Valley TimesVolume 01 Issue 02 November 2011

Inside the Valley Times

Pick Your Party 2 Music Review 2 Book Reviews 2 Ask Lyssie and Langston 3 Video Game Review 3 Creative Writing 4 Comics #1 4 Club News 5 Club Meeting Dates 5 Sports 6 Comics #2 7 Senior Spotlight 8 Faculty Interview 8

Walker Valley High School

by: Zack Ely

Everyone, at some point in their lives, has made some kind of sentimental or physical connection with nature. Perhaps the soft crunch of snow be-neath your feet reminds you of peaceful winter walks years ago. It could be that observing the morning sun’s light, filter-ing through tree tops and making the forest floor come to life in a magical way, brings warm thoughts to your sometimes troubled mind. Birds singing along

with the sound of a flowing brook make life seem sim-pler. A strong drizzle of rain washes away your stress

and mellows your mind. Many different occurrences in nature can trigger these positive reactions. It varies from person to person. Na-ture is a medicine. Unfortu-nately, the common human tendency to waste energy

and harm the environment depletes this medicine. If the current trends of these actions continue, this precious resource for the soul and mind may be lost. Glittering blue waters are turning black and brown, majestic glaciers are melt-ing, and exotic animals are dying out. The natu-ral wonders of the world are being diminished, but through collective commu-nity efforts in our society, we can halt and reverse the decline in

(See Goin’ Green, Page 5)

“Going Green: Not a cliché, but a necessity.”You probably just read that ti-tle, and you’re thinking “great, another mushy-gushy lecture on how I can do anything I want to do in life.” Guess what? You are kind of right, but then again, this might just be the pick-me-up you need.

Before I came to Walker Val-ley, I had no dreams or goals for my life. None of my teach-ers ever encouraged me in any way. I just thought that was the typical high school teacher’s attitude. Then we moved, and I transferred to Walker Valley. The entire atmosphere was different. Every day I heard a “good job” or “awesome work” from at least one teacher. I began to look at myself, high school, and the world differently. I started to set goals for myself. I started to dream.

With every goal I reach and every new dream I have, I smile. I try to pass on my positive attitude towards life and help other people realize their callings and dreams.

(See High School, Page 3)

High School Survival Guide

“This may sound cliché, but everyone can make a difference.”

- Zac Ely

One thing people can always count on to occur is change. Changes in technology. Changes in fashion. Even chang-es in language. Change happens! If you have noticed, there are a lot of changes happening in our education system that teachers and administrators hope will help students become more aware of personal strengths and interests when choosing a future college major and ca-reer. Some of these changes may seem daunting to some people, while others may welcome, and even be excited, by the challenges that these transitions may bring to WV.

How should one approach change as it approaches?

(See Changin’, Page 7)

The Times, They Are A’ Changin’!

As you can see in our poll, some students at Walker Valley do feel like they fit into a certain political party. However, many of the kids I talked with did not take a lot of interest in the party they belonged to. A major problem for me is the fact that out of the for-ty-eight students surveyed, over half of these stu-dents said they followed a certain party because of their “parents’ affiliations.” As teenagers we do not give much thought on the issues and policies that make up each individual party. One student said he/

Pick Your Party by Kaley Carroll

she “didn’t like democrats or their beliefs.” I challenge that student to think of a real

reason he/she does not sup-port the democratic party or a real reason he/she does support the republican party.

I also challenge the student who said they fol-lowed the Tea Party because

they were a liberal and the student who said “Repub-licans are greedy.” A lot of adults do not think that kids

our age can truly understand and choose a political affili-ation. But I feel otherwise.

Let me clear up a myth for you. If your parents are democrats, you are not automatically a democrat. The same goes for every other party. Each political party has its own views on a variety of is-sues. People say that teenagers like to rebel away from their par-ents’ beliefs. However, this poll shows other-wise. Students want to play it safe, so they assume that just be-cause their dad voted for McCain in 2008, he was the candidate who should have won.

Challenge it. Ask yourself what you think is right. Re

(See Party, Page 5)

Album Reviews: Riot by ParamoreThere are some albums where you love every song except that one that you just can’t stand. Paramore’s “Riot” is not one of those albums. It has a unique style that very few bands can pull off, with almost over-whelming acoustics and inventive Lyrics. Haley Williams has such a strong voice, and has such passion when she sings, (she is one of the few female singers I actually like.) I think everyone can find one song on this album that they can relate to in some matter. I give them five out of five snowflakes!

-Miranda Heifner

Book Review - The SummoningMost teenagers only worry about getting good grades and do-ing chores. This is not the case for Chloe Saunders, a girl who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after seeing a ghostly janitor at school. She is put into a group home and forced to undergo therapy and continue school.

After a shocking turn of events, Chloe and her new friends real-ize that they are not safe in their group home. They plot a daring escape, leaving the reader with a white-knuckle cliffhanger.

- Kelley Armstong

Reviews

“What should I do about a bully?” –Anonymous

Lyssie says: “Just go on with your life. Do not let him/her bring you down. Ignore the bully or just act like this person is not even there when you see him/her. You could also let your teachers or your MAP Advisor know about this problem, so someone can help you with your bully.”

Langston says: “Confront your bully assertively. Tell him or her that it needs to stop. You could also tell your parents and have them call the school about it.”

“I want to be friends with my ex, but he will not talk to me at all. What should I do?” --Emotionally Distressed

Langston says: “Try to talk to him, and if he does not respond, just go on. Leave the past in the past.” Lyssie says: “If he will not talk to you, do not waste your time or breath. Move on with your life.”

If you need advice, write your problem down and put it in one of the advice boxes locat-ed in the main office and in the cafeteria or email swielfaert@bradleyschools.org.

Ask Lyssie and Langston

Battlefield 3 Review by Blackswatwanas and TRXenon

When we first picked up this game, we knew it was going to be an instant hit, although we were worried about the campaign. We started on that first before moving to online mul-tiplayer. When we started, we did not put it down until the end. It delivers constant twists and turns around every corner, just like an action movie. After finishing, we covered the finer points of the game, most notably the multiplayer. The multiplayer was an obvi-ous advancement from the previous, in physics and game play. Graphics have greatly improved; although, like most DICE games, when it started up, the server had plenty of problems. Plenty of new weaponry had been added, along with new features, such as prone and walking with the knife out. All in all, the game is amazing. Any Shooter fans will love this install-ment in the Battlefield series.

Battlefield is AWESOME

High Schoolfrom page 1

You can do anything you set your mind to. You are a smart, beautiful, unique individual. You have talents and abilities that no one else has.

You can reach your dreams. You can reach and go far beyond the goals that you have for yourself. With a quality education and an eagerness to succeed (and a higher power if that is how you choose to believe), all things are possible. Do not let anyone tell you any different. Ever. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” -Thomas Edison

Keep On Smiling! By: Sarah Swanson

Advertise Your Next Big Event in the

Valley TimesSee Mrs. Wielfaert for more details.

Listen to the Walker Valley Minute Podcast on iTunes Now!

Download The Spill, This Week in History, Anatomy Legends, Weekly

Fuzz , and more.

Letters from war Part 1 based off of Kill Zone:PS3

Dear Rachel,

Faith. Faith my sister is something I have been holding onto a lot these past few days. Samuel and I are still stationed in Dorian City, just seventeen miles from the capital. Our train-ing has been completed just four weeks after our conscrip-tion. Rumors are leaking from command that the first ISA battle group will arrive next week. They are moving some sort of new air defenses into the cities. They are saying it harnesses the power of Helghan’s electric storms and focus-es it into directable bolts of lightning. It is yet to be seen just how effective such a weapon would be… or even if it works at all. I will be sending this letter by Galvash, our postmas-ter; he has agreed to send our letters to you without them having to pass through screening at Command. Time grows short sister and both Samuel and I are nervous of the coming storm. Know sister that I send to you my love as well as my prayers for you and our parents, May God watch over you and keep you safe.

April 30, 2359

At night, we can no longer see the stars. At dawn, we no longer see the sun. Smoke and fire rule the sky now. Three days now our company has withstood onslaught after on-slaught from ISA forces at the Dorian interstate junction. We lost several members of our company on the first day and continue to lose more as the days drag on. I do not believe our commander knows what he is doing and because of the losses, our company has been nicknamed “cannon fodder”, not a good name to be given in a time like this. My next let-ter may come much later from this one, but I will try to write to you soon.

May 3, 2359

It has been two weeks since I last wrote you and a lot has happened. About five days ago, ISA forces began to push us deeper and deeper into the city, eventually pushing us into the market district. Three days ago, the ISA began a massive assault into the market district. We and four other companies were entrenched within the market district. ISA forces approached in three large assault groups, moving in from the east, west, and south entrances. In a matter of minutes, the entire market place became a war zone. APCs covered ISA infantry advances from the south while tanks attacked our flanks to the east and west. Shots and explo-

sions rang out all around us. One by one, each man standing beside us fell dead; I remember during the battle, I was tempo-rarily called aside to tend to a wounded soldier…he had suf-fered two wounds, one to the gut and another to the right lung, dangerously close to the heart. I tended the wounds as best I could, but he wasn’t going to make it. In the last few moments of his life, he spoke to me about his home in the town of Nevlin, a town close to ours, of his family and what few memories he could share of them. Before he died, I shared with him what I knew of the Lord and asked him if he would accept Christ as his Savior….I never learned his name, but I am sure I will some day. The battle continued to ensure for hours. Eventually, Samuel and I sought shelter in one of the tall multilevel apartment build-ings on the western side of the district. By this time, there were very few of us left, ISA forces still standing their ground and

(See Letters, Page 7)

WVHS Creative Writing Comics #1

CLUB NEWSAnnouncements and Meeting Dates

Beta Club - The Beta Club Tuesday, Nov. 15th - Will be meeting in the Spanish Film – B108Auditorium on Nov. 28. Shoe Drama Club – CL3Boxes are due by Fri. Nov. 18. NHS - AUD NTHS – CL6Anchor Club – The Anchor Club meets November 14. Thursday, Nov. 17th -Boxes for Operation Christmas FFA – CT105Child are due by the 18! The SkillsUSA – CT101mandatory service project for HOSA – CT106November is the Angel Tree. Journalism/CW – FA107If you plan to attend this on the17, Mrs. Lyle needs to know Monday, Nov. 21st -ASAP! Also, save the date WV Bards – B114For Dec. 3rd for another Mu Alpha Theta – B212Mandatory service project. A Drama Club – CL3New signup sheet will beAvailable soon for the Special Tuesday, Nov. 22nd -Olympics. **ACTIVITY Schedule – LIP SYNC

Art Club- Meeting on Nov. 15 Wed, Nov. 23rd – Friday, Nov. 25th -After school. KNITTING is NO SCHOOL for THANKSGIVINGthe project. Cost is $10. Monday, Nov. 28th -French Classses, FCCLA, and Speech/Debate – CL4FFA are going to the Biltmore Beta Club - AUDEstate on Nov. 18th. You willbe leaving WV at 8:15 am and Tuesday, Nov. 29th –will return at 8 pm. Stampeding Stangs - Somewhere Spanish Films – B108FBLA is hosting the Lip Sync Key Club - MCContest on Nov. 22nd. Sign upwith Coach Frazier.

Going Greenfrom page 1

nature’s well-being.

This may sound cliché, but everyone can make a difference. Here are a few ideas to begin:

Research and begin doing simple things to • help the environment and save energy. Turn off lights and power sources when you are • not using themCarpool on group trips• Recycle• Keep up-to-date on new ways to “go green.” •

The effects of harming the environment may not seem too visible now, but they could be devastat-ing in the future. Go Green and Go Mustangs!

Partyfrom page 2

search these parties’ platforms. Do not be afraid to venture outside your comfort level. After all, these are real issues that are affecting our future and how we live it. It is the right of Americans to have opinions, so get edu-cated and learn more about yourself.

To give any feedback on this article, email Poli at: WVjournalismpoli@live.com

Halloween may be over, but we still have next year to bring out our death-defining costumes. Shall we begin? Of course! Ten shall be our first number: a bee costume for the ladies only. Nine for the pen-guin costume. The spider-girl costume places at

number eight. Let’s cut to the chase. After eight you have zombie costumes, cats, Jack Sparrows, Mad Hatters, Wolverines, red M&Ms, and Banna costumes. Costumes may not be our everyday agenda, but they can be fashionable!

By: The Person with a Smile

“Let’s Count Down From 10”

By Kaley Carrol

If you are one of those people who have no idea what Fantasy Football is, let me catch you up.Fantasy Football is a competition that allows people to act as general managers of a fake football team by putting profes-sional football players against one anoth-er. The players that an individual is able

The Game of all Games: Fantasy Football to regulate are professional American football players in the NFL. People can draft, trade, drop, or add players. Points are earned based on how well someone’s players play.

Kaley’s Top Five Players:

1. Aaron Rodgers2. LeSean McCoy3. Tom Brady4. Fred Jackson5. Drew Brees

Walker Valley Sports

Team of the Week:

Philadelphia Eagles

By: Ryan Johnson

Guess what guys? It’s muzzle loader season, so grab your black powder and cleaning rods! Remember that you can only have a bag limit of three bucks. If you haven’t yet, you should go to your local courthouse and pick up a rules and regula-tions pamphlet.

Hunting Season

Blue/Gold Wrestling Student BodyWrestling Match

WV SportsZoneEvery Wednesday Night @ 7 p.m. on WTNB TV Charter

Channel 5.

Favorite Sport: Football and Fantasy Football with Neal Hartert and Austin Melton.

Favorite Football Season Memory: Threw 68 yd. Touchdown pass

Plans for the future: Play Football in college...wants to be an engineer. Don’t know which major yet.

Prom? - Don’t know yet. He says he’s single and “ready to mingle...”

Caleb Houston

Lettersfrom page 4

still advancing. The last major push from our remaining forces pushed the ISA back to where it seemed they were retreating. As many began breathing sighs of relief, small flickering red lights filled the sky over us. We found cover in the basement of the apartment building as missiles came crashing down upon us.

Changin’from page 1

Should a person crouch behind whatever shrub isavailable as if the change is a monstrous T-Rex about to chomp down? Or, should a person run into the arms of change as a lover returning from a distant war? The an-swer is probably something that examples more moderation because that is always the wisest philosophy, right? Well, whatever your answer, change is coming. The manner in which we receive these ideas will influence the success or failure of these adjustments to our educational system.

Who knows? Maybe these conversions that are ap-proaching will do something wonderful for our school. It may be a good idea to try to find the positive and develop the coming transformations into the best possible outcome for us, the Mustangs, of Walker Valley, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Exciting things are coming, so just get ready.

A Hop Across the Pondby Elizabeth Conner

Next year, in late Decem-ber, the Walker Valley Band and Choir will be departing for London, England. Once there, they will enjoy a week of amazing tourist attractions such as the London Eye, a tour of the city of Oxford, and also a tour of the Tower of London. They will end the trip with a New Year’s party, and, finally, they will be performing in the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade. These are just some of the wonderful things that the Fine Arts department con-tinues to bring to the students at Walker Valley. Keep your ears open for other international opportunities that may be coming your way!

Comics #2

Senior Spotlight

Q: What made you start teaching?A: I have always enjoyed working with young people.

Interview - Mr. Felton Q: How long have you been teaching? A: 39 years.

Q: What is the funniest story you have from teaching? A: Well, this isn’t really a funny story, but one time I passed out in the middle of class. I was out for two or three days but not much longer because of Spring Break. I found out I have heart problems.

Q: How many schools have you taught at? A: I have taught at three schools.

Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for your students? A: Make good choices.

Interview by Dezzi DodsonWritten by Jenni Bright Recorded by Chase Kiser

Megan Webb

Megan is the senior student body presi-dent. She plans to attend Lee University. She will pursue a major in education and, hopefully, continue to participate in student government. Megan also wants to join Lee’s Greek club.

Random Fact: Her favorite color is purple.

Avery George

Avery is a talented player on Walker Val-ley’s golf team. She is using her skills to gain a scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). There Avery hopes to join the golf team. Her major is undecided.

Random Fact: She plays the guitar.