Farewell for the 2016-2017 school year

This fall semester, a group of twelve students, ten sophomores and two juniors, were placed into the Online Communications course.  At first, the students did not know what to expect in this class.  After figuring out what they would be doing, they soon realized this class differed from other elective courses. Here are the roles the students played throughout the fall semester while participating in Burton's Blog.

Sophomore Austin Q., and Junior Michael M., had the pleasure of  being technical assistants who would fix any technical difficulties that occurred. Sophomores Makayla M., and Tiffany A., and Junior Tori F., had the honor of being advertisers that would come up with new ideas each week to advertise the blog. Sophomores Paloma B., and Kim H., managed the blog's appearance by fixing any highlighting errors and the updating its appearance. Sophomore Haley Q., took on the role of being the photographer for the blog, taking any photos that were needed. Sophomores Alex C., Megan D., and Haley H. took on the role of editing the students' articles before they were sent to Mrs. Bias for final review and publication.

All the students that were in the fall semester of Online Communications have enjoyed being in this class and contributing to the blog. Makayla M. said, "This class has created friendships that will last a lifetime." Haley Q agreed, saying, "This class has made many memories, and we all will certainly miss being part of the blog." Every student agrees that this class has helped them gain confidence and become more engaged in what is happening around the school. It has also improved all of our writing skills.

The 2016 fall semester blog students wants to wish all the new comers good luck and hope they can keep the the blog as interesting as we have. We all suggest if anyone enjoys writing and being creative to join the Online Communications class. The students in this class have learned the true meaning of teamwork and because of that we have bonded as a whole. 

Written by: Tori F. and Austin Q.

"My Life Next Door:" "A boy. A secret. A summer."

"My Life Next Door" by Huntley Fitzpatrick is a novel full of friendship, family, and romance.  Samantha Reed's family is as perfect as it can be without her father, who left them before she was born.  The Garretts are the polar opposites of the Reeds:  unorganized, obnoxious, and caring.

For the past ten years, ever since the Garretts moved in next door to them, Samantha's mother has looked down on the Garretts, calling them indecent.  Samantha has always watched the Garretts, yearning to be one of them.  Then everything changes the night Jase meets Samantha, after climbing up to her roof.  The Garretts welcome Samantha with open arms, while her own family and friends know nothing of her and Jase's relationship.  When the unimaginable happens and Samantha's world comes crashing down, she is faced with an undecidable decisions.

Will she ever tell her family and friends? Will Samantha be able to stay true to one she loves, without misleading another?  This book is available in the John I. Burton library.

Written by: Haley H.

Adios, Senora Beauchamp!

Sadly, John I. Burton's Spanish teacher of eight years will be leaving this chapter of her life behind.  This December, will be her last month of employment with Norton City Schools.  When this semester ends, she and her husband will be leaving Norton City. They will be moving to Hartford, Virginia as he was offered another position regarding his work.

Mrs. Beauchamp will be continuing to  teach Spanish but it will be at Chesapeake Public Schools.  The school she is transferring to contains 1,300 students, eight foreign language teachers, and a variety of foreign language courses.  She admits that she will miss teaching and coaching at Burton, along with the community and the scenery.  Her favorite part of teaching at a small school is knowing the names of everyone in the school system.

The students and faculty will dearly miss Mrs. Beauchamp.  Everyone at Burton believes that she will succeed at her new school and community.  As she turns the page to begin her next journey, students and teachers wish her the best of luck.   ¡Buena suerte, señora!

Written by: Megan D., Alex C., and Paloma B.

"Pasadena:" The truth behind Maggie's death

It is the summer before senior year and Jude is trying to enjoy some time with her cousins who live on the east coast. Jude has lived in Pasadena, California since her mother and father separated. One day, not long after arriving at her cousins, she gets a phone call. The heartbreaking call reveals that her best friend, Maggie, is dead.

Jude and Maggie had been best friends for years. They told each other everything, even their deepest secrets, or that's what Jude believed anyways. After getting the news of Maggie's death, Jude immediately repacks her belongings and gets on a plane to go back to Pasadena. When she arrives, she finds out that Maggie drowned in her family swimming pool and had traces of drugs in her system the night she died. Maggie's friends and family all think that it was an accident or suicide but Jude does not think so. She thinks that Maggie was killed and is determined to find out who committed the crime.

Was Jude right about Maggie being murdered? Does she ever find out who did it or does she realize that it was never a murder in the first place? To find out, check out the book "Pasadena" written by Sherri L. Smith from the John I. Burton library!

Written by: Tiffany A.

Merry Christmas from the National Honor Society

On  December 22, Mrs. Poteet and the National Honor Society will be going to Heritage Hall for their fall project. Each student has adopted a member of the nursing home and will buy them one or more Christmas presents. The student will purchase gifts for their angel with their own personal funds. Students will present their gifts and cater to members of the nursing home at their annual Christmas party.

The nursing home adoption is a great opportunity for the National Honor Society students to understand the meaning of Christmas. Vice President, Mazzy T., stated "I hope that we realize how much more it is to give than to receive this Christmas."  Senior, Torie A., says that she hope that the students learn to appreciate what they have and never take anything for granted. Today's youth frequently wish for gaming systems and smartphones, while members of the nursing home wish for necessities, such as lotion and socks. Nowadays, young men and women do not always realize that they are very privileged.

This year is Mrs. Poteet's second year as adviser of National Honor Society. She thinks that it is important to have a group of students to represent John I. Burton in a positive manner. This is also the second year the students have visited Heritage Hall at Christmas time. Students may be a member of the National Honor Society during their junior and senior year.  To be a part of the National Honor Society, students must have at least a 3.5 grade point average, compose a personal narrative essay. obtain one or more teacher recommendations, and complete the application provided by Mrs. Poteet. Students are encouraged to join so that they may become a positive influence in the community.

Written by: Alex C. and Haley H.

Saying our goodbyes to Dr. Perrigan

On November 22, 2016 students and teachers at Burton were informed that  Dr. Keith Perrigan would be resigning as Norton City Schools' superintendent. On January 1, he will be occupying the superintendent position at Bristol schools. His last day working at Norton will be December 31st.

Dr. Perrigan said, "I am originally from Bristol and my entire family lives in that area. This was a very difficult decision to make but family always has to come first." He also says he will miss the people that he has met in this area. Perrigan stated that the students, staff, and community are the best he has ever worked with. He will miss watching the students learn and grow the most. Dr. Perrigan enjoyed working in Norton, and working with the students was his favorite part of his job. He hopes to take some ideas from Norton with him to Bristol, including how Norton uses Twitter to get information out to the students and the use of project based learning.

Our new superintendent will be Mrs. Gina Wohlford, currently the principal of NEMS. Dr. Perrigan would like to give Mrs. Gina some words of wisdom: "Always ask yourself what is best for the kids." He hopes Norton remembers him as a superintendent who always made the students his first priority. Here are some words or wisdom for the students: " You are getting a top notch education in Norton, use what you learn to solve tomorrow's problems by creating new and innovative solutions. Finally, Dr. Perrigan stated, "I loved working in Norton. It has been one of my most valuable professional experiences."

Written by: Makayla M.

Taking education to a new level: Topographic sandbox

On Friday December 2, three guest speakers from NASA Development came to visit John I. Burton's science department.  The guest speakers came to Mrs. Scott's 8th grade physical science class to discuss topographic maps.  The speakers, Micheal Brooke, Christine Stevens, and Aubrey Hilte, brought an augmented-reality sandbox for a hands-on learning experience.  The sandbox allowed the class to create bodies of water and any form of elevation.  This allows the users of the sandbox to have an overview of a created region.

The machine uses 3D visualization applications to project elevation lines on a regular sandbox.  The sandbox was not the only tool used in that lecture.  The visitors also brought authentic topographic maps as well as a PowerPoint.

Ms. Scott hopes that the session taught her students how to use/read topographic maps.   She states, "I hope this experience encourages them to read topographic maps properly.  This was a good learning experience for them."

Written by: Tiffany A. and Paloma B.

A WattPad series

 If you have not read the book review for Expiration date I recommend reading that first. Click here to read it: http://nortoncityschools.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-girl-who-never-expired.html

"Expired Generation" is the second book of the series "Expiration Date." This sequel focuses on the time where Iris is infiltrated into the society and the many events that takes place including the ball, and the gathering of the world leaders. Iris also chooses who she would like to be with in this book.

In this series, there are two types of people: the people who accept the society called zetas, and rebels to the society. While the rebels try to take over the society, the zetas stay loyal. Iris is stuck deciding what side she should take.

Which guy will she end up choosing? Jonas the one with power or Erik the one with love? What is underneath the society?  The book "Expired Generation" can be found on WattPad, as can the second book of the series "Expiration Date" both written by Mikaela Bender.

Written by: Michael M.

Everything is "Falling into Place"

"Falling into Place," by Amy Zhang, is a heartbreaking story that tells about a junior in high school, and how her life used to be.  At the very beginning, Liz purposefully wrecks her car.  Prior to the wreck, Liz learned about Newton's Laws of Motion in physics class and she becomes a victim to these laws when she runs her Mercedes off the road. In Physics class she did not understand Newton's Laws of Motion and even as her Mercedes hurtles toward a tree, it makes no sense. 


Throughout the book it tells about Liz Emerson's short and devastating life.  At the time of Liz's car accident, her mom, Monica Emerson was on a plane and her father was not home.  Later readers find out that this accident was not truly an "accident:" Liz Emerson wanted to die.

A few moments before her crash, she remembers the little girl she was before and everything starts falling into place.  In her last moments she was not alone.  She felt as if the friend she envisioned during childhood was in the passenger seat with her hand over hers.

Who was her childhood friend?  Why did Liz Emerson decide that her life was no longer important?  To find out why everything fell into place before her suicide, check out "Falling into Place," by Amy Zhang in Burton's library.  

Written by: Kim H.

"First & Then:" Tragic pasts and new beginnings

In the novel"First and Then" by Emma Mills, Devon Tennyson is a senior at TS High School who has no plans for her future.  Thanks to Devon's procrastination and lack of motivation, she is stuck taking a freshman gym class with her socially awkward cousin.  Foster, Devon's cousin, has recently moved in with her family because of his absent mother and deceased father. The town's star football player, Ezra Lynley, is also taking the class and discovers Foster's hidden talent: football.  Along with Devon's struggles with Foster and college plans, she is secretly crushing on her lifelong best friend Cassidy.  "First and Then" is a story of self discovery, romance, and unexpected friendships.

When Ezra begins coaching Foster to be the next star kicker on the football team, unlikely feelings emerge between Ezra and Devon.  The two bond over football, the school newspaper, and Jane Austen.  When their rival team's captain is killed in drunk driving accident, Ezra lashes out at Foster and Devon because of events that occurred in his past.  This puts a strain on their relationship and everything between them changes.

Will Devon and Ezra push through their differences? Will Foster ever feel like he belongs with his family or on the football team?  Read "First and Then" by Emma Mills to join these characters on their journey through the ups and downs of Devon's senior year.

Written by: Megan D.

Everything, but nothing

Madeline Whittier has never stepped a foot outside of her air locked home; she has never met anyone besides her mother and her nurse, Carla. This is because Maddy has a very rare disease called Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, or SCID for short. In the novel "Everything, Everything" by Nicola Yoon, Madeline Whittier is not the average eighteen year old teenage girl.  SCID causes Maddy to have reactions to everything in the world.  These reactions are set off by unknown triggers, which could be things as simple as the air she is breathing to the sun on her skin.

Even though she is allergic to the world, this does not keep Maddy from enjoying life. She spends her days reading and attending school via Skype and her evenings with her mother playing board games such as Honor Pictionary and Scrabble.  Along with these normal daily activities, Madeline receives hourly health checks from her personal nurse, Carla. She continues with that routine until the day the new neighbors move in. 

Oliver Bright, better known as Olly, is the new boy next door.  Maddy and Olly's rooms are straight across from each other and this leads to them seeing each other. One night, Olly writes a message to Maddy on his window, which included his email address. Out of curiosity Maddy emails Olly and they connect instantly. They begin to message each other every night and soon build a close friendship. This leads to the two wanting to meet each other, risking Maddy's health. 

As time passes, Maddy gains permission from Carla, for a visitation from Olly.  Thus, they finally meet and later develop a "more than friends" relationship.  But what will happen to their relationship if Maddy can never leave her house? Will she let SCID control her life, or will she take a chance that could possible end it? Will Olly be intolerant Maddy's illness or will love conquer all? Find out in the heart-wrenching novel "Everything, Everything."

Written By: Haley Q.

The countdown to Christmas

With Christmas spirit flooding the halls, John I. Burton is welcoming a central American holiday. This is a time meant for peace and joy, caring and giving. The .Raiders are looking forward to a variety of holiday traditions.

Cold winter nights will shortly be filled with Christmas movies accompanied by a warm cup of hot cocoa. Torie A., senior, always goes to Bristol Motor Speedway during the holiday season to be amazed by the spectacular Christmas lights.Mrs. Poteet always purchases a Christmas tree ornament with her husband every year, marking another year together.  Most Raiders also share similar traditions, a few of these include: a family gathering, gift exchanges, and a Christmas meal.  As the countdown to Christmas continues, each of the Raiders are starting to celebrate in their own way.


To get in the Christmas spirit, the Raiders along with their families are decorating their homes and trees in a festive way.  Most students and teachers have already started setting out Christmas decorations around their homes. A few of these decorations include Christmas trees and lights, wreaths and garland, and to top it off, Santa Clause with his reindeer. John I. Burton has been completely transformed into a holiday wonderland as well.  Mrs. Poteet, the school librarian, made her very own book tree. In addition to the decorations and tree in the cafeteria, there is a Raider tree in the lobby.

This weekend will also be important for holiday celebrations.  There are three upcoming Christmas parades, in which the Raider band will be participating. The days for these parades are Appalachia on Friday, December 2; Wise on Saturday December 3; and Norton City on Sunday, December 4. Be sure to come out and show your holiday spirit! 

Written by: Haley H. and Haley Q

He never goes out, but lets others in

Stepping outside to go to school or the backyard seems to be a simple task, but for some people, it seems to be impossible. "Highly Illogical Behavior" by John Corey Whaley tells the story of Solomon Reed, a sixteen year old boy, with severe anxiety as well as a seventeen-year-old girl, Lisa Praytor, who is determined to "fix" Solomon, due to her interest in psychology.  John Corey Whaley's third book, "Highly Illogical Behavior" is an eye-opening story that reaches beyond the surface and finds abnormalities and friendships between unexpected characters.

Solomon Reed suffers from agoraphobia, which is a fear of situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment.  When he was in junior high, he stopped leaving his house. Now, it has been over 3 years since he has gone outside. Lisa Praytor, an ambitious former classmate of Solomon, is searching for colleges with the best psychology programs. She finds her dream school to be Woodlawn University, which has the second highest ranked psychology program in the country. To go to Woodlawn, she must write an extraordinary essay in order to receive a full scholarship. She plans to write about "the kid who never left home again."

As Lisa begins to evaluate Sol, she realizes that she started out with the wrong intentions and tries to change her relationship with him.  She begins to forget that this is only for an essay. Over time, Solomon, Lisa, and Clark, Lisa's boyfriend, form a powerful friendship. Will they continue to be friends after high school? Will Lisa be accepted to Woodlawn? Is Sol ever going to leave the comfort of his home? Visit John I. Burton's library and check out this story that emphasizes the appreciation of the little things in life. 

Written by: Alex C.

ASVAB steers students toward future career options

On Friday, September 16, 2016, Burton's sophomore class took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.  The ASVAB program is administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command to determine if the one taking the test is qualified to enlist in the United States Armed Forces.  The test can also be used to guide students to a suitable career.

On September 29, the results were distributed to the students.  On that same day, the students took an aptitude test that was provided by the ASVAB program.  The "F.Y.I." test described each student by grouping him/her into different categories such as Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.  After the student is categorized, the program then offers hundreds of options for careers that best suit that individual.

Most students felt as though the ASVAB test and "FYI" test provided them with accurate results and career options that suited their interests.  One sophomore who agreed with the feedback said, "For the most part I do agree, but I feel like just one test would not define my knowledge."  The test is available for anyone who is interested in joining the military or for anyone who is exploring career options.  To take the test, visit the closest Military Entrance Processing Station.  

Written by: Megan D. and Tiffany A.

Student Thanksgiving traditions

On Thursday, November 24th, 2016 families throughout the United States gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Here in Norton, students celebrate Thanksgiving in many different ways. Some go out to eat at a restaurant, others cook at their houses, or some go to other family members houses. Even though families celebrate the same holiday, many celebrate differently, with different traditions or different foods. Many people are also thankful for many different reasons.

Ron Y., Senior at Burton, this year, is thankful for his family and his girlfriend. His favorite Thanksgiving food is turkey, but he also loves to eat many different Asian foods, such as rice and different types of meats. Aaron M.,10th grader, is thankful this year for having a roof over his head and that his family in Mexico is safe. He also says " Don't take Thanksgiving for granted . . . but spend time with your family." Holden H., 9th grader, says his favorite tradition is sitting down with his family and watching the Redskins game.

Most of the students at Burton have celebrated Thanksgiving for many years. A new student, Dwight D., who came to Burton from Thailand has only celebrated Thanksgiving once before. He was hoping that his parents would celebrate it this year. The first time he celebrated Thanksgiving was in Thailand, and his family ate KFC.  This year they could not find the food they preferred so they just ate bread.  Overall he was very thankful for his Thanksgiving.

Written by: Makayla M. and Tori F.

Burton's last football game of the season

On Friday, November 18, John I. Burton faced off against Galax High School in the playoffs.  Before the team headed out on the road, Burton held a pep-rally for the football team.  The team was honored with a heartfelt speech from Coach Adams, and there were performances by the band and the cheerleaders   To celebrate the team's achievements, Burton's students lined the parking lot to send the team off to play Galax.  

By the end of the night the final score of the game was 44-14, ending the season for the Raiders.  Losing this game was very disappointing to the football team and to the school.  Roy T., a senior football player, said, "Galax was stronger than us and we just could not keep up.  We tried to stay in the game until the third quarter and then the team got discouraged."   He believes that in order to make it further next year, the team will need to spend more time in the weight room.  Roy also stated, "This was not the best way to go out.  We could have went to state, which would have been the best way to end my high school career, but they were just better and stronger than us."

Though the team did not advance into the next round of playoffs, they played an amazing season and made John I. Burton proud.  Congratulations to the football team on a great season.  The school can not wait to see what next year has to bring.

Written by: Kim H.

Shoppers rush to the store for Black Friday deals

On Friday, November 25th, millions of people, including those in the Norton community, rushed to a multitude of stores for deals on the day known as Black Friday. Originally, stores did not open until around 6 a.m., but stores are now opening on the day of Thanksgiving. Going to the markets is not the only way to get these deals, customers can also go online to the store websites to shop and get the same deals as well. There is also more modern alternative known as Cyber Monday, in which people can shop online to get the same deals, or even better ones. 

Many students, as well as teachers, from John I. Burton rushed to local stores for the deals. Karli U., a junior at Burton, went to three stores on the eve of Black Friday. She went to Walmart, Belk, and Ulta looking for discounted makeup and jewelry. She said "I believe that this is one of the most hectic holidays that we have, but it is good so people can get items at a marked down price." Mrs. Poteet, the librarian at Burton, also went Black Friday shopping. She went shopping at the Bristol Pinnacle, Target, and Michael's for Christmas presents and also for clothes.

Even though they went Black Friday shopping, they did not go Cyber Monday shopping. If anyone still wants to get  deals online, some stores, such as Walmart, Belk, and Target are having the marked down prices prices through the week on the web.  If you are planning on going Black Friday shopping next year, it should start the eve of Thanksgiving as it was this year.

Written by: Austin Q.

Missing: Mirjam Roosevelt; "The Girl in the Blue Coat"

In the midst of World War II, Hanneke Bakker is asked to complete a task that could end her life. "The Girl in the Blue Coat," by Monica Hesse, is about 19 year old, Hanneke Bakker living in Amsterdam in 1942.  Hanneke works in the black  market; she finds and delivers goods to others, such as food, toys, or even cigarettes, while keeping her job a secret from her overprotective parents.  As each day passes by, Hanneke finds herself falling into a deeper depression as she tried to cope with the loss of her boyfriend, who was killed in the war.

 One fateful day, Hanneke Bakker delivers a pack of cigarettes to Mrs. Janssen.  When Hanneke arrives at her house, Mrs. Janssen reveals a secret that puts them both in danger:  Mrs. Janssen has been hiding a Jewish teen, Mirjam Roosevelt, in a secret room.  Janssen explains that one afternoon, she went to check on Mirjum, only to discover her room was empty.  Hanneke is shocked to discover this information, but not as shocked as she is when Mrs Janssen asks her to find Mirjam.  Hanneke declines the request at first, but after careful consideration, she accepts because of the intriguing mystery of the case, as well as it opening an opportunity for her to rebel against the Nazis.  

As Hanneke's journey begins, she witnesses some of the most negative events she has ever witnessed: her close friends dying, the actions of rebellion groups, and the excruciating pain of the Jewish people being deported.  In the next forty-eight hours, Hanneke accepts it as her destiny to find Mirjam before the Nazis get the chance to.  Check it out from Burton's Library today!

Written By: Paloma B. 

Honoring our community's veterans

On Friday, November 11, 2016, John I. Burton hosted a Veteran's Day Assembly.  History teacher Eddie Sharpe lead this annual event, which took place in the auditorium.  Burton invited veterans to this assembly to be honored by the faculty and students.

John I. Burton's Band and Norton Elementary and Middle School's Choir performed two songs each.  Torie A., a senior from John I. Burton, sang a solo to the song "God Bless the U.S.A." in honor of the veterans.  Senior Kaitlyn H. and juniors Taylor C., Hannah P., and Makenna K. each spoke about a different American war.  Carol Caruso also came on stage and shared her story about her life as a military wife.

Dr. Keith Perrigan, Norton City Schools' superintendent, added his own twist on honoring the veterans by acknowledging the students' who took part in the assembly.  He also announced the winners of the Flagpole Project competition.  The judges decided to combine multiple ideas from Mrs. Wampler's Algebra 2 class and Mrs. Adams' journalism class.  These classes won a free trip to Dollywood.  

Written by: Kim H. and Megan D.

Last performance for "After Night Comes the Morn"

On Thursday, November 17 the John I. Burton's One-Act team performed their original production, "After Night Comes the Morn," for the community one last time. At 7:00 P.M., the Dramatic Raiders and Castlewood High School's Blue Devil Drama teams presented their shows in the John I. Burton High School Auditorium. The two productions were recently displayed at the 1A West Conference Theatre Festival at Coeburn Middle School.

Burton once again entertained the audience with their original piece. The production is about the true story of the murder case of Trigg Maxwell in 1935 in Pound, Virginia. This event resulted in the conviction of one of his daughters Edith Maxwell. This one-act epitomizes how a local event can cause stereotypes about a certain area and their culture. The cast included twelve actors and five technical crew members.


Senior Isaac S. says he is a little sad that this is the last time he would be able to perform in "After Night Comes the Morn." Lilly R. said that her favorite part of the season was the development of new friendships. Both of the students agreed that they were excited to see Castlewood's show for the second time and socialize with their cast.

Castlewood performed their play, "And the Giants Fell" by Todd Ford. This production is based on the tragic event of September 11, 2001. The actors played characters, including participants and victims, involved in the catastrophe. The production portrays how the national event impacted all American citizens. The cast consisted of twenty-one members along with four technical crew members.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported these two teams by visiting John I. Burton. This event was successful and helpful to both of the drama departments. The donations received will be divided between both of the drama teams.

Written by: Alex C. and Haley H.

Burton progresses into second round of playoffs

On Friday, November 4th the John I. Burton Raiders were pronounced the Cumberland District champions of 2016. In addition to this huge accomplishment, the Raiders were also celebrating making the playoffs. This is the fifteenth consecutive year for the Raiders to be competing in the playoffs, but this factor did not hinder the excitement in the Raider community. The first round of playoffs took place on Saturday, November 12th, 2016 with Burton having home field advantage.

The entire first half of the game was extremely excruciating for Raider fans as they watched the Green Waves taking and holding the lead against Burton's point total of zero. As the fans of the Raiders awaited in the stands during half time, the football team was obtaining a heartfelt speech from head coach Mr. Adams. Andrew C., 9 year football player for John I. Burton, stated part of Mr. Adams speech included the words "Man Up." Andrew felt strongly that it was Coach Adam's words of encouragement which rallied the team to come back and beat the Green Waves.

After the Raiders claimed victory over the Narrows, they were given the news . A long road trip to Galax high school was in their future. On Friday November 18th, 2016 the Raiders will be heading to the second round of playoffs against Galax. Senior Roy T. and Junior Andrew C. are both in agreement that the Maroon Tide is a strong team. Roy states "They are better, so if we want to win the Raiders will have to play better than they did on Saturday against the Green Waves."

The pressure is definitely on the Raiders going into the upcoming football game against Galax, due to being defeated by this team last year. However, this will not discourage the Raiders from competing at their all time best on Friday night against the Maroon Waves. Roy T. states that, being a senior, he is encouraged greatly to defeat Galax and to make it to state. He also claims that he "Does not want to go out on a bad note." He wants to win.

To the students whom are interested in going to the game on Friday, there will be a pep bus for a charge of two dollars. There is a sign up sheet in the office for those who want to join in on the trip to Galax. For the Raiders who will be riding on the pep bus, be sure to bring seven dollars to get in to the football game and additional money for any food purchases. Be sure to sign up to show support for the Raider football team!

Everyone here at Burton's Blog would like to wish the Raider football team good luck, as they compete in the second round of playoffs!

Written by: Haley Q

Thanksgiving meal leaves students thankful

On Friday, November 11th, the student body was pleasantly surprised by a special cafeteria lunch in celebration of Thanksgiving.  The meal offered a choice of turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, white rolls, and a choice of spice cake or chocolate pie.  Students were also offered salt, pepper, and butter, which is a rare occurrence.

These lunch selections are only served once a year, near Thanksgiving break. Bonnie, one of Burton's lunch ladies, said that the timing of this special lunch was opportune; it was not only near Thanksgiving, but the Veterans who visited on this day were able to enjoy the meal as well.  The exceptional school meal used to be served three times a year: once near Thanksgiving, once near winter break, and once near spring break.  However, this type of meal can only be served once a year now because of new regulations on school lunches.

Although this lunch is not served very often, the time is drawing near for school lunch menus to change, as menu selections are reconstructed every five years.  Perhaps in the near future, meals such as this will be served more frequently.

Written by: Tiffany A. and Paloma B.

Written in the stars

"Gemini" by Sonya Mukherjee is a young adult novel about two sisters Hailey and Clara. They can not be any more different. Clara likes to fly under the radar and spend her whole day in their local observatory. On the other hand, Hailey is a rebel, who is an aspiring artist with bright pink hair and an edgy style; she wants everyone to notice her. Hailey dreams of seeing the world, but Clara wants to live in her hometown, Bear Pass, for the rest of her life. Yet, the girls will always have one thing in common, they are physically connected by the bottom half of their spinal cords; they are conjoined twins.

Hailey and Clara have grown comfortable with their unique situation after the 17 years they have spent together. For the most part, neither girl would change a thing. That is until a new boy, Max, comes to town. Max seems to be meant for Clara. He is adorable and just so happens to love astronomy just as much as she does. Clara may be too scared to talk to him, but her sister does not mind speaking up for her. Meanwhile, Hailey is developing a crush on Alek, one of their classmates. His passion for art just so happens makes him a perfect match for her. Having a crush is stressful enough without having your sister there every step of the way. As much as Hailey and Clara love each other sometimes they wonder if everything would be easier if they were not conjoined. 

As senior year progresses, the girls discover feelings and truths about themselves. Furthermore, looming in the future is the Sadie Hawkins Dance, a summer at art camp, and enrollment in college in Bear Pass or a chance to travel the world. Wanting to do different things in life leads Hailey and Clara in opposite directions and they struggle to find their places as individuals and twins. As their situation becomes more entangled, Hailey and Clara grapple with an even bigger issue... separation. This could be their ultimate solution to both fulfilling their dreams, but could also lead to serious complications. Even if the surgery is successful, it would mean Hailey and Clara would be apart. Is it possible to make such an important decision when there identities hinge on their bond with each other?

Written by: Makayla M.

A thankful pep rally

On Friday November 11th, 2016, John I. Burton held a pep rally at 2:50 p.m. to thank the football players and band members for all their hard work this season. Band members and football players received treats and rewards presented by the cheerleaders. Members of the football team received special rewards which were representative of their personalities.

Sophomore Austin L., received a candy bar called Whatchamacallit for being the most dazed and confused, and a Kit Kat bar for frequently asking for a break. Sophomore, Andrew C., received a candy bar called Mr. Goodbar because he had the most positive attitude. Freshman, Tyrell I., received a teddy bear for being the most friendly. The afforementioned football players are not the only ones who received rewards; each of players received a unique gift.

Burton is proud of its football players and band members. They have worked hard the entire football season. The students and teachers continue to cheer on their football team as they move into the playoffs and continue to support their band members as they prepare for the Sugar Bowl.  Burton's Blog applauds your efforts!

Written by: Tori Fields

"Three Dark Crowns:" Action, Suspense, Betrayal

On September 20, 2016, "Three Dark Crowns" by Kendare Blake was released to the public.  In this book, every generation of royalty on the island of Fennbirn is gifted with a set of triplets: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

Becoming the crowned queen is not solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it, and it is not just a game of win or lose . . . it is life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins and does not end until there is only one that is left alive. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can not make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella protected. But, with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens' every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest -- she may be the darkest. Want to see how this gruesome battle unfolds? Check it out today in Burton's library.

Written by: Austin Q.

Students' voices heard through mock election

On Monday, November 7, John I. Burton's government students held a mock election. Government students went class to class across the school having the student body vote for the President of the United States, the Ninth Congressional District Representative for the U. S. House of Representatives, and a Norton City School Board member. With the 2016 Presidential Election being held on Tuesday, November 8, this was a well-timed activity which engaged students in the voting process.  

When the students voted for President of the United States, they had five options: Donald Trump as the Republican nominee, Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee, Gary Johnson as the Libertarian nominee, Jill Stein as the Green Party nominee, and Evan McMullin as an Independent politician.  Out of those candidates, Trump took the lead with 71% of the student body's votes.  Following Trump, Clinton came in second place with 20% of the votes.  Behind the two most popular candidates, Johnson received 3%, Stein 2%, and McMullin 1% .  The remaining percentages were write-in votes.

The Ninth Congressional District Representative nominees were as follows: Morgan Griffith, Derek Kitts, and Rick Allen.  62% of Burton's students voted for Morgan Griffith to hold this position.  Kitts acquired the second most votes at 24%, and Allen fell behind with 11% of the votes.

Three local candidates ran against each other for the Norton City School Board's open position.  Those three people were Sherry Adams; Mark Leonard; and write-in candidate, Arthur Jenkins.  Adams preceded the other candidates with 68% of the votes, Leonard came in a close second with 58% of the students votes, and Jenkins followed with 22%.

Written by: Tiffany A. Megan D

District win leads to playoffs

On Friday, November 4th, the Raider football team won the Cumberland District Championship.  This makes the second consecutive year they have won districts.  The Raiders played Thomas Walker on this date and had a final score of 46-7.   The team ended their district with 7 wins and 3 losses.  Therefore, they will be competing in the playoffs.

Junior, Andrew C., says that it feels amazing to have won district.  He also believes that the team can make it to state if they keep working hard and never settle with the level they are at, meaning there is always room for improvement.  Senior, Roy T., agrees that the team should keep practicing to make it to state.

The Raiders are currently preparing for the first playoff game of the season.  The game is on Saturday, November 12 against Narrows at John I. Burton High School.  Come help support the Raiders!

Written by: Paloma B. and Haley H.

A memorable senior night

On November 4, 2016, John I. Burton hosted their annual fall sports' senior night. This night was filled with laughter, tears, and memories. The senior walk started at approximately 7:00 p.m. on the Raider football field and lasted until 7:30. The crowded stadium stood in applause to recognize the seniors accomplishments. Each of the seniors were accompanied by family as they walked out on the 50 yard line to be recognized by fellow classmates and community members.

To begin the night, the senior football players took the lead in walking onto the field, along with their family, to be honored.  Following the football players, the remaining seniors who participated in fall sports were presented: cheer leading, marching band, color guard, cross country, one act, and volleyball. Each individual senior was named and recognized for their accomplishments in fall sports here at Burton.

Most seniors were rewarded with a memorable gift. Some of the gifts included picture frames, medallions, or goody bags. Several seniors including Candice C., Torie A., Austin B., and Ron Y. were all in agreement that this night
was sad but also exciting. Each of the seniors stated they are ready to see what life holds for them in their future after Burton. Candice C., member of the Burton Color Guard for four years, admitted she was very heartbroken as she walked on the field Friday night as a senior her last time.

Several seniors including Roy T., Ron Y., Torie A., and Candice C., all believe the fall sports they were recognized for on Friday night, has shaped them into becoming a better person. Through their experiences, these seniors have been taught values such as independence, responsibility, and leadership. In addition to the joy felt during this walk, the Raiders admitted they felt despondent knowing that their time here at Burton is coming to an end . Torie A. states that she will not only miss cheering on Friday nights but also the friendships she has built during her time at Burton.

All of us here at Burton's Blog would like to congratulate the seniors for all of the accomplishments they have made while at Burton. Seniors, just remember: "Once a Raider, always a Raider."

Written by: Haley Q and Kim H.

Raiders view Chicago: a musical filled with murder and manipulation

On Thursday, November 3 the Dramatic Raiders and a few other specially selected students attended the play Chicago at Barter Theater. These students were accompanied by Ms.Davis, Mrs.Bias, Mrs. Poteet, and Mrs. Sharpe. This group left Burton around 12 and arrived at Barter around 1:30, just prior to the play's start time at 2. The production lasted for approximately 2 hours.

Ms. Davis, the drama instructor, had previously viewed Chicago twice on Broadway, yet she still believed the Barter production was wonderful. She pointed out that the size of the theater made her feel like she was in a jazz club and lead to the audience being closer to the actors. Lisa Davis continued on to say that she would gladly take any students who have an interest in theater back to the Barter.

Seniors Candice C. and Jon M. both attended the field trip to the Barter Theater to see Chicago. They both agreed that it was an amazing play and would go back to see it again. Candice C. said that she thought the play was better than the movie. Jon M. stated " so far this has been my favorite production from the Barter."  Everyone who went enjoyed the show and would recommend it to others.

Written by: Makayla M. and Alex C.

Burton's band to perform in the Sugar Bowl

Every year, the John I. Burton Marching Band takes a trip to reward the members of the band. These trips are often costly, requiring students to do extensive fundraising and/or pay remaining fees out-of-pocket. While Burton's band trips are expensive, they offer a priceless experience to students. This year, the association is taking an eleven hour bus ride down to New Orleans on December 30th through January 3rd. While on this trip, the band will visit many locations.  They will be touring the city, visiting World War II memorial, visiting the French Quarter, touring a cemetery, going on a New Years dinner party on a river boat through the Mississippi river, and last of all performing at the Sugar Bowl.

For the Sugar Bowl performance, John I. Burton will be accompanied by ten other bands. They will be performing "On the Town" with a guest singer, although they do not know who it will be.  They will also be performing "Dancing in the Streets." This will then transition into "Uptown Funk." This will be one of Burton's largest band performances to date.

From the selection of songs that the ten bands are playing, certain songs will be more challenging for specific instruments. For instance, "Uptown Funk" will be harder to play on the saxophone, clarinet, and for the trumpet. Maggie R., a saxophone player in the band, said "Learning this music was way beyond hard because of the rhythms."   Kali D. a flute player in the band, said "Learning this music was extremely hard. No song, in particular, was really hard to learn; it is the whole performance that is the challenge."

This event will be televised so thousands upon thousands of people will be watching from all over the nation. With such an extensive audience, there are mixed opinions about this approaching performance. Some feel confident while others are nervous. Be sure to watch your fellow high school marching band perform at the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd, 2017.

Written by: Austin Q. and Michael M.

Trapped in "The Cellar"

"The Cellar" written by Natasha Preston is thrilling. On a dull summer night, Summer, the main character, and her friends decide to go to a club. Summer tells her boyfriend, Lewis, she is attending, but she is going to walk by herself. Lewis is not too fond of the idea because it is late at night, and it could be dangerous. Summer would normally walk with her friends, but they are going earlier. As Summer is walking, she hears odd noises and she starts to get a weird feeling in her stomach. She hears a guy's voice say, "Lily, is that you?" She tries to tell him that she is not Lily, but before she can answer, he hits her over the head and throws her into the back of a van. She hears the van start and after a short time it stops.

Summer wakes up in a cellar surrounded by three others girls. She is terrified because she has no idea who they are, and they keep calling her Lily. She tells them that her name is not Lily, it is Summer. They tell her that their names are Violet, Rose, and Poppy. The girls try to explain to her that if she does everything he tells her, she will okay, but if she disobeys he will punish her. Poppy explains that they have a set breakfast and dinner time, and everything has to be clean because he does not like anything messy. Rose explains that he only comes down during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sometimes throughout the day to check up on them. When the hour for breakfast arrives,  Lily hears the cellar door unlock.  Her kidnapper walks down and greets everyone calling them flowers.  He explains to her that his name is Clover, and over breakfast she learns that he has an upstanding career as a lawyer.  She does not understand what is happening because he does not seem like a person who would kidnap girls. 

After a few months of doing the same routine over and over, Summer has not fully accepted that she has been kidnapped. She wants to try to murder her kidnapper, but none of the other girls want to hurt him. Clover has them brainwashed, except for Violet. Violet cannot handle being in the cellar any longer. One day when Clover came down for breakfast, Violet hit him over the head with a vase. Clover then preceded to turn around and pin her against the wall and murder her. Poppy and Rose watch without emotions, but Lily (Summer) is horrified. Clover instructs his flowers to clean up the mess. Want to know if she escapes? Or if she survives? To find out more, read the book "The Cellar" by Natasha Preston, available in Burton's library. 

Written by: Tori F.

"After Night Comes the Morn:" Photo release

Going back to what went missing

In June 2016, Megan Miranda released her sixth book. Megan Miranda’s novel, "All the Missing Girls," is a nail-biting, breathtaking story about two similar missing person cases involving two different young women. This book just recently arrived at Burton with Ms. Poteet's November shipment of best sellers. 

In this novel, Nicolette Farrel receives an emergency phone call early in the morning from her brother, Daniel. He tells her that her father's mental health is failing, and that they are about to lose their family home. She is forced to return to her hometown, Cooley Ridge,  as she fears her father is not going to recover. She becomes extremely anxious about  returning home because of past events which haunt her; she has not been back to Cooley Ridge in nearly ten years. 

The environment of Cooley Ridge brings back all the memories her of her best friend, Corinne Prescott, who disappeared without a trace. Within days of her return to Cooley Ridge, Nic’s younger neighbor  Annaleise, goes missing.  To avenge the disappearance of her best friend Corinne and her neighbor,  Nic begins gathering information to discern what is happening to women who are closest to her.  What will she discover?  Are these disappearances tied to her or are they just a coincidence? Is the criminal a total stranger or someone very close?  Find out by reading "All the Missing Girls" written by Megan Miranda. 

Written by: Alex C. 

Burton students get a second chance at breakfast

On October 24th, John I. Burton put into place a new program titled Second Chance Breakfast. The idea of the program is to give students, who may not arrive to school in time for the 8 a.m. breakfast or who may be in need of a snack, to purchase nutritious food. The typical items that are served during Second Chance Breakfast consist of a fruit smoothie, with flavors such as strawberry, blueberry, peach, or raspberry, and a muffin or a doughnut. The cost of this meal is one dollar. Any student or teacher can purchase this from 10 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. For students that typically receive school meals free of charge, the Second Chance Breakfast can be free if the student missed their first breakfast opportunity. 


The students here at Burton have mostly positive opinions  about Second Chance Breakfast.  Some students including,  Hannah C., Tyree B., Haley R., pointed out that the consistency of the smoothies is just not thick enough.  They all stated that the smoothies have "too much liquid." However, the students previously mentioned, and many others, including Grace O., Olivia M., and Makenna K. all wish for this program will continue. Burton students agree that Second Chance Breakfast satisfies their hunger and allows them to focus more in the classroom.

Second Chance Breakfast not only benefits the students, but also profits the food service here at Burton. The program is federally funded, and so far Burton is the only school in the area that is participating.  Mr. Williams believes many schools will follow the Raiders and participate in this program.

The principal of John I. Burton, Mr. Williams, stated that as long as the students take part in this program it will continue throughout the rest of the school year.  Be sure to bring a dollar and try Burton's Second Chance Breakfast at the end of first block!

Written by: Makayla M. and Haley Q.

"The Boy Most Likely To:" A book worth reading

"The Boy Most Likely To" written by Huntley Fitzpatrick is about a recovering alcoholic, Tim Mason, and 19 year old, Alice Garrett.  Alice is the second oldest of nine siblings, one of which is not born yet. With her father in the hospital from a disastrous car accident and her mother constantly taking care of him or working, Alice has accepted the role of caretaker. Her life is thrown even more off track when Tim Mason ends up living in the Garrett family's apartment above their garage.

Tim had a rough past.  He is a high school dropout, recovering alcoholic, and he has never been the type to settle down in a relationship. Tim's father makes a deal with him: if Tim does not straighten up by the end of December, then his father will drop all the financial care that he is providing him.  Tim decides to stay with his best friend, Jase Garrett, in order to have a fresh start at cleaning up his act.  Jase happens to be Alice's younger brother.

After a few days at the Garrett's apartment, Tim has a visitor that brings some unexpected news.  Trying to figure out what to do with this new problem in his life, and with a blossoming love for Alice, Tim finds himself in a challenging situation.  Will they make it through this together, or will it tear them apart?  Check out "The Boy Most Likely To" in the John I. Burton's library!

Written by: Tiffany A.

The girl who never expired

The book "Expiration Date" by Mikaela Bender is thrilling with a plot twist around every corner.  The main characters consist of Iris, Jonas, Alpha (first in command), Eric, Tresais (third in command). While the antagonist is Colton, the Beta (second in command) who just so happens to desperately want Iris killed.

Iris has been looking at the date stamped on her arm since the day she was born. 8-10-14 : the date of her death, but when this day arrives she does not die. She is saved by a mysterious man.  She is only the second person in existence to have lived beyond her expiration date.

If you would like to find out more about this book, it is available on the Wattpad App for free. This book is very interesting for those who enjoy foreshadowing and suspense.

Written By: Michael M.

Sophomores dominate class competitions

On Thursday, October 27th and Friday, October 28th, John I. Burton's grade levels engaged in competitions to display their school spirit.  Each class competed in multiple activities including class floats, paper links, tug of war, wheel-barrel races, three-legged races, and musical chairs.  First place in each event received 25 points, second place earned 20 points, third place obtained 15 points, fourth place gained 10, and fifth place brought in 5 points for their grade.  The winner of the class games won a pizza party.

The class floats were headed by the class presidents of each grade.  Colored paper links were available for purchase by students, and each grade level purchased different color links.  The tug of war consisted of five girl competitors and five boy competitors per grade level.  The wheel-barrel races and three-legged races consisted of two girls and two boys from each grade for both events.  One boy and one girl from each grade volunteered to participate in musical chairs.  The results were as follows:    


Floats
1st place-  Sophomores
2nd place-  Sub-freshman
3rd place-  Juniors
4th place-  Seniors
5th place-  Freshman

Paper links
1st place-  Sub-freshman
2nd place-  Juniors
3rd place-  Sophomores
4th place-  Freshman
5th place-  Seniors
   
Tug of war
1st place-  Juniors
2nd place-  Seniors
3rd place-  Sophomores
4th place-  Freshman
5th place-  Sub-freshman
   
Wheel barrel race (girls)
1st place-  Juniors
2nd place-  Sophomores

3rd place-  Sub-freshman
4th place-  Freshman
5th place-  Seniors

Wheel barrel race (boys) 
1st place-  Juniors
2nd place-  Freshman
3rd place-  Seniors
4th place-  Sophomores
5th place-  Sub-freshman

3 legged race (girls)
1st place-  Sophomores
2nd place-  Seniors
3rd place-  Sub-freshman
4th place-  Freshman
5th place- Juniors

3 legged race (boys)
1st place-  Sophomores
2nd place-  Sub-freshman
3rd place-  Seniors
4th place-  Freshman
5th place- Juniors

Musical Chairs
1st place-  Juniors
2nd place-  Seniors
3rd place-  Sophomores
4th place-  Freshman
5th place-  Seniors

After all the events occurred, the points were calculated.  The freshman came out in fifth place with 85 points.  The eighth grade, with 105 points, were in fourth place.  In third place were the seniors with 115 points.  As the last two places were about to be announced, the students were on the edge of their seats.  The difference of first and second place was 5 points.  Coming in second place, with 145 points, was the juniors.  The sophomore class won first place with 150 points.  Congratulations to the class of 2019 on their class win!

Written by: Kim H. and Haley H.

The wizarding world fast forwards through nineteen years

On July 31st, 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was released to the public. Rowling's newest release is presented in the form of a script and picks up with Harry's tale 19 years later.  Readers get to see how this legendary hero, Harry, has settled into middle age as a civil servant in London, working at the Ministry of Magic. More importantly, the reader is able to see Harry as a father and watch his teenage son cope with the suffocating expectations that come with having a famous father.  “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is about the journey Harry's son, Albus, takes while growing up, and the roles he and his best friend, Scorpius (Draco Malfoy’s son), play when dark forces, perhaps in league with Voldemort, once again threaten the fate of the planet.

Like other books in this series, the suspense in this newest release is electric and nonstop.  Plus, this release has been cleverly constructed around recalling events in the original Potter novels. It specifically references such beloved scenes as the Tri-wizard Tournament in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire;” the penetration of the Ministry of Magic by Harry, Ron, and Hermione in “Deathly Hallows;” and a visit to Godric’s Hollow in that same volume.

Throughout this latest adventure, Albus resents being the son of the"Chosen One,” and he’s increasingly filled with anger at the expectations placed on him. Though Albus has a lot in common with young Harry and his feelings of being an outsider and a desire to prove himself, he is increasingly at odds with his father, whose worried, overprotective parenting fuels antagonism between them. Want to see how all of this action and adventure unravels? This book can be checked out from the John I. Burton library.

Written by: Austin Q.

Dramatic Raiders take the stage at Coeburn Middle School

On Saturday, October 29, the Dramatic Raiders took the stage performing their original play "After Night, Comes the Morn." During the Conference 48 Theatre Festival, six schools performed pieces that varied from 20 to 35 minutes long.  The six teams competed at Coeburn Middle School n hopes of advancing into the regional competition.

The productions included "The Draft Board" performed by Rye Cove; "To Date or Not to Date" by Twin Springs; "Property Rites" by Thomas Walker; "And the Giants Fell" by Castlewood; "The Amish Project" by Eastside; and "After Night. Comes the Morn" performed and written by John I. Burton.  Each of these schools' goal was to rank either first or second place in order to qualify for the regional competition.   The two schools that are able to venture on are Eastside, with their first place win, and Castlewood, who took home second place.

Of the John I. Burton Raiders, Torie A. was awarded the title of Best Supporting Actress.  As a team, the Dramatic Raiders placed fourth overall.  This competition concluded Burton's One Act season for this year.  The Dramatic Raiders plan to have one final performance to raise money for the Lyric Theater in St. Paul, Virginia. The date for this performance has not yet been decided.  Congratulations to the Dramatic Raiders for a great season and good luck next year!

Written By: Megan D. and Paloma B.