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.

Picking up the pieces

“Girl In Pieces” by Kathleen Glasgow is a story not easily forgotten. In this novel, a 17 year old girl named Charlie Davis believes she has little reason to live because her father drowned himself, her mother kicked her out, and her best friend is dead. In order to cope with all the pain and loss she has been through, she begins to commit self harm. She self harms so frequently that she is put into a rehabilitation center where she begins taking her first steps toward recovery. In the rehabilitation center, she begins to open up about her life experiences.

One day during group therapy, Charlie receives a phone call , supposedly from her mother. Charlie is taken aback as she never receives any phone calls and has not spoken to her mother since she was kicked out of her home. When she picks up the phone, she becomes even more alarmed when she learns that the person on the other line is Mikey, Charlie's crush. Her mind begins racing. She wants to know why he is calling her; she has not spoke to Mikey since she was put into a rehabilitation center. But, just as she poses this very question to Mikey, the call is disconnected.

After a while, everything seems to be on the right track until Charlie is told she is being released. She is scared. She is faced with living in the outside world, on her own, because her mother does not want anything to do with her. She must figure out a way to make it, but is she ready to let people back in?

Written by: Tori F.