class rarely feels like hard work.”

Teenage lives of teachers

By Suzy Spanovich

Was Coach Shanks always the high school history fanatic who gives so many notes that your paper catches on fire at random points during the lecture? Was Mrs. Bittinger destined to be a high school science teacher? As strange as it may be to think about, our teachers here at Tennessee High were once just students sitting in desks, living high school lives.

Mrs. Bittinger answers interview questions about her journey through high school while dressed like an old man for spirit week. She was active in volleyball, running, Civinettes, Environment Awareness Club, and other academic clubs here at THS. The craziest thing that she did when she was in high school was fork a yard, and she also painted up for soccer games. Mrs. Bittinger never got into any big trouble claiming, “I was very sheltered.” When she was in high school, she wanted to be a forensic scientist. She looked up to family members and coaches, plus a few teachers. She graduated in 2001.

Coach Shanks went to Davy Crockett high school, class of 1989.

He played football and lifted weights. While in high school, he worked part time at his grandfather’s farm. He did not get into any big trouble in high school; he was “a good kid.” However, once Shanks rolled a teacher’s yard, and while he and his friends were escaping unnoticed, they crashed into a ditch and had to get more friends to help them carry the car out. They miraculously did not get caught.

Shanks rocked a mullet, and he went to senior prom. When he was in high school, becoming a teacher never crossed his mind.

He knew he wanted to be a history teacher in his junior year in college, after hating electrical technology.

Mrs. Strong went to Madison Central in Richmond, KY. She was on the dance and softball team. She was active in many clubs including the pep club, student council, NHS, FCA, Spanish club, and the debate team.

Strong used to dress up with her friends to make fun of opposing teams’ mascots. She knew she wanted to be a high school math teacher, even when she was in school.

Mrs. Parker describes her high school experience in her brightly lit room as being filled with soccer, the lake, concerts, and hiking. She was active in many clubs like the Spanish Club, NHS, Beta, and student council. When Mrs. Parker was in high school, she jumped off the 421 bridge (but seriously warns her students NOT to do it), she also painted up for Bearcat games and graduated from Virginia High in 2002. She wanted to be a psychologist/ counselor.

“Society has a way of crushing your soul,” Mr. Strickland explained as he talked about his high school. Strickland went to Statesboro High School in Georgia. He was on the swim team his junior year, and his senior year he liked playing street hockey. He enjoyed reading. Every day in his sophomore year he wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans because “fashion is annoying.” Mr. Strickland went to prom his junior and senior year. He was asked as a freshman, but did not go. He loved his car and being able to drive. Mr. Strickland wanted to be a high school English teacher when he was in high school. He graduated in 1995.

Coach Hicks went to THS, class of 2001. He played football and threw shot and discus in track. Coach Shanks was his coach in football, and Coach Hicks said that one time when they were water wrestling, he held Coach Shanks under the water and won. He also got a group of friends together and found Coach Shank’s house. They rolled his car about five houses down the road, so when Shanks woke up the next morning, his car was not in his driveway. Hicks paid for it but said it was worth it. When Coach Hicks was in high school, he wanted to be a lawyer, but that only lasted one semester of college, then he changed his mind.

Ryan Presnell: In-Depth

By Hannah Potts

If anyone is qualified to teach criminal justice to the mighty Vikings, it’s Ryan Presnell. A background as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) counter-intelligence worker, probation officer, and FBI special agent equip him with the realworld experience it takes to be an effective teacher.

Though working with the DEA was Presnell’s favorite job in the criminal justice field because he worked in the TriCities, life as an FBI agent was the most gripping.

Presnell worked with the FBI as a special agent investigating criminal street gangs, especially the “bloods.”

When asked if being a federal agent resembles the TV shows and movie portrayals, Presnell replied, “Most of the street work is similar, just a lot more paperwork than actors do!”

So, with such an exciting career, why did Presnell board the Mighty Viking ship as a teacher? Simple. He yearned to help. Seeing young men’s lives consumed by jail time particularly struck a chord.

Presnell’s goal is to mentor youth in a way that influences them to steer clear of harmful situations and to have respect for those who serve our country. “Law enforcement officers are people, too; just a simple ‘thank you’ goes a long way!”

PICTURE OF RYAN PRESNELL AND HIS CLASS GOES HERE

Halie Dyer & Our Chamber Of Secrets By Jade Hubbard

If you haven’t seen Agnes around Tennessee High yet it may be because she has many hideouts in the school to escape the hustle and bustle of busy students. Students can attempt to discover these many secret locations.

Dark and damp, a secret room with a spectacular view under the diving well gives Agnes a front row seat to our school’s swim meet.

The six-by-three foot room offers a cramped chance for the lucky occupants to see a dive in progress. When you are waiting for the next dive you will be “pampered” in saunalike heat and humidity. Viking’s swim coach, Chris Estep says, “When they built it, they thought it’d be useful, though I don’t use it anymore…divers have claimed to see a face in the window.”

Next you may encounter the smell of bleach and pinesol wafting up from an inconspicuous doorway somewhere on the second floor. What could it be? Agnes knows.

Through the doorway is a stairwell leading down to a series of janitorial supply rooms that once used to be a boys locker room. There is a wall of windows where Agnes may peer out onto the front lawn while some of our students wait for the school bus; these windows have grates over them giving the room a dungeon-like gloominess.

Agnes also enjoys kiln’ time in the pottery firing room below Coach Graham’s art room.

Leftover clay particles remain scattered throughout the air and cause dust trails when you pass through. There is a doorway that leads outside to a tree growing up through rubble of old clay sculptures. The dim lighting provides an eerie atmosphere.

If you ever get the opportunity to step into this room Coach Graham gives you this advice, “Be careful not to wake Agnes up.”

Another place that our school ghost likes to slip away to for complete isolation is the boiler room. This room has many different doorways, so beware…you might end up disturbing Agnes from her slumber.

The doorways lead to several passages beneath the school.

Once inside and the door shuts you will be immersed in pure darkness with no light switches to save you, or doorknobs for an escape.

So, if you do happen to stumble upon this dungeon, or any of the other hole in wall rooms, be sure to bring your flashlight.

Haitian Appreciation

By Alexis Wyatt

I will never forget the feeling in the pit of my stomach from eating in front of starving children. Suddenly, one of my favorite snacks had turned out to not taste so good. For the first time, Cheez-Its did not satisfy.

A summer mission trip to Haiti had altered my life completely.

I could just feel the staring eyes, yellow from liver damage, gazing straight at me with envy. But what was I supposed to do? We were instructed by our leaders to not give any attention to the very children we came to serve. It hurt, but giving one Haitian child food meant causing a possible riot.

The excitement of being on Tortuga Island in Haiti had nothing on the gut-wrenching feeling that I could not get out of my system. I tried to block out the sounds of them yelling “blanc” and “sista,” trying to get my attention.

At one point, I caught myself looking through the mesh window from inside a military tent. I noticed the children were pointing and staring at a loaf of bread on a table beside me. Realizing it was moldy and covered with flies, we had set it aside earlier. Though they knew that whatever we were eating they could not have, the craving for the bread did not leave their minds.

They wanted the bread so much that they resorted to throwing rocks.

But can you blame them? They have had to fight for everything in their distressed lives. That moment definitely opened my eyes to what “fighting for your life” actually meant.

Bristol Youth Council

By Russell Fankhouser

Our community is precious to us, and it’s important to give back. Many local organizations provide the chance for us to do this. A region-wide club, Bristol Youth Council, benefits students in more ways than just volunteer opportunities.

“Bristol Youth Council provides great opportunities for high school students to learn about our community, to get involved, and to give back,” said co-sponsor Margaret Feierabend.

Club members are given the option to participate in many local events and get-togethers, such as Rhythm and Roots, Beaver Creek Cleanup, and Pumpkin Palooza. It’s an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. “Volunteering for Bristol Rhythm and Roots Children’s day was a lot of fun, especially for the little kids,” Senior Evan Rogers said. Volunteers put on costumes portraying characters like Elmo, Sparky the firehouse dog, and even the Chik-fil-a cow.

Admission is open to anyone, as long as they pay the registration fee. Meetings are held every first and third Wednesday each month at 3:15. They are held at the Bristol Youth Service Office at 41 Piedmont Avenue in Bristol, Virginia. Interested students are encouraged to show up at a meeting and see what it is like.

Paranormal Activities

By Travis Berry

Halloween is a word. Along with this word comes many seasonal, edible, and superstitious connotations. Ghosts are also a prominent occurrence among these spooktastic traditions.

And from this is spawned quite the timeless question: What would you do if you were a ghost?

“First I would pout, then I would shout, but I would no longer doubt,” said Charles Strickland, after some obvious deep thought to the question.

And on a more economical self-improvement note, Amber Yarber answered with, “I would sneak and steal the secret recipe for Coca-Cola.”

But with the thoughts of death comes the wish of an enriching after-life, which Matt Spangler hopes to fulfill. “I would play tricks on people and drink all their beer,” Matt said, who is a healthy and legal twenty-seven.

And Megan White proved that vengeance follows you into the dark after the grim reaper takes you away with the answer of, “I would haunt all the people that have screwed me over.”

But it seems that most responses to the question proved to be non-sensical. Backed up with Nathaniel Muzer’s reply of, “How ‘bout I’d possess old people’s hover rounds and go really fast and also go into their jell-o and move around and talk to them, kinda like flubber.” And also Austin Hushour’s answer of, “I’d moan and rattle some chains at Sonic.”

And at the end of my question-asking quest I locked myself in a room alone and turned out the lights. I lit a candle and called upon Agnes, asking what she likes to do as a ghost.

An answer has yet to come and I will remain forever waiting.

Life in the Lofts

By Elizabeth Dunn

Can you see businessmen, hobos, live country music, a farmer’s market, drunken people, and car shows from your bedroom window? The few lucky people living in the lofts on State Street can.

Tennessee High School Graduate, Morgan Baskett, and her Dad is one of the lucky few living in a loft on State Street.

She attends ETSU, majoring in nursing, and what a better way to start a new chapter in life than to move into a loft on State Street.

The lofts are about 8500 square feet with 2500 square feet per floor, and the rest storefront and garage. The store below their loft recently went out of business, which is actually a pro and not a con for them. This way Morgan doesn’t have to worry about collaborating with the business about entering their loft, noise or any other interferences between them. She actually enters her loft through a side entrance in the alley that is equipped with a punch pad and camera.

People-watching is one of Morgan’s favorite activities because of the view from her windows. The windows are twice the size of your average neighborhood house windows and look right out onto State Street. Border Bash, an antique car show, students dancing in the dance studio across the street, early morning stragglers from O’Mainnins and plenty more can be seen from those spectacular eye glasses. “I personally love talking to people and watching them try to figure out where my voice is coming from,” Morgan said.

When Morgan wakes up in the morning and sits up, she is staring straight out a window at another building, and one morning she woke up to see a business meeting going on while she was just chilling in her pajamas. Needless to say, she added curtains very promptly after that occurrence.

Access to the roof is available to Morgan at any time of the day without having to have permission from anybody.

Morgan loves to sit on the rooftop and journal, read and just relax while enjoying the wonderful view, sounds, and smells of Downtown Bristol. The one down side to hanging out on the roof comes from birds who tend to swoop down and investigate the rare appearance of humans in their environment.

A busy life never inhibits Morgan’s time needed to eat, shop, or just relax because of her golden location of Downtown Bristol. There are plenty of restaurants to pick from like Manna Bagel, Java J’s, and K.P. Duty along with shopping that ranges from nice clothing to antiques and nick-knacks unique to Bristol.

You might think that noise control would be a problem living on State Street, but it is actually not besides the occasional fire truck and cars blasting music. The main noise comes from construction workers who sometimes begin working at 4 a.m.

Living in a loft seems to be an amazing experience, especially with the breathtaking view and easy access to great restaurants and shopping. The only problem with living on State Street comes from the hobos who leave “presents” behind the buildings at night to be found in the morning.

Fall Crossword

Created by Jade Hubbard

Across

5. Brainless protectors 6. Describes the cold weather 8. The leaves begin to change to this color 9. Often found on your front porch as decoration 11. Found in the center of the your thanksgiving table, just like it is found in the center of the arena in The Hunger Games 12. HAY! Can I have a ride?

13. A possible female’s name

Down

1. We gather in support of this on Friday afternoons 2. Trick or treat?

3. The ground is covered in their beautiful colors 4. This color is found throughout the pumpkin patch 5. Holds the annual haunted corn maze 6. A ‘pop’ular Halloween treat 7. A Thanksgiving must 10. Common fashion statement during this season 11. Creatively worn on Halloween

An

s er sw

o

e ag p n

8

Lifestyles Before I die

By Ruth Morgan

Candy Chang, an artist living in New Orleans, Louisiana, turned an abandoned house in her neighborhood into an inspirational work of art. After gaining permission from the city government, she spent her own money and time turning an outer wall of the house into a giant chalkboard with bowls full of chalk and 80 spaces where passersby can anonymously write their deepest dreams.

In just one day, all 80 spaces were filled, so Candy washed the chalk off for a clean start, as she does every time the wall is filled. Since its reveal in February, the wall has been filled many times, and each time Candy takes pictures and posts them on her website, candychang.com, to save the stories.

In April, the house was bought, and Candy was afraid that the wall would be torn down, but the new owners appreciate the beauty of the project so much that they decided to keep it for the time being.

The wall lives on, and on Candy’s website, you can get instructions on how to make a wall in your own community.

Several other cities have adopted the idea, and maybe someday Bristol will have a wall of its own.

Tennessee High School students reflect on the things they want to do before they die in the same format as the original wall: Before I die…

I want to influence someone’s life in a positive way.

I want to be in a flash mob.

I want to find the real Hogwarts.

I want to meet Beyonce.

I want to be the judge of a fight between a pirate and a ninja.

I want to live.

Season for sickness

By Halie Dyer

The trend of fall 2011 – or really every fall semester since the dawn of education – is sickness. The runny noses, sandpaper throats, want-to-curl-up-in-a-ball-I-feel-so-bad colds.

At the beginning of the school year, the most common thing to wear in the halls is a red, stuffy nose.

Jennifer Cannon, a senior who lost her voice due to a cold the day after this interview, said, “If people knew how to keep their germs to themselves, I wouldn’t get sick all of the time! -sniff- People need to learn how to sanitize!”

Cannon is on the right track. Mrs. Wilson, the Health Science Education teacher, has some advice for students. “Flu germs, for example, can live up to 72 hours on doorknobs and other surfaces. That’s why disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is so important.” Wilson added that coughing and sneezing are the usual ways that colds and the flu are spread; therefore, always cover your mouth and wash hands!”

School nurse Tracy Breeding knows why students get sick when starting school. “The population being back together and ‘spreading the love’ is basically why coming down with a cold is so common.”

Mrs. Wilson has a few more tips for students who want to avoid this trend. Never drink or eat after each other or share toothbrushes or eating utensils. Teenagers should eat a balanced diet and get plenty of sleep and exercise.

Help Wanted?

By Hannah Potts

Maybe you’re saving up for a car, paying for gas, helping your parents out, or simply desiring more than your typical change that jingles in your pocket.

Whatever the reason may be, looking for your first job can be overwhelming. So, as you embark on your quest for employment, keep these tips in mind: · Wear conservative, semi-professional clothing any time you will be meeting your future employer…even when you apply! Ryan Grinnell, Wal-Mart employee, says, “I wore trouser jeans and a cute dressy sweater for my interview.” · Don’t fret about the fact that you’ve never had a “real” job before. Employers know that you have to start somewhere. Don’t become discouraged, you will find employment somewhere if you keep searching. · Be honest on an application and during an interview. It isn’t in your best interest to allow your boss to find out the hard way that you won’t actually work on weekends and aren’t fluent in four languages. · Chase Hicks, personal finance teacher, suggests for one to “list friends, parents, or even teachers on your application as references.” Furthermore, you should consider adding your pastor to your list of references. However, you need to be certain you have these people’s permission! · Be friendly and outgoing during an interview, not stuffy and uncomfortable, especially if you are applying for a job in which you will be interacting with people. It’s your only chance to catch the employer’s attention and stand out from other potential interviewees, so make conversation! · Follow-up calls/letters are your absolute best friend in this process! About 2-3 days after an interview, shoot your interviewer a cordial note or phone call to let them know that you appreciate them taking time out of their day to consider you for the position.

Also, you should tack on that you “know some guys who will take care of the situation” if you are not promptly hired. Totally kidding about the latter part, but the former truly helps seal the deal!

Many wishes for more than minimum wage and pleasant job hunting!

Fluorescent Hair

By Elizabeth Dunn

About 33% of the United States population has blonde hair, about 60% has brunette hair, about 2-6% has red hair, but how many have fluorescent colors like blue or pink? Here at Tennessee High School, we have a few daring students who wear awesome, crazy colors on their heads.

Jennifer Welch is a sophomore at THS and her hair color is fluorescent pink, but this was not the original color that she wanted. Jennifer’s cousin dyed her hair for her in their kitchen. First they bleached her hair and then proceeded to add the red hair dye.

The bleach that was previously applied caused her hair to turn bright pink instead of red, but she still likes the way it came out.

The length of time hair dye lasts depends on the amount applied, but on average it lasts about two months. Jennifer’s first thought when she saw her new hair was that it came out really bright, and she discovered that it actually glows in the dark under a black light!!!

Who wouldn’t want to dye their hair if it would glow in the dark?!

Another brave student who decided to dye their hair a fluorescent color in our school Editors-in-Chief is Junior Roy Hooker. Roy started bleaching and dyeing hair black in the 8th grade and Jessica Grenvik wanted to start something new, so he began dyeing his hair abnormal colors in the 9th grade.

Avery Hall Since then he has been trying all kinds of different colors.

Design Editors-in-Chief Roy dyed his hair by himself with a kit that he bought at Wal-Mart. The dyeing kit he used Josh Fehr consisted of a bottle of liquid with the color of his choice. “One time I even dyed my eyeLogan Whiles brows, but I wouldn’t suggest dyeing your eyelashes,” said Roy. Business Manager This just goes to show that the art of hair dyeing is not just limited to the hair on your head Alexis Wyatt but also facial hair, excluding your eyelashes.

Reporters

Meet the Staff

Teen Pregnancy

By Ruth Morgan

750,000 teens get pregnant in the U.S. every year. One third of teen moms drop out of school. Girls born to teen moms are more likely to become teen mothers themselves, and boys born to teen moms are more likely to end up in prison. While all this may look bleak, Erika Trinkle, a sophomore at Tennessee High School, has a brighter outlook on the situation.

Her pregnancy has really showed her who her friends are. Unfortunately, teen mothers receive a lot of judgment and criticism. People start rumors and gossip. People you thought were your friends will start to act like strangers. They’re cruel.

“I used to look down on people who got pregnant in high school, but now I realize it’s a lot easier to get in this situation than people think,” says Erika.

Some parents kick their daughter out when they find out she’s pregnant. 45% of teen fathers leave the mother of their child. Luckily, Erika is much more fortunate. Her parents are incredibly supportive, and she is happily engaged to the father, John Best.

Raising a child costs over $250,000 over a lifetime, which seems like an impossible amount, but they have a plan for that too. John works at night, and Erika goes to school during the day, so they can take turns taking care of their baby, Noah. She’ll graduate early so she’ll be available to help more.

7 in 10 teens wish they had been older when they had a baby, but Erika says if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. And teen pregnancy isn’t all negatives. She looks forward to talking to her baby, and John looks forward to teaching him good manners and raising him in the same way he was raised. They’re going to home school him, so they’ll always be very involved in his life.

According to Trinkle, another fun thing about pregnancy is the random food cravings.

“This is going to sound crazy, but sometimes I crave wet cat food,” she said.

She also has advice for anyone else in the same situation. Go to YWCA pregnancy programs because they teach you exactly what to expect, and they’ll completely prepare you.

Get TennCare because it’ll pay for a lot of your pregnancy costs. Get WIC because it’ll pay for formula and food costs until the baby is five years old.

Biggest piece of advice? Never, ever watch a birthing video.

Travis Berry Austin Currin Elizabeth Dunn Halie Dyer Russ Fankhouser Tyler Hardin Jade Hubbard Ruth Morgan Rhett Morrell R.I.P. Hannah Potts Mitchell Rector Brittany Roberts Suzy Spanovich

Our Mission

The Maroon & White, the oldest scholastic newspaper in the State of Tennessee, strives to create a publication that is informative, entertaining, accurate, and professional. It is a public, open forum for the expression of diverse viewpoints. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, the adviser, or all Maroon & White staff members. The editors reserve the right to reject any material that is libelous, obscene, or poses an immediate and material disruption to the educational environment. Maroon & White prints letters to the editor and guest editorials as space allows. Letters must be signed and submitted to an editor-in-chief. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit for length.

News

Homeopathy The not-so-obvious fraud?

By: Austin Currin

Bloodletting. Reflexology. Acupuncture. And now, homeopathy? Is a $200 million a year industry really a scam?

The short answer is yes.

Every day, consumers buy expensive homeopathic remedies and go to homeopathic practitioners for what they believe is top-of-the-line medicine. People have suffered from scams for generations, right back to the Snake Oil salesmen of the 1800’s.

But for some reason, homeopathy continues to endure despite its bogus claims and blatant lies. Why is something so ridiculous still considered effective treatment?

It all started with a German doctor named Samuel Hahnemann in the early 1800’s. Hahnemann, unlike many doctors of his time, did not use bloodletting or similar practices but instead sought an alternative method. While correct in believing that some of the medical practices at the time were inhumane and simply nonsense, his alternative was much more humane, but just as nonsensical.

Homeopathy works off some fairly silly principles. Look for some homeopathic medicine, and you’ll find that the ingredients are things that cause the symptoms you have. But don’t worry; the other principle homeopathy works off of is the “Law of infinitesimals,” which states that you only need a negligible amount of a substance for it to cure you! And by “negligible”, I mean such a small amount that there’s most likely none of the substance left in the medicine.

Homeopathic medicine is diluted a lot. More than you can possibly comprehend. They take one drop of a substance, dilute it in 99 parts of water, succussion (shake) it, and then take one part of that and repeat the process, diluting it in 99 parts of water again and again until it has been diluted to a ridiculous degree. A solution with a dilution of 26C (meaning it has gone through the dilution process 26 times) is equivalent to .1 millimeter of water in a sphere of water the size of the Milky Way. And the makers of these medicines claim that the more dilute it is, the more powerful it is. But, according to chemistry teacher Mr. Reece, “The dilution goes past Avogadro’s Constant, which makes the odds of there being any of the substance left in the medicine very low.”

There is absolutely no proof that homeopathy works as anything more than a placebo. Common sense would make you skeptical of the efficacy of homeopathic medicine, and scientific studies have shown homeopathy works as little more than a placebo. Even the famed magician and skeptic James Randi believes them to be fake, famously taking lethal dosages of homeopathic sleeping pills at the beginnings of his shows to blatantly reveal the ineffectiveness of the treatments.

It’s absolutely nonsensical that these are marketed as real medicinal products. Tens of thousands of people get conned out of their money every day because these products are allowed to masquerade as medicine. The government has allowed these manufacturers too much time out in the open. There needs to be tighter regulation on this market to crack down on the lies and deceit going on. It’s tragic that no one seems to truly care enough to stop this. At the present, the most that can be done is to educate the public as much as possible on the deception that these products push so they can know enough to pass them up when they see them.

Harry Potter: The end of an Era?

By Ruth Morgan

In 1997, a British single mother living on welfare tried to get a book published. After being rejected by 12 publishing houses, she finally found someone who would publish her story. Six sequels would follow, the last four consecutively setting the record of fastest selling book in history.

Now, 14 years later, she’s sold over 450 million copies.

Today, few people haven’t heard of J.K. Rowling. Fewer still haven’t heard of her franchise, Harry Potter. The books were made into eight major motion pictures, raking in a combined $7.7 billion. The eighth movie remains the biggest movie opening ever, with thousands of fans waiting in costume for hours to be the first ones to see it.

“It was super fun to be there dressed up with all of my friends,” junior Erin Shrenker said. “Bellatrix Lestrange and Darth Vader had a duel in our theater. Everybody at the premiere was really into it; we felt like we belonged to something.”

With thousands of websites dedicated to it, video games and other memorabilia available to purchase based on it, and entire theme parks celebrating it, Harry Potter is truly a cultural phenomenon.

Even though the last book came out four years ago, seeing it played out on the big screen signified that it really was the end and many moviegoers became quite emotional. For a generation who grew up reading and adoring Harry Potter, the end was hard to deal with.

“I’m sad that it’s over, and now I’m left looking for the next big book series,” says junior Bethany Russell who, like many other fans, read the book practically in one sitting. True fans can’t put the book down.

Several Tennessee High School students did recommend other books for the grieving Harry Potter fan. Senior Clare Moore suggests reading the Septimus Heab series and junior Mackay Pierce recommends A Game of Thrones. Both of these could satisfy Potter-starved fans, at least for a while.

J.K. Rowling, now a billionaire, has finished the series, yet the magic will never die for the dedicated fan. It truly is the end of an era, but Harry Potter is definitely not going to be forgotten.

Ben Good challenging a fellow fan to a wand duel

Austin Currin brings you the news!

Space Race Privatization

By Austin Currin

After journeying more than five million miles to the International Space Station and back, the space shuttle program has finally come to a close. Now that the shuttle program has ended, where do we go from here? Bristol native George Fleenor, astronomer and photographer, was present for the final launch. “There was definitely a sense of pride at the site.

Everyone was proud of what had been accomplished and were ready for whatever came next,” Fleenor said.

The conclusion of the shuttle program has opened the doors for private enterprise spaceflight, including entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic company, the first commercial spaceline in the world. Private spaceflights aren’t expected to commence until 2012, but spacecraft are currently undergoing tests to show their ability to make repeated flights in the desired fashion. The two craft being used are White Knight Two, the carrier craft which takes the suborbital ship to 50,000 feet, and SpaceShipTwo, the passenger-carrying suborbital craft launched from White Knight Two.

Whilst Virgin Galactic is focusing on commercial spaceflights and tourism, companies such as SpaceX are focusing more on the transport of cargo and equipment in to space, specifically to the International Space Station. The Dragon spacecraft, capable of carrying 6,000 kg of cargo or seven passengers (depending on configuration), became the first spacecraft to go into orbit and be recovered successfully by a private company in December 2010. In November 2011, SpaceX plans to deliver cargo to the International Space Station to prove it can be done, and if successful, then SpaceX will begin making more and more cargo drops to the space station. “SpaceX is picking up slack for NASA now that the shuttle program has ended,” Fleenor said.

“One of the huge advantages of the private sector getting involved is that it’s going to drive down costs and increase innovation in the field,” added Fleenor.

In the hands of the private sector, not even the sky is the limit for the future of space travel. Without government bureaucracy plaguing development and with wide room for innovation, who knows where we’ll go?

A state of Palestine?

By Austin Currin

Ever since the Six-Day War in June, 1967, the areas of the West Bank, Golan Heights, and the Gaza Strip have been under control of Israel. Since then, the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis has had numerous ups and downs.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has recently appealed to the United Nations for complete and recognized statehood for Palestine and full U.N. membership.

The United States has vowed to veto the measure on the U.N. Security Council, though many nations stand behind Palestine in their effort to be recognized, Including China, Germany, and Indonesia.

Closer to home, opinions seem divided on the issue of a Palestinian state.

Junior Mackay Pierce is sympathetic to the Palestinians, saying, “I think Palestine should be allowed to become an independent state because they are their own people and should be allowed to be recognized as such.”

Junior Karlee Gibbon, though, sees things differently.

“That land was given to Israel by God, and they should not have it taken from them. If Palestine uses land that doesn’t belong to Israel, that’s fine though,” Gibbon said.

The Middle East region is a violent area, particularly when it comes to Israel. Iran in particular wants to see Israel wiped off the Earth. The already hostile atmosphere will become more heated on both sides when decision time comes, regardless of the outcome.

Junior Jonathan Taylor supports Palestine’s statehood bid, saying, “It would make a bit more peace in the region.”

Junior Anthony Trigiani brought up another point, saying, “The land belongs to Israel and there is going to be controversy over either decision, and dividing the land complicates things.”

Fact or Fiction?

By Brittany Roberts

Will our school colors be changed to pink and white?

Will our new mascot be a robot unicorn? Will the students be required to take naps?

The rumors are over!

Maroon & White has sunk some of the many rumors floating around the halls of Tennessee High School concerning the direction that Dr. Mary Rouse will take the school in the near future.

Powderpuff Cancelled?

For over two decades, the Anchor Club and Civinette ladies have been battling it out in the Stone Castle. Dr. Rouse has informed Maroon & White that she will not be canceling the games. She simply will require that the games take place after school and are chaperoned by staff and adults.

Dress Code at Prom?

One of the main highlights of the school year is prom! If the rumors are true, attendees will be required to dress more “appropriately.” However, this event will continue to remain a highlight just as it always has. Dr. Rouse’s only requirement is to “look pretty!”

Less Time Between Classes?

Currently, the students at THS have approximately eight minutes between class changes. Dr. Rouse may or may not change this. This year, she will observe the time needed to change classes.

She wants to make sure students still have time to use the restroom before she makes any adjustments next year.

The Viking tradition will continue to live on through Tennessee High’s students, staff, and new principal Dr. Mary Rouse. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Viking tradition. I have met some awesome students who want their school to be even bigger and better!”

Opinion With a name like Grenvik…

By, yes, Jessica Grenvik

A conversation is as unique as the two people holding it. Like individuality, conversations are meant to be shared. My sole purpose this year is to talk to as many people as possible, get as much fresh perspective as possible, and then divulge into deep, interesting, and unusual topics with you in this column.

During my usual walk to fourth period with Tyler Hardin, we began talking about how abnormal something was. Then, Tyler asked me, “What is normal?” This question took me by surprise and sparked a very insightful conversation. Does there truly exist a universal definition of normal? No. Your perception of normal greatly differs from that of the person sitting directly beside you.

Some people consider cussing and profanity normal, while others find it offensive. Some people find running 10 miles a day normal, while others find walking to their mailbox a feat. Some people consider a “C” normal, while others call that failing.

On a graver scale, people who are autistic seem “abnormal” to us, but to them, their daily activities and behaviors are habitual. Also, consider sexual orientation. Gays and lesbians consider their feelings normal, while others shun them for the same reason.

So, who are we to judge how “normal” someone is or is not? Everyone has a different perspective of normal, and each person is entitled to that perception. Normal is subjective and always open to interpretation.

By Josh Fehr

Everyone has such a strict musical opinion these days.

The ignorant half of our generation constantly poisons the air with their idiotic closed mindedness. I am here to encourage you to surprise me. Close that open mouth of yours, and while you’re at it – open your closed mind. Exceed my expectations and just listen.

Dubstep. Oh yes ladies and gentlemen, this just might be the last genre – the final frontier of music. It goes past the confines of a traditional song and suddenly explodes excitement into your tiny little ears, yet I constantly hear people saying that they hate dubstep. When I ask them why, the only response I receive is, “It’s just stupid and it all sounds the same.”

Please don’t be arrogant like those people.

Dubstep is actually quite amazing. It takes the intensity of techno and multiplies by infinity whilst adding heavy bass drops and a unique time signature; but I won’t delve into that.

Just remember what I’ve said and take the time to rub-a-dub in the dubstep tub. You might be surprised at what you find.

‘Hall’ Pass

By Avery Hall

This column is a slice of theology from the man that rips his shirt because he doesn’t like the way it looks in his black and white photos. A metaphorical piggy-back ride through the mind of the man who tans a little too much sometimes, and looks more lobster than human in the winter sometimes. And finally, a window into the life of me, Avery Hall.

Every recurring issue of Maroon & White, I hope to instill in you a sense of understanding about my daily life. You might agree with my view on things, or think I’m as delusional as my shirts are tight.

The first subject I want to tackle, rightfully so, is expressing yourself. People need to have a sense of pride in anything they do, excluding murder, kidnapping, larceny, theft, fraud, etc… The first thing that people need to understand is everything you do, do without remorse. Like your little brother’s XS t-shirt better than your XL? Go for it. Like your hair spiked up crudely without any sense of style whatsoever? Go for it. You like taking shirtless pictures on State-Street mid afternoon?

Clear the roads.

Why take something you like so much that you actually perform it, wear it, watch it, or listen to it, and simply stop? Because of what other people think? Did you spike your hair for Jane Doe and her opinion on the size of your shirt? No. Everything you do, say, or enjoy, do it to the fullest until other people accept it, or shove it; because, simply, it doesn’t matter. You’re you, not him or her. That’s your shirt, not his or hers.

Were parachute pants popular in the 60’s? No way. Some guy late in the year 1979 walked into school wearing pants that were a little too big, or maybe fashioned from some renegade paratrooper who went off course and left his parachute to hang dry in a tree. Those pants got knocked on, and knocked on until finally, John Doe said, “I’d like a pair of pants that could save me in the event of my plane going down.”

Doing or wearing what you want to do or to be takes an act of congress; however, like anything else, doing it for the right reason or just because you want to, and real perseverance is what’s going to transcend all the critics, and let you be you.

Gaddhafi: Hitler Reincarnate

By Jessica Grenvik

Words cannot begin to describe the sickening, horrifying events that occurred during Adolf Hitler’s reign over Germany.

He slaughtered approximately 11 million people during the Holocaust simply due to their ethnicity. The entire world abhors Hitler’s name and the genocide he is responsible for.

On September 1, 1969, Moammar Gaddhafi, a young military man from Libya, forcefully seized control of Tripoli, the capital of Libya. For over 40 years, this cruel man has been terrifying his people with bombings, genocide, and rape. This seems like a Hitler repeat, does it not? Then why are some people applauding this evil dictator for his firm leadership and long reign? Gaddhafi is no different from the racist Hitler.

As leader of Libya, Gaddhafi has striven to create an alliance between all Arab nations, while shunning all of those who are not pure Arab.

In 1968, he bombed a Berlin nightclub. In 1988, he was responsible for the bombing of Pan-Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. All 259 innocent passengers were killed as well as 11 people on the ground.

Most recently, in February of 2011, Gaddhafi responded to a protest movement by dispatching the military to attack the “rebels,” thus causing a civil war. There was no peaceful negotiation, no humane treatment, no warning. Gaddhafi simply murdered these people who just wanted to express their opinions, a freedom that we Americans take very lightly. Can you imagine being killed, beaten, and shot down for simply telling others how you feel?

Gaddhafi has escaped prosecution for some time now. No longer shall the world tolerate this. The United Nations (UN) has accused Gaddhafi of crimes against humanity, such as rape. Gaddhafi encouraged his soldiers to use Viagra-like drugs to rape women in order to instill fear and boost troop morale.

Tell me, how is this even remotely acceptable?

Gaddhafi, if not stopped, could easily repeat all the wrongdoings of Hitler and more. The world should finally unite against terror and genocide by supporting the persecution and capture of Gaddhafi.

By Logan Whiles

Nowadays, too many agoraphobes content themselves with the comfort and familiarity of the indoors. I am here to inform anyone who matches this description that you, my friend, are missing out. There are things to be seen outside your front door. I suggest heading towards the nearest patch of trees or body of water. Direct yourself towards anywhere that seems as if it is typically secluded from other people. Here you will find many, many, insignificant fallen leaves, twigs, eroded rocks, and lonely clumps of soil. But, there is a chance that you will find something at least slightly interesting. You might stumble upon a rotting carcass, an intuitively placed nest, an eerie cave, or an animal you don’t see too often. Be careful though, that elusive animal might be, and probably will be, a starving black bear. Despite the danger, exploration is visually rewarding and tends to be a very positive influence towards your current mood. Exploration offers an isolation that people need more often than they would think. It’s a good thing to separate yourself and try to grasp the bigger picture. It’s a good thing to try to stray from the beaten path every so often.

Fall is a great time to travel the woods. The leaves are changing, the thorns are receding, and the temperature is perfect. At this time of year, my favorite scrap of wilderness lies outside my backdoor, in Blountville. Everything there is beautiful, except for the rednecks and any place they’ve touched. The town sits right on top of the Bristol Caverns, and openings to the caves can be found everywhere. The land is rocky and sinkholes are scattered all around. Although these things are deterrents to construction and the like, the surroundings always give you something to find. Within a quarter-mile of my house is a 30-foot rock wall with an old wildcat’s den at the bottom. In my opinion, free-climbing is always a good time. I would strongly recommend visiting Blountville’s woods and caves, just don’t forget your spelunking gear and watch out for those bloodthirsty hunters. .308’s never feel too great in your ribs.

Gaddhafi: Was Ruthless Good or Bad?

By Tyler Hardin

Vladimir Lenin in 1917. Joseph Stalin in 1929. Adolf Hitler in 1933. Enter Moammar Gaddhafi, 1969. The realm of rulers and dictators that feed off of power and terror has expanded to another member. All of these men persecuted thousands and even millions of people to prove a point, but what separates Gaddhafi from the others?

He is separated by the fact that he was a great leader for the good of the PEOPLE, not his own tainted image of the perfect society.

Yes, he was ruthless. There is no dispute over the fact that he killed thousands of people. Nobody is in support of mass murder. But was he completely evil?

No. What people overlook is that he did just as much, if not more, good for his country than bad.

From his takeover in 1969 up until September 11, 2001, he directed funds towards education, healthcare, and housing.

Public education was free, and primary education (through elementary) was mandatory. The per capita, or household, income rose to the United States equivalent of $11,000, which is the fifth highest income in Africa.

Yes, he supported terrorism in the 1980’s and 1990’s, but he withdrew those statements after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. What does this signify?

It signifies the fact that he has empathy. Other rulers had no remorse for other people, but Gaddhafi saw America’s pain and backed off.

He also held supreme and solitary power for forty-two years, which says something about the influence and terror he produced.

If anyone can hold power for over forty years and not be killed in the process, he is a winner in my book. Did Gaddhafi kill innocent people? Yes. You’re going to step on toes if you’re a man of power, so as far as handling his country well, Moammar Gaddhafi has my vote as a class act.

Photo Essay Burning House

Compiled by Ruth Morgan

If your house were burning down, leaving time for you to save just a few precious items, what would you save? Family heirlooms? Favorite childhood belongings? Things of personal or monetary value? Tennessee High School students prove that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure when answering this thought-provoking question by submitting a picture. Nick gathered his most-prized possessions in this shot, showcasing his idea of value and what’s truly important.

Sports The 500 miles of summer

By Suzy Spanovich

Tennessee High cross country runners this year are left with a pair of old, worn out running shoes and a pair of strong, worn out legs.

Coach Lilly and Coach Nunn set a goal on May 16 of last school year to run 500 miles before the first 5k race of the season. Four runners on the team achieved this insane goal.

Tyler Eads (junior), Evan Huvane (junior), Sean McCarty (junior), and Justin McCarty (sophomore) each ran over 500 miles to train for an extremely competitive season.

Other members of the team ran an average of 200-400 miles.

Amanda Mills (senior) said, “I’m excited for this season… more prepared.”

Waking up early to avoid the heat and running through mountains and on the roads every day became routine for these four runners. “It was very time consuming, but worth while,” Eads Eads runs to the finish said.

Mountain Biking

Nick Keen’s submission

Mack Crowder Exclusive

By Tyler Hardin

It’s the third Saturday in October, and the Tennessee Volunteers football team has traveled between the hedges in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to play the Crimson Tide.

For fans watching on television in Bristol, there are two players that stand out: tight end Brendan Downs standing six feet six inches and weighing two hundred and fifty-five pounds, and center Mack Crowder, who weighs in at two hundred and ninety pounds and is six feet four inches tall. Both are the product of Tennessee High, but Mack seems like the better prospect to the unknowing eye.

Crowder was rated the ninth overall center in the nation on ESPN.

He was selected to the Tennessee East-West All-Star Team and earned All-Conference, All-region, All-Northeast Tennessee, and All-State his senior year.

He comes from a long line (no pun intended) of great linemen, as his uncle played semi-professional football, and his middle brother Michael is a tight end at Princeton. His oldest sibling, Matthew, is a lineman at Cornell.

When interviewed, Mack discussed the differences and challenges of playing football at the collegiate level.

When asked about the differences in his social life, Crowder said, “There is very little down time, and almost all of my socialization is done with my teammates.” He said the gameplay on the college level is “much faster, and the guys on the other side of the ball are much bigger.” He has to make time for school, saying that “just about all of my time off is doing homework, and if I’m not doing that, I’m in class. School comes first, but it’s a lot tougher with having less time to work.”

By Russ Fankhouser

There is a blur of brown and green as you fly past trees, a dirt trail underneath and adrenaline through your veins. What is this you ask?

This is Mountain Biking.

How is mountain biking different from a more traditional biking experience?

The trails are usually single dirt tracks over rocks, roots, and fallen trees, all while covering vast elevational changes. A person can encounter rock drops, road gaps, and even wooden bridges high in the trees. The typical Wal-mart bike cannot sustain the stresses mountain biking entails.

You need a lightweight, dual suspension, high performance bike from an online or a local bike shop.

Riders confront wildlife whenever they hit the trails, such as chipmunks, deer, bobcats, and even bears.

“I’ve almost run over a blacksnake,” said senior Joey Spanovich.

Our region presents the mountain biker with a cornucopia of trails, such as Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport, Steele Creek Park in Bristol, and even Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol, Virginia. All incorporate different levels of riding, from easy to more advanced.

Fankhouser shreddin’ on his Intense 951 Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia provides a more intense experience for the thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie. They provide the best downhill biking in the southeastern United States.

The extreme sport of mountain biking is not only a tremendous cardiovascular exercise, but is also incredibly enjoyable and is a great way to make friends.

Fall Crossword Answers Across: 5.scarecrows 6.chilly 8.red 9.pumpkins 11.cornucopia 12.hayrides 13.autumn

Down: 1.football 2.Halloween 3.leaves 4.orange 5.stickley 6.candycorn 7.pumpkin pie 10.hoodies 11.costumes