14
FEATURES
February 2011
beyond the classroom Staff members serve double duty as military personnel KAYLA ASCHENBECK columnist Patriotism surrounds us. As students, we should be proud of three individuals who have worked to protect and maintain our rights as American citizens. Tim Anderson, social studies teacher, has been an active member in the Army for 24 years. He is ranked as a Master Sergeant and is positioned as Chief Paralegal NCO (noncommission officer), assisting with courtrelated business. Anderson served in Operation Desert Storm from 1990-1991 and was also mobilized from February 2003 to June 2004 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Although he never served in the field, he was mobilized,
and has been to forts throughout the state. “I enjoy the challenge,” Anderson said. Mike Cole, Plant Manager, served in Vietnam, and has been diagnosed with cancer due to being exposed to Agent Orange during his 18-month tour as a door gunner when he was 17. He is very ery open about his illness and treatment, and nd also about what he experienced. d. “War is not a good thing. ing. It took away my youth. I grew ew up too quick,” Cole said. Gabe Kessler, science teacher, has been a member of the military for nearly 10 years and is ranked as a Staff Sergeant in the Air
National Guard. Although never mobilized for active duty, Kessler remains an active member, and a humble one at that. “The military gave me my confidence and sense of pride. I don’t draw attention to it because it’s just who I am,” Kessler said. Anderson will be on leave Anders from school February 21 to March 1 to attend the Judge Advocate Generals Ju sschool in Charlottesville, Virginia, taking courses V on operational law of o warfare. If you’ve ever had a class with Mr. Anderson, you know that he takes both his military job, as
well as his teaching position very seriously. The desktop background on his computer features combat uniform print and his classroom décor denotes a plethora of military paraphernalia. “The Army is part of who I am. It’s as much a part of me as being bald,” Anderson said. Students are unaware of the sacrifices that military service men and women must make. Taking for granted the rights that we have as American citizens such as being able to speak and practice religion freely, and the right to be educated and to be individuals all result from the fact that brave people out there who fight for what is right. “I’m not proud of what I did, but I would do it all over again. I’m that much of a patriot,” Cole said.
Associated Student Body breathes new life into school organization Program improves traditional approach to student government of school activity planning and implementation, building school pride and staff writer a positive student-oriented school ‘climate,’ and information dissemination in the hands of the students themselves.” Instead of handling school business and A student body led by the students has been the vision of the Associated Student concerns through meetings before or after Body program, or ASB, introduced at the school, as has been done in previous years, the ASB concept has been start of the 2010designated to bring the 2011 academic year. class officers and their Initiated by Matthew “governments” together Girardin, ASB adviser to plan activities that and social studies promote increased teacher, the program school participation. involves ASB officers The idea for the class who are elected by originated from a school and represent the in California where student body, not Girardin previously just a particular photo by Brooke Daugherty taught. The students graduating class. enrolled in the class According to UPDATE -- ASB member Cody Mason, are assigned duties that course policy, the sophomore, keeps track of upcoming include lead officer roles, model for the ASB events. Organization is key when a fine arts commissioner, concept “places planning school activities. a spirit commissioner, the responsibility
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a club coordinator and even an alumni and community relations commissioner, to name a few. “What I have really hoped for is a goal of implementing increased ideas and a safer and more fun environment. Increased camaraderie with clubs is also a priority,” Billi Greenwell, ASB president and senior, said. Initiatives already put into action and intended to bring about more student involvement include the creation of the “O-Zone,” the organization of student fans and cheers for sporting events, and pep rallies organized to promote athletics. Publicity of events has been a focus of the group. Increased use of promotional fliers made by ASB has improved informationsharing related to activities around the school. “This program informs the students about ways to be involved, especially for freshmen who don’t always know what’s going on. It is not always easy for freshmen to get involved, so any program that encourages this is a
good thing,” Amber Connelly, freshmen class sponsor and social studies teacher, said. In addition to efforts in athletic promotion, ASB also handles the traditional planning of dances, including the homecoming dance and the homecoming week as a whole as well as activities linked with clubs or different extracurricular activities in which students participate. “As pep commissioner, I work to make school more enjoyable for everyone. ASB is the voice of what students want and attempt to make it happen within reason,” Matt Tarter, junior, said. With a full class period to meet each day, ASB students are able to generate ideas and have meaningful dialogue related to the creation of new initiatives that enhance the vision of the school. “Student climate is what ASB focuses a lot on,” Girardin, social studies teacher, said. “Our commitment is to what we can do to make that better for all students not just some of them, and how that environment affects our school as a whole.”