VERNOIS NEWS
Volume 88 - Issue 1
Top News
August 2009
After twenty-four years, Smith returns to MV
Welcome back
Administrators welcome
students back to school
with words of encouragement
BEAT—Page 2
Registration
The 2009-10 school year
kicked off with a smooth
registration beginning
August 3
News—Page 3
Summer Training
Stewart reflects on
summer training and
how it affects athletic
performance in the fall
Sports—Page 12
Other News
Meet the Staff
VN staff members show
their true colors in tellall interviews straight
from the newsroom
Editorial—Page 5-6
MJ Tribute
Students pay tribute to the life
of the King of Pop
See Inside For:
Summer recaps— Page 6
Odds & Ends— Page 9
Summer theme songs— Page 10
VERNOIS NEWS photo/Jeanette Straeter
Dr. Michael Smith works completes a task in his office on the first day of school. He looks forward to meeting and getting to know the
students here at Mt. Vernon as well as assisting them along their high school journey.
Welcome to all students:
It does not seem possible that summer break is
over already. Where did the time go since last
May? Time does seem to pass ever so quickly
with each passing year. This year begins my 24th
year in the education field. There have been
many changes over all the years since I student
taught in the spring of 1985 here at MVTHS. I am
excited to be back. Though big hair, suits with
shoulder pads, the musical sounds of Madonna,
the Bangles, Duran Duran, and the Super Bowl
Champion Chicago Bears have all faded since
1985, one thing has not. The ability to experience some of the best years of your life, to create memories for a lifetime, and to prepare for
success in your life after graduation all lay ahead
of you just like in 1985 and every year since 1905
at Mt. Vernon High School.
All students and staff are part of a very special
group, and you have a long rich tradition to live
up to. Here at this school, students will experience high expectations and will also experience
staff members who care. I encourage each student to become involved in some of the many
activities which exist here at Mt. Vernon High
School. There are many to choose from. Search
these opportunities out, find some that are a
good fit for you, and participate. Each day that
passes will never return, so I encourage you to
make the most of every opportunity which exists
in every day. Though you will experience times
that you may need to search them out, your opportunity for success is there for the taking each
day.
I look forward with great anticipation toward
getting to know the student body here at Mt.
Vernon. I, as with every staff member, am here
to assist you in your high school journey in any
way I can. I believe my experiences throughout
the state and at every level of administration
have prepared me well to assume the leadership
of this district, and I am ready for the task. I, as
superintendent, and all of the staff need your
assistance as well. You are the most important
part of this team. Each of you and your success
are why we are here.
Continued on Page 2
To inform, educate, enlighten, and entertain | A VERNOIS PUBLICATIONS GROUP PRODUCTION
Page 2, Administrative Welcomes
VERNOIS NEWS
Administrators say Hello
VERNOIS NEWS is a free monthly
publication produced by students and staff of
Mount Vernon Township High School.
HOW TO REACH THE VERNOIS
LICATIONS OFFICE
PUB-
VERNOIS
NEWS is located in Room
122H/123H on the campus of Mount Vernon
Township High School, 320 South 7th Street,
Mount Vernon, Illinois, 62864.
Inquiries regarding advertising and other questions
may be directed to VERNOIS NEWS by calling
618.246.5826 or 618.246.5827. Calls will be taken
8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday during the school year.
Newsroom: 618.246.5826
Mr. VanZandt’s Classroom: 618.246.5827
MVTHS Administration
Dr. Michael E. Smith, Superintendent
Mr. Ron Daniels, Principal
Mrs. Tammy Beckham, Assistant Principal
Mr. Susan Talley, Assistant Principal
Mr. Rob Knutson, Assistant Principal
Mrs. Melanie Gulley,
Student Services Director
Mr. Doug Creel, Athletic Director
Mrs. Shirilyn Holt, Board Secretary
Mrs. Jane Brown, Treasurer
VERNOIS NEWS Management
Alicia Sheldon, Editor in Chief
Connor Wilson, Opinions Editor
Alex Frisby, Co-Feature Editor
Stephanie Modert, Co-Feature Editor
Davianne Kirk, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Cameron Stewart, Sports Editor
Jeanette Straeter, Photojournalist
Kat Bullock, Staff
Hannah Lundius, Staff
Hannah Piercy, Staff
Mallory Smith, Staff
Mrs. Karen Hamilton, Print Shop Director
Mr. Jamey VanZandt, Adviser
Austyn Taylor, Print Shop Assistant
Continued from page 1
Our goal will be to forge a team in which the members work together to build the best high school
in the area. We are here, and we owe it to ourselves to achieve this mission. We cannot and will
not accept any less than establishing excellence and insuring that each student experiences success. I look forward to engaging in this exciting journey with all of you this upcoming year.
Dr. Michael E. Smith
Superintendent
On behalf of the MVTHS Family and Community, it is truly my pleasure to extend a warm and
heartfelt welcome to you as we begin the 2009-2010 school year at Mt. Vernon Township High
School. We look forward to working with you during the school year. I am confident that we will
provide a program that will challenge, motivate, and support all of our students as they prepare
themselves for the world beyond high school.
Students have many opportunities to get involved in the school. Our after school programs,
clubs, athletics, activities, and support provide an excellent venue for our students to develop
relationships while having fun! We encourage each of you to find something that you like to do
and get involved here at school.
The class of 2013 will be the first class to participate in the Freshman Academy. We have been
busy planning for the Academy and have a very exciting school year planned. The Academy will
assist the freshmen in transitioning to the high school and offer many supports to help make the
first year of high school a success. I am very fortunate this year to be the Freshman Academy Assistant Principal. I look forward to working with and serving the students and faculty involved in
the Academy and will enjoy getting to know the students. My new office will be located in 214 G
so please come and see me if you need assistance or have any questions.
Sincerely,
Tammy Beckham
Assistant Principal
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.
Dear Students,
Welcome to another fantastic year at MVTHS! I know I have anxiously awaited the beginning of
the 2009-2010 year, and I trust you have as well. From the seniors to the freshmen, the first day of
school always brings with it excitement, anticipation, and nervousness. This is true for the students and staff alike.
This year brings with it opportunity for all members of the student body. On the first day of
school, every single one of you is on an equal playing field. No one has any tardies, no one has a
discipline referral, and every single student has an ―A‖ in every class. It is quite possible to finish
the year exactly as it begins— it is up to you to make the right choices. I know that many, many of
you will end the school year in May or June with zero tardies, zero discipline incidents, and an ―A‖
in every class. The great thing about a new school year is EVERYONE has the ability to do this—I
challenge each and every one of you to accept this opportunity.
Again, welcome to the start of a school year at MVTHS. Make it great and a year to remember
by making positive choices, serving as a role model to others, and making the most of what high
school has to offer.
Melanie Gulley
Guidance Director/Assistant Principal
VERNOIS NEWS
News
News, Page 3
Registration week comes, goes
Then, on top of that, there is the new technology as well.
―This year the Attendance Office had a new ID machine. The
first three days of registraAll school year, students
tion, there were problems
hope and pray for the next
that had to be addressed
break to come. They hope
before registration could
that when that break arrives,
begin. However, once the
it goes by slow, so they can
machine was fixed, students
enjoy it thoroughly. Still, by
started to move through the
the time summer is finally
registration
process
over, most students are exsmoothly,‖ explained Gulley.
cited to come back and start
Registration is a lot of
a new year.
summer work, not just a
Before we can jump back
week of simple work.
into our routine, we must all
―Registration week is
face registration. MV registruly one of the busiest times
tration was again held the
of the year for the Guidance
first week of August, starting
Office. There is a tremenwith freshmen on August 3.
dous amount of planning that
Along with the regular
occurs before that week.
rush of registration, MV is
Then when it finally arrives,
facing some big changes this
the pace is fast and non-stop
year.
with new students to register
―The Freshman Academy
and schedule conflicts to
inception did not affect regfix,‖ said Gulley.
istration so much as it did
Even though students
the summer work that went
don‘t see it, a lot of work
into making sure that all the
VERNOIS NEWS photo/Jeanette Straeter goes
into registering for
schedules were ready for the Mrs. Stacy Hulbert, Math, directs students at registration while Mr. Andy Wells, Social Studies, looks on. Though
school that has staff memregistration
was
a
hectic
week
for
staff
members,
they
were
still
able
to
successfully
register
students
for
the
school
freshmen,‖ stated Mrs.
bers working throughout the
year.
Melanie Gulley, Guidance
summer.
Director.
Gulley concluded, ―I believe that the people who work registraIn planning anything on a scale this, big problems arise.
tion make it a successful week. It‘s a true team effort all around
―One issue I face every year is to make sure I have enough facwith direct involvement from Guidance, faculty, staff, technology,
ulty and staff members willing to work registration. The workers in
Student Council, and even some retired staff members.‖
the cafeteria really make sure the entire process runs smoothly,‖
Gulley said.
By Mallory Smith
VERNOIS STAFF
Freshman Academy introduced at MV
By Hannah Lundius
VERNOIS STAFF
Through all of the changes happening in the 2009-2010, one of the
most significant is the Freshman Academy. There has been much
confusion as to the purpose of the Academy, and many believe that
having all of the freshman in one building is ―seclusion.‖
The Freshman Academy was designed by MV administration and
board members to ease the transition between middle school and
high school.
Mr. Bill England, who will teach math in the Freshman Academy,
thought, ―It will benefit the freshmen because they will not be intimidated from the experience of high school, they will be in classes
with people they know. The freshman academy will help with the
transition into high school, and the groups of teachers will get to
know each of the students and understand the students‘ lives better.‖
The freshmen will have some of the best teachers at MV and
will have a closer relationship with them, which will better their
learning capabilities. The 16 teachers in the freshman academy are
put into teams of four. On each team there is one English teacher,
one history teacher, one math teacher, and one science teacher.
These teams each get a set of students to teach. By doing this, the
teachers and students have a closer relationship, which England
agreed would be a major benefit.
However, concern has arisen that with all of the focus on the
Freshman Academy, they will be cast aside. The freshmen have
their own building and teachers, but that doesn‘t mean the upperclassmen will be treated any different.
England stated that, ―everyone will be on the same level,‖ and
also said, ―No [there will not be any special treatment]. We‘ve
never done this before, we‘ll just have to wait and see.‖
Closed campus may seem unreasonable to some, but in order to
carry out the goals and guidelines of the academy, it is necessary.
There are some advantages of closed campus. The freshmen don‘t
have to walk in the cold or heat in order to get something to eat.
Closed campus is safer for the freshmen, though surrounding restaurants may lose revenue they once received from those who walked
there to eat.
The Freshman Academy will be a significant change for MV, but
many hope it will be a beneficial addition to our school.
Feature, Page 4
VERNOIS NEWS
Teachers make first debut
at MV
By Stephanie Modert
CO-FEATURE EDITOR
Beginning this 2009 – 2010 school
year, we will see many fresh
faces. Some of those joining us
will include the seven teachers
that are new to MV this year.
We will welcome Jan Catron, Andrea Felty, and Christy
Julius as Special Education
teachers.
Katelyn Kombrink and Courtney Denton will join the P.E.
staff as physical education
teachers. Both will also coach
girls‘ volleyball as head and assistant coach respectively.
The Communication Arts
welcome Spanish teacher David
Edwards.
Travis McCollum will be joining the science department,
teaching Human Physiology,
Physics, and Biology.
―I‘m excited for the Freshman Academy,‖ commented
McCollum. He will be the only
brand-new teacher to teach with
the Freshman Academy.
―We went to a model school
conference in Atlanta, Georgia
earlier in the summer and it was
a lot of fun. There were twentysix of us that went and we got to
know each other better,‖ he
said of meeting the other teachers and administrators.
―We were the coolest ones
there,‖ he said with a laugh.
Mr. Edwards also recalled
the conference and said he got
to know the other teachers as
well.
―These past few days I met
quite a few more of the teachers. Everyone has been friendly
and helpful.‖
His goals for this year include ―fitting in with the faculty
and doing a good job teaching.‖
Across the hall from Mr. Edwards‘ room, you would find
Special Education teacher, Mrs.
Julius, who will be teaching a
combined reading and social
studies class, communication,
and math.
―After
teaching
middle
school in Eureka, I‘m back in Mt.
Vernon,‖ she said. ―I had Spanish in this very classroom.‖
On behalf of the Vernois
News, we welcome all new
teachers. You are very appreciated and we wish you well.
Teachers move, changes ensue
By Jeanette Straeter
PHOTOJOURNALIST
With the use of the new Freshman Academy, many teachers
have been forced to pack up
and move. Whether it‘s an upgrade to G building from the not
-so-new C building, or vice
versa, these teachers have had
to get used to new surroundings.
There are perks as well as
disadvantages to the moves that
have been made.
Mrs. Stacy Hulbert, Math
said that her new room ―looks
bigger because of all the windows, but I haven‘t had any
students in there yet.‖
While Mrs. Hulbert moved
from G building to C, Mr. Ryan
Goodisky, Social Studies did
exactly the opposite.
He said, ―There are no
stairs! [Before] I had to climb
three flights of stairs; it was a
nice little workout.‖ He also
commented that ―I‘ve still got
Gamber next door!‖
When asked about any disadvantages to their moves, Hulbert said that she feels somewhat isolated from the rest of
the math department. There
are only two other math teachers by her new room – Elliot and
Kassner – and she said that this
makes it ―harder to communicate‖ with the rest of the department.
Goodisky, however, said that
he sees no disadvantages due to
any time he needs guidance he
has ―O Great One, Mr. Wells‖
down the hall.
Mrs. Hulbert said that she
will miss ―being able to go out
and talk to [other math teachers]. I have to call them now.‖
Daily Schedule
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
1st Period
8:20—9:10
2nd Period
9:15—10:05
3rd Period
10:10-11:05
LUNCH (Frosh)
11:05-11:50
4th Period (Frosh)
11:50-12:40
4th Period (So, Jr, Sr)
11:10-12:00
LUNCH (so, Jr, Sr)
12:00-12:45
5th Period
12:45-1:35
6th Period
1:40 –2:30
7th Period
2:35-3:25
Thursday
Teacher Improv.
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
LUNCH (Frosh)
4th Period (Frosh)
4th Period (So, Jr, Sr)
LUNCH (So, Jr, Sr)
5th Period
6th Period
7th Period
ELO
8:10-9:00
9:00-9:40
9:45-10:25
10:30-11:15
11:15-12:00
12:00-12:50
11:20-12:10
12:10-12:55
12:55-1:35
1:40-2:20
2:25-3:05
3:05-3:35
Half Day
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
4th Period
5th Period
6th Period
7th Period
8:20-9:43
8:48-9:11
9:16-9:39
9:44-10:07
10:12-10:35
10:40-11:03
11:08-11:31
Short Day
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
LUNCH (Frosh)
4th Period (Frosh)
4th Period (So, Jr, Sr)
LUNCH (So, Jr, Sr)
5th Period
6th Period
7th Period
8:20-9:00
9:05-9:45
9:50-10:30
10:30-11:15
11:15-11:55
10:35-11:15
11:15-12:00
12:00-12:40
12:45-1:20
1:25-2:00
The Vernois News Staff
would like to welcome
everyone back to school
for another great year!
VERNOIS NEWS
Odds & Ends, Page 5
Odds &
Riddle Me This ...
1.
2.
3.
4.
What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?
Give me food and I will live, give me water and I will die. What am I?
What can travel around the world and stay in a corner?
I am the beginning of the end, and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?
5. What always runs but never walks, often murmurs, never talks, has a bed
but never sleeps, has a mouth but never eats?
6. The one who makes it, sells it. The one who buys it, never uses it. The
one that uses it never knows that he's using it. What is it?
Word Ends
In each of these puzzles a word starts and
ends with the same letter. Can you figure
out the word?
1. __rom__
2. __apto__
3. __ardia__
4. __rmad__
5. __aya__
Answers
Try our Super Sudoku! To check your
answers, log on to
www.sudoku-solutions.com/sudoku.php!
Riddles
1. A towel 2. Fire 3. A stamp 4. The
letter E 5. A river 6. A coffin
Word Ends
1. Aroma 2. Raptor 3. Cardiac
4. Armada 5. Kayak
Editorial, Page 6
Editorial
VERNOIS NEWS
In between thinking up silly band names and cracking jokes, the Vernois News staff is
hard at work doing what we do best — bringing you, the reader, your news that will inform, educate, enlighten and entertain. Here’s our starting lineup for the year.
Alicia Sheldon, Editor in Chief
What was the highlight of your summer? Hosting the Shopping Show on WDML.
What is your favorite quote? “Life isn‟t about finding yourself, it‟s about creating yourself.”
If you were invisible, where would you go? I would cause mischief all over Mt. Vernon.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? I had a CD with the Meow Mix theme song on it.
Message to students: Live each day to the fullest and don‟t let anything bring you down.
Connor Wilson, Opinions Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? All the concerts I attended.
What is your favorite quote? ―We can push through. We are one in this, we are not undone.” - All That Remains
If you were invisible, where would you go? On airplanes.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? The Dropkick Murphys.
Message to students: The best path is the hardest earned.
Alex Frisby, Co-Feature Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? Getting my license!
What is your favorite quote? “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” - Marilyn Monroe
If you were invisible, where would you go? I would go to McDonald‟s and steal all of the Big Macs.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? The Lady GaGa CD — it‟s my guilty
pleasure.
Message to students: Join clubs, be as busy as I am! Oh, and have a awesome year!
Stephanie Modert, Co-Feature Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? Vacation with the family and running with the team. Ah, the team.
What is your favorite quote? “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy,
but because they are hard.” - John F. Kennedy
If you were invisible, where would you go? The school, so I could pull a massive prank.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? No Strings Attached by NSYNC. “Lost” that one a few years ago.
Message to students: Meet as many people as you can.
Davianne Kirk, Arts & Entertainment Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? Going up in the arch and eating ice cream ... a lot.
What is your favorite quote? “We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person
perfectly.” - Angelina Jolie
If you were invisible, where would you go? I would play a major role in Project Mayhem.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? DC Talk, I was so embarrassed, I ran over it with my car.
Message to students: I‟m not sayin‟ treat your body like a church, but don‟t end up in that long, black hearse.
Cameron Stewart, Sports Editor
What was the highlight of your summer? The Homerun Derby was pretty awesome.
What is your favorite quote? “By the beard of Zeus!” - Ron Burgundy
If you were invisible, where would you go? I would sneak into concerts … Front row, baby!
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? NSYNC, yo!
Message to students: Listen to your teachers, do your homework, and don't listen to NYSNC!
Pra
Am
VERNOIS NEWS
Page 7, Editorial
Jeanette Straeter, Photojournalist
What was the highlight of your summer? Going to the Dominican Republic for vacation.
What is your favorite quote? “Some things I cannot change, but „til I try I‟ll never know.” -Wicked
If you were invisible, where would you go? I‟d sneak into airplanes and travel around the world.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? The Lizzie McGuire Movie Soundtrack.
Message to students: Life‟s not worth getting upset about every little thing. Have fun and never take
yourself too seriously.
Kat Bullock, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Getting a job!
What is your favorite quote? “Hey, man, back off! Get your own tauntaun!” - Random guy from Robot Chicken
If you were invisible, where would you go? Go to the White House to spy on the president.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? Britney Spears— Oops I Did it Again!
Message to students: Stick with it, and don‟t procrastinate!
Hannah Lundius, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Being with my boyfriend and friends.
What is your favorite quote? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
If you were invisible, where would you go? A candy store.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? NSYNC.
Message to students: Good luck next year and have fun!
Hannah Piercy, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Spending time with my youth group for three days in Nashville.
What is your favorite quote? “Life isn‟t about waiting for the storm to pass, it‟s about learning to dance in the rain.”
If you were invisible, where would you go? I would probably sneak into an amusement park.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? The Veggie Tales CD.
Message to students: Live your life to the fullest.
Mallory Smith, Staff
What was the highlight of your summer? Bible school; I got to play with a bunch of four year olds.
What is your favorite quote? “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
If you were invisible, where would you go? Everywhere I normally couldn‟t.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? Probably the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Soundtrack.
Message to students: Don‟t get tied up in what‟s going on. Just let it roll off your shoulders.
Jamey VanZandt, Adviser
What was the highlight of your summer? The highlights of summer „09 included getting a new roof installed on my
home and, of course, hitting the “Big 4-0” on August 8.
What is your favorite quote? “Steel is strong because it knows the hammer and the white heat.” - June Carter Cash
If you were invisible, where would you go? If I were invisible, I would go to Carbondale High‟s yearbook office.
What’s the worst/ most embarrassing CD you’ve ever owned? Does Some Gave All by Billy Ray Cyrus count?
Message to students: My message to students is simple — Take advantage of the opportunities MVTHS offers — get involved, get to know people, and get started — today.
Columns, Page 8
Columns
VERNOIS NEWS
Summer jobs mix work with play
By Alicia Sheldon
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Lazy days drifting on an inner tube or a desk stacked
high with papers?
Warm sand between the
toes or the nagging sound of
a boss echoing through an
office?
The stomach-dropping feel of a roller
coaster or the cramped-hands feel after
typing for six hours?
I believe it is safe to say that most people would prefer the former of all three
options, based on the idea that most enjoy
―play‖ as opposed to ―work.‖ All work and
no play makes Jack a dull boy, right?
This summer, I had the unique opportunity to mix work and play. I have always
been interested in journalism and radio
(wonder where that stems from?), and I am
almost certain that I want to major in a
form of Communications in college. I was
able to improve my radio skills with jobs at
both WMIX and WDML, as well as my writing
with an internship at the Register-News.
Though it all sounds overwhelming and time
-consuming, I still had the perfect balance
of summer fun and productiveness.
I considered WMIX my ―when they
needed me‖ job. If something special was
to go on the air, they called me to see if I
could ―run the board.‖ Running the board
consists of pushing buttons, talking a little
bit, and timing out country songs. Although
country is not my preferred style of music, I
had to learn which songs were ―hot,‖ and
even found myself singing along a time or
two.
My job at WDML turned out to be a blast
as well. I hosted the Shopping Show, a
weekly program designed to sell discount
gift certificates for area businesses. This
job was very special to me because my dad
hosted the show for several years, and each
week I made sure to play a Steely Dan song
in his honor. Hosting an entire show on my
own was scary and intimidating at first, but
soon enough, my words flowed more natu-
rally and I was able to let my personality
shine through.
Working at the Register-News was much
different than a work session with Vernois.
It is very fast-paced, as they distribute a
newspaper every day. A quite interesting
event happened to me while working there,
however. As I was walking in to work one
morning, I noticed a very upset, odd-looking
lady, mumbling what I could only fathom to
be incantations in my direction. I tried to
walk by without eye contact, but when I
had just passed her, I heard the sickening,
―hoccck, THEW!‖ of a loogie being spat at
me. I bolted for the door and refused to
turn around for fear of having more things
spat in my direction.
I always wanted to have a summer like
this. Despite my work, I took several fun
trips and spent countless nights with my
closest friends. I had three dream jobs that
gave me experience to use in my career and
the rest of my life. I can only hope that this
memorable summer will set the course for
the most exciting, memorable senior year.
Modert learns to “brush it off” — literally
By Stephanie Modert
CO-FEATURE EDITOR
I just can‘t figure it out. I‘m
not quite sure where the
attraction comes from.
I
don‘t harm you and I don‘t
harm them.
I was doing yard work
two days out of the week
and within those two days I had three things
thrown at me. Not thrown in my vicinity or
on accident – I had a half-full beer can, a lit
cigarette, and a stinky shirt that looks like
it‘s one shirt layered over another shirt but
is really only one shirt thrown at me.
I hadn‘t been provoking people. I was
in the ditches in front of my house removing
what was left of the daylilies that had died.
It was hot work and it was tedious work,
and I was focused on the job at hand.
If none of these had hit me – which they
did – I wouldn‘t have noticed them because
I wasn‘t paying attention to anyone else.
But because they did hit me, I was disrupted
from my productive state of making my
ditches look presentable.
I was convinced the shirt incident had
been an accident and brushed it off, literally and psychologically. I figured they must
not have seen me because no one would
litter in someone‘s yard while that person
was there to witness it. That would be yard
etiquette suicide! When I saw them poke
their head out of the passenger window,
laughing, I determined it was no accident
and that not everyone is as afraid of a possible confrontation as I am.
When the Bud Light knocked off the
straw hat of my dad‘s I was using to block
the sun, it took me some time to gather my
bearings. I wasn‘t sure what had happened.
It took me a minute to find the offending
can and to wipe off the beer that was running down my back.
As soon as I realized what had happened, I was racking my brain for reasons as
to why someone would throw such a thing at
a teenager doing yard work. I mean, half
the world is convinced we‘re a bunch of
lazy kids that don‘t work anyway, and here I
was being assaulted for it? As I scanned the
road for the guilty car, I realized they too
were a ways down the road, pointing, laughing, and having a grand old time.
By the time I had been pelted by a lit
cigarette, I was furious. Because I had actually seen the arm fly out of the open window and the white thing come hurtling toward me, I confronted the people … kind of.
I didn‘t care that what I had been doing was
important. I didn‘t care that I hadn‘t spent
the time this time around to evaluate the
situation and see exactly what had been
thrown. I didn‘t care that some spot on my
left arm hurt. Bad. I put my cross country
training to good use and I ran.
The majority of what I was saying didn‘t
make sense, but it didn‘t make a difference
to me. I ran and yelled and yelled and ran.
They probably didn‘t hear me, but I refused
to lose skin off my arm and my dignity in
the same day.
The block I sprinted was worth it. And
in all fairness, who were these people that
thought something like this was okay? I
didn‘t recognize any of them, which makes
me doubt they knew me, making it all the
worse. I was a random stranger and they
needed a laugh. Awesome.
They didn‘t seem to care that the shirt
was disgusting. Or that had the beer can hit
me about three inches to the left or the
right; it could‘ve knocked me out. Or that
my arm was already sweaty so it burned all
the more afterwards.
But we should always be the best we
can be. Afterwards, I threw myself into my
job, working harder and faster. Adrenaline
was still pumping from my anger. In addition, I was mentally daring them to drive by
again so they could see what a hard worker I
really was.
I knew I couldn‘t change them, but I
could change me. I could look at this positively. I would finish for that day all the
sooner.
It was a humbling experience to say the
least and I will always remember it when
I‘m close to overreacting or thinking about
something negatively instead of positively.
We waste so much time being negative anyway.
VERNOIS NEWS
Columns, Page 9
College courses prove challenging
By Hannah Lundius
VERNOIS STAFF
Taking college classes over the summer sounded
easy to me, but once I found out my mother wanted
me to take three classes I was thinking differently. I
was in way over my head.
I signed up to take three college classes over the
summer; a communication/speech class, English
101, and an internet psychology class. I trained my
mind to think that I could complete all of these classes and complete them with an above average grade.
I was wrong. My first English 101 class I was petrified. There
was going to be so much homework and not enough time to do it.
The teacher was very blunt and cussed every five minutes. I sat in
my tiny little desk feeling so scared and young. I never came back
to that class after that, I dropped it the following week.
My communication/speech class wasn‘t too bad. I enjoyed the
teacher and what we learned about each day. I presented a speech
every couple of weeks. I was very nervous for every one of those
speeches. I don‘t enjoy talking and I absolutely despise giving
Mission trip opens eyes,
hearts
speeches. Even though I didn‘t want to go to class each morning I
still pushed myself to sit in the stuffy college classroom.
An internet psychology class sounds easy; you can complete all
the assignments in your own free time and there wasn‘t that much
homework. Yet I struggled so much with it because there wasn‘t a
teacher there to make me do the work. Throughout the summer I
had not read a single word in the psychology book I rented. I ended
up dropping that class in the final week of school.
For a while I felt so bad because I dropped two out of the three
classes I signed up for. I thought to myself, ―I‘m supposed to be
smart!‖ and ―Why couldn‘t I have done it?‖ I soon realized that I
was wrong to think that I failed. I was only a junior in high school
trying to take college level classes.
By the last day of my communication/speech class I was feeling
pretty good about myself. I completed the class and I got an A in it.
So what if I didn‘t complete the other two classes, I made it
through my class with flying colors. I was so proud that I had gotten
through the class and with a grade I was completely happy with
that I forgot about those other two classes and moved on with my
life thinking I had accomplished something.
Driving dilemma interferes with
dream birthday
By Jeanette Straeter
PHOTOJOURNALIST
It‘s easy to go into the kitchen, grab a Pop
Tart, and not think twice about it. For
some people, however, what they‘re going
to eat isn‘t just a passing thought.
I‘d never really thought about it until I
went to church camp. During the week, the
youth went out and did mission projects in
the surrounding area.
We spent one of our days at the Christian Community
Care Center, a food pantry. Most of the group worked on
building a homeless shelter attached to the pantry itself,
but a few of us worked inside.
My friend Anna and I helped by carrying bags of food to
people‘s cars for them. To us it didn‘t seem like a big
deal, but those we helped were very appreciative of that
simple act.
Not only were these people in need of food, but some
didn‘t have vehicles, either. One man we helped had just
a Playskool plastic wagon to carry his food in. Another
lady got around by using an old bicycle, making it extremely difficult for her to carry her food home.
Through this humbling experience I learned to truly
appreciate what I have. Having a car and even simply not
having to worry about what I‘m going to eat each day is a
blessing, and something not to be taken for granted.
I noticed that the people who came in to get food were
more appreciative and thankful for what they have than
those who have quite a bit more. I, for example, have a
tendency to take things for granted, but this experience
was a bit of a wakeup call.
Even though these people had hardly anything, they
were gracious and thankful. It touched me and proved to
me that it‘s not about what you have; it‘s about your attitude. With the right attitude, any situation can seem better and more enjoyable.
By Alex Frisby
CO-FEATURE EDITOR
On June 16, 2009, I
woke up to my cell
phone screaming
―Down with the Sickness‖ by Disturbed.
Normally, this would
have scared me to
death, but today was different,
because it was my 16th birthday;
the day I finally got to get my license.
I had been waiting for this day
practically my whole life and I
wanted it to be perfect. I had the
whole day planned out from the
moment I woke up to the moment
my head hit the pillow that night.
Little did I know that it would soon
turn into one of the most dramatic
days of my life.
First off, I overslept a little
more than I would have liked, but
that didn‘t kill my spirit too much.
It was when I got to the DMV to get
my license when all the madness
went down.
My mom, my dad and I walked
in with all my information, which
included my waiver so all I had to
do was give it to them, take my
picture and walk out with my license.
I was chatting casually with the
man at the desk until he looked at
me and told me that my birthday
fell on the spot check day.
What? You‘ve got to be kidding
me? I can‘t drive right now. I don‘t
remember the whole downhill, uphill parking crap. I‘m not going to
get my license. Oh man. Oh man.
These are just some of the
things that ran through my mind the
minute he told me the horrible
news. Then came the water works. I
couldn‘t control them; it was like a
waterfall coming out of my eyes. I
ran to the bathroom to calm down
but I just couldn‘t do it.
After about ten minutes I came
back out to face the man and both
of my parents. He told me to grab
the keys and head outside. I sniffled
and followed.
A half an hour later I had my
license in my hand and was walking
out the doors. I don‘t know what I
was worried about because I passed
the test with a 97. Then, I was
ready to get home and pick up Clarence, my car.
Finally, I was pulling out of my
garage then I heard a loud noise. It
was raining, but not just any normal
rain; it was a complete downpour.
Much to my mother‘s dismay I still
pulled out of that driveway and
joined the millions of other teenagers in this world that are now driving without their parents.
A&E, Page 10
VERNOIS NEWS
Box office booms over summer
months
By Davianne Kirk
VERNOIS NEWS
It seems as though when you spend the summer in Southern Illinois all there is to do is go
to the beach, the pool, bowling, and of course
the movies.
There was much hype for comedies over
the summer of 2009.
‗The Hangover‘ hit theaters on June 5
making $32.7 million thus far, according to
www.cinematical.com
The storyline
of
The
Hangover was
set in Las Vegas
-set and centered
around
three groomsmen who misplace
their
about-to-bewed friend during
their
drunken adventures,
then
must
retrace
their steps in
order to find
him before he
misses
his
own
wedding.
Bradley Cooper plays Phil, Ed Helms as Stu,
and Zach Galifianakis portrays the one-man
wolf pack man, Alan. Mike Tyson and Ken
Jeong also make an appearance.
Ken Jeong has also been cast in Role Models, Pineapple Express, Two and a Half Men,
Entourage, and many more.
Land of the Lost was released June 5 and
only brought in $9 million. The leading roles
were played by Will Ferrell and Anna Friel.
The plot of this film was that Dr. Rick Marshall is sucked into a space-time vortex alongside his research assistant and a redneck survivalist. In this alternate universe, the trio
make friends with a primate named Chaka,
their only ally in a world full of dinosaurs and
other
fantastic
creatures,
reported
www.imdb.com.
This summer, there was also a large number of romantic comedies with favorites including I Love You
Beth
Cooper,
The Ugly Truth,
and The Proposal.
Action movies are always a
favorite of summer time.
In
Transformers:
Revenge of the
F al l en,
the
Autobots revive
one of their
former, who is
needed to ward
off the advancing Decepticons. The Decepticons plan on kidnapping Sam Witwicky, played by Shia LaBeouf,
because of what he knows about them.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
portrays Harry‘s sixth year at Hogwarts and
grossed $ 3.6 million within the first five days.
Coming to theatres within the next month
includes Halloween II, Taking Woodstock, The
Final Destination, and Post Grad.
What was your
summer theme
song?
“Don‟t Be Shy”—Shwayze. I felt
like this best fit my summer
due to its cheery melody and
relatable lyrics.
Davianne Kirk, ‗11
―Gorgeous”—Gucci Mane. That
was the song I was all about this
summer and I heard it all the
time.
Markeize Haynes, ‗10
“Summer Nights”—Rascal Flatts.
It seems like summer days are
wasted away but at night that‟s
when the fun starts.
Logan Murphy, ‗10
The Hangover
$265.9 million
Harry Potter and the
Half-Blood Prince
$283.9 million
Ice Age: Dawn of the
Dinosaurs
$190.9 million
“Summer Time” - New Kids on
the Block because it definitely
brings back the memories.
Ian Randolph, ‗11
VERNOIS NEWS
A & E, Page 11
Jackson passes on, leaves legacy
By Alex Frisby
VERNOIS NEWS
“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare
to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must
still dare to comfort. In a world filled with
despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a
world filled with distrust, we must still dare to
believe.”
— Michael Jackson
On June 25, 2009 the great King of Pop
suffered from a severe cardiac arrest, passing
away that afternoon at the age of 50.
Jackson had been in the music world from a
young age. He started out with the Jackson 5,
then went on to record his first solo album, Off
the Wall, which sold over 20 million copies.
After his death people were seen wearing tshirts, hats, and holding small memorials for
him. Some people said it was just like when
Elvis died.
Hannah Weber, ‘11 said ―I‘ve listened to
his CD so much that it‘s starting to skip.‖
VERNOIS NEWS photo/www.columbiamissourian.com
Michael Jackson, the exceptionally gifted child star who rose to
become the "King of Pop" is pictured above at age 13. LAPD
paramedics responded to a call at his Los Angeles home around
2:30 p.m June 25 after he stopped breathing.
Even though MJ is gone, he is still on people‘s minds and stereos. However, some people
do not have the same love for MJ as others.
―I think that people are making too big of a
deal out of it. Sure he could sing but he was
also really creepy,‖ stated Chase Cavender, ‘10.
Nick Vosburgh, ‘10 added, ―Michael Jackson
was a freak of nature!‖
MJ did have many different style qualities
about him. He made one single white glove, and
high water pants a style which many people
copied.
Then there was always the controversy over
the appearance of his face. Did he really have a
skin disease or did he bleach his skin to make
himself look the way he did?
No one will ever know the whole truth
about MJ and that‘s what makes him so interesting to the world.
The summer of MJ‘s death was also the
summer for his comeback tour, ―This is It.‖ It
was said to be one of the greatest comebacks of
all time.
Blueprint 3 soon to be released
By Davianne Kirk
VERNOIS NEWS
— a mash up of white instruments piled together with three red horizontal lines over them — is the artwork for Blueprint 3.
There is said to be many well
known artist featured on B3. It is well
known that Rihanna and Kanye West
are featured on Jay‘s single ―Run This
Town‖, but who else will grace the
tracks of B3?
According to a track listing leak on
www.hiphop-n-more.com, Kid Cudi,
Rihanna, Kanye West, Nas, Drake, and
Mr. Hudson will be featured. Album is
produced by West with an exception of
two tracks which will be produced by
MGMT and Timbaland.
Jay has not taken any chances this
time around; he is hand delivering his
album to Atlantic Records in London,
VERNOIS NEWS photo/www.mirror.co.uk/ according to www.hiphopwired.com
Shawn ―Jay-Z‖ Carter has dominated
the rap industry for over a decade
now. Just as it started to seem he was
disappearing from the scene, he‘s back.
The anticipation has been terrible
but the wait for the hyped up Blueprint
3 is almost over. Jay is releasing Blueprint 3 on September 11, eight years to
the day after the release of the original
Blueprint album of 2001.
On average Jay takes a couple of
weeks to knock out an album; if he records 15 or 16 songs, the best 13 or 14
go on the album. However, B3 has been
several months in the making, and a
couple of dozen tracks have reportedly
been tossed aside.
Kanye West (left), Rihanna, and Jay-Z team up for a collaboration. The trio will perform
"If I don't have any time constraints, Jay-Z‟s newest single, „Run This Town,‟ on September 14 on the “Jay Leno Show.”
Jay‘s single with Rihanna and
I'll mess around; I'll never get it done… I
Kanye is a rap track laced with guitars that is sure to be overplayed.
really like the [time constraints]. But whatever happens, may turn
It is the first new music we've heard from Rihanna since her drama
out better, 'cause it'll be done when it's right." Jay explained to
with Chris Brown in February.
www.mtv.com/news
―I‘m not a huge fan of rap but I somewhat like this song. I mean
Jay elaborated on the cover of his most recent album ―These
it‘s fun. When Kanye raps is without a doubt the highlight of the
things are like the forgotten pieces in hip-hop,‖ he says of the insong,‖ explained Cameron Stewart, ‘11.
struments on the cover.
―That song is hot. Anything Kanye graces is amazing,‖ said Erin
Jay confirmed that the graphic that hit the Internet on August 3
Moore, ‘11.
“She Wolf” by Shakira : This is my pick for song of the month because it is a
Editor’s
refreshing change from overplayed generic club tunes like Lady Gaga. The muPick of the sic video takes you back to the days of Madonna, I seem to find myself hitting
Month:
the replay button repeatedly.
VERNOIS SPORTS
Volume 88 - Issue 1
Cam’s Ram Review
GO RAMS AND LADY RAMS!
August 2009
Rams prepare for fall season
Basketball has also been staying busy. The
teams have been
having
open
Mt. Vernon footgyms and a few
ball, soccer, bastournaments.
ketball,
volleyThe football
ball, tennis, cross
team has been
country, and golf
training all sumteams have been
mer from four
preparing
over
until
eight.
their summer for
They have also
the fall and winbeen
playing
ter season.
seven on seven
Cross country
games with Newboys and girls run
ton and Salem.
35-45 miles a
―The pracweek over the
tices have been
summer.
The
long and hard,
girls started in
but I know it will
the middle of
pay off,‖ Cody
June and the
Ferland,
‗11,
boys started in
stated.
July. ―It‘s a lot of
Soccer
has
hard work that
been going out
always somehow
to the fields on
pays off,‖ said
Monday
and
Trace Turner, ‗12
Thursday nights
As with years
every week this
past, both teams
summer. ―Well I
will run in the
don‘t want to
10k,
formerly
get my hopes up
part of the Sweet
for
an
outCorn and Waterstanding season,
melon
Festival,
but it would be
on August 15.
nice. I know we
Their first meet
have a lot of to
will be a week or
work on, I just
two after the
hope everything
VERNOIS
NEWS
photo/Jeanette
Straeter
first
day
of
stays good,‖ DyAbbey Gober, „12, serves a ball during tennis tryouts on Thursday. The tennis team started
school, at Mur- tryouts on Wednesday the 12th at Veterans‟ Park.
lan Starr, ‗10,
physboro.
explained
The women‘s volleyball team had open gyms
Tennis had a summer league over the break.
two to three times a week at various times durOne of the teams placed second in the summer
ing the day. The girls also scrimmaged against
sectionals.
Salem‘s team. Coach Kombrink also got the team
The golf team hasn‘t been practicing as a
into a tournament in Fairfield. ―We have done a
team. ―Everyone just does their own thing and
lot this summer and with our new coaches we
when tryouts come along we will start up the
seem to be getting better and this season is goteam practices,‖ said Gage Cummins, ‗10.
ing to be awesome,‖ Tessa England, ‗11 added.
By Cameron Stewart
SPORTS EDITOR
Athletes train over
summer break
By Cameron Stewart
SPORTS EDITOR
Most people would think the
more an athlete trains the better
he or she will be. This seems like
a pretty basic idea, but it is
really the best thing an athlete
can do in my opinion.
So when summer comes
around, a lot of students who are
involved in sports are out there
training with their team or training on their own.
I have been training with my
team and on my own. I was out
on the soccer field a lot playing
with my team on Mondays and
Thursdays every week.
Over the summer I also swim
on the swim team. So every
weekday morning I was out in the
pool swimming laps. I definitely
think it is going to improve my
game because the swimming
makes me stronger and the soccer practicing helps me out a lot.
So I know that this training in the
summer will help me out this fall.
When an athlete trains over
the summer or anytime, it doesn‘t have to be practicing the
sport you want to get better in.
Look at the football team. After
their season is over they are in
the weight room all the time.
Many people can run, swim
or work out in the gym over the
summer. Everyone gets a chance
to train over the summer.
Play hard all Rams and
Lady Rams this fall!
“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s
whether you get back up.” - Vince Lombardi
To inform, educate, enlighten, and entertain | A VERNOIS PUBLICATIONS GROUP PRODUCTION