College Choices 2009 Brentwood Academy TALON

U. of Denver
Alex Ristau
Brentwood Academy
College Choices 2009
Arkansas State U.
Ryan Carrethers Jr.
Thomas Lundborg III
St. Louis U.
Ali Hearon
Transylvania
U. of Notre Dame
Will Bryant
AlexBullard
Centre College
Brittany Tucker
Western Kentucky
Chase Long
Terrance Scott
U. of Cincinnati
Nadia Bryson
Gordon College
Ryan Coil
Brown U.
Monique Batson
Eastern U.
Jay Renfro III
U. of Maryland
Justin Cash
U.S Naval Prep
Barry Dabney Jr.
Virginia Tech
Caroline Askew
Virginia Military
Institute
Taylor Swift
Elon University
GinnaClaire Mason
Musician’s Institute
Alyssa Degati
Baylor University
Hannah Cates
LeTourneau U.
Ross Stovenour
U. of Texas-Austin
Christina Roscoe
U. of Mississippi
Jackson Boyd
Taylor Brasher
David McGowan III
Lacey McGrew
Stephen Richards Jr.
Madison West
Mississippi State U.
Rob Payne
College of Charleston
Cara Beth Heath
U. of Georgia
Lauren Hamilton
Alyssa Keller
Georgia Tech
Sam Dove
Berry College
Will Graham
Louis Joseph IV
Savannah College
of Art and Design
Lacey Lovell
UT-Knoxville
Ashley Albright
Annie Alexander
Hannah Margaret
Auburn U.
Samford U.
Allen
Reed Gibbs
Brittany CamLauren Baker
Sterett Seckman eron
William Ball
DJ Luna
U. of Alabama
Chase Brannon
Riley Moore
Ben Lepere
Beth Browner
Kara Parkey
Courtney Callender
Birmingham-Southern Emily Rodgers
Jessica Cutrer
College
Hannah Santi
Florida State U.
Breon Dixon
Anna Wilson
Chenelle Terry
Ryan Coomer
Drew
Floyd
Alabama A&M U.
Hannah
Foster
Melvin Pryor
UT-Chattanooga
Caitlin Glasgow
Daniel Freeman
Philip Henninger
Bianca Hopson
Meg Jamison
Amy Thompson
Kim Kester
Kelley Vaught
Lipscomb U.
Shelby Kirkpatrick
Maggie Hardwick Paul Meehan
Middle Tenn. State U.
Tory Wolf
Bethany Chapman
Stan Owen
Renee Duryee
Sam Reily
Lee U.
Ashley Fagan
Ryan
Roberts
Sarah Cage
Jeremy Martin
Isabella Roe
Sam Cook
Kimmie Sanders
Carli Stover
Tusculum College
Glen Searcy
Jordan Baron
Carson-Newman
Allie Smith
College
Austin Peay State U.
Isaac Summers
Michael Proctor
Emily Thon
Cody Taylor
Christen Shelbey
Maryville
College
Sam Wilson
Bryan College
Kelsie Kestner
Sewanee U.
Taylor McFerran
Paige Logan
Belmont U.
Asher Austin
Jessica Barnett
Courtney Bishop
Marshall Clifton
Fallon Dickens
Savannah Ellis
Rachel Franklin
Marty Gay
Gaby Hall
Alyssa Visbeen
Whit Whitson
Vanderbilt U.
Colleen Boyle
Charlotte Fraser
Alyson Hasty
Thad McHaney
Congratulations,
Class of 2009!
15
TALON
TALON
Brentwood Academy
TA L O N
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Colleen Boyle
Gaby Hall
Second Quarter 2008-2009
Volume 38 Issue 2
Assistant Editor
Lindsey Rowe
Into The Woods
The Talon is a quarterly publication
produced by students at Brentwood
Academy.
Layout and Design Editors
Alicia Adlerz
Harris Slinkard
Member of the Tennessee High School
Press Association
Photo Editor
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
talon@brentwoodacademy.com
Gaby Hall
Staff Writers
by Gaby Hall
219 Granny White Pike
Brentwood, TN
37027
Kristin Adams
Zach Brown
Laura Burgin
On the cover: The 2009 Prom King, Jay
Renfro, shares a dance with his stunning
queen, Caitlin Glasgow, as their royal
subjects enjoy an Arabian-themed night of
memories.
Haley Buske
Davis Denney
Daly Cantrell
Erin Grimson
Jack Johnson
Taylor Norton
Lauren Rogers
Anna Wilson
Samantha Wilson
Sponsor
Barry Robbins
As the year draws to a close, the graduating editors of Talon, with
the approval of the remaining editors, reluctantly swear in the
dutiful Lauren Rogers and Erin Grimson, who will be serving as
your 2009-2010 editors-in-chief along with Lindsey Rowe!
1
A
fter four long months of preparation, the Last
Midnight was upon us—the last midnight before
the show, of course. Never before have so many
fairytales graced the Brentwood Academy stage. If you
were not able to make it Into the Woods with us, you
missed more than just an evening of girls in wigs and
men in makeup. You missed out on beans that begin adventures, moments in the
woods, and very nice princes. Each show could not have been successful, though,
if it were not for the audiences who came in abundance to each of the four shows.
After all, it does take more than just two. Whether you were in agony or at the
festival, there is no excuse if you missed out. Those of you who attended won’t
hesitate to say that you can now truly live happily ever after!
14
Discovering) T
( he) Dugout)
by Zach Brown
B
rentwood Academy prides itself on the athletic
prowess of its students. It is a well accepted fact
that football is a king here, and basketball, too,
has a winning legacy. There is one sport, however, that
is forgotten.
Baseball, America’s pastime, is not as well known
here at Brentwood Academy. The BA population does
not know much about this ancient sport compared to
football and basketball. There is no talk of “Wow, that
pitch was killer!” or “Luna’s homerun was a game
changer!” A recent study showed that a shocking fifty
percent of Brentwood Academy students and teachers
were not aware that the baseball team won the state
championship last year. This is an astounding figure.
Everyone knows when the football and basketball
teams have accomplished greatness because their championship games fall during the school year, but not the
baseball team, who’s final games occur after exams. Of
the students and teachers that were questioned, a whopping zero percent knew the team’s record. The best answer given was, “Uh…I have no clue, but I know it’s
good!” That’s certainly true. Currently the team has a
15-4 record and is looking forward to more victories.
The aforementioned study also probed into whether or
not members of the BA population knew the team’s biggest rival. Most said MBA, but they are only partially
correct. When the baseball players were asked that same
question, second baseman Taylor Greene said, “BGA…
and MBA.”
What does this survey prove, you may ask? It shows
that the students of Brentwood Academy do not know
enough about their baseball team, nor do they give the
team the respect it has earned. This is surely caused by
a lack of propoganda by the students resulting in low
attendance. Rarely is there a declaration through the
hallways that states: “Go cheer on your Baseball Eagles
today at four o’clock!” Also in the survey, an unnamed
baseballer remarked that only about five or six fans
come to cheer on the team. This is wrong.
It’s not like our baseball team is horrible. They are really good! Support the other “big” sport at BA. You’ll be
surprised at how much fun this pastime can be!
Memoirs of a Middle Schooler
T
by Haley Buske
he idea that youth is one of the most transitional
yet fulfilling and cherished times of life is exemplified in middle school. There are new and exciting experiences waiting around every corner. Each grade
has unique adventures that will never be forgotten.
One of the unforgettable experiences for eighth
graders occurred in February. On a chilly Tuesday
morning the eighth grade class flew down to the
Florida Keys to spend four days soaking up the sun
and exploring Marine Biology. The tropical weather
was certainly a welcome break from the frozen rains of
Tennessee. Snorkeling in the coral reefs with a myriad
of fish and aquatic plants revealed the beauty of God’s
creation. Plus, we learned you can never apply too much
sunscreen!
The seventh grade class took a trip to Rome, Georgia.
While there, they grew to trust one another. When you
are suspended in the air and the only thing keeping you
from free-falling to the ground is your peers, you can
not have trust issues! Not only did the students enjoy
the ropes course itself, but the annual talent show was
unforgettable. Other activities included building birdhouses and splattering t-shirts with paint.
Last, but certainly not least, was the sixth grade’s
canoe trip down the Harpeth River last fall. The whole
sixth grade drove down to a local canoe station where
they canoed down the river and enjoyed a picnic lunch.
When asked to describe the event, Mrs. Causey replied
with a smile, “Every canoe tipped at least once, and by
the end of the day there were more water bottles floating down the river than canoes!” Though it was close to
home, the canoe trip deeply impacted the Class of 2015.
Now that the trips are over and the year is coming to
a close, every grade is in a state of transition. The eighth
graders are preparing for high school, while the seventh
graders get closer to being the leaders of the middle
school. There are also the sixth graders who are just
happy to be moving up in the food chain. The end of the
year is approaching fast, and, for some, middle school
is nearly over. Though there have not been many dull
moments to kick back and relax, every trip or experience
has been worth the constant bustle.
13
YIG Is Life...
The Rest Is
Out of Order
by Jack Johnson
T
his year 750 high school students from across the
state gathered in downtown Nashville to participate in Youth in Government. Some went just
to miss two days of school, others came to get phone
numbers of members of the opposite sex, but most came
to take part in the legislative process. “YIG” allows students to play a part in a mock version of the Tennessee
Government. Students may assume the role of a senator, house representative, lawyer, lobbyist, or a member
of the press corps. Over the course of four long, grueling days, bills are passed and signed into law, students
speak in a funny language called “Parliamentary Procedure,” and officers bang their gavels in an attempt to
maintain order in the chambers.
After a long day of debating bills, everyone is ready to
get out of the capitol and take a break. The most popular
thing to do is grab a bite to eat. One of the most appealing things about Youth in Government is that you can
eat anywhere you want in downtown Nashville. Other
exciting aspects of YIG are the dances. Yes, that’s right,
there are two. Delegates get to spend both Friday and
Saturday night “two-stepping” and “cupid shuffling.”
The dances provide an opportunity for people to hang
out, meet kids from other schools, and most importantly
get a chance to relax after a stressful day.
One of the most exciting parts of the conference is
the campaign race. Every year students from many
schools compete to be elected as officers. BA is always
known for having a large quantity of these gavel-wielding, menacing officials. We also had many students who
were successful in acquiring their desired positions for
next year’s conference.
Of all the elections, the most impressive was that of
Ryan Ray. Ryan ran for the office of Governor of Tennessee. This is the highest office anyone can hold at Youth
in Government. The position requires a great deal of experience and demands an even greater deal of responsibility.
While Ryan did a phenomenal job debating and delivering speeches, he had two worthy opponents aspiring for the same office: Cassidy Kellogg from Ravenwood High School, and Zach Riddle from Brentwood
High School. These candidates all had to campaign vigorously. After a long weekend of stress, sweat, and anxiousness, the results of the election were announced and
our own Ryan ‘No Mercy’ Ray emerged victorious.
YIG is a program that appeals to all kinds of students. Whether you are there to debate, dance, or just
miss school, Youth in Government is something you
will never forget. It is a chance to meet new people and
learn how every branch of the government works. The
weekend is filled with fun and stress (especially if you
decide to run for office), but everyone walks away from
the conference with great memories, new friends, and
anticipation for next year’s conference. Youth in Government rocks the House...and the Senate.
2
by Lindsey Rowe
I
spent the majority of my spring break walking.
While my friends were tanning on the beach or skiing in Colorado, I was walking around. I walked
north, south, and even in a few circles. I walked in the
freezing cold and in the pouring rain. Why would I do
such a thing? I was going on college tours—the first step
of the infamous college search process.
While visiting these various institutions of higher
learning, I began to notice some similarities. No matter
whether it was a large state university or a small private
college, every school claimed to be “the perfect size.”
Also, each college described itself as “unique” in its
study abroad program, despite the fact that virtually
every college in the nation has some opportunity to go
overseas. Every single tour guide delivered the same joke
about how she would be walking backwards during the
tour, so please give warning if she was about to run into
something. Also, when the guides entertained questions,
there was always an awkward silence.
The worst part of a college tour, however, is the
information session. During this hour-long presentation,
an admissions officer will outline all the wonderful
aspects of his school. Then he’ll continue to deliver an
array of facts that serve to convince you that you have
no chance of getting into said wonderful institution. It’s
rather depressing. Next, he will ask for questions, and
a brave parent (usually a mom) will raise her hand and
ask about SAT vs. ACT scores, the meal plan, or average
class sizes, while her unfortunate child pretends to be
invisible. By the end of the week, I began to amuse myself
during these sessions by counting the number of times
the counselor used the word “unique” or “community”
during his presentation.
Still, college visits are definitely useful. Looking
around the campus, seeing students, and hearing about
every-day life are all important factors in choosing a
college. It’s just a little ironic that the institutions which
are stressing the importance of being an individual
and standing out among your peers for the admissions
process are all advertising themselves in similar ways.
the amazing Race
Y
ou’re sitting inside your classroom, either meticulously taking notes or dozing off into daydream
land, when you decide to look out the window
and into the hallway. It’s quiet…too quiet. Suddenly,
you see three students gallop down the hallway, green
envelopes in hand, shouting, “WE FOUND ONE! WE
FOUND ONE!” At this point you are utterly confused.
What on earth is going on?
This is just one of many examples of Mrs. Hall’s
genius at work to prepare her students mentally and
psychologically for their AP Calculus exam. We, the
AP Calc class, have been charged with a special task
from Mr. Masters. A certain treasure has been hidden
by a certain someone in a certain location. Our job is to
find out exactly what those “certains” are. We have been
given green envelopes containing problem sets that help
determine who to interrogate or where to search. Each
problem set holds three problems, and each problem
corresponds to a suspect, location, or treasure. After
solving these challenging puzzles, each team uses their
answers to discover where the next problem set is hiding.
Think of the board game “Clue,” and you’ve got the gist
by Anna Wilson
of this mathematical scavenger hunt. The suspects range
from sweet Ms. Miller to intense Col. Bradford. Don’t
worry; we won’t be tying your favorite teachers to a
chair with a lamp shining directly over their faces just
to get a clue. There are some guidelines that we have
to follow. For example, we aren’t allowed to barge into
a teacher’s classroom while they’re teaching and we
aren’t allowed to hide the other teams’ clues.
Who exactly is participating in this quest? There
are four teams: The blue team consists of Sam Wilson,
Sam Dove, and Sterret Seckman. The orange team is
composed of Paul Clymer, Peter Blankenship, and Will
Graham. The red team is made up of Colleen Boyle, Anna
Wilson , and Nadia Bryson. And finally, the yellow team
has Alex Ristau, Hanna Santi, and Davis Priester.
So, teachers, the next time three students come
running into your room, huffing and puffing, asking
for something called a problem set, GIVE IT TO THEM!
And students, if you see us crawling on our hands and
knees scanning the floor or peering into the window
of your science class, don’t question our sanity. We’re
desperate to win the prize…whatever it is!
3
F
or the fourth time in a row, Talon has provided some insight into the widespread realm of music. Staff writer Erin Grimson has meticulously composed two separate music reviews, one focusing on a well-known artist,
and another highlighting the endeavors of a lesser-known rising star. Although
many kids at BA are fixated on the heavy beats vibrating from 107.5 the River,
the concerned editors at Talon hope that students will find a chance to turn that
radio dial and discover some new music.
KNOWN: Lily Allen’s early valentine to her fans
Music
Review
UNKNOWN:
by Erin Grimson
Two years ago, Ra Ra Riot was
formed on a university campus in Syracuse, New York.
They became the darlings of the indie-pop music scene
in a hurry and began opening for the likes of The Editors
and Tokyo Police Club. But, the most impressive aspect
of the stylish sextet is the grace with which they have
met tragedy as a group.
In the summer of 2007, shortly after the release of
their first EP, the band was on tour in Providence, Massachusetts. John Ryan Pike, Ra Ra Riot’s first drummer
went missing on June the 2nd. His body was found
in Fairhaven, Massachucettes the next morning, and
he was believed to have drowned. A few weeks follwing the shocking news, the band announced that they
would continue as a group. Since their debut last August with The Rhumb Line, Ra Ra Riot has crept out of
the New York underground.
Their album cuts far deeper than your average flavor-of-the-month indie band. Full of references to the
loss they suffered two years ago, The Rhumb Line demonstrates Ra Ra Riot`s comradery between bandmates
and acts as a musical eulogy to their origianal drummer, John. The song, “Winter ‘05,” opens the album
with a primal drumbeat as Alexandra Lawn (cello)
sweeps into the melody and Wes Miles (lead vocals)
proceeds to croon listeners with, “If you were here/
Winter wouldn’t pass quite so slow.” This band has
met adversity beautifully and has a gem of an album
to show for it.
this year was It’s Not Me, It’s You. A west London native,
Allen made her leap across the pond in January of 2007
with the infectious Alright, Still. With a little help from
Starbucks, who marketed her records, Lily won over
a colossal American following with her satirical lyrics
and angelic voice range.
As the dust settles around her newest release, Allen’s
It’s Not Me, It’s You makes a decent showing. Although
many of the tracks such as “Not Fair” and “Never Gonna Happen” are far from the original sound we grew
to love, they are still every bit as Lily as the old stuff.
The lyrics are still biting, and Allen’s vocals remain as
charming as ever.
The album’s second track, “The Fear,” is a smooth
transition into the new electro sound found throughout
the rest of the album. If, like me, you are in search of a
soundtrack for your summer, the new Allen disc may
not be your perfect match. One of her new songs, “Back
to the Start,” leaves a stubborn Alright, Still fan longing for the old days. But the record is by no means a
complete disappointment. If you were not hooked on
Allen’s feel-good sound to begin with, I encourage you
to pick up It’s Not Me, It’s You.
The record seems to be full of experimentation,
which is exciting to see from such a talented artist who
is only twenty-three years old. Still equal parts upbeat
and cynical, Lily Allen undoubtedly has more great
music to come.
12
Dublin
or Nothing
by Samantha Wilson
by Colleen Boyle
“C
hicken salad on a toasted sun-dried tomato bagel please!” This is the order my mom
places every Wednesday when she goes
to Bagel Works & Perks for the BA Junior Moms’ Bible
Study. You are probably asking, “What is this place with
a catchy rhyming name? And why do I care about Sam’s
mother’s eating habits?” Well, for starters, it isn’t everyday that a non-franchise restaurant pops the Brentwood
bubble. Last August, this bagel shop took over Alpine
Bagel located off Maryland Way. You have probably seen
the truck driving around with the trailer that looks like
a toaster with a bagel popping out the top. Now, you
are most likely wondering, “Why does Brentwood need
another bagel place?” Before you turn to the next page,
you should know that there is another dimension to this
restaurant. (Why else would I choose to review it?)
The Rochelle Center runs the shop. This is a nonprofit organization that helps mentally handicapped
adults find jobs in the community. Bagel Works & Perks
provides workplace training for these individuals. It has
the same purpose as Goodwill—creating occupational
experiences for people with disabilities while serving
the greater community. The bagels are commercially
baked elsewhere by a vendor and then brought to the
store to be sold alongside coffee from Bongo Java. The
adults work shifts throughout the week, alternating
with the packaging factories that the Rochelle Center
also sponsors.
As the name implies, Bagel Works & Perks sells a variety of bagels and cream cheese flavors. Fifteen different types of bagels and nine variations of cream cheese,
to be exact. If cream cheese doesn’t leave the right taste
11
in your mouth, they have peanut butter to top off your
scrumptious sesame seed, blueberry, or jalapeño bagel.
For those of you on the Atkins diet, do not fear! Bagel
Works & Perks has salads too! You can also buy pizzas,
muffins, and cookies, depending on your mood. Unlike
other bagel shops, Bagel Works & Perks has something
for everyone.
But back to the real reason I am writing this article.
The Rochelle Center is having a positive impact in our
community with only this one shop. They do not need
a well-known name following a chain of restaurants
across the United States like Subway or McDonalds.
They are giving handicapped adults a place to feel at
home without feeling worthless. These people are often seriously misunderstood. It is our tendency to write
them off as inept, but, in reality, they have an immense
desire to help.
Instead of hiring lazy teenagers who can get a job
anywhere, the Rochelle Center provides an opportunity
for disabled adults who would never be given a chance
elsewhere. The employees love their job, greeting every
customer with a smile. The Rochelle Center has found
a problem and taken positive measures to fix it, and we
should follow their example. You don’t have to go on
a mission trip to Africa or the slums of India to make a
difference when there are great opportunities right here
in Brentwood.
Bagel Works & Perks is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m., Monday through Friday. So this summer, when
you and your friends are debating whether to go to
Bruegger’s or Panera, end the argument by giving Bagel
Works & Perks a chance.
W
hen Mr. Berger began the “Where Are You
Going for Spring Break?” game in assembly one chilly Wednesday morning, I nearly
jumped out of the bleachers with excitement. Typically, I
am one of the first students to sit down when Mr. Berger
begins rattling off the names of locations that Brentwood
Academians regularly visit over Spring Break, but this
year was going to be different. As masses of students
retreated to their seats when the words “Destin” and
“Colorado” echoed through the gymnasium, I couldn’t
help but grin while standing among my fellow international adventurers. Along with 25 other members of the
BA community, I would be spending Spring Break, and
coincidentally St. Patrick’s Day, in Ireland.
Though Ireland is only the size of South Carolina,
it provided our tour group with an unending list of
incredible places to explore. When we arrived at the
Dublin Airport, Peter, our Polish tour guide, was the
first to welcome us to the Emerald Isle. While I’m sure
Peter viewed us as a mob of silly Americans, it did not
take long for him to warm up to the antics of our notso-conventional tour group. During our time in Dublin,
we visited the awe-inspiring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the
wonderfully green Phoenix Park, and the gorgeous Trinity College. Over the course of our trip, we enjoyed authentic Irish cuisine such as fish and chips, shepherd’s
pie, bangers and mash, and bread pudding.
Once we left Dublin behind, our tour group encountered the 40 different shades of green that can be seen in
the Irish countryside. The “camera crew,” consisting of
seniors Marty Gay, Ryan Coil, and Chase Long, made
sure they captured every inch of beauty they could find
in Ireland. As our bright yellow tour bus transported
us to and from picturesque castles and monasteries,
the seniors took opportunities to play zombie games in
graveyards while the junior boys sulked off to play with
their Gameboys. We had the opportunity to watch a St.
Patrick’s Day parade in the quaint Irish village of Clifton and experience all the “merriment” indigenous to
the Irish people on this marvelous holiday. Sometimes,
however, Ireland was a little too quaint for a few of the
adventurers on our trip. Let’s just say that hot water
and indoor heating are considered optional amenities in
some Irish inns. Ireland was full of unbelievably amazing sights, such as the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, and
the electric city of Galway, which, according to Allie
Smith, is “just like Disneyland…only it’s real.”
Yet when I close my eyes to think about my favorite memories from Ireland, images of sheep-inhabited
landscapes and dauntingly beautiful cathedrals do not
flash before my eyes. What I do remember, and what I
will cherish the most, are the little things about the trip.
I will remember our crazy Irish bus driver Kevin, who
stole Jay Renfro’s pineapple and tried to leave the boys
stranded on a bog. I will remember the crazy drunken
man who accosted our group and tried to teach us all
how to dance. I will remember Anna Wilson getting a
little too intense when we played card games on the bus.
I will remember playing a game of “real” Pokemon Snap
(just ask Jay, Marc, or Scott). I will remember the awards
ceremony we held in Dublin. I may not have returned
from Spring Break with a tan, but I have memories—
memories that I wouldn’t trade in for a heated hotel
room in Nowheresville, Ireland.
4
Y
An Arabian Night
ou know a tradition is really special when your parents are just as
excited about it as you are. Many of our parents, grandparents, and
even great-grandparents attended their own proms. Of course, now
that we are in the 21st century, prom has become even more over the top. Not
only were the Arabian-themed decorations gorgeous, but everyone in the room
also looked stunning. Our prom king and queen this year were Jay Renfro and
Caitlin Glasgow, and we can all agree that they deserved the royal treatment.
The entertaining band Primetime played “My Girl” while the royal couple
danced. The diva/young millionaires dance-off, however, made my night.
Alyssa Degati showed off her divalicious dance skills, and Alex Ristau had
everyone in the room dancing. Although everyone was tired after prom, no
one wanted the night to end. We all had the time of our lives, and that’s what
prom is all about!
by Daly Cantrell
Between the Walls
E
ntre les Murs (literally translated as “Between the
Walls”) is a French film that has garnered great
praise ever since its premiere at the 2008 Cannes
Film Festival. It won the Palme d’Or (Best Picture) and
was nominated this year for Best Foreign Language Film
at the Academy Awards.
The Class (the American translated title of the movie)
tells the story of Monsieur Marin, a teacher at an inner city school in Paris. Make no mistake, The Class is
not just another inspirational film in which the teacher
learns something valuable from his students and in return imparts life lessons to the troubled youth. It’s actually quite the contrary. In one of the final scenes of the
film, one of the quieter students walks up to Monsieur
Marin and says “I haven’t learned anything this year.”
The two try to discover something that the girl may have
learned, but they come up with nothing.
The film does not follow conventional plot lines. It
is more organic, and it feels as if you are sitting in the
classroom watching these unique children spar against
one another and their teacher. It is rare for a film to possess one child actor who can truly deliver an honest, realistic performance. The Class is a unique film because
it contains about twenty raw portrayals from teenage
actors.
The movie puts most of its focus on the more outspoken characters (the sassy Esmeralda, the feisty Khoumba, and the violent Souleymane,) but it also allows each
individual to breathe. I found myself entirely engrossed
in what every student was saying.
One of the most fascinating moments in the film occurs when Souleymane and Esmeralda engage in a debate over Souleymane’s tattoos of the Koran. Mr. Marin
stands back and watches as these two students argue
over religion in a sequence that stirred all the right emotions and froze all of my nerve endings.
Don’t go into this film looking for a “big payoff.”
There is none. Rather, there are small moments of intimate relationships, rich characters, and intriguing moral
debates.
The Class is a film whose impact will stay with me for
some time. This movie graduates with a perfect score.
So what if there are subtitles? Step outside the box for
two hours and nine minutes. Put down that mind melting Jim Carrey flick and watch something worthwhile
and unforgettable.
Finding Fowlkes
S
by Lauren Rogers
he has found the perfect dog for the Obamas. She
has rescued babies from burning buildings. She
has solved the problem of a potential nuclear war
with North Korea. Okay, maybe not, but Ms. Fowlkes
has been in the habit of assisting students in getting out
of quandaries, whether they wanted her help or not. Instead of solving world hunger, Ms. Fowlkes comes to BA
early and leaves later than anyone else at school. There
has been a proposal to provide a cot for her in the black
box so she can sleep at school and save gas money. By
personifying what it means to be a fine arts guru/faculty
member/alumnus, Lindsay Fowlkes eats BA’s triangle
philosophy for breakfast. Academic: She’s an acclaimed
and “cool” English teacher. Athletic: In high school she
was a cheerleader. Spiritual: She’s a godly woman who
provides her advisory group with gummy snacks every
week. Some students may be thinking, “I don’t act in
school plays or participate in sports, so how does she
relate to me?” Surprisingly enough, Ms. Fowlkes has
endured many of the same obstacles that BA students
today endure.
5
by Davis Denny
In high school, she had Mrs. Stewart for three years,
helped out with school productions (but was only in one
show), and made strong relationships with classmates
and teachers that still carry over today. While a student
at BA, Ms. Fowlkes attended a Bible study with future
worship leaders Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant.
Her life as a teacher, however, has not all been roses
and applause. Since she has arrived to teach at BA,
Ms. Fowlkes has seen Mrs. Oldham get knocked out
on stage during Fiddler on the Roof and rushed to the
hospital. Other shocking, blood-filled memories from
the stage consist of an Annie cast member ripping a fake
moustache off, then putting it immediately back on,
only to find that he had torn his own skin and created a
gruesome bloody moustache for the rest of the evening.
When asked what superpower would give her the
most aid in her hectic life, Ms. Fowlkes responded,
“Vision. Not X-ray vision. Just vision. Period.” While she
may be blind as a bat, Ms. Fowlkes has a vision not just
for the Fine Arts Department or for her English classes,
but also for the lives of the students around her.
10
Destined for Destin?
SAND
by Kristin Adams
There is more to the beach than just the sand between your toes, stunning sunsets, and the ambiance of
rolling waves and chirping seagulls, although these are
reasons enough to go to the beach. Yes, snow-capped
mountains are majestic, but they are also very, very cold.
Where the tickle of sand between one’s toes is pleasant
and peaceful, the presence of snow on one’s feet just
results in frostbite. I am not in favor of frostbite, and I
really prefer tank tops and shorts over snow pants and
ski masks while escaping the Tennessee winter during
Spring Break.
Nothing is more satisfying than returning from
spring break with a lovely tan and shamelessly laughing at skiers and their wind-burned faces. I realize that
burns from the wind and burns from the sun are very
similar, but at least sunburns are not shaped like skimasks. Beach goers have every opportunity to mock
the paleness of their mountain-going friends. A beach
vacation leaves you rested and replenished from time
spent in the sun, lazy beach days, and ice cream. A ski
trip leaves you sore from falls and often with a broken
limb or two. Although the beach is not without danger
(sharks, skim boarding, and jellyfish), these hazards
pale in comparison to those of the mountains such as
avalanches and small children who ski without the ability to steer. Is catching a glimse of Shaun White really
worth breaking your neck?
After a long and grueling Tennessee winter, a trip to
the mountains is not appealing for spring break. “Escaping” to 27 degrees and snow sounds more like punishment to me. I’d much rather travel to sunshine and salty
air. Whether to swim, read on the beach, fish, eat, build
sand castles, or just soak up the sun, I recommend heading south for Spring Break.
SNOW
by Laura Burgin
Sand is the bane of my existence. Consequently, the
beach and I do not get along. Every Spring Break while
half of the BA student body flocks to sunny Seaside,
Destin, or some other utopian location, I stay off the
beach and away from the sand at all costs. My dream
vacation spot? On top of some snow-capped mountain,
sipping hot chocolate and reading a good book. There is
nothing better than a snowy escape during spring break,
and nothing worse than finding sand in places where
sand should never be…especially a month after you
return from your trip.
My earliest memory of the beach is my dad putting
me in the water for the first time only to have me
scrambling back into his arms because a jellyfish stung
my ankles. Not pleasant. Forgive me, but I just don’t see
the attraction of lying around all day long and baking in
the sun with the taste of salt constantly in my mouth. I
would much rather be speeding down the slopes with
friends or family, or catching a glimse of Shaun White.
Mountain scenery is beautiful. Though beaches are
lovely too, once you’ve seen one beach, you’ve seen them
all. The sand is the same anywhere: annoying. Beaches
also have a tendency, especially around spring break, to
get overcrowded. While I am sure that the mountains
do too, the difference is that the entire American teenage
population inhabits the beaches, whereas the faraway
slopes are a bit more family friendly. So, for all of you
sea-dwellers, enjoy your hot, sandy, lazy vacations. But
you’ll find me in front of the fireplace, watching the
snow falling outside my window and recovering from
the latest fumble down the mountain… with no sand to
be found!
9
by Taylor Norton
P
erhaps some of you have seen the boot on Mrs.
Buchanon’s desk in the front office. It contains
cat-tails and is resting on what appears to be the
bank of a peaceful pond. You may look at this creative,
quirky piece of art and wonder: “Who could possibly
have made such an astounding work of art? How can
it be? Can I get her autograph?!” The artisan in question is none other than senior Nadia Bryson. Now, while
it’s true that her artwork doesn’t hang in the Frist gallery, her austere presence in Coach Chapman’s art room
promises something unique and creative each time a
project is started. Not only is she the guru of sculptures
and sketches, but she is also an accomplished dancer,
having participated in BA’s dance program for many
years. Nadia is also a leader in the YMCA Youth in Government. Talk to anyone in the fine arts department, and
there’s a good chance the name Nadia Bryson will come
up.
Nadia has attended BA since 6th grade, although the
majority of her fine arts accomplishments did not begin
until her 7th grade year. In 7th grade, Nadia joined the
dance program and soon afterward became a part of
the Academy Dancers. In addition to being a member of
Brentwood Academy dance’s elite, Nadia tried her hand
at playing baritone in BA’s concert band. “It was funny
to see me in band,” she remembers with a laugh, “It was
a row of guys playing baritone and then me.” Although
Nadia enjoyed band, she decided to give it up for art,
which she has decided is her true passion. This year she
is taking Sculpture and Ceramics and Art IV. I have had
the pleasure of witnessing Nadia’s masterpieces come
to life in Sculpture, where she accepts her sculpting
triumphs (and Coach Chapman’s thundering accolades)
with stunning humility. When I asked Coach Chapman
to describe, with a single word, Nadia’s artistic work
in his class over the years, his answer was “sturdy.”
Nadia, myself, and, to be honest, probably the good
Coach himself, were a little confused at this answer, so I
broadened the parameters of the question to more than
one word. He then said, “Nadia is probably the greatest
Russian-born artist living in the U.S. ever! She is mature
far beyond her years as an artist.”
What’s that? Oh, I forgot to mention that Nadia is
actually of Russian heritage. When I asked her when
and where she was adopted, she said that her parents
adopted her from the Pechora, which is North West of
Moscow. Nadia was three at the time, so she doesn’t
remember much from her toddler years, but says that
she wants to go back to see Russia someday.
Although art is her forte, Nadia isn’t limited to the
arts department. Her participation in Youth Legislature
and Model United Nations started long ago, and it has
led her to offices in each of these conferences.
When asked where she plans to study after BA, Nadia
says that she is going to the University of Cincinnati. She
says that she wants to leave the proverbial “Brentwood
Bubble” and study industrial design. I had never
heard of industrial design, so Nadia had to explain
that industrial design is basically like product design;
if it’s smaller than a building, an industrial designer
is the artist behind it. Nadia may not be particularly
conspicuous walking around the halls of BA, and she
isn’t particularly wordy when describing her passions,
but there’s no need for words. The products of her work
and ideas speak for themselves. Just look around the art
displays; you’ll be astounded by what you see.
6
2009 SENIOR
Ashley Albright: Most Likely to be a Professional
Audience Member of Sitcoms
Annie Alexander: Most Likely to Survive in the
Wilderness
Hannah Margaret Allen: Most Likely to Design her Own
Line of Cardigans
Caroline Askew: Most Likely to be Your Boss
Asher Austin: Most Likely to Sell his Kidney for
Another Ukulele
Lauren Baker: Most Likely to be the New Host on Project
Runway
William Ball: Most Likely to Change His Name to
Sparky Merridian and be a Country Music Star
Jessica Barnett: Most Likely to Name her Children
According to Crayon Colors
Jordan Baron: Most Likely to Wear Jorts
Monique Batson: Most Likely to be the Next Oprah
Courtney Bishop: Most Likely to live Happily Ever After
Jackson Boyd: Most Likely to Leave Lacey for Philip
Colleen Boyle: Most Likely to Outlaw “Being Tall” when
she becomes Supreme Dictator
Chase Brannon: Most Likely to be a Singer on a Cruise
Ship
Taylor Brasher: Most Likely to be a Children’s TV Show
Host on Saturday Mornings
Beth Browner: Most Likely to be Photographed for a
Loreal Ad
Will Bryant: Most Likely To Name his First Born Son
World Cup
Nadia Bryson: Most Likely to Join the Russian Ballet
Alex Bullard: Most Likely to be on Broadway
Sarah Cage: Most Likely to be a Cage Fighter
Courtney Callender: Most Likely to Refer to Everyone
She Ever Meets as fwiieeeeennndd
Brittany Cameron: Most Likely to be a Hula Instructor
Ryan Carrethers: Most Likely to Have a Cameo
Appearance in Space Jam
Justin Cash: Most Likely to Care What his Senior
Superlative Is
Hannah Cates: Most Likely to Believe Unicorns are
Extinct
Bethany Chapman: Most Likely to Adopt an entire
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Chinese Orphange
Marshall Clifton: Most Likely to be a Professional Tap
Dancer
Ryan Coil: Most Likely to be Buried with his Beatles
Lunch Box
Sam Cook: Most Likely to be a Double Agent
Ryan Coomer: Most Likely to be a televangelist on TBN
Jessica Cutrer: Most Likely to be Mistaken for Phoebe
from Friends
Barry Dabney: Most Likely to Only be Seven Years Old
Alyssa Degati: Most Likely to Design her Own Line of
Jewlery
Fallon Dickens: Most Likely to Be a Blur
Breon Dixon: Most Likely to Always Ride Bikes with
Training Wheels
Sam Dove: Most Likely to be Mistaken for a Ken Doll
Renee Duryee: Most Likely to Teach at BA
Savannah Ellis: Most Likely to Have a Starbucks in her
House
Ashley Fagan: Most Likely to be a Spokesperson for
Chlorine
Drew Floyd: Most Likely to Work Really Hard
Hannah Foster: Most Likely to be a Snake Charmer
Rachel Franklin: Most Likely to be Related to a United
States President
Charlotte Fraser: Most Likely to Have a Disease Named
After Her
Daniel Freeman: Most Likely to be Treated Equally
Marty Gay: Most Likely to be an Eagle Scout Troop
Leader
Reed Gibbs: Most Likely to be a Sound Effects Guy
Caitlin Glasgow: Most Likely to Work at the Zoo
Will Graham: Most Likely to be a Ballroom Dancer
Gaby Hall: Most Likely to be a Cat Lady
Lauren Hamilton: Most Likely to Only Have 300 Pairs of
Shoes
Maggie Hardwick: Most Likely to be on HGTV
Alyson Hasty: Most Likely to Marry Tom Quickly
Ali Hearon: Most Likely to Back Down in an Argument
Cara Beth Heath: Most Likely to Go Blonde
Philip Henninger: Most Likely to Play Troy Bolton in
High School Musical 12
SUPERLATIVES
Bianca Hopson: Most Likely to be on American Idol
Meg Jamison: Most Likely to be your Presh Fwiend
Louis Joseph: Most Likely to Live Underground for 11
Years
Alyssa Keller: Most Likely to Move to Africa
Kim Kester: Most Likely to join a Glee Club in College
Kelsie Kestner: Most Likely to be a Snuggie Model
Shelby Kirkpatrick: Most Likely to be the New Face of
Chanel
Ben Lepere: Most Likely to Live to be 130 Years Old
Paige Logan: Most Likely to be the next Charles Schulz
Chase Long: Most Likely to Refer to Himself as “Boaz
the Street Fighter”
Lacy Lovell: Most Likely to Live in a Tree House
DJ Luna: Most Likely to Work for a Country Music
Radio Station... as a DJ
Thomas Lundborg: Most Likely to Write for Talon
Jeremy Martin: Most Likely to Go to the Olympics
Ginna Claire Mason: Most Likely to Sue Disney for
Never Naming a Princess After Her
Taylor McFerran: Most Likely to Invent Snuggies for
Your Feet
David McGowan: Most Likely to Grow a Foot Long
Beard and Change His Name to Gandalf
Lacey Mcgrew: Most Likely to Take Down Ryan
Carrethers in a Wrestling Match
Thad McHaney: Most Likely to be a Horse Jockey
Paul Meehan: Most Likely to Play Chad in High School
Musical 12
Riley Moore: Most Likely to do That Deal with That Guy
in That Place
Robert Onyejiaka: Most Likely to Change His Last Name
to Smith
Stan Owen: Most Likely to Vote for Gun Control
Kara Parkey: Most Likely to Dye Her Hair Red and go
by Harriet Beachfirst
Rob Payne: Most Likely to Scream
Michael Proctor: Most Likely to Win a Case before the
Supreme Court
Melvin Pryor: Most Likely to Own a Tatoo Parlor
Sam Reily: Most Likely to Mingle
Jay Renfro: Most Likely to Secretely Hate Everyone
Stephen Richards: Most Likely to Take Hula Dance
Lessons
Alex Ristau: Most Likely to Marry Someone Named Ku
Pung
Ryan Roberts: Most Likely to be Mr. Tucker
Emily Rodgers: Most Likely to be a Kindergarten
Teacher
Isabella Roe: Most Likely to be a Meteorologist
Christina Roscoe: Most Likely to be a Comedian
Kimmi Sanders: Most Likely to be a Florist
Hannah Santi: Most Likely to be Confused with Saint
Hannah
Terrance Scott: Most Likely to Have his Own Brand of
Tennis Shoes
Glen Searcy: Most Likely to be a Superhero Named
“The Bionically Bald”
Sterett Seckman: Most Likely to Change His Name to
Jennifer
Christen Shelby: Most Likely to Marry a Man Named
Garth
Allie Smith: Most Likely to End Conflicts in the Middle
East
Ross Stovenour: Most Likely to Manage Fallon’s
Running Career
Carli Stover: Most Likely to be New
Isaac Summers: Most Likely to be an Elvis Impersonator
Taylor Swift: Most Likely to Marry Singer, Taylor Swift
Cody Taylor: Most Likely to Live in a Van Down by the
Beach
Chenelle Terry: Most Likely to be a Cheetah Girl
Amy Thompson: Most Likely To Show Up on Test Days
Emily Thon: Most Likely to Love her Clean-Up
Brittany Tucker: Most Likely to be Arrrested for
Violence Towards Senior Citizens
Kelley Vaught: Most Likely to Give Up Sarcasm
Alyssa Visbeen: Most Likely to Never Use a Ladder
Madison West: Most Likely to Shave in the Next Hour
Whit Whitson: Most Likely to be Mistaken for a
Gangster
Anna Wilson: Most Likely to Be a Cartoon Character
Sam Wilson: Most Likely to Go Back to Australia
Tory Wolf: Most Likely to Save the Whales
8