Life Begins at the End of the Comfort Zone

Volume XX I Issue 7 May 2014 The Eagle’s Eye

HEDGESVILLE HIGH SCH OOL

Life Begins At the End of the Comfort Zone Hedgesville High School 109 Ridge Road North Hedgesville WV 25427 I am blessed to have my host By Syazwani Yatim family, who are eagerly teaching “To be an exchange student is one me American culture and bringing Editor of the best experiences.” me to places so that I would not get bored staying here. Many good Lena Nunez NEVER in my life would I things have happened as the days have thought of getting the oppor- have passed by, especially in tunity to go to a country that is so school. far away from my home. It has Staff Writers changed me into the better and My first impression of more positive person that I would Hedgesville was…AMAZING! have ever imagined. I have tried You can tell from the name many new things and had many though. My expectations of an Chelsea Bleigh new experiences from my very American High School was sort of first day here. I can say that at first, like High School Musical or Glee. Liam Jack it was not easy since everything I was surprised that school here is was so different compared to my actually ‘normal’ like in my home Genevieve Montinar home country, Malaysia. It is real- country. Of course there are dif- ly out of my comfort zone. I still ferences between those two, the remember when my host family, system I mean. We don’t ex- Advisor the Mullens, picked me up at the change classes period to period. In Hagerstown Airport. We went Malaysia, our teacher would come Kim Hatfield straight for lunch at Applebees. It to the class, and we stick in one was awkward for me to call my room. We wear uniforms and host parents “mom and dad”. Ini- Converse shoes (depends on a stu- tially they were total strangers to dent, it’s optional though). me, but soon things changed and Contin- we became good friends. After two ued on and a half months here, I learned to love them as they are my new fam- Page 2 ily. To be frank, I was homesick for a few weeks as my family and I The purpose of the Eagle’s Eye is were 9,469 miles away! In addi- to inform, educate, and entertain tion, my granddad had passed readers accurately and responsibly. away, a week before my departure. It does not necessarily reflect the I can tell that my family was in a opinions of Hedgesville High heavy cloud. I wanted to stay by School or the Berkeley County their side especially in this hard Board of Education. Also, any situation. I did not want to come opinions expressed are those of the here because of what had hap- individual writers pened, but I am glad to be here as I am writing down this article biting down on a bagel (bagel is my fa- vorite food here in the States). Syazwani Yatim P a g e 2 The Eagle’s Eye

Life Begins (cont.)

I had already graduated close to the Philippines. I came the day I have to leave this six months ago before I from the capital city of Malay- country. As time goes by, I came here. Malaysian stu- sia, Kuala Lumpur. To me, realize that life begins at the dents are the only ex- West Virginia is such a beauti- end of the comfort zone. I change students that do ful state and I’m glad to be here have to survive no matter one semester in the United regardless of what other people what kind of obstacles life States. Normally we would said and judged about the state gives to me and I realize it’s come in August for a year itself. I find it an amazing state important to always be posi- program but we cannot covered by the mountains as I tive. Through hard work and skip our National Exam have never felt the beauty of support from my host family (SPM, more likely a S.A.T nature in a big city. I was happy and friends, I have enjoyed exam) to enter a Universi- to see a herd of deer too! I know my life as an exchange stu- ty or College. it sounds funny, but I truly dent here. I’ve learned to mean it. Whenever they ask me appreciate and show respect which country I am from, Things I like about West to others, which is really most people here don’t Virginia are West Virginians important and meaningful. really know where Malay- bring comfort to the needy, help Coming here meant going to sia is and probably never those with disabilities and instill college later than my fellow knew it existed. After a love of art in children. People friends and possibly break- times of global crisis, here are friendly too. It was re- ing up relationships, but to which includes the missing ally something different for me, build new relationship as Malaysia Airlines Flight as I’ve never experienced a long well. Looking back now, I 370 during its travels from snow before. By the way, we am so grateful I made the Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, don’t have any seasons in Ma- choice to come here. I am China, that’s when every- laysia. It is hot and humid most proud of how much I’ve body could figure out of the time. I was super excited grown and look forward to which land I’m originally to touch and experience snow learning more in the next 67 from. Malaysia is such a the past few weeks. If the whole days. small country compared is truly greater than the sum of My name is Wani, I’m with the U.S, with 14 its parts, West Virginia must be 18 years old, and studying states located in Southeast- a great place for having so abroad changed my life. ern Asia, in between Thai- many good things. land and Singapore, bor- Tick tock make its count to dered by Indonesia and

Order your 2014 high school yearbook today

Order your 2014 Call: Order Online: Hedgesville High School Yearbook 1-866-282-1516 Jostensyearbooks.com today!

Volume XX I Issue 7 P a g e 3

Sight Translation Award

By Lena Nunez limited amount of time. Editor Students from all around Congratulations to Maureen the state competed and she Budka for winning third place in did a great job. Her teach- Marshall University’s Sight er, Ms. Horioka, would Translation Contest for Latin I. like to recognize and con- Budka had to translate a diffi- gratulate her for this out- Maureen Budka standing accomplishment. cult passage about Caesar in a Photo by Lena Nunez

Emily Johnson in South Africa

By Genevieve Montinar million people in the country which is near Cape Town the Staff Writer are said to suffer from AIDS country’s capital, an iconic South Africa is one the world’s and nearly 240,000 have died place where tourist go to see most beautiful countries and Emi- from it. There is no doubt that what Mandela had to experi- ly Johnson, a senior at this high number of sick people ence. Hedgesville High School, was has a direct correlation to the “Unfortunately I didn’t get able to take that 20 hour flight South African economy. Last the chance to go to Robben from Dulles International Airport year, the country’s unemploy- Island due to bad weather,” ment rate was at a whopping to South Africa and experience said Johnson. what this growing country had to 24.9%. This makes it hard for Although, she did get the offer. people dealing with the disease chance of a lifetime to see Johnson did not go to South to get treatment because they some of South Africa’s safa- Africa just for vacation but rather cannot afford it. People are left ris. Johnson and her father got to attend a medical conference on in poverty and right now there to take safari trip in a car to infectious diseases with her father, is a big push on the South Afri- see all the different types of a medical doctor. It wasn't exactly can government to provide jobs animals that you can’t see in ideal since some of the presenta- to their citizens. their natural habitat anywhere tion were boring, she said, but Another large part of South else. there were some that caught her African way of life and political “It really was a dream eye. culture was Nelson Mandela. come true, because when I “You saw a large focus on He was trailblazer for the anti- was younger I wanted to be a AIDS since approximately 1 out Apartheid movement and even- zoologist and I love animals,” of every 5 South Africans suffer tually became the country’s first she said. They saw everything black president. Since he was an from this disease,” said Johnson. from zebras, baboons, and activist for this cause govern- hippos to elephants, giraffes That statistic that she men- ment officials during that time tioned is 20% of this country’s and even a penguin colony. were not pleased so they sen- From Emily’s descriptions population which is an extremely tenced him to prison for 27 large number for disease that at South Africa seems like a years. For part of that time he wonderful place to be. this time is incurable but largely was held on Robben Island, preventable. As of 2012 over six P a g e 4 The Eagle’s Eye

Be Positive Day

By Genevieve Montinar school, is intended to bring students can expect academic Staff Writer about optimism and an upbeat groups, clubs, and performing On April 11, 2014, feel into the halls of HHS. arts to be recognized for all the Hedgesville High School, HHS, “The winter months can be hard work they have done this had its first “Be Positive Day” in very depressing for many peo- year. “These groups typically hopes of creating a positive at- ple so we hope that this lifts don’t get much public recogni- mosphere in the school. Mrs. their spirits,” said Mrs. Shock- tion and we wanted to change Shockey and Ms. Jordan are the ey. that with ‘Be Positive Day’ ” two teachers in charge of mak- And it is true that a lot of said Mrs. Shockey. “Be Positive ing this day a reality. They've people get more depressed Day” will last all day long in the worked tirelessly on different than usual in the winter form of activities that the stu- activities and awards that will go months. A form of depression dents can do, although not all at into this unparalleled celebra- called Seasonal Affective once. Due to the vast number of tion. Disorder is where people tend snow days, a pep rally was not The objective of “Be Positive to feel gloomy especially dur- practical, so, instead activities Day,” which is a continuation of ing the winter season. On this and awards will be “sprinkled what we did on the first day of last Friday before spring break throughout the day”. Becca’s Closet

By Liam Jack time, interested students may Staff Writer approach Junior Civitan mem- samen stated that only a few are ever used. This year, six- Becca’s Closet came to bers set up in front of the gym during all three lunches. teen dresses were loaned for Hedgesville High School in homecoming and eleven were 2008. Run by students in Jun- “What they do is come take loaned for the winter formal. ior Civitan, Becca’s Closet a dress,” said Ms. Geesamen, In the past, Junior Civitan dis- loans free dresses to students Junior Civitan faculty advisor. tributed even fewer dresses for to wear at school dances. “And what we’re doing this prom than previous dances. year is making them sign con- Becca’s Closet is an exten- Any student that accepts a sive organization. Originating tracts, and then they’ll return it.” dress from Becca’s Closet will in Florida, it was founded by enter a drawing for a free hair Rebecca Kirtman. It now The contract guaranteeing styling at 9 West Hair Studio reaches to several schools the dress’s return is the only at 1018 Hedgesville Road. across the country. requirement to make the loan. This will hopefully encourage “I think it’s a great idea,” They are completely free of students to borrow dresses for said Junior Jillian O’Connel, a charge. prom from Becca’s Closet. member of Junior Civitan. Students are also encour- There are currently sixty aged to donate dresses. Junior dresses in storage at Civitan will accept any dress Hedgesville High School. of any size as long as they are They will be available for appropriate, cleanly pressed, borrowing the week of the and only gently used. 21st through the 25th before Despite there being sixty Photo by Liam Jack prom on the 26th. During that dresses available, Ms. Ges- Becca’s Closet Dresses Volume XX I Issue 7 P a g e 5

B o o k F a i r

By Genevieve Montiner prising that so many students come back after touring the Staff Writer participated in the fair. fair and buy a book,” said Hedgesville High School’s In order for the fair to be- Mrs. Pleasant. (HHS) Library Media Center come a success, the LMC has Mrs. Pleasant also made it (LMC) had its first ever book many different types of promo- clear that none of this could fair dubbed “Book Fair Fiesta”. tions to get people excited happen without the help of It was held the week of March 3 about it. Since there was a fies- many people. The Library through the 7th and turned out ta theme the LMC was deco- Practice Assistant, volunteers, to be a huge success. There is rated in a very festive and col- and students all pitched in to no question that nowadays teen- orful way. Piñatas were put up make this fair a reality and agers seem to shy away from to promote the prize they’d be could not possibly be done books and turn their focus on giving out to the class who without them. Also all the technology instead. So this purchased the most dollar English teachers, and in par- would lead many to think that amount of books. Ultimately, ticular Ms. Springer, all throwing a book fair in a high Mr. Harris’s first period class worked very hard to setup and school would not have a large won and received a piñata full inform students about the fair. student turnout, but they would of candy. Many students knew about the be proven wrong at HHS. There were also four daily fair through their English “I wanted the book fair to drawings of $10 gift cards to teachers and actually first got spark an interest in our students Books-a-Million if a book was a glimpse of the fair while and for them to develop a love purchased. And everyone who touring with their English of reading”, said Mrs. Pleasant, bought a book was given a class. the library media specialist for fake mustache as a promotion Students who had fun at HHS. And there was definitely to advertise for the book fair. the book fair this year can ex- a spark of interest in the fair Students who visited with their pect it to come back again because it raked in $2,200 in English class were given a next year and will be able to profit. With the 1,800 different piece of candy in order to get nurture their love of reading book titles to choose from, and them in the door the next day, all over again. the assortment of genres availa- and it worked. “I enjoyed the fair and will ble like fantasy, biographies and “Many students would definitely do it again next how-to books, it really isn’t sur- year,” said Mrs. Pleasant. Earth Day

By Liam Jack posed at a UNESCO conference Today, Earth Day is cele- Staff Writer in 1969, with the intent to cele- brated in most countries around bration the Spring Equinox of the world. Earth Week accom- Senator Gaylord Nelson the following year. However, panies Earth Day, and many founded Earth Day in 1970, a Nelson adapted the date to institutions host events to advo- widely recognized minor holi- April 22. It was intended to be cate environmental protection day that promotes world envi- an extended educational holiday and conservation. ronmental awareness. and was recognized in hundreds

Earth Day was first proof colleges around the country. See Earth Day on p. 7 P a g e 6 The Eagle’s Eye Carrie Shade wins second Shorty

By Genevieve Montiner @AgainstSuicide. The actual ceremony lasted two to three and a half hours and Staff Writer Numerous people took note of this featured a performance from Us Awards are a big deal, but online and Shade was nominated for a Shorty Award. The Shorty Award the Duo, who are singers on imagine winning one for some- Vine. Vine is an app where you thing you truly care about. Car- deals with short form content on social media sites like; Twitter, Tumblr, can shoot six-second video clips rie Shade, a senior at and post it on the Web. Before Hedgesville High School, won a Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Vine. Within the Shorty Awards the award ceremony Shade got Shorty Award for her work on to meet the “Little Couple” from social media by starting a sui- there are many different types of cat- egories like activism, YouTube star, the TLC’s hit reality show, cide awareness and anti-bullying which she was very excited photography, and GIF of the year. campaign. about. It all started when a child- Shade won her award in the activism category and it is important to Shade has taken away many hood friend of Shade’s commit- things from the Shorty Award ted suicide. Naturally her note that this is the not the first time she won this particular award; last experience but there is one thing friend’s death was unexpected in particular that she said which and painful so she wanted to do year she won the same award. In order to nominate someone for the captures the essence of Shorty something about it. Shade start- Award. ed a Twitter campaign on this Shorty Awards you have to tweet issue in May of 2011 and it has their nomination and give the reason “Even when you spend a grown significantly since then. why you think they should win the lot of time on the Internet you She currently has nearly 195,000 award; whoever gets the most sup- can still do something benefi- followers on her Twitter handle port wins. cial”, she said.

G o d s p e l l

By Lena Nunez his cast performed well. “It makes will no longer be at Hedgesville, Bullard received the Atlantic Editor me happy to see them succeed,” said Hudkins. Acting School scholarship and From April 3 to 5, the plans to continue his acting ca- With the high number of snow Hedgesville High School Eagle reer. Theatre presented the musical days this school year, the cast Godspell. In the three days, it missed 10-15 practices but they rose Sophomore Nick Graves was performed four times and to the occasion quickly. who played the main role, Jesus, in Godspell said that though he each one received emotional Adding to the emotions of the will still be here, he will miss responses such as tears and play itself, Godspell was the last the seniors. “It’s surreal to me,” earned standing ovations from major play here for the seniors of said Graves. the audience. the cast. Though Godspell is over, the Mr. Hudkins, the director of Brett Bullard, a senior who Eagle Theatre will be presenting the Eagle Theatre, said that it is played both John the Baptist and one act plays directed by the odd to get standing ovations Judas, said, “I’m glad to end my seniors to end the year. every night and is proof that senior year with a bang.” Though he Volume XX I Issue 7 P a g e 7

E a r t h D a y ( C o n t . 5 )

At Hedgesville High The date April 22 was cho- has been largely forgotten. School, the Student Govern- sen to accommodate college Environmental activists tend ment Association is in charge schedules, as Earth Day was to encourage people to recycle of the school’s recycling pro- originally intended as an educa- and undergo community projects gram. Throughout the year, tional extension. There is a throughout the year, but there students collect paper material popular conspiracy theory that will be more community environ- and plastic bottles from each Nelson intended to celebrate mental activities available to in- classroom that teachers dis- the birth of Vladimir Lenin, as terested parties. pose of. that was his birthday and 1970 “We have a cardboard box was the 100 year anniversary of that we throw paper into to his birth. Earth Day was also recycle it,” said Junior Matt originally intended to promote Winkler, in regards to personal world peace as well as environ- recycling habits. mentalism, though that aspect Orchestra Class

By Liam Jack “I like this class a lot,” said “It’s intensive but not too inten- Staff Writer Freshman Jacob Croley, who sive. It is a good pace,” said The Hedgesville High had been in the program play- Freshman Samantha Gray, the res- School Orchestra class’s ing violin since the fifth ident concertmistress. next concert is May 8th. grade. “We play lots of differ- “You have to practice at least The class, which currently ent kinds of music.” 30 daily minutes outside of class,” contains eleven students, Mr. Funderburk is present- said Mr. Funderburk in regards to has expanded rapidly since ly one of four strings teachers the class’s intensiveness. 2007. in Berkeley County. In addi- The high school strings class “We’ve been growing a tion to Hedgesville High had five students when it began, lot,” said Mr. Funderburk. School, he teaches daily at but next year there will be twenty- Mr. Funderburk has Hedgesville Middle School one. Mr. Funderburk hopes it con- been teaching Orchestra and holds an after school les- tinues to expand in the future. (often referred to in the son at Tomahawk Intermedi- school as simply “strings”) ate. All included students par- for several years now. The ticipate in the annual concerts. class has only been an offi- Funderburk also holds private cial class since 2007, being lessons on the weekend. a pull-out program before. The strings class is availa- The instruments taught are ble to any interested student. the violin, viola, cello, and It requires no prerequisite and bass. The music taught is is recommended to any stu- not limited to one particular dent with an interest in string instruments. genre. Jacob Croley is enthusiastic about strings class.

Photo by Liam Jack P a g e 8 The Eagle’s Eye Dear Eagle’s Eye Advice Column

Which is better, a tie or a passed, this test will often serve as my mother is moving out of bow tie? college credit. Bear in mind that the state for a job. I’m not sure Bow ties are clearly supe- tests are difficult, and if you do not who I want to go with be- rior to ordinary ties. They are pass the test, you can still get high cause I want to stay here for whimsical but classy. They school credit for the class but no col- school, but my father is nev- tend to be cleaner than ties, lege credit. A drawback to AP classes er home. and they are convenient to is that they are often harder, some- Though it would be nice use. James Bond wears bow times have fewer grades, and focus to stay with your friends, if ties, and he is someone stu- completely on the test. Though it var- you’re unhappy at home, you dents should look up to. ies, some Honors classes offer a will be unhappy all the time. Though beware if you have a broader course of study. Choose your Based on the information large neck, as bow ties do not priorities and consult the teachers. here, it might be better to go fit very well on them. with your mother. You can Should high school students think keep in touch with your old Where do I go when I want about dieting? friends through social media to skip school? To a degree. A healthy diet is and such, and make new Stay home, go to a local very important, and students should friends in your new area. restaurant or store, or bury be somewhat conscious of their eating yourself in the local vegeta- habits. Choices in diet can affect How do you manage a two tion (such as climbing a tree). someone years beyond now. With that faced person who is always Please note that we at the Ea- being said, overly rigorous dieting, starting drama? What do you gle’s Eye do not support the like skipping meals, is not recom- do with someone trying to skipping of school and en- mended for teenagers. control you but you have al- courage students to attend ready told them to stop and class every opportunity they Do you love me? they won’t? have. Yes. We here at the Eagle’s Eye It would be best to avoid love all random citizens. individuals like this complete- What should I do about bul- ly. If that’s not possible, then lies? What do you think will help some- distance yourself as much as Tell your parent or guard- one get a job over summer? possible. You can still talk to ian, especially if the said par- Apply to as many local businesses people like this and be civil ent or guardian is sassy. If it you’re comfortable with as possible and friendly, but don’t share is at school, tell one of the (and make sure the business is hiring). personal things. Do not share many school advisors, such Follow up on your applications, and if things you would not share as Mr. Fultineer. Do not seek you can, speak directly with the hiring with absolutely everyone, direct retaliation, and always manager. This shows your enthusiasm such as secrets or personal consider the big picture and and readiness to work. Make sure to opinions. think of what is truly im- attend all interviews with necessary Do you have a problem that portant to you. paperwork. Dress correctly and re- you would like the staff of member interviewing tips. Be sure to the Eagle’s Eye to address? Should I take honors or AP apply as soon as possible, preferably Just drop off your anony- classes? before summer even starts. mous concern to Ms. Hat- The biggest benefit to AP field at Room 5. The staff of classes is the AP Test offered My parents are getting a divorce. the Eagle’s Eye will respond at the end of the year. If My father is staying in the area while to your concern.