Past Becomes Present - Belpre City Schools

BELPRE CITY
SCHOOLS
EAGLE MESSENGER
FALL 2010, ISSUE #1
Printed, free of charge, by Ohio Valley Press
Stories
on the inside
•
Class Ring
Recovered
•
JR High Update
•
Teacher of the
Month
•
Tharp’s Art Wall
•
Belpre’s
To Read List
•
House Bill 1
•
Picture Pages
•
Upcoming Events
Why did the teacher
wear sunglasses?
Because she had such
a bright class!
Past Becomes Present
Diana Carpenter graduated from
Belpre High School
in 1983. For many
the remembrance of
high school can be
found in a class ring,
except for those who
lose it the day they
receive it. Carpenter
went to The Pizza
Place on Dougly Ave.
with her boyfriend.
After washing her
hands and leaving, it
wasn’t until the exit
door had closed that
she realized her ring
was missing. Carpenter thought that
her ring would surely
still be in the bathroom. The owners
simply told Carpenter
that nobody steals in
their restaurant and
so Carpenter, baffled, headed for the
door.
Anne
McFarland, who attended Catholic High
School, came across
the missing class ring
in the halls of her
school. McFarland
set off for college in
Washington D.C and
with all of the excitement the ring fell behind. She placed the
ring in an old jewelry
box and just recently
in August she stumbled across it.
McFarland remembered her past
intentions with the
ring and knew she
needed to send it
Belpre's way.
McFarland
contacted Pam
Driggs, mother of
Belpre ‘09 graduate
Alisha Driggs. Pam
then turned the ring
over to Belpre High
School’s Principal
Mrs. Filon, and left
the fate of Carpenter’s ring in Filon's
hands.
(Continued on
page2)
The class ring that had been lost for over 25 years is
returned to Diana Carpenter at the Belpre Post Office.
EXCERPTS FROM
T H E S C R E A MIN ’ E A G L E
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL’S NEWSPAPER
Past Continued
Although a lot
of time has passed,
the chase to find Carpenter wasn't as hard
as you would think.
Mrs. Filon
contacted people on
Facebook from ‘83
and found out what a
small world it really
was, especially in
Belpre.
Currently, Carpenter works at the
Belpre Post Office.
She was oblivious to
the knowledge that
her ring would ever
show up.
Filon stood in
line at the post office
to hand Carpenter a
part of her past. As
Filon headed back to
the school, she knew
she left Carpenter
living in the moment,
and reconnecting
with the past.
-Emily Baker
Page 2
Right Next Door to the Last Four Years
When walking
from the Lawton building to the high school,
one may witness junior high and high
school students connecting. Siblings greet
each other. Younger
students may feel
safer because of this
interaction.
For the 20082009 school year
there was a reorganization of Belpre City
Schools. The Board of
Education voted to
change Belpre Middle
School to Belpre Elementary School as
well as the Belpre Elementary School to Belpre Junior High
School.
The reorganization included connecting grades kindergarten through sixth
grade at Belpre Elementary School and
seventh through
twelfth grade on the
Belpre High School
campus. It was definitely a drastic
change. The district
was last organized like
this throughout the
1990’s up through
2001.
“Things are going well and we’ve had
thoughts and discussion,” said Superintendent Harry Fleming, the first year of
the reorganization.
When interviewing current junior
high students, they
seemed to agree on
the fact that they like
being closer to the
high school students.
When the current
junior high students
were in Belpre Middle School, there
were more than two
grades in their building; this reorganization gave them more
room.
“Being an
eighth grader at our
new building made
things a lot easier
and fun,” stated
freshman Amber
Miller about her junior high experience.
~Faith Miller
(HS Staff)
October’s Finest
For Teacher of
the Month we interviewed Mrs. Decker.
We chose her for this
award because she
has been teaching
for 16 years. She
has a lot of experience. When she was
younger she knew
she wanted to teach.
Students respect Mrs. Decker
and that is why most
of them are doing
well. She likes
teaching math because people do not
like it and she wants
to make it fun.
She received
her bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and her master’s degree from Marietta College.
Mrs. Decker is
married and has two
children. In her free
time she loves to
play with them.
~Britni Cain
and Sarah Cleland
E N T E RTAIN M E N T
Belpre’s To Read List
Artistic
Barriers
Where the
wall meets the ceiling, a fly is resting
upon a greasy
sunny-side up egg
while being approached by an extremely angled spatula.
This happens
to be Mr. Tharp’s favorite piece from the
collage that covers
his walls, made by
Joey Harris in 1996.
This mass collection
of over 50 pieces of
art is still growing in
number. Art from
over two decades still
captures the minds of
the students, dating
back to the first piece
ever put on the walls
by Steve Spencer in
1985.
Though Tharp
has never himself
added artwork to the
walls, he supports
those that aspire to.
“Make something
that will make people
think,” is one of his
common sayings
when giving advice to
students.
The most recent piece is an Einstein project by senior Erika Davis. Davis
said, “I think it relates
to our class (2010)
and I wanted to leave
something behind
from us.”
The quote under the portrait will
be: “Few are those
who see with their
own eyes and feel
with their own
hearts.”
~Steven Fuller
Imagine going
back to moments of
your childhood or
even to the future.
Henry DeTamble involuntarily travels
through time while
his love, Clare Abshire, waits and worries when he randomly disappears.
Henry DeTamble’s and Clare Abshire’s love is the
main storyline in the
National Bestseller
The Time Traveler’s
Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, published in
2003. It is now an
IGN Entertainment
major motion picture,
and was released in
theaters August
2009. Niffenegger
has also written Her
Fearful Symmetry,
which was published
September 2009.
Several students and staff members from Belpre
High School are
reading The Time
Traveler’s Wife.
“My favorite
theme in the book is
that we only have an
illusion of free will,
and that our lives are
planned for us,” said
junior Darcie Drain.
She said her favorite
character is Henry
because he is so
complex.
The
Time Traveler’s Wife
is on the top of peoples’ To Read list.
Pick up the book and
get lost in time.
~Katie Cleland
Page 3
NATI ONA L NE W S
Exchanging Perspectives
Belpre High School
receives a few foreign exchange students every
year. Last year Tommy Lee
came from Korea and Sing
from China. This year Jesus De La Pava came from
Columbia and Kai Wenas
from Germany.
By interviewing Wenas and De La Pava we
have found that there are
many differences from our
country and others. De La
Bill of
Education
Governor Ted
Strickland signed
House Bill 1, the
most comprehensive
effort to reform Ohio
schools since the
1930s. This Bill of
Education may lead
to extending the
school year and may
make Ohio among
the first states in the
nation to require allday kindergarten.
In the high
schools, the bill is
planning on replacing
the current Ohio
Graduation Test with
a requirement to take
the ACT. Students
will also need to pass
end of course exams,
complete a senior
project and undertake a community
project to graduate.
Page 4
Pava said things are
more expensive in Columbia. He couldn’t believe how many teenagers
here have there own cars
because in Colombia, a
car- along with gas- is too
expensive. Since students
in high school usually
don’t work; their obligation
is to study.
The schooling
techniques are different
as well. In Columbia students must stay in the
When asked
about his opinion of
the bill, choir teacher
and president of Belpre Education Association, Mr. VanPelt
replied, “I think it is
really too early to tell.
Overall, I think it is a
good first step for
education and school
funding, though there
are still many unanswered questions.”
Changes
should begin within
the next several
years. They are still
to figure how some of
these changes are
going to be implemented and how the
costs of the changes
will be funded. The
Bill of Education will
start to affect schools
around Ohio, and is
progressing to
same room all day
making it difficult to
concentrate. Coming
to a public school in
the U.S. is normal, but
in De La Pavas’ country you only go to a
public school if you
can’t afford private
schooling, which is
strict.
“You must
wear a uniform, have
your hair cut short,
your white button up
schools around our
area. The bill is still
in progress, so it’s
still unknown whether
it will take wide affect
on our school or local
schools in our area.
The bill is
promising education
employee rights as
well as school safety
and wellness meaning they will prohibit
corporal punishment
in all schools though
shirt tucked in, and long
black socks,” said De La
Pava.
Wenas said his
experiences in this country so far have been
“unreal.” He has been to
Las Vegas and has seen
Niagara Falls.
“I have met lots
of different people, and
I’ve seen my first football
game!” said Wenas.
But when Wenas
was asked the question
whether or not he would
come back to the U.S he
said he would, but only
to visit. He misses Germany. ~ Carleen Newberry and Paul Hedden
most schools already
have it prohibited.
The issues of School
Funding will fully fund
all- day kindergarten
beginning in school
year 2010- 2011, and
update resources for
the special education
units. The bill is creating a 27 member
School Funding Advisory Council.
The Bill of
Education is promising positive reforms to schools
throughout Ohio.
Its citizens and its
students are waiting to see the progress it promises.
~Chelsea
Carpenter
H O L I D AY
NEWS
S.O.S.!!! Siera’s
Selections for Shopping
Events
Red Ribbon Week
October 26-29th, 2009
“Say No to Drugs”
Activities for the Jr. High:
Monday– Wear Red
Stocking
Stuffers:
Belpre’s Holiday Play
Tuesday– Pay one dollar and
December 11th and 12th
wear sunglasses
Wednesday– Pay one dollar
and wear a hat
Thursday– Wear a school
shirt and cut the “drug free”
ribbon
Sign the Drug Free Banner
7pm
in the
Gymnasium
Tickets go on Sale Nov.
16th.
Don’t miss the trial of
Donner and Blitzen.
They are being accussed
of running over
Grandma.
KIDS WILL ENJOY THIS
HOLIDAY PRODUCTION!
Curt Plummer and Ryan Epperly look on as DJ Leftwich
struts his stuff during a JR High assembly contest to find the
“best dressed” boy.
You’re stuck
looking for a gift for a
friend, or family
member, who unfortunately is picky
about what they
wear. You don’t know
what to do; you’ve
been to every store.
Well, you’re in luck.
I’m here to guide you
on what you can do
for these kinds of
problems.
There
are many stores you
can shop for teenage
girls and boys, but
they can be expensive. There are
cheaper stores you
can go to that will still
have you looking better than before. If you
are looking for girls
clothing your best bet
is Charlotte Russe or
Aeropostale. They
are always having
sales for great prices
and you can get your
money’s worth.
These stores are
constantly restocking
so most of the time
when you enter, they
have something different. Charlotte
Russe is big on their
accessories and
shoes: a girl’s best
friend. Teenage boys
mostly like shoes,
hats, and sports
wear. Finish line, Hat
World, and Dick’s
Sporting Goods, are
a few stores to meet
these criteria. If you
are stuck and in a
rut, the easiest way
out is a gift card. Gift
cards never fail, and
neither will you.
~Siera
Radabaugh
BELPRE PHOTOS
Tyler Carr
and Paige
Hall stop to
pose during
the Homecoming
king and
queen
dance.
Exchange students Kai Wenas and Jesus De La Palva
take a break from dancing at Homecoming.
See story on page 4.
Senior Josh Ahart and junior Casey
Hendershot smile at the camera during
the Warren game.
Page 6
Senior William Fankhauser, surrounded by family and friends, hugs Coach Flowers at the
Senior Night soccer game.
The BHS student section is eager to
show their school spirit.
BHS cheerleaders lead the cheer during the
Warren game.
CANDID PHOTOS
Junior Sven Krueger and sophomore
Travis O’Dell spread cement to improve our courtyard. The shelter built
last year is having cement poured by
Mr. Voldness’ construction class.
Carlee Newberry,
Hannah Hoffman,
and Elisa Wilson
clown on the gym
stage.
Seniors Jeremy Fouss and Faith Miller wave at
the camera during the Warren football game.
Senior volleyball players Erika Davis, Brandi
Fitch and Samantha Robinson pose for a picture
during JV warm-ups.
The Freshmen Powder Puff team meet before their first game.
Juniors won this year, continuing their undefeated streak.
Page 7
The Eagle Messenger
612 Third Street
Belpre, Ohio 45714
Boxholder / Resident
Don’t forget to order your 2010 yearbook.
Cost = $48 for personalized
$44 for unpersonalized
Checks may be payable to Belpre High School
and may be given to Mr. Gibbons or Mrs. Meredith in the office.
Future issues of The Eagle Messenger will have a larger Events section. If you have an event that you
would like Belpre residents to know about, contact Zach Gibbons at 423-3000, ext. 311.
A Big THANK You TO THESE SPONSORS
Hocking Tire, State Farm
Insurance, People’s Bank,
Belpre Hardware Co., Specialty Cake Shop, Jerry’s
Auto Center, Carolyn’s
Touch of Difference, Harris Sheet Metal, Inc.,
Mayle of Belpre, Hornbeck’s Bait and Tackle
Sports Showcase, Party
Supplies, Barlett
Farmer’s Bank, Headquarters, Wendy’s,
Belpre Savings Bank,
Danny’s Pizza, Reed
Fairview Memory Garden, River City Eye
Care, Save-A-Lot
Subway, CamdenClark Memorial Hospital, Memory Mall–
Antiques and Collectibles, Ohio Valley
Press, Belpre Furniture, and the Belrock
Diner.
A special
Thanks to
Ohio
Valley
Press
for
publishing
The
Eagle
Messenger
For Free !
The Eagle Messenger Staff
Moriah Adkins, Emily Baker, Chelsea Carpenter, Katie Cleland, Erika Davis, Samantha Dotson, Leanne
Dye, Steven Fuller, Paul Hedden, Hannah Hoffman, Christina Lemley, Kelsee Martin, Brittany McNabb,
Faith Miller, Carleen Newberry, Natalie Perry, Darlene Pickering, Siera Radabaugh, John Rexroad,
Lauren Richardson, Stacey Ruble, Elisa Wilson. Advisor: Zach Gibbons, bc_zgibbons@seovec.org
Page 8
If your business would like to run an advertisement in the 2010 yearbook, contact Zach Gibbons @ 423-3000.