The Eagle's NestSENIOR EDITION

VOLUME 11, NUMBER 7

KEEPI NG THE S TUDE NTS OF RHEA COUNTY HIGH SCHO OL I NFORMED SI NCE 1996

photo by RChS yEARbooK StAFF

Farewell, Class of 2007!

What is the goal of education? Have we attained it? Both of these are important questions, and they do not apply to se-niors alone. How-ever, as the final days of high school fade into oblivion, they seem increas-ingly momentous. After all, when it’s all said and done, education is the reason we spent the majority of our last four years here. And if perchance, we failed to be-come educated now, what hope lies in our future plans unless things change?

Some would argue that learning consists of the acquisition of knowledge. However, the fact of the matter is that knowledge leaves men in the exact place they started.

As another school year draws to a close and we prepare to say goodbye to our 2007 graduates, it’s time to begin the usual rem-iniscing, best-wishing, and sage advice-giving. So we present this traditional “Se-nior Edition” of The Eagle’s Nest.

Looking over the essays in this issue, it strikes me how often I’ve heard the same themes— making the most of your time, capturing opportunities, valuing friend-ships, seeking knowledge and understand-ing— all things I’ve heard over and over again, beginning with my own high school graduation all the way back in 19—what-ever.

It’s easy to tune these messages out, and ignore them as nothing more than a bunch of seasonal blathering. It’s just what people have to say on these occa-sions, isn’t it?

I wonder.As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to real-

ize that we repeat things over and over to ourselves because, well, we humans are dumb.

Oh, we’ve done some terriffic things, to be sure, over the past thousands of years. But try as we might, we still struggle with the most basic things: Forgetting to be kind to each other. Holding grudges. Wanting more than we need, and refus-ing to share. Being surprised that so much time goes by so quickly. And so on.

Simple things, that we forget and for-get and forget, no matter how sophisticat-ed we become. We need to be reminded. Constantly.

It is during times like this—when we

By MR. FERRELLEAGLE’S NEST ADVISER

By ANDREW ZIMMERMAN 2007 VALEDICTORIAN

By RILEY BREWER 2007 SALUTATORIAN & EAGLE’S NEST EDITOR

celebrate our siblings’, peers’, and students’ move from one stage in their lives to an-other—that we can all pause and remind ourselves about some basic facts of exis-tence.

We can, that is, if we decide to put aside our cynicsm and “oh no, not more of this stuff ” attitude, and allow ourselves to be reminded.

Because time is fleeting, and things move too quickly. Because we do con-stantly desire more than we really need. Because we do make ourselves and others miserable when there’s really no good rea-son to be. (And so on.)

On that note, we of The Eagle’s Nest hope all of you (senior class or not) will enjoy this collection of the thoughts and

wishes and reminisces of your teachers, class leaders, and peers.

Give them a listen, at least, as well as the speeches and reflections you’ll hear at class night and graduation. Listen with fresh ears, if you can, and let them jiggle you out of your humanly stupor for a bit, and be reminded, one more time, of the basics.

Are we educated yet? Ready to move on—It is a car without keys, great potential, but capable of nothing.

People trained to memorize infor-mation and then simply regurgitate it without the critical thought required to

make it their own will be capable of only the textbook solution and noth-ing more. This re-duces thought into the manual, re-petitive labor that it was never meant to be.

No one in his right mind would choose a carbon copy over the original. Yet, un-consciously, this is done all too often in today’s world. There is another downfall to simple knowledge; there is

always more to be obtained. Therefore, knowing how to learn is a greater asset

see ANDREW page 2 see RILEY page 2

When I started Rhea County High School my freshman year, I hated it.

Of course, it wasn’t actually the school itself that I despised; it was the sudden huge leap from my beloved el-ementary school to the confusing mix of high school. I had to learn a whole new way of doing things, I was thrown into classes that had stu-dents four years old-er than me in them, and I had no idea which teacher was who or where any of my classes were. To make matters worse, I was deep in the throes of the typical adolescent angst, dealing with losing old friends and trying to grow up.

By the end of my freshman year, I was

seriously contemplating either taking sum-mer classes or being home schooled.

Then, over the summer between ninth and tenth grade, my feelings changed. I returned to school in the fall expecting to

loathe every mo-ment as much as before, but I found that I did not. In the place of my fear and worry, I had a sense of calm and deter-mination.

The rest of high school has followed much this same pattern, with each school year better than the one before it and each summer a time of reflection and growth.

Today, I am far from where I started as a freshman. Yes, I still find myself

anxious to leave, but now my enthusiasm for throwing myself into the future is tem-

2 The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007

than just memoriz-ing facts alone.

Others contend that grades define the learned. This too fails to suffice because numbers are only placehold-ers. Those who struggle to make de-

cent grades are routinely more intelligent than the ones who easily excel, if only in so much as they have learned to use the weap-on known as work ethic.

Grades also are unable to distinguish between the demanding classes and the “easy A’s.” Furthermore, this type of evalu-ation requires the honest to compete with the deceitful on an unequal playing field. And if you think cheating is isolated, wake up and smell the coffee. It is an everyday occurrence even under the most watchful eyes.

In the end, there is only one measuring stick that will do. That is wisdom, the abil-ity to properly act on knowledge, and in-terpretation, the gift of extracting the best choice from given information.

The brain, by that I mean the part of the intellect which simply memorizes, was designed to serve the mind. However, as soon as the mind becomes weak because of lack of thought, it will be superseded by the brain.

It requires no thought to recite answers or copy text. In critical thinking, it is true that sometimes there is more than one right answer, but there is always, by definition, only one best answer. A person who uses

ANDREWfrom Page 1

Eagle’s Nest seniors sign off

only his brain is all too willing to scrounge on the good while the best goes to waste. This is tragedy.

Therefore, my friends, I urge you to make the hard choice to ask the difficult questions and refuse to let anyone answer them for you. Fellow students of life and those who by age and experience are wiser can assist you, but in the end, unless the an-swers are your own, they will crumble un-der the stress at the first sign of adversity.

Finally, for those who think I am at-tacking the ladder that I myself climbed, I offer this defense from a Chinese proverb that you all have heard: “Feed a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Those who can fish truth out of the lake of life can literally change the world.

There is no greater curse than to know at the end of life that we ourselves, the world,

and all mankind were left unchanged by our brief existence.

As I sit down to write this, I am overcome with emotions. Tears well in my eyes, as I think of what I will lose. Smiles spread despite the sadness, when I think of all the wonderful experiences that took place within these halls. And knots tighten in my stomach, as I think of what is to come.

When I first moved to Dayton from Atlanta, I could not believe I was going to be stuck in this little farm town for my entire high school career. Now the idea of leaving it breaks my heart, and for that I say thank you.

Thank you to all the people I have met these past four years. All of the people, the good and the bad. You have all taught me so much about myself and about life—about the kind of person I want to be and the kind of life I want to live.

And thank you most of all for accept-ing me. For filling these four years, that could have been so horrible and frighten-ing, with memories that I will treasure my whole life.

Despite not having lived my whole life in Rhea County, it is a struggle for me to believe there is a life outside of it and outside of RCHS. Could there really be a life outside of Homecoming Week, Friday night football games, newspaper class, the-atre kids, Gateways, and economics class?

It’s even harder to believe that I will soon be out in this strange world on my own. I think “what are they thinking? I’m not ready to be an adult.”

But as scary as the notion can be, I do believe I am ready. I am ready because of Rhea County High School. I am ready be-cause of my teachers, who have educated me in both academia and life. I am ready because of my friends, who have helped me and educated me in ways of their own. And I am ready because of my mother, who has raised me to be the best person I could be.

To the underclassmen, heed this one piece of advice: make the most of your time that remains in high school. Live every minute to the fullest. Enjoy your friends, and push yourself to your full potential. Do this, and you will leave with no regrets.

To my fellow classmates, I wish each and every one of you the best of luck. I pray that life grants you the reality of all your dreams. Never give up, never settle for second best. And never forget where you came from, the greatest class to grace RCHS... the Class of 2007!

Finally, to my staff members, it’s been a great year! My seniors, Kaity, Courtney,

Kelli, Shane, Jimmy, Bryan and Craig, thank you for all your hard work and de-termination. I will miss you all, terribly.

To the juniors, Alex, Cory, Kelly, Ra-chel, Beth, Ryan and, you too, Charlie, I wish you all the best, thank you for being so wonderful, and please continue to make this newspaper better with each edition.

Mr. Ferrell, you have without doubt been the most influential teacher during my high school years. Thanks for all the opportunities and advice. Thank you, Mr. Hudson, for your original faith in me. And to my co-editor and best friend, Riley, I love you girl. What more can I say? Andrea Kendall

Jimmy Keltch

Eagle’s Nest Editor

Welcome to life. There comes a time in every person’s life when they just have to, not grow up, but step up. They have to take it to the next level. That time is now.

I remember my first day as a fresh-

man. Strangely, it feels like it does now. I could never have known then what I know now, however.

I have accomplished so many things as well as overcome trials to become the person I am today.

It is weird to imagine, but high school is almost officially over. A person can wait so long for something, but as soon as it gets there, you don’t want it. We are ready to start life, but we hold on to the memories we have.

Remember when Brandon Mcleroy caught that football in that scrimmage and ran it, like, 50 yards and killed three secondary players?

Remember Coach Hammontree? What about that time when we all

got inducted into NHS our junior year? Remember JV football? What about

Boy’s State? I will never forget when I got the

coaches and teachers together to play on my flag football team.

The newspaper staff, Fish & Field. That night before the Walker Val-

ley Game when about 8 or 9 people got saved.

My first touchdown after I intercept-

ASK

AZ

The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007 3

pered with a healthy amount of sadness.

I do not want to leave RCHS be-cause I don’t like it; I want to leave because it has pre-pared me for more. I have realized that this high school has

done its job—it has enriched those who love it to the point that they simply can-not be held in by it anymore. We may not

RILEYfrom Page 1

think so, but we are ready. I doubt anybody has ever woken up

one morning and said to himself, “Gee, I think I’m suddenly prepared to leave behind the place where I met my best friends, learned about the world, and grew into a young adult.” Yet, when we look around us every day, we see people who managed to do just that.

Besides, isn’t it better to leave now, filled with nostalgia and reminiscence, than later when we have become too drudged down by our responsibilities

Courtney Jordan

here to enjoy our last days?I have tried to sort out my feelings

about leaving high school, but that is a task far easier said than done.

At first, I drove myself crazy thinking of all the things I will miss when I am at college, and of my regrets. How can I stand missing our annual homecoming week festivities?

And what about the little things, like all of the times I’ve been scared-and amused- by Mr. Wilkey’s booming voice echoing from his classroom into the hall-way? I know I’ll miss watching the guys in the locker next to mine trying to shuf-fle at least ten textbooks and five sweat-ers while still making it to sixth period on time.

Even after considering all of the peo-ple, places, and events that I will miss, for quite a while I could not stop think-ing of all of the regrets. Should I have tried out for that team? Why didn’t I tell that guy that I liked him? Could I have gotten a better grade on that science test

if I’d studied more? Should I apologize to those girls who thought I was a snob when really I was only shy?

All of these questions ran through my mind, making me even more uncertain. But, as graduation day comes ever closer, I have found that I have no regrets. May-be my time here wasn’t perfect, but I am leaving with friends who I love, a treasure of memories that can bring me to tears when even the sappiest movies can’t, and a soul-deep contentment.

I am leaving here happy—what more could I ask for?

So, while I will be right along with the crowd of sobbing students on May 18, crying for those who have touched my life who I know I will never see again and for the school that has been my world for years, I will remember that the only way I could ever have avoided the crushing sad-ness is to have locked my heart to the joy.

If I had to do it all over again, know-ing now how hard leaving is, I wouldn’t change a thing.

ed the football. Mrs. Walling and ROTC. Getting my driver’s license for a car

as well as a motorcycle. Getting my first apartment. Having my first motorcycle and car

wrecks. Working my butt off just to pay the

bills.Life, like I said, comes fast. Of course I will also never forget

the love and commitment my teachers have shown me. If it were not for them, I would not even have a chance toward college, but at least now I have a shot at making something of myself.

If I could leave RCHS with anything, I would say, “Have fun, behave, and trust God.” My Lord has pulled me through a lot of tough times. He has always been there for me. Let Him guide you. I promise He will never let you down—you have my word. He may correct you sometimes, but remember that you only live once, so make the best of it.

Trust your heart and NEVER SAY DIE; don’t ever quit in anything. Push yourself. You cannot give up because if you fall, you’re taking a lot of people down with you.

Thank you for everything, Rhea County High School students and staff. I hope I left my mark in your lives. God bless.

It is difficult to learn as much as your mind can tolerate, to grow as much as your character must, and to love as much as your heart longs to in four years.

However, you will learn, you will grow, and you will love in that amount of time.

High school will make or break a per-son, and it has made my life wonderful. The things I’ve been taught can never be count-ed, and the friends I’ve made will never be forgotten.

Other than what I’ve learned in class, the life lessons outweigh every lesson I was ever taught by any teacher. I’ve experienced both joy and pain, and I am thankful for it all. I’ve learned that if I feel like singing, then I should sing; if I feel like dancing, I should dance; and if I feel like laughing, I should laugh.

Laughter has always been my favor-ite remedy, and I will continue to use it as such.

I’ve realized my great passion for mu-sic and how it is usually the easiest tool for ministering. I thank God for blessing me with a voice to sing for Him, and the musi-cal ability to further His Kingdom.

I’ve learned that you can’t always get what you want, but you’ll be more than sat-isfied in the end.

I’ve learned what makes a true friend, and how to be a true friend.

I’ve felt the joy of being a big sister... again. The happiness my baby sister brings me cannot be measured on any scale.

I know now what it’s like to “lay the foundation” for my siblings. I’m nearly grown, while three of them haven’t even graduated middle school yet—one hasn’t started elementary school. That holds such responsibility. I’ve had to be there late at night to help with homework, and comfort them when their “friends” hurt their feel-ings.

There is enormous pressure on me be-ing the oldest of five and the first to gradu-ate, but I’ve loved every minute of it.

To Megan, Cole, Morgan, and Mayla: this is high school. At times you’re going to be sad, but you’ll be happy again. You’ll get hurt, but you’ll heal. There are so many life lessons to be learned in these four years, don’t take them for granted. You will affect everyone you come in contact with; this is a huge opportunity to make them remember

you in such a way that will make their lives change for the better. Be yourself, be a blessing, and remember the God that loves you. “May He grant you ac-cording to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” (Psalm 20:4) I love you so much.

To all my friends that have made an enormous impact on my life: I love you, rats! Being the Rat of Rats, I hope I am remembered. I’ll never forget any of you. You are my best friends, and I would do anything on this Earth for any or all of you. Chicago, late nights, marching sea-son, Spring Break, the list goes on and on. I’m so glad I could share all those things with you guys. Thank you, and I love you.

Kelli French, you’ve been my best friend ever since eighth grade. You’ve always been there for me, and brought endless joy to my life. Thank you for let-ting me confide in you, laugh with you, and cry with you. Thank you for always trusting me as your best friend and sis-ter in Christ. I hope and pray I’ve been as much a blessing to you as you have been to me. I know we’ll always be close. I love you so, so much.

Sarah Jones, even though we haven’t had any classes together in high school,

Courtney concludes, and others continue, over on PAGE 6.

JIMMY continues...

JK

RB

4 The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007

The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007 5

6 The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007

like Kelli, you’ve still been my very best friend. You’ve always understood me, Sar. We’ve honestly been through thick and thin, and I know that what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger. With that being said, we should be the strongest girls in Rhea County by now! Thank you for always being there for me. You are truly irreplaceable.

Caitlin Kammeyer, you are awesome. No, awesome could never describe such a girl as you. Thank you for making me laugh from Freshman year all the way to Senior year. I love you so much. I’ll come visit you at Tennessee Wesleyan. What? Did you honestly think you could shake me that easily? Think again, girlfriend.

Now to stray off to something a little

COURTNEY from Page 3

Kelli French

less sappy. I know that most, or several, of you will are very anxious to find The One, but please let me give you some advice: wait. Don’t look for them. It’s God’s job to send them to you in His timing, which will always be perfect. Let go and let God. When you least expect it, there he or she will be, right in your face, and they’ll be proud to say they waited on you, too.

Don’t be concerned with having a boy-friend or girlfriend right now, it will only blur your vision. Trust me, I’ve been there. Habakkuk 4:7 says, “Though it tarries, wait for it...” A relationship is something well worth waiting for, and that’s a promise.

Though you will mature, keep your heart as one of a child. It’s going to be rough, but God will remember you and hear your cry for help, He always has. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

How unfortunate it is to admit, but how real I must think of things as I know some things to be true as I leave Rhea County High School. There will be many of you, I’m sure, that I may never see again here on this Earth. However, it’s a small world, so who knows? If our paths happen to cross again someday, I’ll smile and walk away with a heart that is blessed to have seen such a familiar face, and to have remem-bered what wonderful things the carrier of that face brought to my life.

To every person who ever came in con-tact with me or made any kind of impact on my life at all, thank you.

Thank you for making a difference. I know that the generations to come will learn just as much or more from each of you. You have all given me so much hope for what my future will hold, and you’ve always encouraged me in everything.

From getting lost on my way to Ms.

Landreth’s as a Freshman, having the time of my life as a Sophomore, dread-ing that research paper as a Junior, to crying over Mr. Austin’s passion for teaching as a senior, I find it devastating that the most important years of my life are finally coming to a close.

However, I can—and will—graduate with confidence knowing how extreme-ly far I’ve come.

From a nerd with died blonde hair and braces, to a nerd with natural brown hair and straight teeth, I have come such a long way. However, my heart will al-ways be with Rhea County.

Everyone I’ve met has a piece of me, and I of them. This is not goodbye, but this is see ya later. In another time, an-other place, we will meet again.

Thank you again, for everything. I love you all dearly. You will be sorely missed.

I have had “senioritis” since I was a freshman, and I never thought the day would come when I finish high school. It is hard to believe that in the fall I will be at Lee University with a new life. I cannot wait to meet new people and be in a completely new setting, but I am still sad about leaving Rhea County High School.

When I began high school, I knew that I would go through changes, but I never realized how many. I have learned so many things these past four years that will stick with me for life.

The best lessons that I have learned are to stay true to what I believe in and to just be myself. Things are so much easier when I don’t have to worry about adding to or subtracting from my true characteristics.

I have also realized that worrying does no good. It just stressed me out and gave me zits.

One thing that made a difference in my life that I want to extend to the un-derclassmen is to try to make the best out of every situation. Things are not always going to be peachy. When life gives you lemons, put them in your tea. Well, that didn’t make sense, but I mean when things aren’t going so well, look for the best and you will surely make it through.

There are so many people that I have been around that have made a huge impact on my life. I really wish I could put every-one in here, but it would probably take up a whole page.

I have always wanted to be a band geek, and now that I am one, I know that the band is way better than I thought.

I have absolutely loved getting to know all of the flag girls and I am going to miss you all so much. This year has had its dra-ma, but in the end, we rose above it all.

Also, props to everyone who was on “Band Bus Number Four” during march-ing season or on the way to New York. You all rock! I wish the best of luck to ev-ery member of the marching band and to Dento-Bean.

When I decided to become a wrestling manager, I knew it would be fun, but I had no idea that I would gain a family. Coach Brown, I really appreciate you letting me be a manager. You are an amazing coach and a great man. Hopefully, you will be okay without me next year.

I have had the best time, and the only thing I love more than the actual sport is the wrestlers. You guys are all my big broth-ers, even if you are younger, and I know you always have my back. I love every single one of you!

Grace, you have been wonderful, and it never would have been the same without you. It is going to be so weird when I am at a school with no wrestling team, but you know I will be around next season as much as I can. I’m going to miss all of you guys so much.

Leayn and Sarah, we have been together since Kindergarten and it is going drive me insane knowing that we won’t be together next year. I remember the days when we used to make up a new club every single day, or when we tried to make money by planning pointless car washes.

I remember being the three smartest and “most popular” girls at Graysville El-ementary. Those were the days.

Now that we are going to college, I real-ize that we are still extremely smart. I know

that both of you girls are going to be amaz-ing at your jobs and you are going to ex-cel in everything. Thank you for being the same awesome friends that you have been since elementary school.

I started going to First Baptist in mid-dle school, and I’ve made some amazing friends.

You senior girls have been so great to me and we have grown up together. I really hope you all reach all of your goals in life and stay close to God. He used us to help each other and I am so thankful for that.

Kaity, Courtney, Lindsey, Connie, Leayn, Maggie, and Marissa: you girls are still as amazing as you were when I first started going to church. Senior high has been ab-solutely amazing.

Cody, Justin, and James, you are three of my favorite guys and you have been noth-ing but great to me.

Chelsea, you are the most adorable and talented girl I know and I’m so happy that you joined our youth group. I pray that the First Baptist of Dayton youth group will stay strong and continue to grow.

My rats, you know who you are, you girls are my crew. You all mean so much to me, and I have no idea what I will do with-out you next year.

You have all influenced me and helped me in some way or another. We have so many great memories together and I know there are more to come. You have made my senior year the most memorable and hilari-ous year I have ever had.

Spring break was amazing and I am so glad that it worked out how it did. I love you all more than you will ever know. Rats for life!

Jasmine, Lauren, and Kara, you girls have been the best friends that I could ever ask for. You have all made such an impact on my life. I love you so much and I know that we have friendships that are going to last. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me and know that I am al-ways backing you up in everything you do. You are always in my prayers.

Here’s to all the trips, jokes, heartbreaks,

mistakes, fun classes, hard classes, se-crets, new things, first things, great days, bad days, and all the days you spent with me because they were the best days of my life.

Courtney Jordan, you are my other half. Everyone has always said, “When you find one, you will find the other.” We have been through so many things side by side, and I could never tell you how much you mean to me. I honestly have no idea who I would be or what I would be doing right now if it weren’t for you. I truly believe that we have more inside jokes than there are actual inside jokes in the world. Thank you so much for being such an amazing friend and ac-countability partner for me. I love you so much and you know that I will stand by you in everything you do. (Well, not drugs, I will hurt you if you do that.)

Thank you so much to all of the teachers I have ever had. You are all wonderful in your own way and you are some of the most respectable people I know. When I look at you, I see patience and compassion. I would not be where I am today without you.

I have always had a thing about being close with younger people. There are so many of you underclassmen that I ab-solutely love. I seriously hope that I was really nice to you, and that I made you smile at least once this year.

There is a certain group of freshmen girls that will always have a special place in my heart. You girls are so cute and I hope you have a blast these next three years. To the sophomore class, there are so many of you that I am going to miss every day next year. Sometimes I actu-ally wish I was part of the class of 2009 because I think I have made way too many close friends in it. Juniors, you are coming up on the best year of your life. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope you have a tremendous senior year.

A lot of you have become some of my

Kaity Kopeski

Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite movies. I loved it when I was little and now at eighteen I still love it. I’m completely drawn to Belle’s character. What I admire about Belle is that she doesn’t wait for things to happen; rather she goes out and finds her own adventures. She is full of life.

Now I’m a senior and I feel like it’s finally my time to start an extraordinary adventure. I can do whatever I want. I can finally get out of Rhea County!

Well, that’s how it was all planned out in my mind since freshman year. But, things don’t always work out as planned. Instead of finally getting out of this small town, I’m staying and going to Bryan.

Don’t be mistaken; I really want to attend Bryan. I love the people, the campus, the at-mosphere, and yet I can’t help but think that if Bryan were located somewhere else it would somehow be more exciting. I would feel like I was finally going to start my adventure.

Until recently I felt jealous of all those who were going away, even if it was just thirty minutes away. Then, I realized that it’s not the destination that makes the adventure, but it’s the journey.

I understand that my adventure is not something I have to wait on, but it has already started.

Looking back on high school I see that my adventure was in all the moments of ran-

domness, of spontaneity, and of just plain life. It was in the small almost insignificant moments that I wouldn’t change for the world.

What really makes an adventure is hav-ing people to share it with. So now for the semi-sappy part: to my friends— all I can think to write is thank you. Thank you for your encouragement, your kind words, your blunt honesty, and for making my high school years so memorable.

To my teachers—thank you for sharing your wisdom, your life lessons, and most of all having a listening ear. I pray to each

see KAITY, next page—

see KELLI, next page—

CJ

The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007 7

of you keep your compassion for teaching because you do make an impact on the students here. I know because you have made an impact on my life, more than you may realize.

For my fellow seniors—more than just wish that you would become successful and that your dreams would be a reality, I wish that one day you can look back on your life and truly say that it was an unfor-gettable adventure.

For all who may be reading, I hope that you may find significance in even the smallest of moments and remember to do something that scares you every day, for life is your very own adventure that only you can make extraordinary!

KAITY continues...

Bryan Boling

Shane Walker

Craig Williamson

My friends, comrades and brothers in arms, it has been an honor to have struggled and succeeded along-side you. I can’t say it has all been fun, but I can say most of it has.

We’ve fought through the hard times despite being discouraged or roughed up by our own grades. I always try to remember that the fight never leaves the body as long as you keep your head straight and Christ in your heart.

My own mistakes remain a solemn reminder of the times I failed to do one, the other, or both of these.

There will be times that will try your mettle and there will be times you will love your life. I have experienced both,

and Christ has pulled me through it all.

Thank you, to those who have read my articles and who have seen my comic strips. I truly hope you have enjoyed the black and white print of our newspaper.

Newspapers are capsules of time in the world around you; they grab stories from all over the world and broaden your world view. There isn’t enough ink to write all the stories of the happenings of a single day in a single town, but we, as a team, tried our best to bring you what we could.

Thank you all very much for giving me my stories and my inspiration.

Over the past three years, the Junior class of Rhea County High school has had the privilege of work-ing with the Class of 2007. However, over the past year, the juniors of the Eagle’s Nest staff have been extremely fortunate in being able to work with the outstanding Seniors on staff.

These Seniors have shown us that everything is not about school, and have not only passed on their techni-cal skills, but their personal skills.

These amazing people have touched our hearts and lives. They laughed with us and created memo-ries that will last a lifetime. These men and women embodied the class motto “I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I’m not,” and taught us that a façade of falseness will get you nowhere in life.

The ways that you have touched us are too numerous to mention, and all we can truly say is thank you for all that you have done.

It is the prayer of the Junior staff that all of you will succeed in every endeavor you embark upon, and that you may never forget those whose lives you touched.

We firmly believe that all of you will go on to make an impact upon the world if it is in your power. We only hope that we can impact those around us as you have impacted us.

—Cory, Alex, Ryan, Beth, Rachel, Kelly, and Charlie

From the Junior EN staff

Consume - (v.) Use up (a resource). This is the only word I would use to de-fine my high school “career.” Yes boys and girls, it takes time. And I know you don’t want something as “uncool” as school to take up your precious time—

the time you could be playing Guitar Hero or that fantastic new Wii you got for Christ-mas.

Man, aren’t those awesome, I mean, you get to stand in front of the T.V. and do that, that thing.... Anyway, back to the point: The point is the things that are important in life take time. And now as teenagers, you guys have nothing but time to give, and it’s the only thing you cannot get back.

Use your time wisely. If you haven’t done well so far in high school and it’s just because you didn’t feel like it was “worth your time,” then you need to look towards your future, because all of you have a fu-ture, and trust me—you can’t do anything without a high school diploma.

And I, as a senior in my last week of school have thought many things to be “not worth my time,” like the Econ sections you still have to do for homework when all of your other teachers have slacked off be-cause they know that seniors as a whole just

don’t care anymore. We just want our diplomas, people!

Or, the countless times I have to wake up at 8:15 and waltz into school around 8:50 and then go home at 11:45 and....oh wait, that was the best part about the whole year.

And that’s another reason you guys as underclassmen should get your act together at an early time—because when you become a senior, you can get to school late because you don’t have a first period, and then leave early be-cause your classes are over.

Let me get back on track again for a minute: Please, from one human be-ing to another, don’t lose focus on your goal of graduating. You will be a better person for doing so.

And finally, to my senior classmates: Woot! We are done! Woooo! Now it’s time for life to hit us so hard in the face. Are you ready? Ahhhhh!

A lot has happened in the past four years. I can hardly even re-member being just a stupid fresh-man, wandering the hallways in a disoriented daze.

These four years in high school have been the longest four years of my life. I spent the first three years wishing it was my last year and my last year wishing I had three more.

It really seems that I should have more to say, some final part-ing sentiment to leave you all with, but in the face of adulthood and real life, the only thing I have is a loss for words.

favorite people and I wish I could just skip you up and make you come to col-lege with me. I am going to miss you all so much. All in all, I hope I have been a person that all of you, my younger friends, could look up to. I hope I have been someone that you could easily talk to and that you could trust. I really am going to miss you all like crazy next year, but if you love me, then you will come visit me at Lee. After all, it is only thirty minutes away.

Fellow seniors, I could have never asked to have a better group of class-mates. I have found a friend in almost all of you and I pray that this is not the last thing you will hear from me.

We are not only the biggest class to graduate from this school, but we are the best as well. Our class is full of so much talent and so much passion.

It is crazy that graduation is so close. I honestly never realized how fast it would come. I am sad that it is over, but I am excited to get out.

Thank you for all the great times and

KELLY continues...

all the support during the bad times. After this, there is no telling who we are going to become or what is going to happen. I just want you all to know that I care about you and that I hope that your future is way bet-ter than you ever even imagined.

KK

SW

CW

BB

KF

8 The Eagle’s Nest • Senior Edition • May 2007

The Eagle's Nest

Riley Brewer and Andrea KendallEditors

Courtney Jordan and Cory SmithLayout

Jeff Ferrell George HudsonadvisEr advisEr EmEritus

Riley Brewer Kelli FrenchCourtney Jordan Jimmy KeltchAndrea Kendall Shane WalkersEnior staff

Bryan Boling Beth ForeAlex Green Kelly O’RourkeKaity Kopeski Ryan SmithCory Smith Craig WilliamsonRachel Thurman Junior staff

The eagle’s NesT

405 Pierce Rd.Evensville, TN 37332

PhonE:(423) 775-7821

fax:(423) 775-7889

EmaiL:info@rchseaglesnest.org

WEb sitE:http://www.rchseaglesnest.org

R H E A C O U N T Y H I G H S C H O O L’ S S T U D E N T N E W S P A P E R

You can spend your life learning, but in the end there is little knowledge that matters:

• What God holds dear is all that is dear.

• What God thinks about you is the truth about you.

• God holds you responsible to act on that knowledge.

All the rest pales to insignificance.

Best of luck. It’s been a honor and a

privilege to serve you for the past four

years. And may the Lord bless you each

and every day of your life.

It seems like only a few weeks ago that you walked into the library for the first time for your Freshman Orientation.

Since then we have searched for AR books together, tried to find infor-mation on the elements and a variety of other subjects, struggled to locate sources for your research papers and cite them correctly, and attempted to find the shortest book in the library that your teach would accept for a book report.

Now all your research projects are finished, and, hopefully, all of your li-brary books have been turned in.

We in the library hope that during your four years here we have equipped you with the skills to search for answers to whatever questions you may have in the future, and that we have helped to instill in you a respect and a love for knowledge.

Never stop learning! We are proud of you!

Class of 2007, I am elated to see you gradu-ate, but at the same time I am also saddened to see you leave.

I have known and watched many of you grow into promising young adults for the past five years. You are without a doubt some of the best and brightest that have ever walked the hallways of Rhea County High School, and I am truly honored to have had the pleasure of teaching so many of you.

I hope that every single one of you will accomplish all you attempt and realize all of your dreams. I also hope that you will live your lives in a manner that is honest and true.

But my sincerest hope for you is that you will live every second of your life to the fullest. Do not be content with merely ex-isting, but leave your mark on this world because the world needs more people like the class of 2007.

On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Rhea County High School, we love you and will miss you. Best wishes and God bless.

It’s been a great four years together. I have enjoyed getting to know you. I will miss you next year, but I know that you have many wonderful oppor-tunities ahead of you.

Make the most of those opportu-nities—work hard, play joyfully, and take time to relax and reflect as you go. I wish the very best for you!

There are many times in our lives that we

close chapters of our life story and begin

new ones. This year marked the closing

of a final chapter for me.

These seniors who work on the news-

paper staff this year were my last group

of selected students for the newspaper

staff. I have many fond memories of

working with this group, and we lived

through a lot together.

There are memories of constantly

chasing down Kelli and Courtney in the

hall and keeping them “on task.” There

are memories of Riley and Andrea help-

ing me work the USA Today crossword

between editing jobs. There are many

memories of Jimmy and his constant

harassing to get fishing stories done on

time. Then of course, there’s always

Shane, who never seemed to meet a

deadline.

The biggest contribution this group

Final thoughts from the faculty

Mr. Austin

Mrs. Pippin

Mr. Hudson

Mrs. Rodgers

Mr. Cooper

Mrs. Fisher Mr. Germany

made to me was helping me to get

through a trying and difficult year. You

guys kept me uplifted and were always

encouraging me to stay positive.

I know we had a great year together

and I wish each and every one of you the

best of luck in all you do.

I know that I’ll see some of you around

town in the years ahead, and I know that

I’ll be hearing good things about your

journalistic careers to come. I trust that

when you think about your high school

years that I will be a part of those memo-

ries, as you will be a part of mine.

I will retire at the end of this year, so you are the last senior class I will probably serve.

I believe you are all precious and you have it within you to make your life all that you want it to be. You have the power of change until you draw your last breath.

Make good choices if you can, and learn from the bad ones.