Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Book Review: "Village of Vampires"
“Village of Vampires,” written by Steven Otfinoski, is about a boy who has to deal with vampires that have taken over a village. The story takes place in Mexico. He must use many classical methods of killing vampires, such as driving a wooden stake through their heart, to rid the village of the monsters.
The main character of the story is Paul and the side
characters are Dr. Lawrence, Sandy, Hernando, and Jose. Sandy is Dr. Lawson’s
daughter. Both Sandy and Paul go on adventures with Dr. Lawrence. Hernando is
the leader of the village. If you would like to know more about these
characters and the other side characters, then check out this fun read.
The majority of this story focuses on how the
village is overtaken by vampires and how the town's people work to stop them. This
story is based on classical vampire lore. This story is entertaining but, it is
short, which is somewhat disappointing. Ultimately, this story lacked in character
development, which may have been due to its short length. If this story
sounds interesting to you, then check it out in John
I. Burton High School’s library.
Book Review: "Rumble Fish"
"Rumble Fish" is a novel by S.E. Hinton. Most of Hinton's novels revolve around rough young men living in the streets during the 1950s and 1960s, and this novel stays true to that form. If you have read "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton, then you will definitely like this book.
This book is set during the 60s. The story focuses on the life of Russel James, who goes by "Rusty-James." He is the toughest guy in a group of high school kids who hang out and shoot pool at Benny's Diner. Rusty is always trying to keep up his reputation and wants to be just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. He always wants to stay calm and laugh in the face of danger. Rusty James wants to be the best street fighter and most respected guy on their side of the river.
Rusty-James is not book smart, so he relies on his fist instead of his brains. Up until now he has had the Motorcycle Boy to protect him from trouble. Certain events prevent his brother from coming to his aid, leaving Rusty-James to fend for himself. As he strives to be like his brother, his emotions eat away at him and the events leading up to the climax all come together in a fast paced chain. This book was well written and is perfect for retaining one's attention. If you would like to know more about this book, it is recommended that you check it out at the library.
Friday, September 25, 2015
Announcements: A change in communication
Every day, at the beginning of first block and at the end of fourth block, announcements are made by two different announcers: Vallen Ellis, in the morning, and Dakota Messer, in the afternoon. In the past, John I. Burton used a large intercom system that had large speakers, so everyone could hear. However, the school now has a phone system that is often too soft to be heard in noisy classrooms. Furthermore, the announcements themselves are frequently unorganized. Ultimately, Mrs. Becky says that the purpose of the announcements are, "so everyone can be informed of school events and changes." But, are the announcements effective? According to some, they are not.
So, why did the school change the method of communicating the announcements? According to Mrs. Becky Sturgill, the leading lady of the school's office, the school changed its method of communicating because many classrooms did not have intercoms and a new phone system was already being put in place. Mrs. Becky went on to say that she thinks Burton should have stayed with the older intercom system. She thinks it would have been best to just add extra intercom systems in those rooms. Ultimately, this would have prevented the issue of students struggling to hear the announcements. Dustin Pilkenton, a sophomore at Burton states, "I find the current intercom system to be highly ineffective due to problems hearing it over my fellow classmates. I believe that John I. Burton High School should convert to a true intercom system rather than using phones."
Mrs. Becky also provided some insight as to why the announcements seem unorganized. She says that the announcements are a collaborative effort between herself and other staff members at John I. Burton. These announcements are usually written the day before, but emergency announcements are made on the day they are announced, if necessary. The announcements are randomly put in a folder, but Mrs. Becky tries to order them by date. According to Dakota Messer, the morning announcer, the way these statements are organized should be changed. The school should use one individual paper or a packet rather than several small papers to avoid wasting paper and to make it easier for announcers to comprehend what needs to be said. The announcements should be sent to Mrs. Becky or somebody else for review before being put into one collective paper that is easier for the announcer to understand and read. However, the only problem with that plan is that there are emergency announcements that cannot be planned for from time to time. The people who send in emergency announcements should just write the emergency statements on a separate paper. This paper can be put together in a folder with the main announcements.
Written by: Cody Messer
Co-Written by : Dustin Pilkenton
So, why did the school change the method of communicating the announcements? According to Mrs. Becky Sturgill, the leading lady of the school's office, the school changed its method of communicating because many classrooms did not have intercoms and a new phone system was already being put in place. Mrs. Becky went on to say that she thinks Burton should have stayed with the older intercom system. She thinks it would have been best to just add extra intercom systems in those rooms. Ultimately, this would have prevented the issue of students struggling to hear the announcements. Dustin Pilkenton, a sophomore at Burton states, "I find the current intercom system to be highly ineffective due to problems hearing it over my fellow classmates. I believe that John I. Burton High School should convert to a true intercom system rather than using phones."
Mrs. Becky also provided some insight as to why the announcements seem unorganized. She says that the announcements are a collaborative effort between herself and other staff members at John I. Burton. These announcements are usually written the day before, but emergency announcements are made on the day they are announced, if necessary. The announcements are randomly put in a folder, but Mrs. Becky tries to order them by date. According to Dakota Messer, the morning announcer, the way these statements are organized should be changed. The school should use one individual paper or a packet rather than several small papers to avoid wasting paper and to make it easier for announcers to comprehend what needs to be said. The announcements should be sent to Mrs. Becky or somebody else for review before being put into one collective paper that is easier for the announcer to understand and read. However, the only problem with that plan is that there are emergency announcements that cannot be planned for from time to time. The people who send in emergency announcements should just write the emergency statements on a separate paper. This paper can be put together in a folder with the main announcements.
Written by: Cody Messer
Co-Written by : Dustin Pilkenton
District win for the Lady Raiders
On Tuesday, September 22, the John I. Burton Lady Raiders volleyball team played against the Castlewood Blue Devils. They came out victorious with a 3-0 win, which just so happened to be their first district game. Kacie C., sophomore, had 12 kills and 14 digs for the raiders while Cheyenne S. trailed close behind with 9 kills. Libero, Colleen G. added 12 digs and setter, Tia B., a sophomore for the Raiders, had 21 assists.
This win put the Lady Raiders with a record of 4-5 and 1-0 in the district, meaning they've won four game and lost five games, but in the district play, they've only played one game, in which they won. Coach Potter was asked about her opinion on the performance of the team and responded with, "The girls really showed up and played well. We worked together made some great passes which allowed our setters to make some great sets and our hitters capitalized on many opportunities." Senior and captain, Jazlyn A stated: "I think we came together as a team and played at the level we've know all year we were capable of playing at."
The Lady Raiders will be back in action on Thursday, September 23. Be there or be square. Junior varsity starts at 6; varsity follows immediately after. The Burton Blog wishes you luck on the rest of the season.
This win put the Lady Raiders with a record of 4-5 and 1-0 in the district, meaning they've won four game and lost five games, but in the district play, they've only played one game, in which they won. Coach Potter was asked about her opinion on the performance of the team and responded with, "The girls really showed up and played well. We worked together made some great passes which allowed our setters to make some great sets and our hitters capitalized on many opportunities." Senior and captain, Jazlyn A stated: "I think we came together as a team and played at the level we've know all year we were capable of playing at."
The Lady Raiders will be back in action on Thursday, September 23. Be there or be square. Junior varsity starts at 6; varsity follows immediately after. The Burton Blog wishes you luck on the rest of the season.
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Science department ventures to Virginia Tech
On September 26th, John I. Burton High School's science department and approximately twenty science students, from grades 6-12, are going to be attending a scientific exhibit on Virginia Tech's campus. The science department elected to attend this event in order to reward select science students who had the highest averages. This exhibit focuses on STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This event will be held from September the 26th through the entire month of October. It will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The students and science department are planning on departing JIB at 6 a.m. and hope to arrive on location 5 hours later. The event itself will last for 5 hours, and then students and staff will spend another 5 hours on the bus returning home.This is the second year that this scientific exhibit has occurred and it is scheduled to happen annually. John I. Burton also sent attendees to this event last year.
When JIB staff and students arrive, they will be provided a tour around the campus. Once the tour is over, students and staff will have the option to go to the booths, the special exhibits, and much more. Hopefully, this will be an excellent experience for the students and teachers that will be attending. The teachers ultimately think that it will be very beneficial as a learning experience.
Co-written by: Kaden F.
This event will be held from September the 26th through the entire month of October. It will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The students and science department are planning on departing JIB at 6 a.m. and hope to arrive on location 5 hours later. The event itself will last for 5 hours, and then students and staff will spend another 5 hours on the bus returning home.This is the second year that this scientific exhibit has occurred and it is scheduled to happen annually. John I. Burton also sent attendees to this event last year.
When JIB staff and students arrive, they will be provided a tour around the campus. Once the tour is over, students and staff will have the option to go to the booths, the special exhibits, and much more. Hopefully, this will be an excellent experience for the students and teachers that will be attending. The teachers ultimately think that it will be very beneficial as a learning experience.
Co-written by: Kaden F.
Burton destroys Patrick Henry tournament
John I. Burton's Volleyball team participates in the Patrick Henry Tournament every year. This year, the tournament took place on September 12th at Patrick Henry High School. Over the past few years of competing in the tournament, Burton has not brought home a single winning trophy for first place. This year, though, the Lady Raiders came out with a perfect record and a first place trophy to call their own. Over half of the teams participating in this event were from 2A schools, which are larger schools, in contrast to John I. Burton, which is a small 1A school.
At Patrick Henry, there were eight total teams that came to play volleyball, but the Raiders only played four to "steal" the trophy because it was single elimination. Tavi S., Kira S., Zoe E., Audrey G., Sarah M., and Iyanna M. constitute the starting six players for Burton; not to mention the team's rotating players: Amanda C., Jasmin R., Ally P., and Jessica A.. Major points came from leading kills performed by Sarah M. and Audrey G.. The leading servers for the team included Kira S., Sarah M., and Audrey G..
The final game was played against Floyd County's Lady Buffalos, a 2A team with outstanding work ethic. In the first set of the game, the Raiders fought hard, but were unable to defeat the Lady Buffalos. In the second set, the team overcame their struggles from the first set and caught back up with Floyd County; they won the second set. In the final set, the game was close, but with a strong love for the game and great teamwork, JIB defeated Floyd County for the first place titled trophy. The head coach, Donnie Potter, and assistant coach, Lauren Potter, described their emotion after the games in one word: "PROUD!"
Giving some insight into the tournament, Coach Potter said, "Our team was very prepared for this tournament. We have been having some pretty tough practices. We worked hard on every single skill necessary to be successful on the court. Along with our skill work, we conditioned a lot. At the end of the day it paid off. Floyd County was tired, and we were not. This team has been playing together for a while and it feels like everything is coming together. They work extremely hard and have love for the game and their team. They earned that trophy through dedication and hard work. Very proud of each and every one of them!"
At Patrick Henry, there were eight total teams that came to play volleyball, but the Raiders only played four to "steal" the trophy because it was single elimination. Tavi S., Kira S., Zoe E., Audrey G., Sarah M., and Iyanna M. constitute the starting six players for Burton; not to mention the team's rotating players: Amanda C., Jasmin R., Ally P., and Jessica A.. Major points came from leading kills performed by Sarah M. and Audrey G.. The leading servers for the team included Kira S., Sarah M., and Audrey G..
The final game was played against Floyd County's Lady Buffalos, a 2A team with outstanding work ethic. In the first set of the game, the Raiders fought hard, but were unable to defeat the Lady Buffalos. In the second set, the team overcame their struggles from the first set and caught back up with Floyd County; they won the second set. In the final set, the game was close, but with a strong love for the game and great teamwork, JIB defeated Floyd County for the first place titled trophy. The head coach, Donnie Potter, and assistant coach, Lauren Potter, described their emotion after the games in one word: "PROUD!"
Giving some insight into the tournament, Coach Potter said, "Our team was very prepared for this tournament. We have been having some pretty tough practices. We worked hard on every single skill necessary to be successful on the court. Along with our skill work, we conditioned a lot. At the end of the day it paid off. Floyd County was tired, and we were not. This team has been playing together for a while and it feels like everything is coming together. They work extremely hard and have love for the game and their team. They earned that trophy through dedication and hard work. Very proud of each and every one of them!"
" How will you be remembered?"
Co-written By: Taylor Collins
Co-written By: Taylor Collins
Meet Toni Lynch
Meet Toni Lynch, a therapeutic day treatment counselor, who works at John I. Burton. Toni is a thirty-three year old female, who lives in Clintwood, Virginia. She is a mother to two stepchildren; a twelve year old son and a nine year old daughter. She graduated from Clintwood High School, then went on to attend UVA Wise college for 4 years, where she received her bachelor's degree. She went on to attend Lindsey Wilson College for 2 years and received her master's degree. It was while she was attending UVA Wise that she was influenced to pursue this career.
Before, Toni started working at Burton, she worked at Wise County Behavioral Clinic in Big Stone and the Department of Social Services in Clintwood. Here at John I. Burton, Toni works with multiple students who are in Family Preservation Services. Toni is known as Ms. Toni by staff and students here at John I. Burton. She also has a working partner, who is Josh Spenilla. Toni is known as a therapeutic day treatment counselor here at Burton, but she also does some work in case management along with paper work. She stated that she liked the more laid back and personal setting of John I. Burton in comparison to other schools she has worked at.
This type of career is not for everyone. Toni states; "Make sure you are in it for the right reasons; you have to have patience, make sure you have a heart for other people, and not just a job you do for money."
Working with moody and difficult teenagers can become stressful for Toni, but she spends time with her family, travels, and reads to destress. She also tries to separate her job from her home life as much as possible. When asked about the difference between working with younger kids, she stated that working with teenagers was easier than working with younger kids.When she was asked what her favorite part of her job was, she responded by saying "The days where I feel like I have made a difference...those are my favorite days".
Toni has worked at other schools, but stated that Burton was by far her favorite school to work at. She enjoys the staff and teachers and believes the students are friendly. "....[Burton] is almost like a second family," said Toni.
Co-written by Austin Lane
Co-written by Austin Lane
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Monday, September 21, 2015
Friday, September 18, 2015
All about band
Cassandra Butler, 25, is the current band director at John I. Burton. She did her student teaching at Dobyns Bennett High School and Powell High School in Knoxville. She also previously worked at John Sevier Middle School. She currently teaches at both JIB and NEMS and said "It's the best of both worlds." She continued on to say she doesn't have a favorite. Ultimately, she struggles with some of the attitudes in high school, but likes that JIB students are able to work on their own.
The show the band is performing this year is, "The Routes of Country Music." Mrs. Butler said she wasn't thrilled about the country theme in the beginning, but now she loves it. The drum major, the individual who directs the performance, is Ben Hayes, sophomore. To try out for the position, he had to have patterns, he had to be able to do commands, and for the audition he had to figure out a piece. He had to focus on controlling his left hand to make the band get louder or softer. The section leaders include: Sierra K., Evan W., Cassie I., Marissa M., Nathan W., Ron Y, Thomas C, Matthew G., Tyler (Paul) I., and Ashley W.. They also had to audition for a spot; they were very competitive. To audition for their spot, they had several questions they had to answer. Mrs. Butler gave them a given scenario, and they had to tell how they would act or react, or what they would do.
By the time school started, the band members had already been working on the show for two months, and now they have been working on it for four months. With the help of multiple summer camps, the band has improved a lot from last year, according to Mrs. Butler. They practice three days a week for around two hours.
The competitions they're going to participate in this year are at Wise Central, Big Stone, U.V.A. Wise and David Crockett; this competition will be held next Saturday, September 26. When asked if she thought they'd be successful this season, Mrs. Butler replied with, "We have the tools to be." The reason they have band competitions is to justify what they're doing, "What we do is so much more than just entertainment. The kids are actually learning things." The band competitions are very structured and there are a lot of judges to make sure everyone is doing everything right. They are judged on how the music sounds, as well as the general effect. They are also judged on how the category looks, and each category of instruments is judged for their performance. The drum major's performance is also especially important for success in competition. She said they go to competitions to get feedback on how their doing, and then they use the feedback to make themselves better and to beat the bands that will be there next week. When Lilly R., a band participant of two years, was asked her opinions on band, she replied with, "I'm glad I joined because it's fun to participate in. It's a great way to make new friends and learn about music." She said she thinks they will do really well this season. Lilly has also added that she has a lot of friends that are in band, and she enjoys all it has to offer.
The season lasts from June to December and then it doesn't really stop there. Band members have to be very committed and dedicated. It takes working as a team, working with different personalities, and getting along with each other. Mrs. Butler has 65 students in band this year and although that seems really overwhelming, she said that it isn't that bad because she's been working with most of them for a while and she has a relationship with all of them.
Burtons Blog wishes the band good luck on their upcoming competitions.
The show the band is performing this year is, "The Routes of Country Music." Mrs. Butler said she wasn't thrilled about the country theme in the beginning, but now she loves it. The drum major, the individual who directs the performance, is Ben Hayes, sophomore. To try out for the position, he had to have patterns, he had to be able to do commands, and for the audition he had to figure out a piece. He had to focus on controlling his left hand to make the band get louder or softer. The section leaders include: Sierra K., Evan W., Cassie I., Marissa M., Nathan W., Ron Y, Thomas C, Matthew G., Tyler (Paul) I., and Ashley W.. They also had to audition for a spot; they were very competitive. To audition for their spot, they had several questions they had to answer. Mrs. Butler gave them a given scenario, and they had to tell how they would act or react, or what they would do.By the time school started, the band members had already been working on the show for two months, and now they have been working on it for four months. With the help of multiple summer camps, the band has improved a lot from last year, according to Mrs. Butler. They practice three days a week for around two hours.
The competitions they're going to participate in this year are at Wise Central, Big Stone, U.V.A. Wise and David Crockett; this competition will be held next Saturday, September 26. When asked if she thought they'd be successful this season, Mrs. Butler replied with, "We have the tools to be." The reason they have band competitions is to justify what they're doing, "What we do is so much more than just entertainment. The kids are actually learning things." The band competitions are very structured and there are a lot of judges to make sure everyone is doing everything right. They are judged on how the music sounds, as well as the general effect. They are also judged on how the category looks, and each category of instruments is judged for their performance. The drum major's performance is also especially important for success in competition. She said they go to competitions to get feedback on how their doing, and then they use the feedback to make themselves better and to beat the bands that will be there next week. When Lilly R., a band participant of two years, was asked her opinions on band, she replied with, "I'm glad I joined because it's fun to participate in. It's a great way to make new friends and learn about music." She said she thinks they will do really well this season. Lilly has also added that she has a lot of friends that are in band, and she enjoys all it has to offer.The season lasts from June to December and then it doesn't really stop there. Band members have to be very committed and dedicated. It takes working as a team, working with different personalities, and getting along with each other. Mrs. Butler has 65 students in band this year and although that seems really overwhelming, she said that it isn't that bad because she's been working with most of them for a while and she has a relationship with all of them.
Burtons Blog wishes the band good luck on their upcoming competitions.
What's up with golf at JIB?
Of course, football, baseball, and basketball are three of the most recognized sports that John I. Burton offers; however, golf is one of the lesser appreciated sports here. We are all relatively infatuated with at least one sport, whether we play it or just watch it. When polled, most students said their favorite fall sport was either football or volleyball, but golf was never mentioned, except by one senior, Dylan Dockery, who is one of four members on the school golf team.
Sitting down with Dylan, he mentioned how we have such a small team at JIB. He said, "We're a small team, with only four students, two being seniors." He moved on to point out that the team is small, in fact, that JIB may not even have a golf team next year.When asked about why he decided to join the golf team, all he had to say was, "I just kind of did it." Knowing virtually nothing about this particular sport, when asked if they played in tournaments and he replied by saying that the only tournament is the district tournament for high school. He also stated that they play in Cedar Hill and Scott County. Apparently, in golf, the amount of different golf clubs is overwhelming. That factor is one of the many that make this sport so complex at times. Dylan says that most schools around here have a larger golf team and that we definitely have the fewest amount of participants. They try to practice every Wednesday under the supervision of the coach, Chris Smith. "There are not separate Varsity and Junior Varsity teams; it is all just one team," said Dylan.
When it comes to fashion, golf has a very sophisticated style. Most golfers look relatively similar in their uniforms and shoes; Dylan seems to really like the ones provided this year. These uniforms are short, dark, striped shirts with a Raider shield on the front.
Overall, Dylan has an optimistic view of the season in general and believes they will pull out some good scores. Golf is a very confusing sport and probably even more confusing to play in, but best of luck this season, Burton golf.
Sitting down with Dylan, he mentioned how we have such a small team at JIB. He said, "We're a small team, with only four students, two being seniors." He moved on to point out that the team is small, in fact, that JIB may not even have a golf team next year.When asked about why he decided to join the golf team, all he had to say was, "I just kind of did it." Knowing virtually nothing about this particular sport, when asked if they played in tournaments and he replied by saying that the only tournament is the district tournament for high school. He also stated that they play in Cedar Hill and Scott County. Apparently, in golf, the amount of different golf clubs is overwhelming. That factor is one of the many that make this sport so complex at times. Dylan says that most schools around here have a larger golf team and that we definitely have the fewest amount of participants. They try to practice every Wednesday under the supervision of the coach, Chris Smith. "There are not separate Varsity and Junior Varsity teams; it is all just one team," said Dylan.
When it comes to fashion, golf has a very sophisticated style. Most golfers look relatively similar in their uniforms and shoes; Dylan seems to really like the ones provided this year. These uniforms are short, dark, striped shirts with a Raider shield on the front.
Overall, Dylan has an optimistic view of the season in general and believes they will pull out some good scores. Golf is a very confusing sport and probably even more confusing to play in, but best of luck this season, Burton golf.
One Act
By definition, a one-act play is a play that has only one act, as distinguished from plays that occur over several acts. One-act plays, however, may consist of one or more scenes. A one-act play, which must remain a mystery at the moment, will be presented on October 17th by Burton's one- act students at a conference competition at Coeburn Middle School. The director of the play is Ms. Lisa Davis.
While talking to Vallen Ellis, a participant in one-act, I asked what made her want to join this club and she replied with, "I was enrolled in theater class last year and learned so much. I had become interested in it and wanted to be in the class again. Having to move and speak in front of the entire student body, and during competitions has definitely had its benefits, which has included helping me be more confident in public speaking and discovering new interests." Vallen also mentioned how much she enjoyed meeting new people during one-act, whether it is in the class or at the competition. She encourages everyone to try the class at least once.
Other participates in one act include; Samuel S., Stacey W., Torie A., Camryn L., Alexis S., Lilly R., Ben H., Charisma H., Tannor C., Piercton H., Thomas C., Conner W., Sophie G. P., Chloe G. P., and Zach F.
All in all, we need to support and encourage the one-act team. It is my hope that more students decide to become invested in one act, as it builds communication skills and confidence. In years past, the one-act plays have been a favorite source of entertainment for students in all grade levels. I believe it will continue to be a favorite.
While talking to Vallen Ellis, a participant in one-act, I asked what made her want to join this club and she replied with, "I was enrolled in theater class last year and learned so much. I had become interested in it and wanted to be in the class again. Having to move and speak in front of the entire student body, and during competitions has definitely had its benefits, which has included helping me be more confident in public speaking and discovering new interests." Vallen also mentioned how much she enjoyed meeting new people during one-act, whether it is in the class or at the competition. She encourages everyone to try the class at least once.
Other participates in one act include; Samuel S., Stacey W., Torie A., Camryn L., Alexis S., Lilly R., Ben H., Charisma H., Tannor C., Piercton H., Thomas C., Conner W., Sophie G. P., Chloe G. P., and Zach F.
All in all, we need to support and encourage the one-act team. It is my hope that more students decide to become invested in one act, as it builds communication skills and confidence. In years past, the one-act plays have been a favorite source of entertainment for students in all grade levels. I believe it will continue to be a favorite.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Students gain democracy
On September 11th, John I.Burton High School had student elections for each individual grade from eight to twelve. A reporter from the Burton blog recently sat down with Mr. Aaron Williams, the school principal, to get more information about these elections. Mr. Williams said that this election was the first John. I Burton had in five years. He also said that he initiated the idea to let students "get representation"and "have a voice" in major decisions that affect the school. Mr. Williams feels that "the more the students have ownership in their school, the more pride they will take and the better our school will be." The school leadership council, consisting of seven teachers and the school guidance counselor, decided to support Mr. Williams' idea on September 3rd, and the election was scheduled for September 11th.
The structure was an open election, where students voted by show of hands to nominate three people for an office. These offices were a President, Vice President, and a Secretary of Treasury. Once the nominees were out of the room, students voted for who they wanted to elect for that office. The elections were held in five different rooms, one for each different grade. The seniors were in the library, the J\juniors in the auditorium, the sophomores in the gymnasium, the freshmen in the cafeteria, and the sub-freshmen in the band room. The criteria for eligibility to hold office was based on three different things: Students must have missed no more than 40 days of school, they must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2, and they must have 1 discipline referral or less.
Mr. Williams says that this structure will not be the structure for future elections. He said, "Next year, after the SOLs are complete, we will hopefully have time for students to campaign." During these campaigns, Mr. Williams hopes that students will get to express their ideas about how they will aid the future of John I. Burton High School. He also hopes that students will get to have speeches that further express these ideas. Mr. Williams's purpose for having these elections is to hopefully show students how leadership works and to be involved and listen to problems and situations in their school and their community.
Our principal's advice for the current group of elected school representatives is: "Be a good listener and have your voice heard." His advice for those who want to run in the next elections is to, "Take it seriously and think through what they want to accomplish to help every student in the school." Mr. Williams would like to send a special thank to Mrs. Adams, the sponsor for the student council, for volunteering to lead the student council. The full list of elected officials is below.
The structure was an open election, where students voted by show of hands to nominate three people for an office. These offices were a President, Vice President, and a Secretary of Treasury. Once the nominees were out of the room, students voted for who they wanted to elect for that office. The elections were held in five different rooms, one for each different grade. The seniors were in the library, the J\juniors in the auditorium, the sophomores in the gymnasium, the freshmen in the cafeteria, and the sub-freshmen in the band room. The criteria for eligibility to hold office was based on three different things: Students must have missed no more than 40 days of school, they must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2, and they must have 1 discipline referral or less.
Mr. Williams says that this structure will not be the structure for future elections. He said, "Next year, after the SOLs are complete, we will hopefully have time for students to campaign." During these campaigns, Mr. Williams hopes that students will get to express their ideas about how they will aid the future of John I. Burton High School. He also hopes that students will get to have speeches that further express these ideas. Mr. Williams's purpose for having these elections is to hopefully show students how leadership works and to be involved and listen to problems and situations in their school and their community.
Our principal's advice for the current group of elected school representatives is: "Be a good listener and have your voice heard." His advice for those who want to run in the next elections is to, "Take it seriously and think through what they want to accomplish to help every student in the school." Mr. Williams would like to send a special thank to Mrs. Adams, the sponsor for the student council, for volunteering to lead the student council. The full list of elected officials is below.
Grade
President
Vice President
Secretary of Treasury
12th Grade
Sam Shortt
Robert Beauchamp
Reichert Price
11th Grade
Alex Pritchard
Isaac Shortt
Alexis Stanley
10th Grade
Eric Fletcher
Mazzy Tomko
Kira Sturgill
9th Grade
Caleb Williams
Derek Allen
Nate Sadler
8th Grade
DeAndre Carlton
Lydia Blair James
Maggie Robinson
Isaac Shortt
Alexis Stanley
10th Grade
Eric Fletcher
Mazzy Tomko
Kira Sturgill
9th Grade
Caleb Williams
Derek Allen
Nate Sadler
8th Grade
DeAndre Carlton
Lydia Blair James
Maggie Robinson
Written by: Cody Messer
"All Quiet on the Western Front"
Recently, I read the book "All Quiet on the Western Front." It was written by Erich Maria Remarque. This book tells about a young German soldier, Paul Bäumer. The story is set during World War 1(known as The Great War at the time). Paul must fight in the trenches and commit gruesome acts to survive.
Paul Bäumer is the protagonist of the story and the primary side characters are Tjaden, Haie Westhus, Albert Kropp, Müller, and Katczinski(Kat). Kat is Paul's closest friend and fellow soldier. Both, Paul and Kat fight alongside the other characters. Kat is the most intelligent member of their group. If you would like to know more about these characters then check out this awesome read.
The majority of this story tells of the lives of these boys who were turned into men by war.This story describes many of the gritty and disgusting details of war. I found this book to be a wonderful read. I enjoyed the story quite a bit considering that it tells the good and the bad sides of war. It is also the first book to ever make me feel sad. If this story sounds interesting to you, then I recommend you check it out at John I. Burton High School's library.
Paul Bäumer is the protagonist of the story and the primary side characters are Tjaden, Haie Westhus, Albert Kropp, Müller, and Katczinski(Kat). Kat is Paul's closest friend and fellow soldier. Both, Paul and Kat fight alongside the other characters. Kat is the most intelligent member of their group. If you would like to know more about these characters then check out this awesome read.
The majority of this story tells of the lives of these boys who were turned into men by war.This story describes many of the gritty and disgusting details of war. I found this book to be a wonderful read. I enjoyed the story quite a bit considering that it tells the good and the bad sides of war. It is also the first book to ever make me feel sad. If this story sounds interesting to you, then I recommend you check it out at John I. Burton High School's library.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Art in the halls?
Do you think that the halls in John I. Burton are bland? At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, student art work was removed from the hallways in order to make more space for educational pictures and posters. According to Coach Williams, the front hallway appeared to be outdated, especially the awards which were on display. The art work was also removed as it was only in one hallway and seemed out of place. He emphasized that the front hallway needed to take on a more professional and educational appearance. Recently, one art student, Destiny Powers, has requested that art work once again fill the halls of JIB. She would also like to see students art work displayed in the cafeteria.
Ms. Powers has approached the superintendent about this issue and was in turn instructed to place her request with Mr. Williams. It remains unknown at this time as to whether art work will once again decorate the halls of Burton. There are also no further details available on whether it will be possible to display art work in the cafeteria. However, many art students feel that their artwork should once again be on display in order to showcase their artistic achievements and give our halls and cafeteria more personality. According to art instructor, Mr. Neil Walker, Destiny wants student artwork displayed in the halls because, at the current time, it is often only seen by the students enrolled in his classes.
Many students, staff, and visitors often never have a chance to see the creative masterpieces, which come to life in the art room. Destiny emphasized that she wants the talent and the skill our students have to be recognized. She pointed out that art not only serves as an elective class, but it also helps to define student personalities. Ultimately, she feels that the class teaches students to be creative - an extremely important skill in the modern world. For these reasons, she feels like her request is justified.
Ms. Powers has approached the superintendent about this issue and was in turn instructed to place her request with Mr. Williams. It remains unknown at this time as to whether art work will once again decorate the halls of Burton. There are also no further details available on whether it will be possible to display art work in the cafeteria. However, many art students feel that their artwork should once again be on display in order to showcase their artistic achievements and give our halls and cafeteria more personality. According to art instructor, Mr. Neil Walker, Destiny wants student artwork displayed in the halls because, at the current time, it is often only seen by the students enrolled in his classes.
Many students, staff, and visitors often never have a chance to see the creative masterpieces, which come to life in the art room. Destiny emphasized that she wants the talent and the skill our students have to be recognized. She pointed out that art not only serves as an elective class, but it also helps to define student personalities. Ultimately, she feels that the class teaches students to be creative - an extremely important skill in the modern world. For these reasons, she feels like her request is justified.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Morning soda consumption
Earlier this year, an announcement was made by principal, Mr. Williams, encouraging students to avoid drinking soda in the mornings. He suggested students rely on healthier options, like milk or juice. Although it may be healthier for one to avoid soda in the morning, there may be other benefits to soda consumption in the a.m. Firstly, it is beneficial for waking students up in the mornings. Students that ride the bus have to get up especially early in the morning and ride the bus for a long time before arriving at school. Therefore, caffeinated drinks can be used to help make these students more alert and more prepared for class.
Many students have stated that they agree with drinking soda in the mornings mainly because of the bus situation. One stated that he brings a soda from home because his bus arrives at the school 10 minutes before the bell rings and he never is fully awaken by the time he gets to school. Another student pointed out that he needs caffeine in the mornings to get the day started because students are expected to get up and be here so early.
When asked about the soda situation, teacher comments varied. One teacher said that for students under 18, it is really a decision to be made by parents. She continued on to state that if the parents find it acceptable for their child to drink soda, then it shouldn't be an issue. Another instructor said that she thinks it is a personal decision, but she is strictly a water consumer. Yet another teacher said he drinks Coke himself, but he thinks that Mr. Williams was doing his job. He believes that he did the right thing by directing students not to be drinking sodas in the morning. Ultimately, Mr. Williams was taking a step in the right direction by encouraging Burton students to be healthier. While drinking soda may not be the best option for students, it is the option being selected most often.
Many students have stated that they agree with drinking soda in the mornings mainly because of the bus situation. One stated that he brings a soda from home because his bus arrives at the school 10 minutes before the bell rings and he never is fully awaken by the time he gets to school. Another student pointed out that he needs caffeine in the mornings to get the day started because students are expected to get up and be here so early.
When asked about the soda situation, teacher comments varied. One teacher said that for students under 18, it is really a decision to be made by parents. She continued on to state that if the parents find it acceptable for their child to drink soda, then it shouldn't be an issue. Another instructor said that she thinks it is a personal decision, but she is strictly a water consumer. Yet another teacher said he drinks Coke himself, but he thinks that Mr. Williams was doing his job. He believes that he did the right thing by directing students not to be drinking sodas in the morning. Ultimately, Mr. Williams was taking a step in the right direction by encouraging Burton students to be healthier. While drinking soda may not be the best option for students, it is the option being selected most often.
John I. Burton Vs. Lee High
As the anticipation began to build and the two teams were ready for a fight, the game started with the Raiders receiving the ball. Burton was able to drive the ball down the field and punch it in for the score. The Raiders' defense looked better than ever, forcing the Generals to punt. The Raiders drove the ball down the field and scored again. At the end of the first quarter, the Raiders were on top, 14-0. In the second quarter, the Raiders were scoreless, while the Generals scored and converted the 2 point conversion. At the end of the first half, the raiders were still on top 14-8.
At the start of the second half, the Raiders kicked the ball off to the Generals. They drove the ball down and scored, making the score 15-14, Generals on top. The Raiders were quick to answer back, scoring on their next drive, making the score now 21-15. Yet again, Burton's Isaac Perrigan, Tra Adams, Isaac Davis, and Mathew Branham were a big factor in bringing home the win. Burton's Austin Johnson, who is usually a game changer, went down with what appeared to be a knee injury. The Raiders managed to seal the game with a rushing touchdown by Isaac Perrigan. The game ended in a score of 28-15, Raiders win.
SEN16RS attend English 111 at MECC
Can you believe senior year is already here for the Class of 2016? Michael Taylor and Cody Messer are just a couple of seniors this year that are taking the Dual Enrollment Academy program at Mountain Empire Community College, or MECC . The Dual Enrollment Academy is a program that allows students with a high GPA (3.0 or higher) to have their first year of college completed their senior year of high school. This program helps seniors get the most basic courses out of the way, so they can focus on what they want to major in. It also gives students college credits in high school. Frequently, the courses students take during their first year in college differ dramatically from courses previously taken in high school. Both Cody and Michael are enrolled in English 111 through Dual Enrollment. This class is located on the MECC campus in Phillips Taylor Hall Room P115 . The time span for this class is from 11:00 to 11:50 am and students only attend this course on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
English 111 is taught by Mrs.Martinez. The expectations Mrs.Martinez has for the students are for them to keep up with their work, turn in assignments on time, and get to class on time. Mrs.Martinez's class this year has 21 students. The students were asked about some of the differences between this college course and their junior year English class at John I. Burton. One student, Cody Messer replied, " My junior year English class was much easier,and I knew the teacher very well. The English class for the dual enrollment academy program requires more responsibility and there are more expectations, such as knowing a lot of English". He was then asked what are some difficulties he faces in English 111. Cody replied "I try to avoid repetitiveness in essays, and I try to turn in my work on time".
Michael Taylor also provided comments about his experience in the class. He stated with confidence, " I find the class easy, because writing essays has always came naturally to me." Michael mentioned that he loved the college class and felt like he had more freedom. Both students felt that having their classes be only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays gave them more time to complete their assignments. Burton's Blog wishes these two students along with the rest of the senior class the best of luck in pursuing a bright future. Stay focused and follow your dreams! Thursday, September 10, 2015
Projects in art
Art is an expression of one's self. It is a way to let a person's creative side shine. Here at John I. Burton, three art classes are offered, and each class has a different level of difficulty. I had a chance to sit down with two students from two different art classes on Wednesday, September 9th. The students included Naomi Greer-Wilkinson and Thomas Cassell.
Naomi is in the tenth grade and is taking Art II. She explained to me that Art II was currently doing an abstract drawing of a portrait of a celebrity. (Naomi is not finished, but her drawing is pictured.) An abstract drawing is basically a paper weave. The artist draws two drawings of the same object or, in this case, a person; then cuts the drawings into pieces and proceeds to weave the pieces of paper back together. When I asked Naomi about the level of difficultly, she replied, "It takes awhile, but it is not hard."
Thomas is in the twelfth grade and is taking Art I. The Art I classes are drawing landscapes of the student's choice. Thomas drew a mountain, which is pictured. When I asked Thomas about the level of difficulty, he replied. "It is challenging."
I also spoke to Mr. Walker, the art instructor about plans he has for his classes this semester. Mr.Walker plans on having his students create sculptures again this year. This project always seems to be a hit. The sculptures will be life sized and based off a volunteering student. Mr.Walker also plans on taking his art classes to UVA Wise to participate in Avant-Garde; this is an event which promotes music and the arts. Mr.Walker will select students to go to UVA-Wise to experience this fun yearly event, where students will attend a morning class and an evening class. If you are interested in taking art, speak to Mrs.Cook.
Naomi is in the tenth grade and is taking Art II. She explained to me that Art II was currently doing an abstract drawing of a portrait of a celebrity. (Naomi is not finished, but her drawing is pictured.) An abstract drawing is basically a paper weave. The artist draws two drawings of the same object or, in this case, a person; then cuts the drawings into pieces and proceeds to weave the pieces of paper back together. When I asked Naomi about the level of difficultly, she replied, "It takes awhile, but it is not hard."
Thomas is in the twelfth grade and is taking Art I. The Art I classes are drawing landscapes of the student's choice. Thomas drew a mountain, which is pictured. When I asked Thomas about the level of difficulty, he replied. "It is challenging."
I also spoke to Mr. Walker, the art instructor about plans he has for his classes this semester. Mr.Walker plans on having his students create sculptures again this year. This project always seems to be a hit. The sculptures will be life sized and based off a volunteering student. Mr.Walker also plans on taking his art classes to UVA Wise to participate in Avant-Garde; this is an event which promotes music and the arts. Mr.Walker will select students to go to UVA-Wise to experience this fun yearly event, where students will attend a morning class and an evening class. If you are interested in taking art, speak to Mrs.Cook.
Burton students get a taste of NASA
This year, seniors Haley Gilliam and Rachael "Red" Mullins received the opportunity to work with NASA. Alongside Mrs. Jane Carter, their prior physics teacher, they developed an experiment which will be included in a rather prestigious event conducted at NASA's upcoming balloon campaign in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. However, only the experiments, and not the students, will be at the event. This particular event is titled "Cubes in Space," and it is a program where experiments are shipped to New Mexico and put into cubes. Haley and Rachel found out about this program from Mrs. Carter, who was knowledgeable about this opportunity.
Scheduled to begin August 31, this experiment is designed to compare the behavior of latex and nitrile when exposed to saline during the changes of pressure and temperature. This will occur on board a balloon that is just one of four different balloon flights experiencing altitudes upward of 120,000 feet, which is above 99.5 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. Yes, that does sound very scientific and maybe a little confusing, but it is basically just saline solution going rather high in the air while the changes in pressure and temperature are observed. Even though there are a few other events taking place during the balloon campaign, this event is going to be Burton's favorite.
When talking to Haley and Red, they both seemed really excited and honored to be chosen for this event. There will be 100 of these cubes all sent from students ages 11-18. Each cube is only about four centimeters, or 1 1/2 inches. They both noted how difficult it was to choose what substance they wanted to send up because they weren't given a guideline; it could have been anything. They told Cody and I that they thought about various foods, but soon realized that since the substance had to be left over the summer, that it would spoil. That is how they started thinking about more simple, yet interesting options; therefore, the idea of using saline solution was conceived.
There has already been tons of hard work and dedication from these two girls and they are still in for a long journey ahead. Good luck from Burton's Blog, Haley and Red! We hope to see this experiment go well for the two of you and, of course, Mrs. Carter!
Co-written by Taylor and Cody
Scheduled to begin August 31, this experiment is designed to compare the behavior of latex and nitrile when exposed to saline during the changes of pressure and temperature. This will occur on board a balloon that is just one of four different balloon flights experiencing altitudes upward of 120,000 feet, which is above 99.5 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. Yes, that does sound very scientific and maybe a little confusing, but it is basically just saline solution going rather high in the air while the changes in pressure and temperature are observed. Even though there are a few other events taking place during the balloon campaign, this event is going to be Burton's favorite.
When talking to Haley and Red, they both seemed really excited and honored to be chosen for this event. There will be 100 of these cubes all sent from students ages 11-18. Each cube is only about four centimeters, or 1 1/2 inches. They both noted how difficult it was to choose what substance they wanted to send up because they weren't given a guideline; it could have been anything. They told Cody and I that they thought about various foods, but soon realized that since the substance had to be left over the summer, that it would spoil. That is how they started thinking about more simple, yet interesting options; therefore, the idea of using saline solution was conceived.
There has already been tons of hard work and dedication from these two girls and they are still in for a long journey ahead. Good luck from Burton's Blog, Haley and Red! We hope to see this experiment go well for the two of you and, of course, Mrs. Carter!
Co-written by Taylor and Cody
Patrick Henry "sets" up a another tournament
Every year, Burton's volleyball team participates in the volleyball tournament at Patrick Henry. This tournament is held every year on the first Saturday in September. Thus, this year's tournament took place on September 5th, where Union dominated the tournament. As many Burton fans know, the volleyball team has been struggling to pull out some wins the past couple of years. I am confident that will not be the case this year.
In the tournament, Burton's volleyball team ended with two wins and two losses. They beat Twin Springs and Holston, and lost to Floyd County and Patrick Henry. While talking to Jazlyn Adams, a senior and one of the captains of the team, she said, "We definitely had our ups and downs, but we learned a lot. We played some pretty good teams, and we have gotten better after seeing them. I think it really helped us and the experience will benefit us when we get into district play."
When the team participated at this tournament last year, they only won one game, and, unfortunately, that was the only game that was won all season. This year, they have already won more games in tournament play than the varsity volleyball program won in the past three seasons combined. After talking to Coach Laura Potter, she said,"Saturday really showed how much the team has improved from last year."
All in all, I'm proud of the team this year for coming together and putting the past behind us so we can hopefully win many more games and shock the district. With such a young team, I personally believe that they have the most potential in our area. The players are already coming together so well and, in the next few years, I hope to have a couple new trophies for the case outside the gym.
At the tournament, Burton's Kacie C., received an award identifying her as a player who would be selected for the All Tournament Team. During the tournament, Kacie led the team in kills (an attack by a player that is not returnable by the receiving player on the opposing team). Congratulations Burton volleyball players on your improvements and congratulations to Kacie C.
Dual enrollment testing
Twenty-seven students from John I. Burton took the dual enrollment test on September 8th and September 9th of this year. The majority of the students that took this test were sophomores. The dual enrollment test is a test that can be taken in the fall and spring semesters. It is available to all students in grades nine through twelve. Students who score high enough on this test can take dual enrollment courses. The test is administered by Mountain Empire Community College, and the core subjects that the test covers are reading, math, and writing.
The dual enrollment test determines if a student can be enrolled in college courses while still in high school. Some of these courses are offered online, some are taught by Burton staff members who have master degrees, and some are offered at Mountain Empire. Many of Burton's students take dual-enrollment courses and gain college credits through M.E.C.C. before graduating high school. The dual enrollment test is taken on the computer and is not timed. It generally takes around a full school day to complete the test. Some students found the test to be easy this year, while others did not. All students receive their test results on the same day of the test.
If a student fails, then he or she may retake the test if desired. It is significantly cheaper to take dual enrollment classes. The cost for a three hour credit course in dual enrollment is $87.30, while the cost of taking it while in college can be as much as $436.00. That makes for a total savings of $348.70. Those who missed the test this semester may take it in the spring. Congratulations to all those who passed the dual enrollment test!
The dual enrollment test determines if a student can be enrolled in college courses while still in high school. Some of these courses are offered online, some are taught by Burton staff members who have master degrees, and some are offered at Mountain Empire. Many of Burton's students take dual-enrollment courses and gain college credits through M.E.C.C. before graduating high school. The dual enrollment test is taken on the computer and is not timed. It generally takes around a full school day to complete the test. Some students found the test to be easy this year, while others did not. All students receive their test results on the same day of the test.
If a student fails, then he or she may retake the test if desired. It is significantly cheaper to take dual enrollment classes. The cost for a three hour credit course in dual enrollment is $87.30, while the cost of taking it while in college can be as much as $436.00. That makes for a total savings of $348.70. Those who missed the test this semester may take it in the spring. Congratulations to all those who passed the dual enrollment test!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
John I. Burton Raiders vs. Chilhowie Warriors
On Friday, September 4 the Burton Raiders faced off against the Chilhowie Warriors. In the past, the Raiders had never defeated the Warriors; that is, until Friday night.
In the first quarter, the Raiders were allowing Chilhowie to stick around and hang with them, making it look like it was going to be a fight, but then it seemed as if the Raiders' defense was like an unbreakable, brick wall. The defense wasn't the only unit that was operating on all cylinders; their offense had an outburst of points led by Isaac Perrigan, Tra Adams, Mathew Branham, Austin Johnson, and Isaac Davis. Each of these players are seniors, which lead the team. At the end of the first half, the Raiders were up on the Warriors, 20-13.
After halftime, the Raiders received the ball, moved the ball down the field and rushed the ball in for a touchdown. Chilhowie answered right back with a touchdown of their own. Closing the third quarter, the Warriors returned a kick off back for a touchdown, making the score 33-20. Going into the final quarter of the game, the Raiders really locked things down on defense and played smart by wasting a lot of the clock on offense. The Raiders scored one more time and were successful on a two point conversion play. The warriors scored one more time, but the field goal attempt was no good as the Raiders' Mathew Jones blocked the kick. Also, the Raiders' Nelson Tate had an interception that allowed the Raiders to run the clock down. The game ended with the Raiders upsetting the Warriors, 41-26.
All in all, both teams played a very good game, but in the end, JIB came out with the first win of the season. I enjoyed playing in the game and hope to have many more victories this year.
In the first quarter, the Raiders were allowing Chilhowie to stick around and hang with them, making it look like it was going to be a fight, but then it seemed as if the Raiders' defense was like an unbreakable, brick wall. The defense wasn't the only unit that was operating on all cylinders; their offense had an outburst of points led by Isaac Perrigan, Tra Adams, Mathew Branham, Austin Johnson, and Isaac Davis. Each of these players are seniors, which lead the team. At the end of the first half, the Raiders were up on the Warriors, 20-13.
After halftime, the Raiders received the ball, moved the ball down the field and rushed the ball in for a touchdown. Chilhowie answered right back with a touchdown of their own. Closing the third quarter, the Warriors returned a kick off back for a touchdown, making the score 33-20. Going into the final quarter of the game, the Raiders really locked things down on defense and played smart by wasting a lot of the clock on offense. The Raiders scored one more time and were successful on a two point conversion play. The warriors scored one more time, but the field goal attempt was no good as the Raiders' Mathew Jones blocked the kick. Also, the Raiders' Nelson Tate had an interception that allowed the Raiders to run the clock down. The game ended with the Raiders upsetting the Warriors, 41-26.
All in all, both teams played a very good game, but in the end, JIB came out with the first win of the season. I enjoyed playing in the game and hope to have many more victories this year.
Volleyball program gets new jerseys
This season, the John I. Burton volleyball program bought new jerseys. The need for new jerseys was becoming very obvious, especially in the junior varsity. program. Although our varsity jerseys were really nice when we first bought them, around six years ago, we really needed the update. Jazlyn A. said, "I've wanted new jerseys since Coach Potter took over my sophomore year and it's so great to finally get them. We have worked hard to raise the money, and they were worth it. They look and feel great! We love them! " Most of the teams around here have long sleeve jerseys and we have been wanting them for a while now. The VHSL regulations have also changed and we had to have a solid-colored jersey.
The volleyball team had to do some major fund-raising to afford the jerseys. We also needed new balls, shoes, spandex, and socks. We still have a lot of fund-raising to do, but we profited a lot from the first regular season football game by selling half-and-half (be sure to buy some half-and-half from us during any home football game) and selling programs, which were usually sold by the cheerleaders in the previous years. We also sold apples for around three weeks and we make around four dollars off of each nine dollar apple.
We unveiled our brand new jerseys at the Virginia Highlands Community College tournament at Patrick Henry this past Saturday, September 5th, Coach Potter jokingly told us there had been an error in the production of our jerseys; she said they were purple. Little did she know that it made us even more sad that the jerseys were actually black.
I spoke with a few teammates about their opinions on our new jerseys. According to senior, Haley G.: "I feel like getting new jerseys was an accomplishment for us because after Coach Bright left we struggled with volleyball funding . . . We had to start over again with no money at all." She continued on to say that it had been their goal to purchase new jerseys since Coach Potter took over. With this goal accomplished, Haley continued on to say : "It should make us feel proud of ourselves for all the hard work we've put into fundraising."
In conclusion, I personally really like the new jerseys. Not only are they stylish, but they also keep players cool and comfy while playing. Come out and support your Lady Raiders at the first home game this season on Thursday, September 10th. Make sure to check out our new all black attire.
The volleyball team had to do some major fund-raising to afford the jerseys. We also needed new balls, shoes, spandex, and socks. We still have a lot of fund-raising to do, but we profited a lot from the first regular season football game by selling half-and-half (be sure to buy some half-and-half from us during any home football game) and selling programs, which were usually sold by the cheerleaders in the previous years. We also sold apples for around three weeks and we make around four dollars off of each nine dollar apple.We unveiled our brand new jerseys at the Virginia Highlands Community College tournament at Patrick Henry this past Saturday, September 5th, Coach Potter jokingly told us there had been an error in the production of our jerseys; she said they were purple. Little did she know that it made us even more sad that the jerseys were actually black.
I spoke with a few teammates about their opinions on our new jerseys. According to senior, Haley G.: "I feel like getting new jerseys was an accomplishment for us because after Coach Bright left we struggled with volleyball funding . . . We had to start over again with no money at all." She continued on to say that it had been their goal to purchase new jerseys since Coach Potter took over. With this goal accomplished, Haley continued on to say : "It should make us feel proud of ourselves for all the hard work we've put into fundraising."
In conclusion, I personally really like the new jerseys. Not only are they stylish, but they also keep players cool and comfy while playing. Come out and support your Lady Raiders at the first home game this season on Thursday, September 10th. Make sure to check out our new all black attire.
Senior's study Renaissance Literature
On September 4th, Mrs. Bias's first block English 12 students completed a poster board project on the Renaissance age. These projects were based on pieces they read during their study of British Renaissance literature. The Renaissance was a period of time that lasted from approximately the15th century to the early 17th century, in which a lot of famous art and poetry was created.Some of the pieces they read included Shakespeare's "Sonnet #18" and "Sonnet #29," as well as an excerpt from Milton's "Paradise Lost."
During this project, each English 12 student was assigned to select a piece from Renaissance literature which was covered during class. Each student had to create a poster board based on their piece. The students had to summarize their poem in four or fewer lines. They also had to select an important quote and include imagery from the poem on their poster board. Mrs. Bias said her favorite posters were by Zack Fletcher and Ryan Hensley. Both projects were on "Paradise Lost," a poem written by John Milton. These projects were only a few of the of the posters on display in Mrs. Bias's room.
Mrs. Bias said, "I was pleased with the final outcome of this project and will do more in the future. The students have definitely met my expectations on this project." The students had one week to complete this assignment. The best were hung up in her room. This project was a great way to let the students show their creativity while displaying an understanding of the works of literary greats from the Renaissance.
Mrs. Bias said, "I was pleased with the final outcome of this project and will do more in the future. The students have definitely met my expectations on this project." The students had one week to complete this assignment. The best were hung up in her room. This project was a great way to let the students show their creativity while displaying an understanding of the works of literary greats from the Renaissance.
John I. Burton's new chess club
On September 3rd in the school's library, I had the opportunity to interview our chess club sponsor, Mrs. Wampler, about her newest undertaking: The Chess Club. I proposed this interview to her to find out more information about the new club. The chess club began this year when a student named Tyler Ingle proposed this idea to her.
When asked why she chose to host the chess club, Mrs. Wampler replied: "I had no special reasoning; I just wanted to give students who wished to play chess the satisfaction of playing during the activity period." When I asked how many students attended the chess club, her response was: "There was a rough estimate of ten students." I then asked if she wished the chess club had more resources. She responded, "I wish that there were more boards so that more students can play at one time, and I also would not mind if more students joined." Finally, I asked for a piece of advice she wished to share for students who want to join chess club. She advised, "If a student wishes to join, come in the library during the activity period and be prepared to watch and learn."
I overall enjoyed this interview with Mrs. Wampler. She gave very important information about the chess club. I would recommend to anyone that is not part of any existing club to join them in the library on the last Friday of the month during the activity period. You will not regret it.
When asked why she chose to host the chess club, Mrs. Wampler replied: "I had no special reasoning; I just wanted to give students who wished to play chess the satisfaction of playing during the activity period." When I asked how many students attended the chess club, her response was: "There was a rough estimate of ten students." I then asked if she wished the chess club had more resources. She responded, "I wish that there were more boards so that more students can play at one time, and I also would not mind if more students joined." Finally, I asked for a piece of advice she wished to share for students who want to join chess club. She advised, "If a student wishes to join, come in the library during the activity period and be prepared to watch and learn."
I overall enjoyed this interview with Mrs. Wampler. She gave very important information about the chess club. I would recommend to anyone that is not part of any existing club to join them in the library on the last Friday of the month during the activity period. You will not regret it.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Weekly announcements 9/8-9/11
Seniors who wish to apply for the Slemp Scholarship should see Mrs. Cook for an application.
Attention Book Club members: Book club will meet on Friday, September 25th during both lunches in the library. Make sure you have read a novel by this date. Anyone interested in joining Book Club can still sign up with Mrs. Bias.
All members of the drama team are reminded about Thursday night practice at 6:00 pm. Ms. Davis will be here at 5:00 pm to work on the set if anyone can join her then.
On Wednesday, September 9, sophomore pictures will be in the morning. Wednesday after lunch will be senior formals for boys. Boys need to wear some type of t-shirt or tank top under their clothes. Everything else will be provided.
On Thursday, September 10, Freshman and eighth grade pictures will be in the morning.
Staff can come in for pictures any day before noon.
Senior casuals are optional but can be taken upon request.
FCS will meet during first and second lunch in auditorium on Wednesday, 9/9. Attend to be fed spiritually and physically.
Attention Book Club members: Book club will meet on Friday, September 25th during both lunches in the library. Make sure you have read a novel by this date. Anyone interested in joining Book Club can still sign up with Mrs. Bias.
All members of the drama team are reminded about Thursday night practice at 6:00 pm. Ms. Davis will be here at 5:00 pm to work on the set if anyone can join her then.
On Wednesday, September 9, sophomore pictures will be in the morning. Wednesday after lunch will be senior formals for boys. Boys need to wear some type of t-shirt or tank top under their clothes. Everything else will be provided.
On Thursday, September 10, Freshman and eighth grade pictures will be in the morning.
Staff can come in for pictures any day before noon.
Senior casuals are optional but can be taken upon request.
FCS will meet during first and second lunch in auditorium on Wednesday, 9/9. Attend to be fed spiritually and physically.
The life of a school nurse
Have you ever wondered how much work is put into being a school nurse? There are many hard working employees that do not get the full credit they deserve. I had the chance to speak with one of the most hard working employees here at John I. Burton. As I spoke with the school nurse, Ms. Shannon, she began to tell me just how important her job is. Nurse Shannon's job begins as soon as she walks through the door. I asked her what her job is as a nurse and what she does throughout the day. In reply she said that, as a school nurse, it is her job to care for the students that get hurt during school hours, administer medicine to those students that need it daily, and to help manage the school's diabetic students as well.
I then asked her what are some of the expectations that Mr.Williams has for her specifically. She mentioned that a few of the things that are expected of her are also expected from other teachers, such as being available when needed, showing professional behavior at all times, and treating students fairly. I also asked how many ill students she sees in one day. The average amount of students at John I. Burton that come see the nurse with complaints of illness or injury in one day varies from about 3 to 4 on some days to about 15 to 20 on others. This, therefore, implies that this job is not for everyone, except for those who truly care for students.
There are an abundance of students sick, especially around the fall and winter seasons. Nurse Shannon stated there is a little stomach bug going around which is lasting from 24 to 48 hours. Students have also been complaining of cold- like symptoms, such as head and chest congestion, but she infers it could be allergies. Nurse Shannon said, "A part of a school nurses job is to keep track of the communicable diseases and contagious illnesses (strep, mono, or the flu). If a student has a fever or is vomiting, it is a good indicator they should go home to lower the chance of the illness spreading throughout the school. These two symptoms authenticate the child has a contagious infection in their body." Nurse Shannon's knowledge and awareness of these symptoms could help stop the spread of infectious diseases. The nurse is an important part of the staff and does a tremendous amount of work to keep the students healthy.
I then asked her what are some of the expectations that Mr.Williams has for her specifically. She mentioned that a few of the things that are expected of her are also expected from other teachers, such as being available when needed, showing professional behavior at all times, and treating students fairly. I also asked how many ill students she sees in one day. The average amount of students at John I. Burton that come see the nurse with complaints of illness or injury in one day varies from about 3 to 4 on some days to about 15 to 20 on others. This, therefore, implies that this job is not for everyone, except for those who truly care for students.
There are an abundance of students sick, especially around the fall and winter seasons. Nurse Shannon stated there is a little stomach bug going around which is lasting from 24 to 48 hours. Students have also been complaining of cold- like symptoms, such as head and chest congestion, but she infers it could be allergies. Nurse Shannon said, "A part of a school nurses job is to keep track of the communicable diseases and contagious illnesses (strep, mono, or the flu). If a student has a fever or is vomiting, it is a good indicator they should go home to lower the chance of the illness spreading throughout the school. These two symptoms authenticate the child has a contagious infection in their body." Nurse Shannon's knowledge and awareness of these symptoms could help stop the spread of infectious diseases. The nurse is an important part of the staff and does a tremendous amount of work to keep the students healthy.
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Restoration of the clock tower
Recently, it has been brought to my attention that the JIB clock tower, one of the most recognizable features of our building, has not worked for some time. I continue to hear members of the community say that the clock has not worked since they went to school; however, Dr. Perrigan, our superintendent, has recently began a plan to fully restore the clock tower to its former glory. According to Perrigan, the clock really does work! He told me approximately $5,000 dollars has been spent to get it working again. He is continuing to raise funds for a full restoration. He plans on purchasing a plaque for the clock tower to recognize war veterans in the City of Norton, which was the original purpose. He also plans on possibly getting lights to illuminate the tower at night, or maybe even a chime for when the clock strikes a certain hour, if he can raise enough money. In the words of Harold Gibson, "I represent the Clock Tower of the new Norton High School. I am a monument to the students of Norton High who have lost their lives in the wars of the past half century. I shall ever stand as a reminder that though their sacrifices we are still able to build institutions such as this one. As the clock that I contain ticks away the many years, let us hope that through the learning obtained here, as well as in other such schools, there will not be any more wars."
The exact amount it will cost to finish the clock remains uncertain at this time. I'm personally really excited to see this important feature work once again. Dr. Perrigan is asking for donations to help restore the clock tower. If you have any questions as to how to donate, you can reach him on twitter at https://twitter.com/nortonsuper and his email is kperrigan@nortoncityschools.org. Please help us restore the John I. Burton clock tower!
A new tradition
On Friday, August 28 Burton hosted its first football tailgate. Some students of John I. Burton High School organized this tailgate party for students from grades 10-12. The majority of the students that helped organized this event were seniors; they put their own money and hard work into making this event happen. While talking to Vallen Ellis, a senior at John I. Burton who helped with this event, she said she was very pleased with the turnout.
At this party, there was free pizza, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Everyone that had a car and participated in the event decorated their car with paint, balloons, streamers and decorative ribbons. Some of the students taught our superintendent, Dr. Keith Perrigan, how to 'Hit the Quan', which is a new dance that is popular right now. If you did not show up for this event you definitely missed out.
While talking to some classmates about this event, they told me that they would like to continue with more tailgate parties in the future. Taylor Collins said, "It was a great experience for everyone that attended and I hope to make this a tradition at John I. Burton." Personally, I would love to participate in more tailgate parties. Everyone seemed to have a good time at this event, so we are thankful for the students that made it happen.
At this party, there was free pizza, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Everyone that had a car and participated in the event decorated their car with paint, balloons, streamers and decorative ribbons. Some of the students taught our superintendent, Dr. Keith Perrigan, how to 'Hit the Quan', which is a new dance that is popular right now. If you did not show up for this event you definitely missed out.
While talking to some classmates about this event, they told me that they would like to continue with more tailgate parties in the future. Taylor Collins said, "It was a great experience for everyone that attended and I hope to make this a tradition at John I. Burton." Personally, I would love to participate in more tailgate parties. Everyone seemed to have a good time at this event, so we are thankful for the students that made it happen.
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
The school dress code
On August 28th, I reached out to a few students and faculty members at John I. Burton High School to discuss the school dress code, which I feel has been more strictly enforced this year. I wanted to know why students (from both genders) were being accused of wearing "distracting" clothing, such as yoga pants, spaghetti straps, and tank tops. Students accused of violating the dress code are usually sent to the office and asked to put on clothing with appropriate coverage. To get more information about the dress code, I asked Coach Williams, our principal. a few questions. Below is the information I obtained from him.
I first asked his opinion on the dress code. He responded saying that the dress code was put into place for educational purposes and to promote self respect. I then asked if there was a specific time of year the dress code is broken. He answered saying, "Spring and the start of the school year with about 4-5 write ups a week." I asked if there was a grade that broke the dress code more than any other grade; he ultimately thought that no single grade broke the dress code more than any other. When I asked him why the dress code is broken, he answered like this: "The kids let social media influence them in what they can wear what society considers normal. When, to others, it is inappropriate and distracting." Then I asked why the dress code has gotten more strict, and Mr. Williams responded with, "I do not necessarily think that the dress code has gotten stricter, but society has gotten more relaxed." When I asked if he thought tank tops could pose a distraction in class, he responded with, "Yes, I know for a fact."
I think that there is a reason for the school dress code just like everything else for our school. It's there to help us not hurt us. It teaches us how to act as young adults and prepare us for a job. As for me, I don't have a problem with it. It makes sense in a public school to have a dress code, but I'm glad we don't have uniforms. If you think about it, we have a freedom of choice. Sure, it's limited, but it lets us show our creativity. Just remember that if we all looked the same the school would be a boring place.
I first asked his opinion on the dress code. He responded saying that the dress code was put into place for educational purposes and to promote self respect. I then asked if there was a specific time of year the dress code is broken. He answered saying, "Spring and the start of the school year with about 4-5 write ups a week." I asked if there was a grade that broke the dress code more than any other grade; he ultimately thought that no single grade broke the dress code more than any other. When I asked him why the dress code is broken, he answered like this: "The kids let social media influence them in what they can wear what society considers normal. When, to others, it is inappropriate and distracting." Then I asked why the dress code has gotten more strict, and Mr. Williams responded with, "I do not necessarily think that the dress code has gotten stricter, but society has gotten more relaxed." When I asked if he thought tank tops could pose a distraction in class, he responded with, "Yes, I know for a fact."
I think that there is a reason for the school dress code just like everything else for our school. It's there to help us not hurt us. It teaches us how to act as young adults and prepare us for a job. As for me, I don't have a problem with it. It makes sense in a public school to have a dress code, but I'm glad we don't have uniforms. If you think about it, we have a freedom of choice. Sure, it's limited, but it lets us show our creativity. Just remember that if we all looked the same the school would be a boring place.
"The Verlane Crossing"
Recently, I read the book "The Verlane Crossing" in the school library. It was written by Steven Otfinoski. This book tells about a man named Roger Morgan, who knew that spies were trying to steal Dr. Underwood's research papers, or perhaps to kidnap Dr. Underwood who is a government scientist.The hard part for Roger was determining who were the real spies who were after the research and who were the secret agents that were trying to protect Dr. Underwood and his papers.
The main character of this story is Roger Morgan and the side characters are Nancy, Dr. Underwood, Harry, Dawson,Vanic, the fat man, and the conductor. Nancy is Roger's friend and partner. They are both employed by Dr. Underwood. Harry is assigned to protect Dr. Underwood. If you want to find out who Dawson,Vanic, the fat man, and the conductor are then check out the book yourself.
The main part of the story focuses on how Roger tries to play detective. Upon doing that, he makes constant mistakes that hinder the agency's progress. I found this story to be very entertaining despite the short length. If this story sounds interesting to you, then I recommend that you check it out in John I. Burton High School's library.
The main character of this story is Roger Morgan and the side characters are Nancy, Dr. Underwood, Harry, Dawson,Vanic, the fat man, and the conductor. Nancy is Roger's friend and partner. They are both employed by Dr. Underwood. Harry is assigned to protect Dr. Underwood. If you want to find out who Dawson,Vanic, the fat man, and the conductor are then check out the book yourself.
The main part of the story focuses on how Roger tries to play detective. Upon doing that, he makes constant mistakes that hinder the agency's progress. I found this story to be very entertaining despite the short length. If this story sounds interesting to you, then I recommend that you check it out in John I. Burton High School's library.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)