Volume 56, Issue 6, April 15, 2008

Volume 56
April 15, 2008
Issue 6
Contrails
Where Did All
the Time Go?
Mudding
p. 3
Electoral
College
p. 4
Extracurricular
activities and school
Harley White
staff writer
Prom Spread
Dress Donations
The Last Dance
pp. 6-7
G.A.P.P. XIX
p. 8
Shirt Shop
Vandalism
p. 10
Thea Art Convention
p. 12
Among the many things students
have to do, juggling extracurricular
activities and school weighs heavy
on their minds. Between homework
and home games, students
involved in extra curricular activities
constantly have to keep up with
both schoolwork and after school
activities. Kellye Young, a senior,
said, “ In Bomb Squad when it is
during build season for six weeks, it
can be quite difficult, especially the
last week.”
With all the meetings,
competitions, and fundraisers
many groups have to do, time can
become scarce for many students
involved in them. Making sure there
is enough time to get everything
done is one of the biggest problems
with being involved in after school
activities. Many students participate
in activities that can sometimes last
late into the afternoon and night,
and once the activities are over
they must find time to complete any
homework they have. Students also
have to find time to projects and
study for tests. Westin Sykes,
an eleventh-grader, said he
sometimes “has to stay up late
doing homework.”
With the demands of both
school and activities, students
have to find ways to keep
up with it all. Sayde Baker, a
sophomore, said that she “ just
wings it and hopes for the best.”
“I manage my school work pretty
well,” said Young, “I just have to
make sure I have my work done,
so I don’t have any on the nights
of my meetings.” Some students
use the ever-popular cramming
sessions, while others choose to MHHS students have difficulty balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars.
Also, plan ahead and try to finish
get their work done before they run
assignments early instead of waiting
out of precious time.
until the last seconds.” Another good
Although the late nights and
way to stay on top of things is to
early mornings are tough to get
through, perhaps the hardest part of write down all the assignments and
when they are due.
being in extracurricular activities is
Students aren’t the only ones who
keeping up with grades. Many times
worry about extracurricular activities
students let homework pile up and
interfering with school. Coach Ellis,
wait until the last second to do it.
an algebra teacher, said, “ Because
Even if students do manage to keep
of the location of Mountain Home
up with homework, they sometimes
and the obvious distance to compete
forget to review notes for class or
against conference teams, I think
study for a test. Young said, “I am
horrendous at keeping up with what I students miss way too much class.”
Although students do miss class,
need to do.”
some teachers believe that students
Seemingly, one of the best ways
do get a lot out of extracurricular
to stay on top of everything is to
activities. Mrs. Roach said, “It is
have good time management skills.
great that students are involved in
Even though it sounds like it the
activities. It teaches them teamwork
advice parents would give, they
and self-discipline.” She also warns
aren’t lying. It does work. The best
way to stay on top of everything is to students against getting involved too
much. “Students have to be careful
know how much time activities and
because they can spread themselves
schoolwork is going to take. Baker
too thin. They have to be smart
said, “The best way to keep up with
about which activities they choose.”
everything is to use the agenda.
Contrails
2
Trading
Rings and
Hearing
Wedding
Bells
Students getting
engaged while
in high school
Raychel Raney
staff writer
Love is a word that is thrown
around a lot in society today.
Most high school students look
forward to prom and graduation,
but a few are looking for life
long commitment even before
they are out of school. Today
some students are rushing off to
the altar. In this last year alone
there has been a 32% increase
of high school students getting
married. This is, of course,
completely legal to do so; you
have to be 18 years of age to
obtain a marriage license and
16 years old with a parent’s
permission. The hard part would
be continuing on with life and
school after the vows are said.
Taylor Willett, a sophomore,
commented about what she
thought of students getting
married while in high school, “I
think that is cool if people want
to get married while they are
still in high school, if that is what
a couple wants. I have known
people who have been engaged
while in high school, and I
would say yes if I was proposed
to if I loved him, and nothing
could get between us.”
Alex Fry, junior, explained
that he thinks it would be hard
to be married in high school. “I
don’t think your love life is over
when you’re in high school, but
on the other hand, if you love
someone you should be with
them no matter what. I don’t
think I would get married, right
now in my life; I need to worry
about my school and education.
The way I look at it is: love won’t
get me into college, my grades
will.”
Balancing school and a
family would be difficult for
some students; some just have
too many things on their mind
to be committed to a whole
other life. “Commitment is
hard,” Fry stated, “I go out and
hang out with my friends on the
weekends. I wouldn’t be able
to do that. It would be hard to
fulfill your dreams if you were
committed while still in high
school. It would be like you
skipped a whole stage of your
April 15, 2008
life. I think most high school
students get engaged because
they find someone who makes
them smile and laugh all the
time,and they don’t want to lose
that. The reasons for dating is to
find love. If you find it then why
throw it away?”
Less than 2% of high school
sweethearts end up getting
married without a divorce. It
is to be believed that half
of young marriages will be
divorced within 15 years. “I
don’t think people take young
marriages seriously. People
who love each other get married
no matter what age,” Fry
explained, “Divorce is stressful
on a family, and mine has
been through three. I think high
school engagements don’t last
because usually one person is
older, and separation hurts a
relationship.”
Sarah Loftin, senior, was
engaged for two and a half
months, “Some people are
hard to understand,” Loftin said,
“People who get married in high
school aren’t too young, but
they need to be smart about
things. I knew him for three
years, and I got engaged on
October 12. After two months
things from the past resurfaced,
and we both weren’t willing to
work things out. Talking through
things could have probably
saved our engagement.”
Senior, Maranda Watson
was engaged on November
10th, 2007 and she was married
on December 8th, 2007, “I have
known my husband for eight
years, and it really isn’t that
hard to be in high school and
be married too. My husband
is older than I, and he is very
out going and helps me out a
lot. The biggest change since
I have been married is that we
got our own house, and the
bills are a big issue. I am also
expecting a new arrival soon,
and I’m excited. My advice to
people who desire to be married
while in high school is to make
sure the other person is mature
enough to handle marriage.”
Mandy Ricci
photo editor
Angel Adkins
staff writer
Brooke Klasinski
staff writer
Hanna Turner
staff writer
Dana Maley
co- photo editor
Sarah Arnold
staff writer
Maranda Martin
staff writer
Harley White
staff writer
Darah McDaniel
editor-in-chief
Austin Seaborn
ad editor
Leah Fahlenkamp
staff writer
Anna Pond
staff writer
Mrs. McGraw
sponsor
Brandon Tetrick
layout editor
Jessica Wells
special sections editor
Bobby Howard
staff writer
Raychel Raney
staff writer
Contrails
Mary McNabb
layout editor
Larra Wagner
spread editor
Kelsey Jaeger
staff writer
Jacklyn Rounceville
staff writer
Ron Walter
copy editor
Carlye Welch
opinion editor
Cady Johnson
staff writer
Karissa Sylvia
staff writer
rails
t
ConSTAFF
c/o Mountain Home High School
500 Bomber Blvd.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
Tel: 870-425-1215
April 15, 2008
“Strictly for
the Birds”
The Catcher
in the Rye
Hanna Turner
staff writer
Seventeen year old Holden
Caulfield has become the
epitome of many controversial
discussions regarding the
novel The Catcher in the Rye.
However, many have not
read this book due to the fact
that it is banned from being
taught in schools across the
nation. Published in 1951, this
When All
Else Fails
Go mudding
Angel Adkins
staff writer
Mountain Home High
School offers many different
activities for students to join.
Basketball, football, track, FFA,
and band are just a few of the
many activities offered at the
high school. However , there
is a very important sport that
isn’t offered. Many students
are involved in it and base
their entire weekends around
Contrails
to him in his life. Caulfield was
immediate best-seller almost
loved it. I was really drawn to
simultaneously became a
talking with his kid sister Phoebe,
it.” Holden has something for
popular target for censorship.
everybody, whether one is drawn towards the end of the novel,
Included in it are topics of
and she asks him exactly what
he wants to do with his life which
“anti-Christianity,” vulgarity,
explains the title of the book.
disrespect, and reference to
“I keep picturing all these little
suicide.
kids playing some game in this
Several students, however,
have had the chance to read
big field of rye and all…and I’m
standing on the edge of some
this book which provides a
crazy cliff. What I have to do,
unique experience for every
I have to catch everybody if
reader. True, it may not affect
they start to go over the cliff—I
everyone the same, as with
Sophomore
Kaytlyn
Carson
read
The
Catcher
in
the
Rye.
every novel. It’s something
mean if they’re running and
they don’t look where they’re
that not every reader will be
to his cynicism or offended
going I have to come out from
able to grasp and/or hold
by his pursuit of intimacy and
somewhere and catch them…I’d
onto, but it’s something the
relationships.
just be the catcher in the rye
reader will never forget (even
Basically, The Catcher in
and all. I know it’s crazy, but
if one hates it). Sophomore
the Rye details 48 hours in the
that’s the only thing I’d really like
Kaytlyn Carson relates, “I’ve
life of Holden Caulfield who is
to be.” Holden responds with
read it once, but some parts I
the narrator about the things
this image which reveals his
have read two or three times.
he went through when he was
fantasy of idealistic childhood
My first impression was that
sixteen. He speaks about this
and of his role as the protector
it was very down to earth. I
“madman stuff” that happened
stated, “Mudding is a thrill, and getting stuck, or you break
the activity. Many students
it’s fun. You get to loose some
something. One time my
believe that mudding is a very
control of your vehicle and not
transmission blew a front seal
competitive, stress relieving,
because it filled with water and
adventurous, and skill requiring have to worry about getting
pulled over.”
ended up building up too much
activity.
Mudding just like any other
pressure. Another time I used
Senior Jordan Wolf stated,
sport requires equipment and
duct tape and JB weld to patch
“As long as you have people
has expectations. Wolf stated,
a hole in the sidewall of my
and rules anything, is a sport.“
“You should probably always
tire.”
Sophomore Cody Spencer
bring a chain, extra gas, trucks,
However mudding may
commented, “Mudding should
seem like it is all fun and
be considered a sport because spare tires, and of course a
cell phone.” Sophomore Justin
games but it has its downside.
it involves a keen eye-hand
Depriest stated, “One important Depriest commented, “I have
coordination skill and trust.”
piece of advice is to never go
broken a few things on vehicles
Sophomore Cole Ifland also
by yourself and always bring
while taking them mudding.
stated, “Mudding should be
other trucks. One time I got
I bent tie rods, spindles, and
a sport because it takes skill
a Jeep Cherokee stuck ten
ruined two rims on a friend’s
and quick decision making.”
miles away out in the middle
truck. On my truck I broke my
Sophomore Brianna Bunch
of nowhere, with no cell phone
bumper, hood, and grille, from
said, “Mudding should be a
reception.” Sophomore Ryan
rear ending another person.
sport because it shows whose
Fields stated, “Something to
It cost me about $2000 in
truck is bigger, badder, and
damage.” Wolf stated, “A while
better. The entire point is to get consider is that something will
always go wrong no matter
back me and a friend went
dirty and see what your truck
mudding in my truck. I kind
can do.” Senior Colton Wamser what. Usually you end up
3
of innocence. Holden prefers to
retreat into his own imaginary
view of the world rather than
deal with the complexities of the
world around him. A large part
of his fantasy world is based on
the idea that children are simple
while innocent, and adults are
superficial and hypocritical.
The Catcher in the Rye is
only one of many banned books
today. According to Carson,
“It should not be banned. It is
school appropriate, I believe.”
Some other popular banned
books include: Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn, Fahrenheit
451, Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice
and Men, and A Separate Peace.
Even being published so long
ago, it still applies to teens today.
Carson added that she would
most definitely recommend this
book to everyone.
of hydroplaned into the lake.
Nobody went mudding with us
either. We called people, and
everyone slowly showed up.
They just laughed and said, ‘I’ll
try but I can’t pull you out.’ My
truck had to stay running so we
had to go get gas. After about
six hours, I finally got it out. I
was supposed to paint my truck
the next day, but I gave up on it.
Now I guess I will send it to get
crushed. That truck has been
through a lot, but that was the
funniest thing ever.” Depriest
stated, “I bought a new truck on
Friday and got it buried over the
wheels in the mud on Saturday.
It took a Dodge Cummins to get
it out.” Wolf commented, “I have
broken a few things like my
bumper ($50), power steering
($50), tires (not cheap), my hole
entire truck (priceless).”
Contrails
4
The Electoral
College
Coming to a
city near you
Ron Walter
copy editor
It’s a solid fact that young
adults, many able to vote, don’t
understand the Electoral College
and its significance. Considering
that the 2008 election is only
months away, many students
need to be aware of how the
Electoral College plays into the
next Presidential Election.
The Electoral College,
administered by the National
Archives and Records
Administration, is a process that
began as part of the original
design of the U.S. Constitution.
The Electoral College was
established as a compromise
between election of the president
by Congress and election by
popular vote. Today, voters elect
others who then vote for the
President.
The electors are a popularly
elected body chosen by the
States and the District of
Columbia on the Tuesday after
the first Monday in November.
The Electoral College consists
of 538 electors. Each State’s
allotment of electors is equal to
the number of House members
to which it is entitled plus two
Senators. The decennial census
is used to reapportion the
number of electors allocated
among the States.
Because no Constitutional
provision or Federal law requires
electors to vote in accordance
with the popular vote in their
state, the system had been
subject to debate over the years;
to some it may even seem
ineffective. Some students, such
as senior Erika Reinhardt, want
to make sure that their vote
counts toward their candidate.
“It’s outdated and
ridiculous,” says Reinhardt, “If the
government wants the people to
elect the president, then why do
we need to elect others to make
a decision for us? It makes little
sense to me to elect someone to
a position where they can decide
the state’s votes when I can just
have my own vote count.”
Reinhardt makes a point that
many students, as well as adults,
are concerned about. Many think
that a straight popular vote by the
United States would be closer
April 15, 2008
to what the country really wants.
By having a direct vote, many
believe the next President could
be chosen more accurately. One
of these people is junior Chelsea
Palmer.
“A Popular Vote would be
better for the country. That way
you could see what people
really wanted rather than have
someone else decide in their
best interest. The elected officials
don’t have to vote with the
popular vote of the state. Even
if they were elected, how could
they be totally trusted to carry
out the wishes of the state’s
residents?”
Palmer, like many, has
thought over this. Others have
found opposite view points
though. One of these students
is senior Stacy Jordan. “I don’t
know if I trust the people to
elect a President on their own.
Many people vote not knowing
anything about the candidate
they like. A lot of them simply
fall victim to mass marketing
campaigns as well as false
promises. Considering how
politicians lie, and how many
believe them, I don’t think I really
want just anyone handling the
vote. I at least want somebody
who knows what they’re doing to
keep an eye on it.”
All things accounted for,
the Electoral College has a
debatable effectiveness. Some
find that the system works;
others think it’s time for a
change. At Mountain Home
High School, students seem
pretty balanced on the issue.
The key though is for students
to understand the system. It’s
only through understanding that
students can hope to make a
change as well as a stand. The
question is what is best; what
works?
Contrails
April 15, 2008
Help or
Hindrance
Where does
society stand?
Hanna Turner
staff writer
Everyone has different
opinions on things; our opinion
is what makes us unique.
Concerning society, there are
two main views. Some people
may choose to view society
as a great help and an asset
to their success. On the other
hand, others may believe that
society hinders them from
being who they really are
the best they can. Both
views are popular and
are expressed everyday
without some of us even
knowing it.
For everyone planning
on going to college and
planning to do something
with their life (that includes
most of us), society is vital.
Society will choose to accept
or reject, believe or not believe,
observe or disregard. To get
by, an understanding of how
to get by is needed. For some,
the opinion of society helps
them readjust their thinking
and perhaps their course in
life. If one is pursuing a specific
career and has put in extensive
effort to be successful, one may
not get the results he or she
desires. Instead one may view
it as an opportunity to pursue
something else. Realization
could come from being
rejected. Sophomore Mariah
Rodriguez believes “Society
limits people from being their
best in the way that people
judge others. This makes
people not do things how they
want to do them and confines
them to conforming to society’s
and other’s ways. But…society
also urges us to ‘find ourselves’
in expression through what we
5
do.”
On the contrary, if someone
is not true to themselves and
acts the way other people
want them to act, that is
called conformity. Society
today demands that everyone
conform to its standards so as
to make a living. Individuality
comes into play here.
Everyone is encouraged to be
themselves, but it’s hard when
society is constantly demanding
the opposite. Being the best is
still possible, however; it may
not be doing the best at what
one wants to do. One may be
forced to attempt to succeed
at something other than what
they truly want. Sophomore
Jacob Lowery comments,
“Changing who you are to get
some corporate or successful
job is being ignorant. Valuing
individuality is key to staying
happy and successful even if
it means taking a job you love
that most people would call
mediocre or low class. In my
opinion happiness is success.”
Lowery continues, “I believe
that society limits people from
achieving their goals and
dreams. Everyone has the
idea that if you don’t obtain a
certain letter grade in school,
you’re automatically ignorant,
and that success is out of the
question for you. Therefore, a
lot of creative and intelligent
people are getting left behind
and bored. Everybody learns
differently, and our schools
and society can’t see this. This
is causing so many people
pain and anxiety because they
know that society isn’t going
to let them do what they love
because of high school and
college grade marks.”
6
Contrails
April 15, 2008
While in my classes I
the same time. I think that at the
Each student who donated
In conjunction with prom, SADD organized “The Last Dance,” which
would try to bring it up prices we sold the dresses for
a dress to Mrs. Johnson had
is a dramatic presentation intented to show the real life consequencas much as possible.
and the quality of the dresses
the opportunity to have her
es of drinking and driving. Several photos appear on pages 6 and 7.
When the teachers
name put into
girls who are looking for an
were reading the
a drawing. The
affordable prom dress. Dresses announcements I would try and
student’s name
are priced anywhere from forty
make sure they talked about
who was drawn
to fifty dollars maximum.
it. I guess you could say I was
received a free
The idea of selling affordable the one who gave it the push
prom ticket. Mrs.
Donated and sold
prom dresses originally came
it needed to get started.” Mrs.
Johnson and Lea
for a good cause
from another FCCLA chapter.
Johnson stated, “Our thinking
Koeka randomly
Mrs. Johnson stated, “We came was that more people would be
selected a
up with this idea when one of
able to attend prom if they could
student. The
Terra
Pieper,
Sabier
Miller,
and
Sami
Kenyeri
participated
in
The
Last
Dance
our students, Lea Koeka saw
afford a dress. We used the
winner of the
Angel Adkins
the idea in a magazine we
money we made from selling
helped some girls. We certainly prom ticket drawing was
staff writer
were looking at.” Senior Lea
the dresses for the “Relay for
had a lot of nice dresses
sophomore Amy Coleman.
Koeka commented, “It wasn’t
Life” fundraiser we do every
donated to us.” Mrs. Johnson
There were over thirty
just my idea. Others wanted it
It’s that time of year again.
year.”
stated, “The girls who have
dresses donated to Mrs.
to happen too. I just made the
Prom is just around the corner.
Koeka stated, “I think this
come to buy a dress have been Johnson and the FCCLA group.
announcement. Also I talked
Boys are racing to make
opportunity has helped girls in
really enthusiastic about being
Mrs. Johnson stated, “We are
about the idea in classes
last minute tux reservations,
need of a dress. I know how
able to find a dress that they
not done with our sales yet but
and girls are looking for that
because I believe that nothing
hard and expensive it is to find a could afford. I believe that this
the dresses that don’t sell we
travels faster than word of
perfect prom dress. FCCLA
dress and deal with everything
has helped some girls attend
will probably keep until next year
mouth, kind of like a bad rumor. else that comes with prom at
has organized a program for
prom this year.”
and do the same thing.”
Prom Dresses
Jourdan Henard and Haley Abernathy were pronounced dead on the scene and were assisted by local emergency officials.
April 15, 2008
Prom
What’s the point
Angel Adkins
staff writer
For some students prom
is just another event to
attend. While for others prom
is a once in a life time thing.
Some students only attend
prom for the fun of it. But
does anyone stop to think
why we have a prom in the
first place. Many students
Contrails
at the Mountain Home High
attending prom because I
enjoy spending time with
School believe that prom is
just another event
that is held every
year because its
tradition.
Whatever the
reason many
students attend
the annual MHHS
prom. Sophomore
Kylie Webb, who Emergency workers help SADD students in the aaccident scene.
will most likely be attending
friends and having fun. The
prom this year stated, “The
point in prom is to have a fun
reason I might go to prom
night and have a good time
with friends.” Junior Matthew
this year is that I have a lot
of fun at formal events and I Wise commented, “I’m going
also enjoy an exciting school because conformity rules the
function.” Sophomore Eric
lives of high school students,
Crouch said, “I am going
and what better to conform
to prom this year because
then prom.” Jessica Meece,
of my girlfriend”. Senior
a junior, stated, “I am going
Casey Stack stated, “I am
to prom just to dance like a
7
dork and have fun with my
friends.” Senior Kyle Reed
commented, “Its my
senior year and one
of the last chances
to hang out with my
friends and make
memories.” Sophomore
Elysia Bushey said, “I
was going to go with
Ryan Small and then
we decided not to go
together, and then I was
going to go with Matt Wise,
But I got a boyfriend and
we decided not to go. So
now I am going to have fun
with my friends and get all
dressed up to look nice for
one night.”
Students at the MHHS
have different views on
what the point in prom is.
Sophomore Stephanie
Phillips stated, “To me
prom is an chance to make
memories. When someone
thinks of high school they
automatically think of
football games and prom.”
Sophomore Cristiana Cooper
commented, “ I believe
that prom was meant for
seniors as their last dance.”
Sophomore Melenni Trout
agrees with Cooper, “Prom
is meant for the seniors as
their last dance of the year.“
Webb said, “Prom is the
time of year to dress up,
look good, and have fun. Its
a different kind of dance for
students to attend.” Meece
stated, “The point of prom
is just to enjoy yourself and
look pretty doing it.”
Contrails
8
April 15, 2008
G.A.P.P. XIX
Reflections from
the inside
Bobby Howard
staff writer
G.A.P.P. XIX has been the experience of a lifetime. From late-night bowling games
to magic shows in Branson, this year’s exchange has been unique. We and our German
counterparts were matched together based on interviews and submitted profiles, and from
day one, life-long relationships were forged.
It has been amazing to witness a group of 20 German students mesh into our student
body with such ease, despite language barriers and other diversities. They have braved our
classes, been jostled about in the hallways, and have read the graffiti on our bathroom walls,
and they still want to stay here. They have fallen in love with our school system and our
community. I think.
These Germans
are a pretty cool group
of people; they are
wonderful, bright, and
funny students. Though
both parties of the
G.A.P.P. program want
to return to their normal
lives (for the Germans, a
return to their families),
each of our new friends
will be sorely missed.
Via Facebook and
MySpace, we’ll keep in touch.
German students demonstrate their dancing skills to the student body.
German students dance with German and American flags.
MHHS students ended their program with a light saber sword arch.
Johannes Schlier
Deutschlaender
G.A.P.P. XIX was a great experience for me. It has always been one of my dreams
to go to America, and G.A.P.P. made this dream come true. I met lots of new, very cool
people. I noticed lots of differences in the culture, the school system, and just in life in
general.
At last, I would like to say thank you to those who make G.A.P.P. possible and to those
who spend time preparing it. Most of all, I thank the families that took the challenge of
hosting a German student for 3 and a half weeks. I made new friends here and probably
will come back to Mountain Home in the future. Thanks again for the experience.
Seniors Anita Badejo dressed up as hobbits during the assembly.
Contrails
April 15, 2008
“Taste the
Rainbow”
Colors and
personalities
Hanna Turner
staff writer
Imagining a life without
color would be nearly
impossible. Seventy-five
years ago, many Americans
lived without color in one of
their sources of recreation:
television. Today, television
without color would be hard
The Majestic
Four
Which season is
your season?
Anna Pond
staff writer
Many people around the
world have different thoughts.
That’s why whenever it comes
to which season people
prefer, it can develop to quite
a debate. Deciding between
spring, summer, winter, and
fall can be a heavy task. Some
9
into play. I love black. It’s
very romantic, I think, and I
wouldn’t consider myself to be
the typical stereotype of the
color black.”
Redifer describes herself
as, “Green because it’s my
favorite. But besides that, it’s
natural, and trees are green.
I like nature. But I’m also not
boring or very bright at the
same time. My least favorite
color is red because blood
is red. And it’s kind of scary
to me.” Black is the color of
authority and power. White
symbolizes innocence and
purity. It reflects light, so it is
considered a summer color.
Doctors and nurses wear
white to imply sterility. The
most emotionally intense
color, red,causes a faster
heartbeat and breathing.
And it most obviously is
the color of love. The most
romantic color, pink, is
more tranquilizing. Sports
teams will sometimes paint
the opposing teams lockerrooms bright pink, so they
will lose energy. Blue is one
of the most popular colors.
Blue causes the opposite
reaction as red, resulting in
the body producing calming
chemicals. Therefore, it is
often used in bedrooms. On
the contrary, blue can be cold
and depressing. Fashion
consultants recommend
wearing blue to a job interview
because it symbolizes loyalty.
Green is currently the most
popular decorating color;
green symbolizes nature.
People waiting to appear
on television sit in “green
rooms” to relax. Dark green
is masculine and implies
wealth. Naturally, yellow is a
cheerful, sunny color. While
it’s considered an optimistic
color, people lose their
tempers more easily in yellow
rooms. It speeds metabolism
and enhances concentration.
Purple denotes royalty,
wealth, and sophistication.
However, because it’s rare in
nature, it can appear artificial
at times. Reliable brown is
the color of earth and implies
genuineness. Men are more
apt to say brown is one of
their favorite colors.
Clearly, colors are more
than many of us thought
they were. People can
relate to and apply colors
to themselves. Junior Colin
Crawford indicated his favorite
color is blue and admitted,
“I’m kind of a calm person, so
it seems to connect.”
may like summer because it is because it is romantic and
hot, and the lakes are warm.
fun. You can go out sledding,
Others may like
the fact that winter
brings snow and
hot chocolate or
that fall contains
falling leaves, and
changing colors.
Some love spring
when things
Spring flowers, such as these crocuses, are abundant around MH.
become alive
again and new things grow.
throwing snowballs, or sit in a
Sophomore Samantha
cozy spot next to a fireplace
Smith explains, “My favorite
with blankets, have a cup of hot
season is winter. I really like to chocolate, and watch a movie.”
be cold. If I had to choose my
These reasons are good
least favorite season it would
ones for liking winter more than
be summer, because it is too
any other season. However,
hot for me.” Another winter
what about fall, summer, and
lover, Danielle Urban, senior,
spring? Sophomore Daniel
states, “I like winter the best
Sanders says, “My favorite
season is SUMMER!! Why?
There is NO SCHOOL!!!”
Sanders continues, “My least
favorite season is fall, simply
because I have to go back to
school.” Chris Parks, senior,
prefers fall. He says, “Fall is my
favorite season because of the
falling leaves, and it is not too
cold or too hot..” Where does
spring fall into play? Lani May
speaks out and sticks up for
this much forgotten season,
“My favorite season is spring.
It has my birthday in it, and I
believe camping is best in the
spring. However, I believe all
the seasons are special. It’s
just, flowers blooming, and it
being at a great temperature,
not a yucky one, makes spring
the season for me.”
to endure for many of us
who thrive off of it. Color is
ubiquitous. Knowing what
color really means and
signifies, though, is something
hardly anybody really knows
or cares to understand today.
When describing personality
by a color, many are unable
to do so. Yet, what does it all
really mean? Why are people
more relaxed in green rooms?
Why do weightlifters do their
best in blue gyms? One might
find out some interesting
things about color that they
never would have guessed.
Many stereotypes are
made when it comes to color.
Usually people associate
black with a certain crowd
of people or the color yellow
with another. Sophomore
Carly Redifer believes that,
“Stereotypes should not come
10
Small Town
Innocence
Destroyed
Dana Maley
photo-editor
Mountain Home has
always been a peaceful town
that embodied every beautiful
aspect of small town America.
From its quaint mom and pop
shops to its typical friendly
and talkative waitress, it is
Contrails
Ginny Tucker believes,
the ideal Pleasantville. Not
“Someone must have
anymore!
On highway 5 North, just
scared them off.” She also
explained that this was the
past the hospital, the values
that Mountain
Home was
founded on have
been brutally
murdered. The
Shirt Shop’s
virtually spotless
back wall has
become a
canvas for local
rapscallions. The
word “Homies” is
printed in sinful The Shirt Shop is located on highway 5 North just past the hospital.
white paint for
all the world to see. Although
first time anything like this
the eyesore is painful enough had happened to her. Tucker
to the public, it is important
recalls the man from Village
to consider how it affects the
Carpet telling her about the
owners of The Shirt Shop.
graffiti, “When he told me it
April 15, 2008
was there it was pouring rain.
I didn’t want to go out in the
bad weather, and I figured,
hey, it’s not going anywhere. I
looked at it the next day.
I would have thought it
would have been big or
extravagant, but at least
they had enough brains
about them to spell it
right.” Although she
was not openly bitter
about the ordeal she
did comment, “It will be
a waste of my time to
clean it off, time I could
be spending with family.”
It is a disappointing
time when corrupt people
become so bored that they
begin to destroy people’s
personal property. To some
people, vandalizing people’s
personal property is fun, but
this attacks the golden rule at
its core.
Although the graffiti may
not seem too significant, it
is only the beginning. As
small acts of vandalism
and destruction become
more common, so do larger
ones. Once Mountain Home
becomes accustomed to
graffiti and defacement of
public and private property,
there is no telling what comes
next. It is hard to imagine the
town that many students at
MHHS call home becoming an
unsafe place to live. One thing
could lead to another, and
before long, Mountain Home
could be reporting local bank
robberies instead of the local
upcoming barbeque.
w w w. d i j o h n d e s i g n s. co m
Contrails
April 15, 2008
People always want more
out of life than what they
have now, or they take what
they have for granted. I don’t
blame people for wanting a
better job or wanting to make
a little more money than
they do now to support their
families. What bothers me
is when people get greedy,
and they don’t care about
anyone but themselves.
They take advantage of
and use other people. What
provokes people to be this
way I’ll never know, but I
just wish people could see
how truly blessed they really
are. I mean they live in the
most amazing country in the
world. My family and I don’t
have very much, but we get
by. We are very thankful for
everything God has blessed
us with. With my mother
being a single parent that
supports us on her own, my
siblings, grandmother, and I
don’t get a lot of things, but
we don’t ask for a lot either.
We are very thankful and
blessed for a hardworking
mother and a loving Father
up above who watches out
for us. I am so blessed and
thankful that the Lord is in my
life. I would be lost without
Him. He is one of the most
important people in my life,
and He is a huge part of it. I
always strive to put Him first
in my life.
Smiles, laughter, and
memories are things that I
am thankful for everyday.
Seeing the smiling faces of
my family and friends warms
my heart and reminds me
how truly blessed I really
am. Every smile that I see is
so precious to me. It makes
me smile when I see others
smile, especially the ones
that I love and care about so
much. My family and I love to
laugh all the time, and so do
my friends and I. The times
of laughter we share make
unforgettable memories that
we will always share and look
back on.
People also take life for
granted. They go out and do
what ever they want. And
what I mean by that is that
people go out and do drugs
and drink and drive thinking
that nothing will ever happen
to them. They think that they
are invincible. Everyday
people lose their lives to
drunk drivers/driving or
overdose on drugs. When will
people start to step back from
life and just ask themselves if
this is really worth doing and
possibly losing their life over?
Everyday when I wake up, I
thank God for letting me get
up one more day to live for
him! Life is so precious and
fragile. It should be handled
with care! We should always
remember this. Everyday is a
gift from above.
The one goal that almost
everyone has in common
is convenience. People go
to great lengths to achieve
what seems to be “ultimate
convenience.” Four syllable
words are shortened to only
a few letters. Remotes are
designed to help people find
remotes. It’s madness. Some
people will go above and
beyond what is necessary, so
that they can carry through
with what they originally saw
as a shortcut.
Some people spend as long
as ten minutes driving through
a parking lot, just looking for
the perfect spot. If they wanted
a parking place up close
because they wanted to get
in and out of the store quickly,
aren’t they defeating the point?
Recent test studies by Trevor
Bogart show that parking a few
spaces back and then walking
the extra twenty feet is actually
much more efficient.
Another instance, which
truly expresses people’s
inability to improvise, occurs
everyday in living rooms
across America. The remote
is lost. What ever will they
do? It’s easy to say that they
should walk the five feet to
the television that is rotting
their brain and turn it on
physically; it’s probably the
most exercise that they will get
that evening, but the truth is,
everyone is guilty of this utter
laziness. People stubbornly
pace the house and search
for the remote for twenty to
thirty minutes, when the only
advantage it gives is being
able to change the channel
without moving from the
couch. Once again, isn’t that
defeating the point?
The truth is, it is very easy
for people to lose sight of the
bigger picture. All too often
things are bypassed, and lost,
simply because people vouch
for the “easier” road. The
internet is a perfect example.
E-mails may be convenient
and very necessary at times,
but they have their time and
place. When people take these
kinds of shortcuts, they lose
the quality of a conversation
that one can only achieve
face to face. Sending granny
an E-card for Christmas just
doesn’t mean as much to her
as a phone call would. Junior
Jessi Clemence feels the
same way. “Sometimes I email
my brothers to say hello, but
for holidays, birthdays, and
other things like that, an E-mail
simply won’t do. I always make
sure to visit, or at the very
least, call my loved ones on
more important dates.”
Sometimes, people focus
so much on doing things the
easy way that they close their
minds to options that are
probably more practical and
almost always just as good.
Maybe, the next time someone
is running through Wal-Mart,
desperately searching for
the shortest line, they could
rethink, pick a line, and maybe
make a friend in the process;
it really doesn’t take that much
more time. When people are
frustrated because they can’t
find a parking place, it’s usually
not because there aren’t
any, but because they have
become so narrow minded that
they are unwilling to settle for
the mediocre place that is wide
open.
Everyday is a Gift from Above
I am blessed and
very thankful
Mandy Ricci
photo editor
How NarrowMinded is
Humanity?
There is only one
explanation
Dana Maley
photo-editor
11
12
Thea Art
Convention
MHHS Students
recently
attended
Hanna Turner
staff writer
Several Mountain Home
High School students attended
the Thea Art convention recently
and submitted their most
prized art pieces for judging
and possibly to win a reward.
Believe it or not, there is a
Contrails
deeper meaning behind the
Heather Ivens who won 4th place
convention that most students
and a $2,500 dollar scholarship.
are unaware of.
The juniors were Meagan
What exactly is
Thea? According to the
Mountain Home High
School art teacher,
Mrs. Ivens, “Thea is a
competition for visual
and performing artists.
It is named for Thea
Leopolons who died in
a car accident while in Five MHHS students won THEA awards this year.
high school. The competition
Powell who won Honorable
is open to juniors and seniors
Mention and Staci Thrasher who
in Arkansas.” Five students
won 8th place and a $100 dollar
attended Thea this year. Three
cash reward. Staci Thrasher
seniors and two juniors from
shares her favorite part about it.
MHHS were in the top 15. The
“The ceramics was my favorite
seniors include Kyle Kowalczyk because we got to sculpt live
who won Honorable Mention,
chickens.” Thrasher won a $100
Danielle Mortensen who also
dollar cash reward and is “proud
won Honorable Mention, and
and no, I don’t think I should
April 15, 2008
have won more, the other art
was just as awesome.” When
it comes to her plans for next
year, she comments, “I do plan
on submitting a piece.”
Each year, a theme is
chosen to which the art
pieces must pertain. Mrs.
Ivens explains: “A portion of
Thea’s journals are used for
the competition’s theme each
year. Visual art students enter
their work created in any
medium they choose, but it
must fit the theme and size
restrictions. Digital images are
sent then viewed and judged
by a committee of artists.” Thea
is an exciting time of year for
aspiring artists. It’s a time when
they can show off their favorite
art pieces and hopefully win
some compensation for their
hard work. There is criteria for
submitting a piece of artwork
however. “Once the committee
selects the top 15 in each level,
the student must ship the actual
piece for judging. All 15 finalists
in each category must attend
the ‘Winner’s Workshop.’ The
top 10 juniors receive $100
dollars cash award, and the top
10 seniors receive a scholarship
from $2000 dollars to $4000
dollars.”
Mountain Home High School
does a wonderful job helping to
promote artistic students. The
CAB academy is especially
useful to ones who hope to
obtain a career in business or
art. Providing these classes
for students helps to prepare
them for college and their future
careers.