Eragon: Book Review

by Caitlin Collins, sophomore

Eragon, by Christopher Paolini, is the first novel in the book series called the Inheritance Cycle. The book is about dragons, intense adventures, and includes hints of romance as well. It is written in third-person point of view, but focuses on Eragon's encounters.

The novel begins with Eragon, a poor farm boy in Carvahall entering the deadly forest named the Spine. While in the Spine, he finds a mysterious, sapphire-colored stone, which turns out to be an egg. At first, he tries to sell the egg to Sloan, but the butcher refuses the offer. Eragon keeps the egg and soon realizes it is a dragon egg once it hatches. He hides the dragon from his family, but eventually King Galbatorix, an immoral, controlling king of the empire, finds the location of the egg. The king sends the Ra'Zac, soldiers who aren't human, to retrieve the dragon and Eragon.

Brom, an old storyteller, leads Eragon and his dragon Saphira out of Carvahall to escape the king's forces and travel towards the Varden, an alliance fighting the king's strict rules. While they are running to the Varden, they meet many new faces, from Arya the elf, Orik the dwarf, and Murtagh, son of the forsworn.

Eragon is a fantastic book filled with epic adventures, dragons, elves, and other mythical creatures. It is a very detailed, interesting novel, and it became my favorite book by far. I highly recommend this novel, and series, to anyone who enjoys fantasy, books similar to medieval times, and legendary beasts.

Silent Reading Party Hosted by the Book Club

by Mary T., sophomore

John I. Burton Book Club, sponsored by Mrs. Bias, will  host a Silent Reading Party on November 16, 2018 in the library during fourth block! 

Students who wish to attend need to go to Mrs. Bias and sign up, as there are limited spots. There is a three dollar fee to attend, and food and drinks provided by the Book Club are one dollar each. 

Students who attend will silently sit and read any choice of book; the book can be read through an electronic device, also.  

Mrs. Bias and the Book Club are holding this event to raise money for their upcoming field trip to Knoxville to visit book stores and eat at a restaurant.

Come and support the Book Club!

The Bone Witch: Book Review

(Book Review) by Mary T., sophomore

The Bone Witch, is a science and fantasy fiction book by Rin Chupeco. It was published in March of 2017 and is the first of a three book series, followed by The Heart Forger (March 2018), and The Shadowglass (expected in February 2019).

The main characters name is Tea, a 12-year-old girl. Her family lives in a small town in a time when people each have their own specific magical powers.

 Each person is given a necklace called a "heartsglass" at birth. The necklace stays empty until their thirteenth birthday, when they partake in a ceremony that shows them what their magical power is, and depending on the power they have, their heartsglass will turn a certain color.

Tea's brother was sent to fight in a war, and was killed by a creature called a Daeva. His body is sent back home, where Tea and her family gather together for his burial. During the ceremony, Tea's emotions overwhelm her, and she feels as if her brother is speaking to her from underground, begging her to save him. She runs to his grave, and while she's digging up the earth surrounding the grave, her brothers hand comes up through the dirt. Soon after, she faints.

Tea's powers that were supposed to come during the ceremony on her thirteenth birthday came an entire year early, meaning that her powers were powerful enough to come before the ceremony.

After Tea raised her brother from the dead, she wakes up at home in her bed next to a strange woman. The woman is known as a Bone witch, or a Dark Asha. There are many different types of ashas throughout the book, but dark ashas deal with raising the dead and are very looked down upon by society for their dark powers. The woman tells Tea that she is now a Bone Witch, and explains to her the powers she possesses.

The Bone Witch and Tea leave together to take her to asha training, so she can learn to control her powers and make the right decisions.

Tea faces many challenges throughout her training with other jealous ashas, classes, and even having a crush on a famous prince.

The Bone Witch is an amazing book choice for someone who enjoys science and fantasy fiction. The book is well written and interesting: it's hard to put down!

Homecoming the Raider Way

Football riding through town 

by Tyrell Ingram, junior

Homecoming at Burton was extremely fun this year! The theme of this year's homecoming was "The Raider way. Here to stay" to emphasize the 65 years of tradition that Burton has.

Everyone  anxiously awaited the week so they could dress crazy and show off our school spirit.We had a lot of themes and amazing activities this week:

• Monday-America Day(Wear red, white, and blue)
• Tuesday-Tie dye vs Camo( Wear either tie dye or camo)
• Wednesday-Holiday Day(Wear your favorite holiday)
• Thursday-Decade Day (Wear clothing from your favorite decade)
• Friday-Spirit Day (Wear your orange and Black)                         

Norton Elementary School Cheerleaders

Another exciting part of  homecoming was the chance to crown a queen and king again.Sarah Mullins and Derrick Allen were chosen as this year's queen and king. The members of their homecoming court were:

•  8th grade- Carter Addison and Olivia Webb
•  9th grade-Xadrian Tayborn and Sareena Sergant
• 10th grade- Landon Bolling and Maggie Stinnett
•  11th grade- Najee Steele and Naomi Torres
•  12 grade- Malachi Kyle and Haley Mullins Derrick Allen and Sarah Mullins Houston Thacker and Raeana Smith

Sr rep Malachi Kyle and Haley Mullins 

There was a parade Thursday and all the representatives from each class rode through the parade, and each class had a float to represent the theme. The 8th grade won the float contest, and the sophomores came in second. . The band also marched and played, and the football team, the cross country team, and the cheerleaders also participated.

We also had a door decorating contest, and almost every teacher decorated their door and competed for a class pizza party. The winners were 1st-Mrs Godsey; 2nd --Ms Kinserl; and 3rd -- tie between Ms. Compton and Mrs Potter.

Sophmore Reps Maggie Stinnett and Landon Bolling

Sr rep Houston Thacker and Raeana Smith

Freshman Reps Xadrian Tayborn and Sareena Sergeant 

Eighth Grade Reps Olivia Webb and Carter Addison 

Photo cred:Cindy Combs Stidham

Schools Jump Rank in SOL Results

by Caitlin Collins, sophomore

Norton City School's superintendent, Mrs. Gina Wohlford, reported the student's pass rates. These pass rates were on 2017-2018 SOLs statewide.

As a school division, our school's rank went from 49th place in 2016-2017 to 30th in 2017-2018. It was the third highest rank gain with the lowest per-pupil budget in the state. Our schools continue to improve in the areas and grow, in spite of our funding.

The percentages on individual subject tests changed slightly since the previous year.

On the reading SOL tests, 79 percent of the students passed. During 2016-2017, though, 80 percent of them were successful.

In writing, 78 percent passed, compared to 79 percent the school year before. 77 percent passed the mathematics test, with 79 percent in 2016-17.

81 percent passed the SOL tests in science and 82 percent previously. Last, in history and social studies, 84 percent had passed in 2017-2018 and 86 percent before.

Compared to the state average, our schools scored 79 percent in reading, 82 percent in mathematics and science, and our highest was in history with an 89 percent. That means our schools scored at or above the state's averages in these subjects.

"Dedication and work ethic continue to be strong points for us within the faculty and staff of our schools," Mrs. Gina Wohlford says, "We are fully accredited by the state for 2018-2019!"

Taking the Classroom Outdoors

by Hunter Rose, senior

Mr. Sharpe's Appalachian Studies class and Ms. Kinser's Ecology class went on a field trip to Bullitt Park in Big Stone Gap on Friday, October 12. Although both classes traveled together they each had different reasons to go on this trip.

The Appalachian Studies class went on this trip to learn about the native trees in this area and what the pioneers used those trees for. The Ecology class took part in this class so they can use it as learning material for learning binomial nomenclature.

Both classes are going to  preserve the leaves and then place them throughout the school. The classes also had to research about the trees and find out things like the height, diameter, descriptions, and the scientific name. This field trip was useful to students because not only did they get out of class, but they also learn about the native trees in this area.

Keaton Ingle said, "I learned how to identify the trees based on their leaves." He also stated that he had an amazing time during the field trip. He has been on this same field trip twice, once when he was in Appalachian Studies and again this time in the Ecology class. Keaton also stated, "I had a better experience the second time on the field trip, and I learned more."

Tylan Jackson, a senior in the Appalachian Studies class, said, "I had an amazing time on this field trip." This is Tylan's first time going on this field trip and he said he wished the field trip could have lasted longer. Tylan also stated that he learned a lot about the native trees in this area and it was an fun to get out of the classroom and still be learning.

Both classes are currently pressing the leaves between wax paper along with a note card, labeling the scientific name, common name, height, diameter, bark, and three descriptions of the tree. We collected leaves from 13 different trees: Coniferous Cedar, Black Oak, Sugar Maple, Holly, Buckeye, White Oak, White Pine, Eastern Hemlock, Poplar, Sycamore, Sassafras, Beech, and Flowering Dogwood.


*Co-written by Keaton Ingle, senior.

One Act Going to Super-Region

Second place in district!

by Keaton Ingle, senior

The Burton High School one-act team is moving on after winning second place in conference at Coeburn Middle School. Eastside High School, the previous state champion, got first place.

Outstanding Actor Award and Honorable Mentions

These kids have worked hard for weeks and deserve to go to super region. One kid in particular, Carter Addison, won an Outstanding Actor Award at the competition. He is a determined eighth-grader that does many school functions like tennis, cross country, and president for the eight grade class. Also, Shamiyen Noel, Shakira Cooney, Dasanye Smith, Noah Elkins, and Justin Sexton won Honorable Mention Outstanding Actor awards.

The one-act team is working harder than ever with practice everyday after school making sure their performance of Charlie Foster is perfect for super regions on November 10.  They'll also be doing a school performance on Nov. 5 at 1:00 p.m.

Alex Carroll had nothing but excitement and joy for this years performance saying, "Im glad we did this play this year. As a senior, I want to go as far as possible and keep the adventure going, not wanting it to end."

Mrs. Cassell said, "I am incredibly proud of how hard these students have worked to bring this story to life."

Everyone here at the blog wishes them the best in super-regions and hopes they get to state.

Mr. Walker Turns Recreation into Business

Stone Mountain Adventures

by Riley Lawson, junior

Started in April 2018 by Burton art teacher Neil Walker and his wife Beth, Stone Mountain Adventures is a new business in our area

Stone Mountain Adventures was mainly started due to the poor economy in our area, said Mr. Walker, whose wife runs a farm store while he teaches at the high school. "The  economy around here was slowing down badly, the sales for our other store had slowed down, and we needed to do something to increase sales."

The grant 

Stone Mountain Adventures was started when the city offered a $15,000 grant to start a tourism business in our local area, after the original idea for a mobile zip-line company fell through.  The idea was changed when they were quoted at $12,000/ per year for insurance alone. The city had suggested a van transportation/shuttle service, and that is how the Walkers' company became what it is today.

Activities

Stone Mountain Adventures offers a variety of activities such as renting kayaks, mountain bikes, and inter-tubes.  They also do tours and ghost tours, as well as offer a shuttle service and various other activities. Of the offered activities, kayaking is the most popular. Customers can choose amonf several area lakes and rivers, including Pound lake and the Norton Reservoir.  Some of the kayaking outings were recently marketed to view the fall colors.

Mr. Walker and his wife have also marketed educational hikes to Devil's Bathtub with a guide who can tell hikers about the wildlife, plants, and rock formations.

During the month of October, they offered ghost tours of Wise County taking the van to about seven different places that have ghost stories related to them.  It is more of a storytelling tour than a search for actual paranormal activity. To design the tour, Mr. Walker researched the sites through interviews with locals or looking online.

Other info

According to Mr. Walker, business has been "fair" but not always consistent. Some events and days are very busy, but other times have been slow.  One big challenge has been with "no shows" and last-minute cancellations.


Stone Mountain Adventures has a  website available www.stonemountainadventures.com where you can read more  about them, their various activities, their staff members,  and other helpful information. You can also make reservations for activities as well as pay for them.