YOGA 2 3 Chen, from China More Than Just Music Track by Lauren Thurston Mrs. Chen also noticed a difference in rules for re- by Cailyn King By telling her testimony, Lacey influ- Triumphs lationships. In China, relationships are absolutely ences many teens going through similar affairs Close your eyes and imagine being a forbidden for teenagers until college. The Chinese Lacey Sturm, formally known as Lacey that she has. Instead of just singing about it, Lacey teacher. Now, imagine going to a completely dif- believe that school studies are more important in Mosley, is the former lead singer of Flyleaf. Flyleaf reaches out. Amy Shumaker, a freshman, notices by Ashley Carlson ferent country to teach your language to teenagers. that moment in time. Therefore, when Mrs. Chen is an alternative Christian rock band from Texas, the way Lacey is separate from other singers. “It’s Simple? Not in the slightest. started teaching at THS, she was confused at how but they’re more than just another band that really cool how she can get up there and confess If someone enters Viking Hall at any many people were in relationships. She didn’t un- makes music. They deliver a message, particularly her faith in a genre that is mainly dominated by given time, they can view students dribbling bas- Tennessee High’s very own Chinese derstand how the teachers and parents gave their through Lacey. men, and she’s not afraid to,” Shumaker said. ketballs and sprinting across the room while teach- teacher, Mrs. Dora Chen, faced this challenge with approval to such a thing. Now, she realizes that it’s ers encourage them to push themselves as hard her head held high. Mrs. Chen is from Chengdu, just how things are in the United States. Growing up, Lacey had a hard child- Lacey describes her testimony as “a as they can. Coach Zachlynn Blackburn is one of China with her family of three. She worked as an hood. Fighting with a single mother, losing a three positive message that not only inspires people but these teachers. She times exercises on her phone English teacher in Chengdu. Having been offered a In her free time, Mrs. Chen enjoys to year old cousin due to abuse from his step father, is also for the Spirit of God.” Amy also commented while sporting athletic attire, such as basketball job in America, she was stuck in a major dilemma. read books. Her favorite books are “The Help” by and getting involved in drugs at age ten, led Lacey on her testimony by saying, “I think that everyone shorts and an East Tennessee State University Her husband let her know that she indeed had his Kathryn Stockett and “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel. to become an atheist early on in her life. She did should see it. Her testimony was very powerful Track and Field t-shirt. approval to experience this amazing opportunity. Mrs. Chen also enjoys watching movies. Her favor- not become the Christian she is today until custody and emotional, and I think that anyone struggling After hearing his approval, she decided to take the ite movies are “The Notebook” and “Out of Africa”. was transferred to her grandmother. Feeling like in their lives should watch it. It’s very relatable to Blackburn is an interim gym teacher for two year job. If she isn’t teaching, reading, watching movies, or she lost everything, Lacey decided she was going to teens.” David Halstead and is very happy to be at Tennes- spending time with her daughter, she is listening commit suicide, but her grandmother persuaded When asked why she does what she does see High. Prior to becoming a teacher, she was a At the start of Fall 2011, Mrs. Chen to music. Her favorite genre is country music. her to attend church. Lacey responded, “If it wasn’t for what Jesus did, personal trainer for five years. Being a gym teacher traveled to the States by herself for her first year as I’d be dead.” became her new passion because she loves fitness a Chinese teacher. It wasn’t until her second year One of Mrs. Chen’s favorite things she Even though she was reluctant, Lacey and strives to change or at least impact obesity. Boys just She also has a desire to change gym class from at THS that her daughter, Sally, came along with got to do during her two year term was to experi- went so her grandmother would stop bugging her Emi Lowe, a senior, also talks about how her. Mrs. Chen enjoys having her daughter here ence the Rhythm and Roots Festival in downtown about going. Inside, a miracle was waiting to hap- Lacey has inspired her since she heard Flyleaf in playing games such as kickball and basketball to because it’s not so lonely. Mrs. Chen says, “Being Bristol. She loved the music very much! She also wanna pen. The preacher began to talk about dysfunc- seventh grade from her sister. “I like the way she actual exercises that help students stay active. in a different country is a grand adventure. But we enjoyed all the items you could buy while there. tional families and the pain they carry. According sings and conveys emotion into her songs.” Emi have no friends or family here. It’s a completely She liked the idea of having an annual festival in to Lacey, she felt like he was talking directly to her. says that she doesn’t view Lacey as just another Fitness has been a passion of hers have fun throughout the duration of her life. Blackburn different world. We just have to overcome the Bristol. It reminded her of China’s annual festival, by Taylor Booker He went into detail about how there was a suicidal singer. “After hearing her testimony, I became started track in seventh grade after she was driven challenge.” To her, family is the most important The Spring Festival. It is very important to people Years ago, boys wanted to be “manly spirit in the room. Freaked out, Lacey ran to the more interested in her as a Christian, and how she away from softball when a friend’s nose was bro- thing. She knows that no matter where she goes, in her culture. men.” But times have changed, and now boys just doors as soon as the service was over only to be was able to get out of things.” ken. She decided to do shot-put and discus. she will always return home to her family where want to be themselves! grabbed by a deacon that worked in the church. she belongs. Later in May, Mrs. Chen will say good- Lacey made one last album with Flyleaf Track was special to Blackburn because bye to her students at THS for the last time. She Yoga at the Wellness Center. That’s how He told Lacey that God wants to take in 2012 titled New Horizons before parting with her father was her coach in high school. When First impressions are important. Mrs. and her daughter are going back home to rejoin Brian Scott and Alex Cassell spend one evening her pain away, and even though she’s never known the band to spend time with her family. Although she was a sophomore, she had the opportunity Chen’s first impression of Bristol was an incredible Mr. Chen in Chengdu. “Saying goodbye will be of every week. “We call it ‘broga’,” said the two. an earthly father, He’ll be a better father than any she’s left Flyleaf, Lacey participates in worship to represent Virginia in The Down Under Track one. “The people here are very helpful to me. Most difficult for me. But I have to go home. It’s where I The boys first became interested in yoga because earthly father could ever be. Little did Lacey know, with a ministry she’s in called The Whosoevers and and Field Meet in Australia. Her school system in everyone here is kind to my daughter and me.” belong. It’s my root.” Brian’s mom invited him to her class. Brian loved her real father had passed away a while before continues to write her own music. She frequently Tazewell, Virginia paid for the trip. it, so he invited Alex. Now, the boys look forward without her knowing about it. From that moment, has question and answer sessions with her fans After high school, Blackburn received a full schol- While being here, she has seen a lot of If there is any advice that Mrs. Chen to their weekly relaxation time at yoga. They Lacey decided against suicide and began her tran- and is always willing to listen. You can find her tes- arship to East Tennessee State University for track differences in the American and Chinese cultures. would give to students at THS or to her fellow feel the “broga” is bettering them all around and sition into Christianity. timony on YouTube by searching “Lacey Strum’s and field. “In China, meal times are fun times!” They spend a teachers, it would be, “Don’t ever be afraid to try improving their health! Their advice to you: Do Testimony” and participate in the question and long time preparing meals. Most Chinese believe it new things. No matter how scary they seem, just it! Cassell said, “It takes more of a man to do yoga answer sessions by going to www.thewhosoevers. She then began to train for hammer is a very enjoyable task. reach out and take the opportunity.” than to not do yoga.” com. throwing in the Olympics. To prepare for this she did weight training for six days a week, cardio for Andrew Barker was talked into tanning four days a week, and throwing six days a week. at Electric Sun twice, but it didn’t take much Blackburn was five people away from making the persuasion. Barker calls the experience something Adversity falls short Olympics. similar to “a warm nap… an all-encasing blanket of by Calvin DuVall The difficulties did not end his freshman warmth.” For Barker, along with the tanning came After graduating from East Tennessee year. Adversity struck Potter yet again at the end women at the tanning salon. His advice to you State University, Blackburn planned to move to Adversity is a word Tennessee High of his sophomore year. He was once again golfing guys out there who want to get your GTL (Gym, Myrtle Beach to be the training partner of Amber senior John Potter is very familiar with. Another at the Club when he broke his left knee and tore all Tan, Laundry) on: “Just go for it. If it makes you Campbell, the number one hammer thrower in the thing he is quite familiar with is overcoming these of the cartilage in his knee. This caused Potter to feel good, do it.” United States. Campbell placed 13th in hammer great difficulties. miss all of his junior year golf season. throwing at the London Olympics. Ever heard of “manscaping”? Tennessee On April 14th of Potter’s freshman year, Overcoming these insane obstacles, High School students Tyler Eads and Swing Mann Before her move, however, her father he and fellow golfer Jace Devault were on their Potter managed to play in the number one spot practice manscaping by getting their eyebrows was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. This way back from a round of golf at the Country Club. during this past golf season. His score counted waxed! Eads’ manscaping is motivated by “normal caused her dreams of the Olympics and plans to “It was around dusk time, and the road conditions every tournament and he won medalist several eyebrow care,” and he says his “girlfriend accepts move to Myrtle Beach to come to a screeching halt. weren’t the best,” Potter said. Something horrible times including the Tennessee High and Virginia the fact that I (Tyler) am very feminine.” went wrong, and they ended up in a pretty bad car High Tournament. “We made regions as a team. The task of taking care of her father fell on her since she was his only unmarried daughter. wreck. He suffered internal brain bleeding, broke I’m quite proud of my team,” stated Potter. Mann, however, began his eyebrow his left arm and was in ICU for a long time. Potter waxing because his hairdresser first suggested it She then began coaching at King Col- did not return to school the rest of the year. Did John Potter ever think he would to him. Swing Mann is continuing to wax those lege for the Throws Program. After two seasons play golf again? “After my freshman year wreck, I brows because he thinks he “looks good.” Mann at King, Blackburn resigned to begin substitute Back and ready to golf his sophomore was not sure how good I would be able to compete. wants to inform you guys with wild eyebrows: teaching and become the Head Track Coach at year, he felt pretty good about his overall ability to My knee still gives me troubles from time to time, “You’ll look more cleaned up, girls will like it, and Abingdon High School. play again. “I think my performance on varsity was and I also had to change my swing a little after it really doesn’t hurt that bad.” decent. I played in three or four tournaments and breaking my arm.” Blackburn has not altogether given up I’m pretty sure my score counted two times.” Listen to your fellow classmates, boys of her Olympic dreams, “It kind of took my heart out Difficulties are no match for a young Tennessee High! Be yourself and try some “chick of it when my dad got sick, but if I don’t go then I John Potter, who looks to take on the world with stuff.” an open mind. intend to help someone else get there.” 4 5 Bristol’s Best Affordable Appetizer Babies by Austin Currin and Cailyn King The Egg Drop soup available at 620 State is a delight. Served with fried wontons and “I was never a baby. They say I came out of the woods at age seven,” pro- If you are ever wandering down State topped with green onions, the soup has a thick Street with an empty stomach and at least ten dol- base and a full, robust flavor. The price, around claims Coach Shanks. The rest of the teachers, however, were infants at lars in your pocket, there are always restaurants $5.00, was well worth the appetizer. available to satisfy your hunger as well as your some point. Can you match the teacher to the baby? taste buds! These restaurants offer a wonderful Priced at about nine dollars, the baked variety of foods, but if you can’t afford a full meal, chicken wings from Machiavelli’s are, in a word, there are always affordable appetizers for a quick incredible. Juicy and full of flavor, they are an bite. excellent way to start off a meal. And as they are baked, they make much less of a mess than one Burger Bar on State Street came through generally gets with wings. We purchased the buf- with the simple-yet-delightful parmesan fries. falo variety, though they are also available in teri- With service fairly fast, Burger Bar offers the yaki, BBQ, Italian, and more. The buffalo, though famous fries tossed with Parmesan cheese and delicious, were not nearly as spicy as was expected, served with two sides of secret dipping sauce, and the service was rather slow due to the crowd- they’re a delicious addition to any meal and a great ing of the restaurant. value. The fries cost about $2.95 by themselves. Even though all of these restaurants On offer at Macado’s are delightfully offer their own special appetizers, Burger Bar’s delectable mozzarella sticks served with a sweet parmesan fries would have to be the best. Being marinara sauce. The sticks are crisp and cheesy creative, unique, and the cheapest, the parmesan without overdoing either. The marinara is some fries are sure to satisfy anyone who purchases of the best we’ve had and acts as the perfect ac- them. 2 companiment to the mozzarella sticks. The sticks cost was around $7.00 even with the order of free water. Pictured: The Burger Bar’s delectable Parmesan Fries 1 5 News Nuggets Match each 3 New children’s playplace Mock trial team digs up Artistic Excellence teacher’s letter to opening in Bristol Mall evidence Competition winners 4 by Kelly Grenvik by Kasey Morley by Emily Estes the appropriate

Coming soon to the Bristol Mall is Back in December, the Tennessee High On March 2, 2013 at the Bristol Public baby picture! Bounce Bristol, a new children’s play place located mock trial team began preparing for the regional Library, Tennessee High entered 10 works of art near the food court across from the Great Ameri- competition held at the Washington County Court- into the 2013 Artistic Excellence Competition (Answers below) can Cookie. house in Jonesborough on February 16. sponsored by Art in Public Places. Aly Barnette, an employee at nearby “It basically consumed our entire lives,” Out of five schools Dillon Barr won best Claire’s, describes Bounce Bristol as “a place where senior Michael Bentley said. in show receiving $250. He says “It was an amaz- kids can have fun while their parents shop.” The assigned case involved a man who ing feeling when I walked in and saw my piece Children must be 12 years old or sped through an intersection, hitting a telephone holding the purple ribbon, I was really excited.” A. Mr. Reece younger in order to play inside, and employees will pole and dying shortly after. Evidence indicated Eight out the ten pieces placed in the provide adult supervision during activities. that his car was tampered with, so the owner of the show won either 1st or 2nd place and also the two With six inflatable slides, obstacle mechanics shop that serviced the car was charged that did not place earned a very high honorable courses, and bounce houses, this is the place to go with first degree murder. mention. B. Mr. Hicks if you want to bounce in Bristol! The team lost in the double elimina- tion regional competition, ending their mock trial Prom Dress Sale Annual Military Ball season for this year. by Ethan Henkel Approaches C. Mr. Graham by Sarah Percy McRee retires The YWCA Junior Board of Directors by Sarah Percy hosted a Prom Dress Sale on March 7 - 9. On May 4, the JROTC is throwing its This annual sale offered high school girls annual Military Ball in Viking Hall. This will be Ms. Virginia McRee is retiring in May new or gently used prom dresses at only $25. D. Mr. Brownlee an evening to honor our JROTC members at THS. after working for 26 years in the Bristol Tennessee The sale began with 450 dresses of all After all, they deserve it because not only do they City Schools. She spent 21 of those years teaching sizes and colors that were donated by dress shops, have to help set the event up, but they also have to Latin at Tennessee High. still with the original tags on them. clean it up afterwards. “My favorite part of teaching is the stu- They sold about 97 of them and gave 30 The evening will start with social hour dents and the way they keep the perspective fresh, away, making around $2,400. E. Mr. Jenkinson from 5-6 p.m. and then move into a dinner and even if I’m teaching the same thing,” Ms. McRee This money goes towards funding youth awards ceremony from 6-9 p.m. Promptly after the said. development programs at the YWCA, such as teen

ceremony, the ball will start. Music will vary from “Ms. McRee instilled life-long study hab- pregnancy, after school, and outreach programs.

the patriotic to the more modern country and hip its in me. She was a prime example of an excellent Junior Board Member Crystal Allison

Answer Key:E - 5 A, - 4

hop styles. teacher who would start and end every day with a said, “It’s so great volunteering your time with a “The Military Ball is an event to cel- positive attitude,” junior Meg Leonard said. project like this and being able to help girls pick B - 3 D, - 2 C, - 1 ebrate the hard work and dedication the cadets After retiring, McRee plans to travel and out prom dresses every year.” have put into making this a successful year for the not get up at 5 a.m. JROTC program,” Cadet Major Ryan Adkins said. 6 7 Marathon Softball sets Music “House of Leaves” hits like Siblings to begin with Mysteries a house of bricks by Seth Slagle out of control, as an ever present sense of paranoia Teachers by Stephen Fox in Sports an array of One thing we can always take comfort begins to take control of his life, sending him on by Suzy Spanovich in is the novel with its uniform simplicity and a journey to discover the truth behind Zampano’s Despite spending a large amount of my by Jacob Morton changes comfortable layout – or so we thought. House of strange novel. free time with music, for years I couldn’t decide on You might not think to put a high school Leaves, published in 2000, completely demolishes by Matt Bradley a favorite song. I had a long list of favorite albums, Most athletes can say that their team- teacher in a marathon runner’s shoes, but Tennes- this idea, along with plenty of others. Picking up this book may be a fairly sure, but the “best song” competition was far too mates are like family; however, some athletes are see High is home to several able-bodied athletes sizable commitment, but it doesn’t take long to Tennessee High softball is set to begin close to call. So it’s a little ironic that when I finally able to make that statement literally. Every so that challenge themselves to twenty six miles on The author (Mark Z. Danielewski) came find yourself getting lost in the pages, frantically with their 2013 campaign, and with it comes along found my favorite song, it was a track that some often two siblings are able to extend their family foot. from a talented background. With his father a film flipping back and forth to piece together the story several exciting new changes. might say isn’t a song at all. bond into athletics, and oftentimes there are director and his sister a singer/songwriter, it’s as it unfolds. While it isn’t without fault, especially

memories made that are not easily forgotten. Mr. Jenkinson, THS English and Lead- no surprise that his first creative work is nothing for those readers without the patience to put up First off, the lady Vikings will be break- This track comes from “Here, Hear II”, ership Challenge teacher, began running two years short of a masterpiece. with Danielewski’s games (and believe me, House ing in both a new field, over at Rotary Fields, and a the second in an EP series by post-hardcore band The bond that siblings share is difficult ago with his original goal being the Bluegrass Half of Leaves is filled with games), House of Leaves new coach, Kortney Caldwell. La Dispute. The “Here, Hear” series has been to describe. Ashlee and Sydney Mitchell, both Marathon, which he completed in 2011. “After The interest of this novel lies not only proves worthwhile for almost everyone that reads called “experimental”, and it’s easy to see why. My varsity basketball players on the THS girls’ team, that, I was hooked,” Mr. Jenkinson admits. in the plot, but in the layout of the text itself. With it. Coach Caldwell was most recently the favorite song, the simply-titled “Eight”, has vocals. agree that the only way to describe the bond they differing fonts, a near endless sea of footnotes , dif- softball coach at Vance before coming to replace But it doesn’t have any singing. share on the court is that they “just know where He continued to run and finished the ferent words in multiple colors, words that run all On the surface, Danielewski presents a Coach Chris Estep who stepped down last spring. each other will be.” Haunted Half marathon in Kingsport, TN dressed up and down a page (sometimes taking ten pages horror novel with the capacity to create fear and Instead, this track—and most of the as a pirate. Mr. Jenkinson then went on to com- or more to finish a simple sentence), and even unease unlike anything that has come before it. “She’s very... intense. She’s not what other tracks on the three “Here, Hear” volumes— As for Matt and Nathan Barnes, they plete the Seven Bridges marathon in Chattanooga some paragraphs that require a mirror to read, Just ask anyone that’s read it, myself included, if we’re used to at all. She was a culture shock. Her features “lyrics” of spoken words. The excellent would describe their bond in a different way. The in October of 2012. The scenic route challenged this beast is sure to challenge even the most avid of they’ve ever looked at a closet the same way after drive will help push us over the top,” senior short- instrumental music isn’t accompanied by vocal two twin brothers play tennis together at Tennes- not only his body, but his mind. readers. finishing it; I’d bet my life savings the answer will stop Kaitlin Bledsoe said about the new reign of harmonies, but by a level, steady speech. So what see High. When Matt was asked about playing be no. And yet, for those willing to go the extra Coach Caldwell. makes this odd style work so well that it could doubles with Nathan, Matt was honest with his an- After training on Virginia’s Creeper This isn’t to say that the plot isn’t fantas- mile and dig deep into the writings, there’s an stand out over dozens of fantastic and more typical swer. “We haven’t had a lot of success in the past Trail, Mr. Jenkinson ran the full marathon, 26.2 tic as well. The story begins with Johnny Truant, entirely different message, one full of passion, Athletic director Paul Pendleton feels songs? two years, but this year we will play doubles, and I miles, in three hours and fifty-eight minutes. “It an apprentice in a Los Angeles tattoo parlor, hope, and most importantly, love. Still yet, for the that Coach Caldwell has “the desire and ambition The answer lies in how tone is used feel like we will have more success because we’ve was the second hardest thing I’ve ever done,” finding a manuscript in the apartment of a recently truly fanatical reader, you’ll begin to see that each to take the program to another level”. Coach Pend- by “normal” songs. The key difference between both learned each other’s playing style better.” Jenkinson said. deceased elderly man, known only as Zampano. of these layers isn’t separate; they intertwine into leton talks glowingly of Coach Caldwell. “She is a singing and speaking is tone. When singing, tone Zampano’s writing turns out to be an academic one grand scale tour de force. quality person who cares about the young people is used to express emotion; it is the difference As an older sibling, it’s always interest- Mr. J. plans to keep running half and review of a documentary entitled The Navidson of our school.” between an angry song and a joyful song. Every ing to watch the younger one play. Meg Leonard, full marathons, and maybe even work up to the Record, which details Will Navidson’s experience If you can imagine that the monsters feeling a song represents can be directed by a a junior defender on the THS varsity girls’ soccer 50k Stump Jumper trail run in the Tennessee with his new house; one that is infinitely larger hiding in the dark aren’t the enemy, but rather Coach Caldwell herself follows up along vocalist’s changing pitch. team, says that watching her freshman sister, mountains around Chattanooga. on the inside than the outside. As the house’s the darkness itself, then you can begin to appre- the same vein saying, “I am honored to be the head Caroline, play varsity is “fun because she made hallways begin to shift without warning, Navidson ciate the message this novel carries; if you can coach. I was very grateful for this opportunity… And that brings us back to spoken varsity so young, and she played really well as a Mrs. Bittinger, THS biology teacher, also and his family find themselves in a dark and futile understand that it isn’t a book to be read from the As with anything, I think it is important to lead music. By removing control from the vocalist, the freshman.” Sydney Mitchell said that watching runs her fair share. She and her husband run half struggle – both with the house, and with them- first page to the last, but rather it’s a book to be by example… I am just going to be there to guide instruments get to set the tone, in both a literary her sister Ashlee, who is committed to play college marathons together. “You hate doing them, but selves. explored, then you can begin to see the scope of them, encourage them, and push them.” and musical sense. Instead of having the story basketball at Virginia Commonwealth University, then you want to do another,” Bittinger said. She humanity that is addressed within its pages; and in “Eight” warped by a change in tone, the music is “amazing because she’s such an amazing ath- has run nine half marathons, her fastest time being The story takes a turn for the worst (if if you aren’t afraid to step outside your comfort Part of the athletic renovations and itself twists, building excitement and contentment lete.” Ashlee made sure to add in that a lot of her one hour and fifty-seven minutes. that wasn’t already enough) as Johnny discov- zone, to face your fears head on, then you’ll be able additions around the school system, Rotary Fields with each pounding beat. Each note adds to the success the past two years has come from the small ers that no evidence of The Navidson Record’s to, like the novel itself, look past the darkness and promises to be a great home for years to come. mood, a mood perfect for listening to an inspir- things Sydney does in games. Mr. Jenkinson and Mrs. Bittinger are existence can be found. Johnny’s life soon spins into the light. According to Coach Pendleton, the new field is “a ing, yet down-to-earth speech - and that speech just a couple of the many distance runners em- great facility, a place that our girls can call home.” carries on, unhindered by musical shifts. The two No matter who answered the question, ployed at Tennessee High. Mr. Reece, a chemistry complement beautifully, a fascinating mingle that 3 games you might have missed all of these student athletes were quick to say that teacher, started running when he took a trip to Las by Nicholas Ettore “Faster Than Light” - FTL is a retro playing on the same team, whether it being the Coach Caldwell adds, “I believe it surpasses hundreds of standard songs. Vegas, and has continued to run regularly since will give our team a sense of pride and owner- styled top down, real time space combat simula- first year like the Leonard sisters or the sixth year Though games like Activision’s “Black March of 2012. He and several other teachers ran ship. Hopefully we will have a lot of student and tor featuring always-randomized levels and an like the Barnes brothers, is an incredible experi- Remember: even when music experi- Ops 2” and Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed 3”, raked in a half marathon in Sevierville. community support now that it is in the heart of inability to restart a save once you die. The player ence. Caroline, referring to her relationship with ments with tone, don’t assume the standards have big bucks for their developers and publishers, they Bristol.” is able to name their ship and three crew mem- Meg off the soccer field, went as far to say that been toned down. weren’t the best games to come out this year. bers and head off to bring important information they are “besties.” While Meg was hesitant to do “You hate doing them, The new Rotary Field is owned by the to the resistance many sectors away while being so, she finally admitted that they did share a good The best games to come out in 2012 are but then you want to school system, a drastic change from the Whitetop chased by the rebels. This game has an amazing relationship in their every-day life. games you probably haven’t even heard of before, Creek Park, owned by the city, the girls’ former soundtrack and is nominated for the “Excellence in which are better known as indie games. Some do another.” home. The first physical characteristic noticed Design” award at the Independent Games Festival. When asked who was better, both Caro- indie games that should be on the list as the best about the new field is nothing shiny or fancy; it’s “Faster Than Light” is available for $9.99 for Mac/ line and Sydney admitted that their older sister games of this year include: PC/Linux via Steam. was better. But when the question arose with Matt Ms. Davis, THS math teacher, also runs the high outfield fence that promises to protect pitchers from the long ball. and Nathan, the answer wasn’t as clear. Nathan regularly and has completed the Santa Hustle half “Thomas Was Alone” – “Thomas Was “Little Inferno” – “Little Inferno” [En- simply responded with “Matt, I beat you last time. marathon in Sevierville, TN. Alone” is, for the most part, a minimalist 2D As for expectations, the lady Vikings tertainment Fireplace] comes from the creators So as of now I’m better.” platformer; for some, though, it’s more than that. finished 3rd in the conference last year. This year of the all-famous indie game, World of Goo, and Teachers and administrators also enjoy For some, it’s a game about loss, love, friendship, they are looking for more. Bledsoe sums up the embodies one of the best things ever to be simu- Playing organized athletics is fun. Play- running races together. Mrs. Bittinger, Ms. Lilly, and anti-gravity adventuring. In the beginning, team’s chances, saying, “I feel we have a good lated: fireplaces! This wonderful fireplace simula- ing organized athletics with your own sibling can and Mrs. Peters all ran the Disney Princess half Recommended Listening: the player starts off as a lonely little red rectangle chance to compete for a conference title. Our main tor allows the player to buy items from multiple only make things better. marathon together. Ms. Lilly, cross-country coach “Here, Hear” Volumes 1 -3 by La Dispute named Thomas. But as the game progresses, goal is to reach the regional tournament.” catalogs and then burn them to get more money and math teacher, has run and excelled in over Thomas meets new friends, enemies, and is helped than he or she had before. The game can last for twenty half marathons, some full marathons, and Stephen Fox has an unusual taste in music, and out by the occasional witty commentary from the around 5-6hrs; yes a fireplace simulator can have even a sixty-five mile triathlon. Not many of these he’s determined to show how songs that go outside narrator, who gives personalities to the otherwise an end game, and is fun for the people who play, as teachers plan on being that extreme, but there is the mainstream formula have their own interest- lifeless quadrilaterals. “Thomas Was Alone” is well as anyone who happens to walk by while Little a significant amount of distance-running talent in ing quality. Music Mysteries examines unortho- available for Mac and PC via Steam, a game distri- Inferno is being played. “Little Inferno” is avail- the teaching staff around here. dox techniques in music and explores how these bution software, for $9.99. able for $9.99 for PC (Steam) and WiiU (Nintendo techniques enrich songs. eShop).