Volume 69 Number 4 December 2008 A look They’ve Got ISSUES... inside Haleigh Fellows who also hold a much different outlook and opinion in life. As Ruth Photographer Wooten said, “I was able to meet people with very different opinions but still have a common goal, to learn how to make a difference.” The Twelve of our excellent peers recently traveled to the small, remote And making a difference is exactly what the conference is all about. town of Jabez, KY. Why would they travel six, long hours to the middle Programs such as Backpack for Kids were invented at this very event. of nowhere? So they could participate in none other than the 4-H Issues The humanitarian teens found at this conference are genuinely con- Oak“K” Conference, of course. 4-H Issues Conference is a three-day event that cerned about improving and aiding their communities and work as hard combines teens from all over the state that show significant leadership in as possible in there spare time to do so. their community. Derek Operle (12), Richard Scelzi (12), Andrew 4-H Issues Conference is jam-packed with outstanding people, won- Croft (11), Roberto Arreaza (11), Megan Sin (11), Katie Clayton derful opportunities, and one amazingly fun time. Our twelve fellow (11), Morgan Jenny (11), Mandy Jackson (11), Seth Helton (11), teens should be congratulated for their incredible accomplishments and Jordan Potter (10), and Ruth Wooten (10) teamed up with their fel- talent, and hope that you are one of the lucky chosen ones to attend this low leaders to tackle tough teen subjects such as drugs and alcohol, awesome conference in the future. stress, and peer pressure. The 4-H Issues Conference is always kicked off by a series of fun, quirky activities to break the ice and help the diverse group of leaders to Ms. Watts make bonds and connections. The teens then meet in their assigned groups on the certain issue they are confronting to formulate their bril- liant plans to solve common teen problems. However, the conference is to the not all serious work; there is plenty of fun and games to participate in. There is an annual themed, costume dance for the teens to boogey down Rescue and a talent show where they can show off their additional expertise. The 4-H Issues Conference is a guaranteed good time, and leaves many not wanting to leave after such a short three days. Derek Operle though, Page 2 will get to make a third appearance at the 4-H Issues Conference, as he was elected to the planning committee last year and, this year, has been elected the teen Co-Chair of the conference. This leadership conference has been bringing leaders together for years now in attempt to combine their great minds to conjure up effective plans to inform and help other teens. 4-H Issues Conference is a guaran- teed way to meet new, interesting people with similar goals as you, but Photo by Haleigh Fellows They’ve Dream Playground Zounds! Got Becomes A Reality It’s Zach! Opinions Monica Spees Aaron Williams Features Editor News Editor Page 3 Last September, the Oak “K” brought you exciting information of a Sitting wrapped new play area for special needs children that was to be erected in Bob No- with a red bow-tie ble Park. The project was anticipated to be completed by the fall of this under your tree year. Now, fifteen months and $100,000 after the previous story was until Christmas placed before your eyes in black and white, the dream of a playground morning is Decem- specifically designed for children with special needs has become a reality. ber’s Junior Rotar- The project has certainly made significant progress since last Septem- ian, Zach Hughes ber’s issue. At that time, $50,000 had been raised toward the $150,000 (12), just in time for goal that the group of high school students and young adults with disabili- the holidays. For ties who instigated the entire venture needed to reach in order to receive a those who have not All X- matching grant from GameTime, an equipment vendor. After many dona- had the pleasure of tions and numerous fundraisers, the desired amount was achieved. Today, being personally lo and behold, Noble Park has a new playground that can be enjoyed by acquainted with Photo by Haleigh Fellows Mas, All everyone, regardless of any special need. Zach, you can catch This playground is designed to open up outdoor opportunities and him in the halls between AP English and AP Calculus with a unique rehabilitation opportunities to disabled children, but that is not its bounce in his stride and a smile on his face. And I do mean smile. the Time sole purpose. The new play area is also perfectly suitable for children Zach was voted Best Smile (or as the Yearbook Staff likes to call without any disabilities, thus encouraging acceptance and friendship be- it: Most Likely Never to Be Caught Wearing a Facetious Frown, tween the two groups. Perhaps kids will learn at a young age that other but that’s a little wordy) by his senior classmates. Page 5 children who may appear “different” from them in physical or mental ca- Throughout his time here at Lone Oak, Zach has balanced a pacity are not so peculiar after all when they see that the very playground difficult course load with plenty of extracurricular activities. De- equipment that they use is just as fitting for those “different” kids as it is spite many difficult classes and grueling hours of homework, Zach for them. has come out at the top of his class with an impressive 3.8 GPA. Many of us take for granted the beautiful sunny days we spent on the “I’ve known Zach since first grade,” says fellow classmate and playground because we had nothing to hinder us from enjoying the many longtime friend Nick Jacobs (12), “and he’s always been better activities the playground had to offer. Since a playground open to all than me.” Well said, Nick. What’s the secret to Zach’s success? kinds of children has been erected here in Paducah, we may see a change Zach has mastered the art of pulling all-nighters without losing sleep. Through a process he dubs “power-napping,” Zach studies in young children’s attitudes toward special needs kids. It is no secret that children often tend to be cruel and act irrationally toward anything that is for forty minutes and sleeps for twenty. The technique isn’t for unfamiliar to them. However, once these kids have the opportunity to everyone. Potential risks include falling asleep and staying asleep. Tennessee swing on the same swings, slide down the same slides, and share the same And not getting any work done at all. space with kids who may seem slightly different from them, they will be- Supplementing his strong academic foundation, Zach has been gin to see the playground through the other kids’ eyes. A greater apprecia- an active member of school functions and activities here at Lone Pusher tion may emerge for the endless fun and joy that is possible on a play- Oak for the past four years. He was of a four year member of the ground. After realizing that others are not so fortunate, children could drum line in the Kentucky Colonel Marching Band from his eighth quite possibly refuse to take their opportunities for granted and even de- grade year until his junior year. Zach also drummed for the widely Page 6 vote their time on the playground to playing with a child who is not physi- popular Lone Oak Indoor Drumline for two years, before funding cally like them. They both have something in common, though—they for it was cut because it was deemed “way too cool for Paducah.” both just want to play. Outside of school, Zach is an exemplary member of the com- munity. He has earned the honor of Eagle Scout and in addition to hours of volunteer service, has taken two trips with his scout troop to Philmont, New Mexico. For those of you who don’t know what Philmont is, imagine a wilderness full of starving grizzly bears in New Mexico and you’ve pretty much got it. Philmont is not for the faint of heart. In fact, Mr. Hughes once had to survive out there off of raw deer meat and rattlesnake venom. Alright, the last part is exaggerated but the general consensus is if Zach did have to drink Obscure rattlesnake venom to survive, he would down it like skim milk. As for this year, Zach is savoring every moment of his last days at Lone Oak. He participated in the Governor’s Scholar Program at Sports Centre College over the summer as a representative of the best our school has to offer. He is a proud member of our prestigious Aca- demic Team. On the weekdays, you can find him at the PAC after Page 7 school polishing up his guns. On the weekends, look no further than his favorite hangout, Books-A-Million, where he will be en- joying free brownie samples and a good magazine or graphic novel. “I have a great deal of respect for Zach Hughes.” says Zach’s AP Euro teacher Mr. Neel, “He is an excellent student, a good person, and a pleasure to work with.” Zach will most likely be stepping onto the Big Blue Campus at UK next fall where he Thanks for hopes to pursue a career in pharmacy.