Impact 2008

      On April 11, 2008 the seniors and juniors got on two buses and rode to Athens to the dome. The bus was quiet but we were all excited for our trip to Impact 2008. Impact 2008 was an event that talked to 30 schools about the consequences of drinking and driving and the choices we make that could possibly change our lives. When we all arrived there we hopped off the buses and headed for the dome. When we got inside they gave us pizza, pop/water, candy, and chips. We then made our way into the dome where 100’s of students were sitting. While we were all waiting for the rest of the schools to arrive two guys were playing music and the schools mascots were dancing. We were having a great time and then the event started. It started with a trooper talking to us about drinking and driving and then he invited three people up onto the stage to recognize them and what they had done. Then another guest speaker came up and talked to us about himself and he invited a trooper and a lady up onto the stage and gave them an award for what they had done. Then he showed us a video about the choices we make and the consequences that could happen for making the wrong choices. It was a good educational video that taught us to be careful about our choices. After the video was over, all the schools mascots had a dance competition and whoever won received a check for 250 dollars towards their school prom. The winner was the Trimble Tomcats. When that was over we had another guest speaker who gave an emotional and moving speech. His name was Mark Sterner. He began by asking a series of questions like, “how many people have done something really stupid and how many have woke up one morning and asked themselves how did they get there?” Many people raised their hands and were joking about it. Then he asked a more serious question and told us to wait 5 seconds before answering. He asked “how many people have killed three of their best friends when they were driving in a car when they were drunk?” Everyone fell silent and nobody raised their hand except for Mark Sterner. He then talked about the dangers of drinking and driving. After he finished talking he had shown us a video of him and hid friends on their last night of spring break. They had all taken turns being the designated driver each night of their spring break. On their last night no one wanted to miss the fun, so since they had all taken their turn they decided that whoever was the least intoxicated would drive. So they all went out to have fun on their last night of spring break in Florida. Through the whole video it showed Mark and his friends having a good time going to bars and dancing. At the end of the video it showed pictures of the wreck that had happened. When the video ended Mark Sterner reappeared in his orange jumpsuit. He then told us the rest of what happened that dreadful night and what had happened to him. He told us that they were all thrown from the car and that three of his best friends were killed and his other friend and he survived. He had told us that while he was in the hospital recovering that two police officers came into his room and told him that they needed to ask him some questions but first they needed to read him his rights. Mark Sterner had been charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to prison for 45 years. But instead of doing the 45 years he went down to Florida to do his time in a maximum security prison for up to three years and is probation until 2010. He had also mentioned that his friend that had survived doesn’t want to speak to him anymore. Mark said that his friend just wants to forget about everything that had happened that horrible night. It was truly an emotional story and it had brought many people tears. When Impact 2008 was over each school was dismissed to get back on their buses to go back to school. It was definitely worth going all the way to Athens for. It really showed everybody the dangers of drinking and driving and the consequences of making the wrong choices.     

                                                                                                                                                --Ericka Cogar

Board Meeting                                              

                                                                              
        The school board met in regular session on Monday April 28^th. Among the business of the meeting the board approved some revisions and changes to school policies. The board approved an FFA trip to Columbus to attend a convention. An 8^th grade overnight trip to Washington D.C was also approved. The board accepted a donation from the Farmers Bank to help out the fitness center. The High School handbook was approved for the next year. In personnel matters, the board approved contracts for some teachers, some custodians, and some secretaries. Next board meeting will be May 19^th at 7:00pm.

                                                                                                            --Ericka Cogar

Feature Story:

Animal Abuse

        Animal abuse is a big deal in the United States , and even all over the world There is over 10,000 cases of animal abuse each day. So in just one week there are 70,000 animals abuse cases called in Animal abuse is a very serious thing .and needs to be stopped asap. There are many organizations that help with things like animal abuse,animal testing,and animal poaching. Also there is a law that was established in 1964. But still that doesn't stop people from doing it. It needs to be stopped and if people would just reach out and try to help just a little but maybe it could be someday. Animal abuse comes from all different angles,it comes from people fighting dogs,to leaving a helpless animal in a environment alone for days without food nor water. There are also very many more cases but those are the most common. The most common animals that are harmed and generally dogs. Cats are close behind but dogs seem to usually be the target. Animal abuse is a big deal in the world because no living thing should inflict pain in anyway. Some people might feel helpless when it comes to the situation,but there are so many ways people can help and support the organizations. Also teens cane do a lot to help .There are many websites that you can go on and donate, or even click a simple button and money will go to a preferred Charity make it convenient I've made a small list of some you could go to.

animalnewsnetwork.com. This site is great for information on organizations around your area and news on animals. .Pet-Abuse.com is also a very good sight to donate to and gives you stories about animals and even places were you can adopt pets around your area. Those are two good websites i have found to help you understand what animal abuse it and how you can help to stop it. But of course there is more then a few websites that are helpful when it comes to this. Also there are hundreds of organizations in the world that are all about the protection of animals.

PETA,Which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,was founded in 1980. Has helped so much in animal rights. They have over 1.8 million members. PETA is also an non profit organization but it said to be the largest on earth. PETA'S slogan which is “animals are not ours to eat,experiment on,or use for entertainment”could not be any more correct. This organization focuses on four top things, Factory farming,fur farming,cock fighting, and the consumption of meat. While they believe in more those are just the top ones. PETA has greatly grew and is known all over the world. Even having celebrities to campaign for them.

ASPCA is another organization that deals with animals and animal abuse. Like PETA they care about animals,but this one is more of a donation organization then anything else. Or even for people who can't donate money this website has things that all you have to do is click a button and money with go do a animal fund.

Now that I've talked about animal cruelty,now it's time to talk about animal testing. This is a table which i found from www.bbc.co.uk/ shows just how many animals were tested in one year alone.

Can you believe that many animals suffer per year?. I know that i can't and it's a very depressing subject. Here is a graph from Wikipedia that shows the most common animals that get tested on.

As you can see the most common is mice. Probably because they are less likely to put up a fight. Here are so many companies out there that use animal testing,anywhere from makeup to chocolate bars. Probably the saddest thing about it all, is that none of them are required by law to test. As I've said before there are so many things you can do to help. Donate a couple dollars,if you can't do that even write a letter to companies,do research,anything you can think of would help,the poor suffering animals in this world. There are so many stories,and pictures all over the Internet of poor lifeless animals as the result of animal abuse. Most are way to graphic to put on here but if you visit those websites maybe you'll get an idea of what I'm talking about. I'm not asking you to donate a lot,or even any. All I'm asking is you just take some time and acknowledge what the animals are going through by force.

Also there are thousand of dogs and cats in the world put it shelters,just left there and waiting to die. So don't buy a dog or cat from a pet shop, go to a pound in your area and donate a puppy or kitten from there. There just as lovable as one you will find in a pet shop and would love to have a good home. So please don't go and buy one from a pet shop if people would stop buying them from there and save one from a animal shelter it would save a lot of puppies and kittens lives. I hope this essay made you think of the poor animals that die for your makeup,your candy,your fur coats, and even your love.   --Tiffanie Deem