JIB vs. Union Football Game

On Thursday, August 25, 2016,  the Union Bears hosted the first football game of the season against the John I. Burton Raiders. The stadium was packed with fans of both teams cheering on their schools through the intense heat. This was a highly anticipated game for both the Bears and Raiders.  

To start off the night, the Raiders began playing offense, with a first down run by Andrew C. #5. The Raiders fought against the Bears strongly, until the time on the score board read 7:28.  The Bears scored the first touchdown of the night along with a field goal that brought the score to 7-0.  The Raiders retaliated against the Bears, by bringing the ball to their own 5 yard line ready for a touchdown. Sadly, for the Raiders, the ball was intercepted by the Bears, but this did not stop the Raiders from holding them back until the clock ran out, signaling the first quarter was over. After the game, Coach Stidham of the Raiders said he was okay after the first quarter; he knew the Raiders were playing properly and were confident about the upcoming quarters.

Throughout the second quarter the teams' performances remained comparative, as each team played their best. With 2:00 left in the quarter, the Union Bears headed towards their end zone for another touchdown, but were surprised by the Raiders who intercepted them and carried the ball all the way to their own end zone, scoring their first touchdown of the night! This play led to the Raider fans jumping up onto their feet cheering! Just when the crowd started to settle down, Burton obtained a field goal tying the score 7-7.  With only 0:22 left in the quarter, the Bears came back against the Raiders and scored another touchdown and a field goal, which brought the score to 7-14 with the Bears leading.

During half time, the Raiders were encouraged by their coaches advice to be positive, as Coach Stidham later said, they "challenged them."  Andrew C. #5 said, the coaches advice was to, "Keep up the pace. Don't get lazy." They were encouraged to finish the game strong. The Raiders were definitely tired by half time considering the size difference of the teams. The Bears team consisted of 63  players, while the Raiders team only had 27 players on Thursday night. Thus, the Raiders tired out quickly due to nearly continuous play.  

To start off the third quarter, the Raiders came back with a touchdown by Tyree B. #10. This brought the score to 13-14, with the Bears in the lead.  Within just a minute, the Bears came back and scored another touchdown against the Raiders, followed by another touchdown with only 0:119 left in the quarter. To top off this touchdown, the Bears scored a field goal bringing the final score of the third quarter to 13-27, with Union still ahead of the Raiders. 

The fourth quarter consisted of multiple touchdowns by the Bears. The Raiders played their best, but as Andrew C. #5, from John I. Burton, stated "The team tired out." The Bears won the game with a final score of 13-54. Various members of the Raiders' team said they were pleased with their performance in the game, and believe the upcoming season for them will be very successful. Come out and support the Raiders this Friday, September 2, 2016, as they compete against Chilhowie! 

2016 Jamboree

On Friday, August 19, 2016, John I. Burton Raiders hosted the annual Jamboree on their home field.  There were many teams that competed, and they all brought their best.  These teams included, The Union Bears, The Pioneers (Thomas Walker) , The Blue Devils (Grayson County), The Golden Waves (Grundy), and the Raiders (John I. Burton).  These teams all competed head to head for the preseason Jamboree.  The event started at four o'clock ans lasted until approximately ten thirty.  Fans from all over the county came to support their schools. 

To start off the night, The Union Bears went up against The Pioneers.  The game was tied until the last quarter when Thomas Walker scored a touchdown against Union, taking the lead in the game.  The final score was Pioneers 14, Union 7.  
The second game of the night was between the Burton Raiders and Thomas Walker.  The Raiders started off the game playing on offense, with a first down run by Andrew C. #5.  followed up by a touchdown run by Chris H. #8.  Only minutes later, Chris H. scored another touchdown for the Raiders.  With a minute left in the first quarter, the Pioneers scored their first touchdown making the score 14-7, Raiders up.  With only one quarter to go, the Raiders stepped up their game with a seventy yard carry for a touchdown, once again by Chris H. #8.  To end the second game of the night, the Raiders came in with a total of four touchdowns and the Pioneers two.  Bringing the score to 26-14, with the raiders being victorious.  When Mikey C. #34 was asked how he felt the game would go, he admitted he was unsure at first, but later was pleased with the results.

The third game of the night was against Union and Grayson County.  The Bears took the first quarter by storm, with the score of 21-0 Bears up.  Grayson County failed to score in the second quarter as well, but this did not stop the Bears.  The final score of the third game was 31-0, a Union victory. 

The fourth game of the night was between Burton and Grayson County.  To start off the game Tyree B. #10 from JIB scored the Raiders their first touchdown.  The first quarter ended with Raiders leading 6-0.  During the second quarter, the Raiders really stepped up scoring a 53 yard touchdown once again by Tyree B.  With 11:18 left in the second quarter, the Raiders scored a field goal bringing the score to 13-0.  Once again the Raiders made another great play, Jacob B. #6 made an interception putting the Raiders on their own 5th yard line.  This was followed by yet another touchdown for the Raiders by Mikey C. #34.  The raiders came out victorious with a final score of 19-8.

The fifth game of the night was between the Union Bears and Golden waves (Grundy).  The final score of the game was 21-9, with the Union Bears winning.  Andrew C. #5, from JIB, was asked how he felt about playing the Bears in an upcoming game.  He stated that chances of winning could be very high if his team remembered what they had practiced and did not lose energy.  At the end of the night, the Raiders played against Grundy.  The Golden Waves stepped up their performance for this game, scoring a total of two touchdowns, bringing their final score to 14.  The Raiders were, as Andrew C. stated, "tired out."  But they ended the game with one touchdown and a two point conversion.  To end the night, the Golden Waves won the final game with a score of 8-14.

While the Raiders performed well in the Jamboree, Mikey C. claimed that he was unsure about how the Raiders would perform this season, but ultimately felt that they still have work to do.  When Andrew C. was asked about how he feels about following up such a successful season for the Raiders, he stated, "I just want to be where we have a winning record and it goes deep into playoffs to win state."  The Raiders compete in the first official game of the season on Thursday, August 25, against the Union Bears.  Good luck players!

Appalachian Studies Class Pursuing New Field Trips

Eddie Sharpe, the instructor of the Appalachian Studies class, has been teaching for 25 years, but this is only the second year that he has taught an elective course focusing on Appalachian Studies. This class is only available in the fall semesters. It was last taught in 2014 and is now being offered during the 2016 fall semester. It, unfortunately, could not be offered during 2015 due to limited number of history instructors at John I. Burton. This class developed as a result of student interest and Coach Sharpe's growing concern that students would leave the Appalachian Mountains without truly understanding the rich history of the area and their own heritage. This fall, Appalachian Studies students will be involved in several new and exciting field trips. Coach Sharpe will be taking his students to see a hog killing, to visit a virtual mine, and to pick leaves.

Sharpe emphasized the importance of his classroom studies, pointing out that over the years people have forgotten the history of the area. Coach Sharpe believes that teaching this class and taking students on these trips will help to keep the rich history of the Appalachian region alive. Sharpe pointed out that the individual trips will each have a lesson to teach students.  Each of these field trips will also allow students to venture out into the Appalachian region; students will witness a hog killing in Russell County, visit a virtual mine in Harlan Kentucky, and collect leaves in Big Stone Gap, VA.  

Coach Sharpe wants to take his class on these trips because he thinks it is important for his students to visually experience the history of the area. He says, "This class will enhance students because they are sitting on some of the most historic land in this country." Two seniors, Colleen G. and Devin B., are excited to be in this class because they will get to learn more than they have ever known about where they live.  They also pointed out that they enjoy having Coach Sharpe as a teacher, and are looking forward to another semester in his classroom. Ultimately, this year will be memorable for the whole class because they are the start of something new.

Written by: Tori F. and Kim H.

New college adviser: Ms. Sloce

In 2016, John I. Burton acquired a new college adviser from UVA-Wise. Her full name is Sass Sloce, but for students she will go by Ms. Sloce. She is from Norton and was a student of the Norton City Schools system from kindergarten until 12th grade. After she finished her time here at Norton, she attended and graduated from UVA-Wise. She was recruited by Danny Eckstein, her current supervisor, to be a college adviser here at John I. Burton. She began her first day at J. I. Burton on August 5th, 2016, and plans to work here for the next two years.  After her stint at Burton, she intends to continue working with UVA-Wise. Her goal at Burton is to increase the number of students which attend two or four year local community colleges. She wants to help them get the classes that they need, so they will become successful in the college career of their choice.  

When discussing her transition to Burton, Ms. Sloce emphasized the many changes which have taken place since she was a student.  She stated: "There are many new teachers, different policies, and the experience is totally different." 
She continued on to say, "It felt extremely different. I noticed that some of the teachers are the same, but they look at me more like an adult, rather a student going through high school." She also pointed out that her interactions with the students helped to make it a smooth transition. She said,"The students have been treating me very well since I have been here, and I hope it stays the same."

Teachers and students should consider stopping by to meet Ms. Sloce.  Her office is located in the Math Lab, but she can also often be found working in the Guidance Office.  Congratulations on your new position, Ms. Sloce.

Written by: Austin Q.