March Issue 2011

march issueBear FactsBear Facts

VOL. 31 issue 3 BetheL high schOOL 1067 Big BetheL rd. hamptOn , Virginia 23666

girls trackwins states

pg. 10

pg. 5

would you take a punch For love?

AdvisorBeth Hoer

Staff ReportersAshley PrestonElizabeth Clay

Regine HendersonSherman JonesJamicia StampsYudarys Suriel

Chauncey WigginsJanae Mccullum

Rosie MorenoAdaoma Okafor

Jean TatumEmily TownsendRozelyn AlmondPortia Hightower

Jayla HillShelby PantelPandora Pully

Madelynn PoulsonNycki CopelandSteven DeShong

James ParkerKiana Glover

Our purpose is to serve the students of Bethel High School as a forum for student expression. Editorials and opinion pieces will be clearly la-beled as such. The Bear Facts is a self-support-ing publication, and advertising revenue pays for publications costs. We encourage readers to submit ideas for stories, letters to the editor, photos, and art. We also encourage comments

and suggestions about the newpaper. [email protected]

Editor-in-ChiefLauren Pell

March Issue 2011 The Bear FactsThe Bear Facts 2 3March Issue 2011

Take center stage at Teen Center

Virtual education is not quality

For updated supplements to the

Bear Facts,Visit our new blog at:

bhsbearfacts.blogspot.com

WIN AN AMC 24 GIFT CARD

We will randomly choose a visitor to the

blog to recieve a free $10 gift card to AMC 24. To enter the contest, com-ment on our blog before

March 24th.

Everyday during my free-block between 1:30 and 3 p.m. for a month, I sat in a tiny and slightly overheated classroom pounding away at the keys of a MacBook, desperately trying to earn .5 credits in Social Studies. I was told that I could take both semesters (1 full credit) of World Geography (a class I have no experience in) at my own pace, and that it would take no time at all. I would come in regularly to take a few easy modules for each lesson in the face-to-face class. Each module opens with a pretest on which I would have to score a grade of 80% or higher. If I did not, I would have to complete the les-sons associated with the module’s topic. If I got a 75% on the module concerning West Africa, I would have to learn whatever NovaNet told me to learn about West Africa. Fol-lowing the lesson, I would be required to take a post-test on the information. After I took the pretest or a post-test or a whatever-kind-of-test, I would press SHIFT+STOP, and the supervising teacher, a lovely lady who is always ready to help a student, would check it (only once, unfortunately) and tell me which questions were wrong. I could go back and attempt to answer them correctly before pressing SHIFT+HELP and receiving the fateful grade. I was told it should only take a couple of weeks. The reality eventually hit me. The “few easy modules” came in packs of 20 and concerned information that was completely new to me, since I had never taken the class. Pre-tests that were supposed to take a few minutes would take an hour because I had to clarify the question or quest for the answers via the net or an old textbook. I was terrified of re-ceiving anything lower than an 80%. I would take extensive notes and finally make it to the post-test and realize half the information on the test was new, fresh out of the blue. I chuckled every time I hit SHIFT+HELP because of the irony that once I pressed it, there was no help for me. It was as if I were pressing SHIFT+HAVEMERCYUPONMYSOUL. Eventually I learned I could cut corners and speed through the lessons, but that just made the weight of learning all the heavier. The ordeal led me to realize the flaws in computer-stu-dent teaching. NovaNet and other kinds of computer-stu-

dent variations of teaching are not bad ideas; they are actually quite marvelous in their usefulness. They are cheaper, more efficient and eliminate issues such as single students holding back a class because they do not understand something. But the idea that a computer is a plausible replacement for teach-ers destroys a lot of the beauty of the school environment by removing that vital human element. Schools should teach social etiquette and mimic the interactions of a full time job, with interactions between teachers and students which strengthens our ability to rely on our fellow man for advice and support. A living teacher can accommodate a student’s uniqueness while a computer can only process information in that unemotional way that machines do. Use of applications such as NovaNet is growing fast. With low prices and guaranteed functionality, why would the people in charge not jump on the bandwagon? Such a takeover voids the social aspects of schools. It deprives teach-ers and substitutes and possibly even administrators of their jobs. The experience rips the opportunity of deeper human learning and uniqueness from children in class and replaces it with pass/fail beliefs and boredom. Ultimately, a heartbeat and a compassionate personality carried by an experienced teacher can not and should not be replaced by cold, smooth and shiny with a tiny price tag.

Alden Abernethy

Letter from the Editor

Letter to the Editor

When a poet forgets a line, his head drops down, and he thinks he’s ruined his entire performance. But the crowd doesn’t let him give up. “It’s okay!” “You got this!” they yell, and he is ready to try again. Every two weeks, teens from around Hampton come to-gether at the Hampton Teen Center to an Open Mic Night to hear music and poetry performed by their peers. At 6:10 on a Friday night, students begin to trickle into the Cyber Café. Some walk up to a table at the front of the room, where they put their name on a list to perform. Others just sit at tables around the room. After 40 minutes of antici-pation, a Teen Center employee decides to begin the show. He calls students up, some of them reluctant and nervous, and others energetic and ready to impress. A few teens sing along with tracks, others perform original songs, and several perform poetry. No one wins and no one loses. The audience – filled with teenagers, Teen Center employees, and even a grandmother – cheer, clap, and congratulate every performer;

negativity is not allowed. Senior Jasmine Wright, who is one of the track stars on the cover of this issue, likes to attend the Open Mic nights, where she performs spoken word. “At first, I was nervous,” she said. “But I got to know the people in the audience so I wasn’t nervous.” Wright, along with other Bethel students like seniors Troy Elliot and Johnny Rainey, enjoy going to the Open Mic nights because “anything negative is not toler-ated,” according to Wright. The emotions expressed at Open Mic Night are high, and everyone knows that. The performers are putting them-selves out there in the open, and they could receive criticism, but there’s a mutual agreement with the audience that no teasing or put-downs will happen. Anyone is welcome to sit and watch or jump up and per-form. The cost is $2 for non-members—a steal compared to a trip to AMC 24.

Lauren Pell

March Issue 2011 The Bear FactsThe Bear Facts 2 3March Issue 2011

The Supreme Court may rule that video games with violent content can’t be

sold to children. Pornography is restricted because of its graphic depictions of sex, so why should videogames be any different with their graphic depictions of murder and violence? This summer, the Supreme Court will make a decision determining how accessible violent videogames are to chil-dren. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression, which videogame makers are using in their defense, saying this decision would be simply unconsti-tutional. However child psychologists feel the games need to be restricted due to their heinous depictions of violence, such as in games Manhunt 2, Fallout: 3, or Deadspace 2, where the player murders and maims opponents in the game. If restrictions are placed on these games, it would be constitutional. Chil-dren playing these games are stimulated by violence, a trait they do not need to have instilled. Children are still develop-ing and figuring things out in the world, and playing these games creates a blurred line of wrong and right when it comes to acts of violence. If they are exposed to violence as their minds grow, then they may begin to believe violence is standard and casual. Game makers may argue that they deserve the right to express themselves through acts of violence in video games that they call art. There is nothing artistic about beating up old ladies, stealing cars, running people over, and recklessly shooting bystanders. Aspiring minds have no need to see acts like this happen. Children’s mental innocence needs to be maintained. By summer, the accessibility and distribution of video games could be, and needs to be changed entirely. Parents should pay more attention to what their kids are playing, game- makers need to think twice about how realistic their games are, and children should not be able to play these games at all. Emily Townsend Staff Reporter

Cartoons mimic literature

Video game violenceDeveloping minds should not be exposed to such brutality . . .

The secrets of making a good cartoon are like the secrets of making a Krabby Patty. We don’t know why it’s so good, but we have an idea. If we look more in-depth into English class, the reasons why cartoons appeal to us are better understood. The great thing about car-toons is that they depend on the use of literary de-vices in order to thrive and appeal to society. You can find a little bit of situational irony and a good amount of archetypes in a cartoon. “I love chocolate!” says the chocolate-loving flat character in Spongebob Squarepants, after repeated-ly and madly yelling at the protagonist of the show, as if he were mad at Spongebob for trying to sell him chocolate. How does this relate to English class? In ninth grade, you learn about irony. This literary de-vice is used repetitively by cartoonists which helps to make us laugh, as one situation turns out the com-plete opposite of what we were thinking would hap-pen. Even the simplest act in a cartoon has a theme, or a statement of the human condition. Study the earlier cartoons, such as Tom and Jerry, where it’s cat chase mouse. . . literally. Tom does whatever he can in order to catch and destroy Jerry and through this contrast demonstrates striking resemblance to the idea of a tragic hero. The tragic hero, of which I

learned in English class, is a main character that has excessive hu-bris, or pride, which contributes to the downfall of the character. At the end of every episode, we see Tom get hurt by TNT, mouse traps, or maybe even getting hit in

the face by a frying pan, and Jerry remains unharmed. We see this theme again in the show CatDog as the “Greasers” do whatever they can in order to destroy the protagonist, CatDog. However, the way that the plot is repeated just makes the show monotonous and boring. So maybe I’ll go read a book instead. Let’s consider archetypes and how they help cartoons thrive to survive and appeal with zeal. Through the eyes of the more mature audiences, shows like Spongebob Squarepants appeal because adults see the subliminal messages in the show, such as how Spongebob’s boss, Mr. Krabs, does whatever he can in order to get money. His characterization in this show represents the money-hungry, cheap boss. Likewise, Plankton does whatever he can in order to get the secret formula of the Krusty Krab’s famous Krabby Patty. He fails to steal the formula, and falls under the title of the tragic hero because he has hu-bris. This secret formula may never be revealed. Steven DeShong Staff Reporter

Spongebob Squarepants checks off the three main components of any cartoon. Cartoon by Erin Edler

Let’s consider theme, archetypes,

and irony

March Issue 2011 The Bear FactsThe Bear Facts 4 5

FCCLA prepares for annual fashion show

Ames TuxedosThe Peninsula’s Prom Headquarters

Rentals starting at $69

Vests and Ties half priceShoes half price

2040 Coliseum DriveColiseum Square Shopping Center

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Bruins help community

At the pep rally, students got a small taste of what to expect in the upcoming fashion show. Music and dance moves made the crowd want to get up and join. There were also some students who came out and strutted their stuff, and one can only imagine what the actual show will be like. Life Skills teacher and director of the fashion show, Kimberly Riley, said there are a few things that are in the “The show will be held at night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. instead of during school hours. We hired a choreographer to coordinate the dances for our students. Plus, we also have new scenes and new people who came out to participate, because of the results of last year’s show.” The models made last year great, but for some this will be the last time they will be able to participate. “Performing is something I love doing. It’s my life,” said senior Igee Okafor. He has a passion for modeling, dancing and entertaining people, which will help to make this show one to remember. There is a lot that goes into the Bethel Fashion Show. Clothes have to be rented and rehearsed in, and after school practices are crucial. It’s very

important that the students involved show up on time and ready to work. “They are practicing two days a week now, but they are going to increase the number of days of practice as we get

closer to the date,” said Riley. Students have a lot to look forward to in the show. There are a lot of different types of dancing and modeling styles being put together. Other schools inspired the idea for the first fashion show, and once the idea was approved, the process of creating it began. The fashion show is sponsored by the FCCLA and also acts as a fundraiser for the school. Come out on March 31, and be prepared for dancing, talent, a DJ and a good time.

Regine HendersonStaff Reporter

When sophomore Kendra Robinson hangs out with her moth-er, she has a good time. She also loves elderly people, so she decided to take some time out of her social life and volunteer at Shelton on the Bay . “It makes me feel good inside to see the elderly happy,” said Robinson. Robinson applies the saying to life that it is better to give than to re-ceive. Volunteering four to five hours since November, she has gotten to know some of the people at her nursing home. “They had talked to me about their family. We also joked around with each other. It is hilari-ous,” said Robinson. She also gets to learn the nurses’ daily routine. “If you want to be a nurse or doctor, you can learn how to take blood pressure and sugar,” said Robinson. Not only is Robinson giving her attention, but she is receiving knowledge as well. Receiving things is the best feeling ever. However, there is some-thing better than always receiving. Senior Lachelle Pickens, gives back to St. Augustine church every other month, volunteering for two hours. She and her church feed the home-less. “I pass out plates and cups. Then, we go around and put food on their plates,” said Pickens. “It makes me appreciate other people and the way I live.” “Volunteering is a huge benefit on a college application,” said Simone Huey, the leader of the National Honors Society (NHS). One of the requirements for a college application is to do volunteer work. Junior members of NHS need 40 hours of volunteer work and senior members need 80 hours. To get these hours, NHS members can do numerous things.

“They could be doing a variety of activities from tutoring, making bag lunches for the homeless, mak-ing holiday cards, supporting the food drives, helping teachers and students, and helping patients at lo-cal hospitals,” said Huey. Animal lovers 15 years and older can volunteer at the Animal Aid So-ciety. The Animal Aid Society looks for volunteers who “posses good common sense, have an interest in the dogs, and follow the policies and procedures of the shelter,” said Kathy Fleming, the president of the Animal Aid Society. Volunteering from 9am to 12pm, you can do a vari-ety of activities such as washing dog bowls, preparing food and playing with the dogs, walking the dogs, and of course, cleaning the dogs’ areas. “We derive pleasure from helping a dog regain trust in people, spending time with the dogs, and ultimately finding a loving, forever home for them,” said Fleming.

Jamicia StampsStaff Reporter

Track star studies Dentistry Indoor and outdoor track star An-ise Cuffee is enrolled in New Horizons’ dental assistant program to fulfill her life-long dream of being a dentist. Cuffee trains for dentistry prac-tice using real patients from the school. Her daily routine can include polishing and taking impressions of teeth, tak-ing and processing x-rays, removing sutures or placing topical anesthetics. She also learns to maintain patient re-cords, sterilize instruments, as well as the preparation procedures for fillings, cements, pouring and polishing casts, and post op instructions for patients. Her on the job preparations this year include shadowing professionals

at local dentist offices. Cuffee has always wanted to work in the medical field, but the dentist’s office (which many kids fear) has es-pecially interested her. Years ago when her personal dentist asked her if she would take his place when she grew up, she innocently replied, “Sure, I’ll do it.” With her family and team’s sup-port she is on her way to ridding the world of temporomandibular disor-der. You’ll have to ask her what that means.

James ParkerStaff Reporter

Kendra Robinson with one of the patients at Shelton on the Bay.

Photo courtesy of Robinson

Four fashion show participants practice after school. Photo by Igwedinma Okafor

March 31st event will likely sell out

March Issue 2011 The Bear FactsThe Bear Facts 4 5

Basic Instinct dance crew wins Talent Show The Annual Bethel High School Talent Show contained much excite-ment and a large turnout for this year’s show. The estimated attendance was between 300-350. Dance groups Basic Instinct and Epic Dance Crew came in first and third. and singing group Indigo coming in second. The show opened with the sing-ing of the National Anthem by Bethel student Ronisha Williams and a per-formance by Bethel’s own dance line, Golden Sensation. The first act began with a perfor-mance by Keisha Brown and Yudarys Suriel singing Alicia Keys’ “No One,” with Suriel singing her part in Span-ish, followed by rapper Polo Gilmore’s performance of his original song with Bryan Thomas. Epic Dance Crew was next, dancing to various songs showcasing each member’s talents. Poet and senior Jamal Chatman performed his own spoken word piece titled “Shaky Love.” Indigo, Bethel’s all-male chorus group, finished off the first act with a performance of Shai’s “If I Ever Fall in Love Again.” As the crowd settled back into their seats after the intermission, Douglas Bates kicked off the second act with a lights display and dance performance to rave-like music. Senior Rapper Conscious Kane performed his original song with Nicki Minaj’s “Moment 4 Life” and Digable Planet’s “Cool Like That” beats in the background. Senior Igee Okafor’s dance group Basic Instinct had the crowd screaming in adoration as they danced to different musical hits

including Beyonce’s “Single La-dies.” Desiree Goodwin and Desia Anderson were next singing Be-yonce Knowles’ rendition of “Ave Maria.” The next performer was freshman Devante Dinkins singing Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name.”Closing out the evening’s show was singer Justin Criss. As the judges were choosing the winner of the talent show the hosts, Madelynn Poulson and Ty Raynor, along with members of the Drama Club, kept the crowd enter-tained, dancing on stage after Troy Elliot’s performance of “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. Audience members said the

night had gone well. Nick Clark called it “unpredictable.” Some were upset about where their favorite act had placed, but overall the feeling was that it had been an entertaining night. “Compared to last year I thought the acts and energy of the show was more exciting,” said drama teacher Tracy Bourne, who organized the show. Over $1400 was raised by the show, and the money will be split by the Key Club and Drama Club. The Drama Club will be using their proceeds to fund their production of the musical “Dream Girls” which will be showing May 5 and 6. Sherman Jones Staff Reporter

Juniors Masquerade at Fire and Ice Ball

Rashawn Proct-er & Brittney Stallings.

L-R: Miles Campbell, Brennan Granison, William Brown, Victor Lilly, Jeffery Wiseman, Ernest Hooks.

Carlton Chapman & Sara Peartree danc-ing.

Emily Townsend & Connor Henderson

Back row: Kayla Johnson, Danielle Quandahl, Kelsie Evans (KHS), Kendra Pittman, Gabriella Valentine(KHS)Front row: Leah Parks(KHS), Alison Grant(KHS), Meagan Clark, Emily Kondrk(KHS), Yancy Nesbitt, Jean Tatum, Kelsie Rountree.

The two dance crews, from Bethel’s 2011 Talent Show Epic and Basic Instinct. Photo courtesy of Yearbook.

Emily Townsend &Connor Henderson

March Issue 2011 The Bear FactsThe Bear Facts 6 March Issue 2011 7

FCCLA hosts Penny Wars The Family Career Community Leaders of America foundation gave a free breakfast to the green 1 class that raised the most pennies in the Penny Wars. English teacher Jackie Proffit’s class won a free breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Each student who donated more than 50¢ got a raffle ticket, along with the chance to win free dinner and a movie. “Classes can sabotage each other by putting a dollar in others’ penny jars,” said Kim Riley, head advisor for the FCCLA. When classes were sabotaged, they were set back a whole dollar, meaning they have a whole dollar that doesn’t count in the war. It only takes a dollar to sabotage a class, but teachers put up to $6 in each other’s penny jars. The money that was raised during the Penny Wars is going to partially pay for t-shirts for FCCLA members. The money being raised in next month’s fash-ion show is going to go to various chari-ties in the Hampton area. FCCLA is also

hosting a canned foods drive for a local food bank. FCCLA plans a trip to see the Washington D.C Wizards, an FCCLA show at King’s Dominion. “We have meetings every other Wednesday to come up with ideas on how to raise money. Students have to sup-ply everything, like clothes, for the fash-ion show in March,” said Riley. Although every other year there were student leaders, “Ms. Riley is really in charge of everything this year,” joked Family Studies teacher Darlene Peak. “Most students in the program are fresh-men and sophomores,” meaning not all of them have the fully developed skills of leadership to be student leaders. “My job is to guide the students in the right direction, enabling them to be the future Family Career Community Leaders of America,” added Peak.

Yudarys SurielStaff Reporter

NovaNET enrollment explodes

Program aimed at disruptions

The student interrupting the class laughs loud with sure confidence, as if he is the funni-est one in the room. Then it gets worse, and others begin to join in the laugh fest. They start to make jokes themselves, laughing at the sheer stupidity of the class clown’s behavior. The impatient teacher begins to yell, “If you don’t want to learn this material I’m wasting my time teaching it.” The scholars get upset and begin to open their own books and notebooks and begin to take notes themselves. They feel be-trayed by their teachers for not kicking the disruptive students out. They feel as if they are being shorted out of their education rights. This familiar scenario has brought administrators to implement a new program to change student behavior. Posi-tive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS) is a program designed to improve student be-havior and keep them in school. It also helps students with social skills, giving special assistance with behavior problems. “PBIS is very exciting to me. It is a system that is put in place that is pro-active and allows us to organize our expectations for

both students and staff,” said Su Lively, division coordinator for Effective School-wide Disci-pline. The basic key of this pro-gram is to intervene and make the behavior in schools a better place. It does not only dicipline the students for bad behavior, but also focuses on reinforcing students for good behavior. “We all like to know what is expect-ed of us,” said Lively, adding that this program will help not only students, but also staff to know how to make each class period as successful as it can be with-out disruptions. “Hampton has two schools, Langley and Machen, that have been implementing PBIS for three years and it has been very successful,” said Lively. It will take two to three years for the program be effective. The program directors will not come into the school and take control, but they will be there to help. “Decisions will be made by the individual schools so I will be available to facilitate their discussions and provide re-sources and training for teachers and staff and students to ensure they are successful,” said Lively.

Nicole CopelandStaff Reporter

PBIS to fix bad behavior

Deshawn Lewis, Jackie Prophit, and Jestine Watson are rewarded for their hard work.

Currently, 232 students are enrolled in 12 blocks of NovaNET classes, and that number is increasing constantly—night classes of NovaNET have just begun at Bethel. This is the second year Bethel has offered NovaNET classes, a program de-signed to help students recover credits and graduate on time with online classes. “Students are finishing up and then more students are immediately taking their slots,” said Lori Moulton the Graduation Fa-cilitator at Bethel. “Our goal is to get as many kids across the stage on time,” said Moulton. People who aren’t familiar with NovaNET are sometimes skeptical of the quality of learning it provides. But “it is extremely hard,” Moulton said of the program. She tells those people who doubt its quality that they should try taking the classes them-selves, “because they won’t pass.” Although history, science, math, psychology, and business credits are offered, math and English are the most commonly enrolled. If students pass a module with a sufficient score, they get to move on. If they miss too many questions, they have to go through the lessons of the subject area in which

they missed questions. At the end of each module, students must take a mastery test. NovaNET is a “researched-based online course-ware…. [in which] students participate in self-di-rected study under the supervision of a licensed teacher who validates that the student has success-fully completed the NovaNET course requirements,” according to the HCS Information and Guidelines about the program. It’s used for dropout preven-tion, credit recovery, distance learning, homebound, alternative instruction, special education, and re-sponse to intervention. Students who are in danger of not graduating are given priority enrollment. That means that a lot of transfer students, often from other states or from schools like Bridgeport, end up in NovaNET classes because they lost too much seat-time. “We have a lot of transfer students who need to use the NovaNET program to catch back up if there isn’t reciprocity with the state they transferred from,” said Moulton. Some students can finish a course in as little as two weeks, especially if they already know the material.

Moulton understands why so many students have to take NovaNET classes. Some students “sit in class and they fail because they don’t like the in-structor… I understand how some of the kids feel… they understood the information, but they don’t do their work because they think they’re hurting the instructor. The kids already knew it [the informa-tion] but they didn’t want to perform for that in-dividual,” said Moulton. These students come into the class and get their work done quickly, she said. They know what they have to do to graduate. Others, Moulton said, couldn’t pass in the classroom because they have other issues going on. “A lot of them I’m having to teach them how to read because they never learned phonics,” she said. During her NovaNET classes, Moulton works with students individually when they have prob-lems. She has three bachelor’s degrees and a Mas-ter’s degree, so she’s able to help students in most subjects. Moulton’s positive attitude in the classroom helps students to succeed and get the credits they need. “Everybody’s in here for a reason and every-body makes mistakes,” she said. Lauren Pell

Editor-in-Chief


BHS Alumnus serves his country

Cadets plan their futures

When he was little, Tim Brown asked his dad about his job. His father replied, “I am a superhero. My job is to protect the United States.” At the time he didn’t quite understand what his father meant, but now that he’s older, Brown understands. “It’s a family tradition. My dad and my older brother served for 25 years,” said Lance Corporal Tim Brown, who graduated from Bethel in 2006. He started off as a student in ROTC and went on to become a member of the U.S. Marines. Brown went to school for three years at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. “The education I have gives me the tools I need to be successful,” said Brown. Basi-cally he is law enforcement for the military police. “The scariest time I’ve ever had on the job was when I was going to job patrol. A watch commander from a different platoon told me to arrest a non-compliant individual. I didn’t know what he had done or why he was being ar-rested, I just did it because I was told to,” said Brown. He said Marines are trained to do what they are told without questioning their orders. A Marines must also be amphibious and ver-satile. “I’m both ambitious and dynamic, I’m not one-dimensional. I take different dreams and goals and reach out to a bunch of them,” said Brown. He has traveled stateside to North Carolina, Missouri, and South Carolina. He is stationed in Virginia.

“In a year and four months I will be retiring,” said Brown, because of the economy. He hopes to work for the FBI or the DEA. He describes federal jobs as “the best” because there will always be a need for them. In high school Brown played football and ran track. His events for track were the high jump, the triple jump, and the four by four. He was enrolled in ROTC where the 1st Sergeant taught him a lot of life lessons. “He taught me how to push myself,” said Brown. He earned an ROTC scholarship and wrote for the Bear Facts during his high school career. Other than just athletics and the Marines, Brown is interested in poetry. “In high school I saw this poem on YouTube [which] was inspirational,” said Brown. When first deciding to join the Marines his mother was not thrilled with the idea but after he became an active Marine she became very sup-portive. He is the third child out of four and is very family oriented. He has an older sister who gradu-ated from Spellman in 2008 and an older brother who is also a Marine. His younger brother, senior Diondre Brown, plays the saxophone in the band at Bethel. “He is very musically inclined,” said Brown.

Jean TatumStaff Reporter

“I want to be a Navy Seal, like my dad, who I’ve always looked up to. Me and my dad often talk about the many opportunities it could open up for me,” said freshman Justin Lafontaine.

“I plan on being a nurse in the Army,” said senior Alessandra Faracci.

“I am a superhero. My job is to protect the United

States.”

With graduation fast approaching, some seniors are scrambling to get a plan together while others are already on their way. Some seniors have it all planned out: college, work, home, and family while others never gave it a second thought. Many feshmen say, “I’ll think about it later.” A four year opportunity flew by quickly leaving them staring face to face with the real world. Some of those students join the military, attend a community college, or decide to get jobs. A few are torn between two paths like whether college was right fort them or even just join the military. The good news is that you can do both. The military will help further your education in many ways, from sending you to college or officer training schools to putting you into a branch schools like West Point (Army), the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, or Marine Corps University. The military helps recruits get a better education . A college degree improves one’s career. Not only does it open more doors, but it will also allow one to make more money faster. First Sergeant Ricky Coston, a graduate from Almeda University, obtained his Bachelor of

Science degree by taking college courses through

the military. His military training earned him

college credits. In most cases a college education

is required for promotion.

Each branch has its own private school.

Army’s West Point, located in New York, is

one of the most prestigious military schools. A

GPA of at least 3.5 is required to get in as well as

having good scores from the SAT or ACT tests.

Also a student is required to take the ASVAB.

A score of at least 31 is required to get into the

Army. Currently, the Army is thinking about

raising the needed score to 50. When taking the

ASVAB you’re tested in four categories: math,

mechanical, clerical, and reading.

Officer training schools are a good way to

further one’s education. The Air Force Reserve

Training Corps is one of these schools. You

recieve 12 weeks of military training, which is

meant to instill leadership qualities.

Each branch of the military is very focused

on education as well as protecting our country.

Pandora Pully

Staff Reporter

Join the military, college, or both

Senior Jada Owens an ROTC Major would like to join the Air Force and after two years in the military she wants to move to Tennesse and major in business.

Junior Travion Hill’s goals are to go to college and become an electrician and also to serve in the Army.

Sophomore Kayland Dixon wants to go to Hampton University for Naval ROTC.

Brown ran track and played football in high school. Today he is a member of the U.S. Marines.

Photo provided by Lance Corporal Tim Brown.


n a typical morning, sopho-more Alexus Matthews usu-ally spends seven to eight

minutes standing in front of the mir-ror piecing together one of her favor-ite hairstyles. Although hair weaves are a current common for many fe-male celebrities today, they’re also the perfect way to make a Bruin feel in the spotlight too. Weaves are an easy route for instant beauty can last. The average price of weave at least $100 at a salon, but the good thing is that they can last at least two to three months as long as they are cared for correctly. Hair is in some ways like a fin-gerprint. No two people will have the exact same hair but at the slightest touch you can create you own unique distinctive look. It is very important that you choose the hair that fits you. Hair weaves can come in various colors from platinum blonde to jet black. A wide range of lengths varies from 10-26 inches. Textures of artificial hair vary from very straight to extremely curly or kinky. Hair types include Silky Straight, European, Deep Wave, Jerry Curl, Wet and Wavy, and many more. Hair weaves are nothing but hair strands stranded together, which leaves you with many

options. Hair weave expert stylist Natasha Wil-son of Flawless Hair Salon on Todds Lane said “Sewed in [weaves] and glued in [weaves] are two of the most common appointments in my shop.” A few basic supplies needed with getting hair extensions, two bags of hair of your choice, a flat iron, scissors, a comb, and oil sheen. There are responsibilities and certain things you can be done to maintain it in the best con-dition as possible. A hair weave requires to be cared for as if it was your real hair. It requires daily brushing and combing to prevent tangles

and matting, because once the damage is done, it’s permanent. Just like your natural hair, you must keep it clean by shampooing and condition-ing. The best part about it is that, it can be ironed to flatten, curl, or even crinkle weaves without creating damage. It might seem like taking car of weaves can be over whelming and night before bed, but you’re wrong. Just tying your hair up in a ponytail or even wrapping your hair can help from having to try to style every day.

Jayla HillStaff Reporter

ou see that person walking by, hair swinging left to right, not a strand out of place, with rich-everlasting shine? You know that you would never have hair like that. Maybe you would like to “do” hair, and be the one wearing it. In order to have healthy

hair and be certified to do so, you must understand hair processes and what damages hair. New Horizon offers a Cosmetology class to all students in the six school division zone. Many students apply, so the applicants with good attendence and best grades are chosen. Vickie Servals, one of the instructors, teaches the Cosmetology I class. Cosmetology is a 2-year class. “The first year you practice on mannequins and the second year you bring in clients,” said junior Tierra Morgan. In cosmetology, you learn the basic anatomy and chemistry of the body. “Ninety percent of students in my class get a cosmetology pre-license before graduating high school and getting a diploma,” said Servals. You can apply for this class by turning in an application to your guidance counselor as soon as possible. Cosmetology students learn that relaxers and perms are not the same. Relaxers are types of lotions or creams that make hair less curly and

easier to straighten by just “relaxing” natural curls. Perms use chemicals to break and reform the bonds of hair. Ingredient boxes on com-

mercial products show that relaxers contain sodium hydroxide of solution from 5% to 10% and pH factor between 10 and 14.The more sodium hydroxide and pH, the greater dam-age your. If left in too long, depending on the type of hair, relaxers and perms can leave bald spots. Dyes can be a beautiful look, but can also break off hair. Chemicals in hair such as peroxide and ammonia alter the molecular structure of hair. Permanent dyes contain harmful petrochemicals that change the hair shaft to a rusty color. Valerie Banda, colorist and artist director of ‘Davids Beautiful People’ says that natural dyes are a healthier choice for hair because they contain less peroxide and ammonia. Hair styling needs practice before you can get a hang of it.

Rozelyn AlmondStaff Reporter

A student’s guide

Junior Danielle Quandahl’s long hair.

Get weave for long luscious locks

Hair weaves and wigs at a local beauty supply store

Y

O

to healthy hair

HEALTH AND BEAUTY


When spit hits

I’m not sure when we become aware of our solitary nature in the world, but it occurred to me when I caught mononucleosis.

Loaded with a bottle of chloraseptic spray and cough drops, I decided to join the medical profession and play nurse to myself, which would be-come the sole excitement of my ten-day stay in confinement. What I got was a protective “swine flu” mask in a Disney-inspired print that drew the aversion of the my healthy friends. That was it for me. The end. And then the beginning of me realizing that be-ing alone isn’t all that bad.

Something Else I’m not the hospital-going type, but this time was different. In this case, I would have dismissed my swollen lymph nodes away, except after a few days, white spots accom-panied them. And again, I would have dismissed that as I was simply turn-ing into a Dalmatian, but considering that my throat felt like it was closing on me, I had no appetite, and all I re-ally wanted to do was sleep, I knew I had a problem. My mother took me to the emer-gency room, and after telling the clerk my symptoms, she immediately pointed me to the hand sanitizer, and told me to place a mask over my infected orifices. In the ER holding room, I was tested for strep throat. When that test came back negative, the doctor told me they were going to give me a mono test and had to draw blood. Needles don’t really faze me and a good Lifetime movie was on, so

I hardly reacted as the doctor took a few tubes of blood. She disappeared out of the door, and we waited.

Nothing We Can Do Upon her return, you would have thought my mother found out I was pregnant the way she reacted when the doctor told us the results were positive. What made the situa-tion even worse was that the doctor told us that there was no medication that she could give me for my symp-toms. After clarifying multiple times that I would be given no medication, I could not go to school for ten days, and could not cheer for three weeks, I left the ER with my head hung low. Ten days sounds like the ultimate vacation, but in all actuality it is the worst. You don’t realize how much you need human contact until it is taken away from you.

I’ll Take That Luckily, my case was mild. I did not get a fever of 103 degrees, I didn’t miss a month of school, and my spleen didn’t rupture. I didn’t even stay out of school for ten days. My only symptom was my aching, pus spotted throat, which was cured after eating a cough drop. After convinc-ing my mother that I felt fine and had to get back in school, she made me a doctor’s appointment only to find out that I will always have mononucleo-sis. The symptoms will fade, and I will feel better after a few weeks, but the Epstein-Barr virus does not go away. Great. Just great. As if I wasn’t already beginning to feel depressed

(another common symptom), the doctor tells me that I’m always going to be sick. Contagious, no. Infected, yes. I’ll take that. As long as I don’t have to wear a mask around school, and people don’t run when they see me, I am happy.

No Kisses Mono is not airborne.It is shared through saliva, and coming into con-tact with an infected person is not a serious matter considering that 95% of the population contracts the virus by the time they are 30. Now how did I catch the so-called “kissing disease” if I hadn’t kissed anyone who was infected? Maybe it was from when I drank after someone, used a friend’s lip-gloss, or ate that last bite of pizza my brother couldn’t finish. How I caught mono is up for speculation, but I am quite sure that I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. Mono is only as bad as you make it, and unfortunately big plastic bub-bles are not allowed in the school to protect you from the many germs we encounter on the daily. Whether it is mono, the flu, or strep throat, ev-eryone (well, mostly everyone) gets sick. It is a part of life we must face with strength, patience, and opti-mism. Getting sick is not the end of the world, and the best part about it is that in most cases you will make a full recovery. To all my health-im-paired peers, be strong: you will get better. The only thing you need to worry about is being avoided in the hallway.

Kiana GloverStaff Reporter

Mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) or the cytomegalo virus.

95% of adults in the United States between the ages of 35 and 40 have been exposed to EBV.

EBV or cytomegalovirus is not airborne.

“You can get mononucle-osis through other types of direct contact with sa-liva (spit) from someone infected with EBV, such as by sharing a drink, a toothbrush, an eating utensil, or even lip gloss.”

“Mononucleosis is not a ‘kissing disease,’ although it can be contracted that way.”

Classic symptoms are: ex-treme fatigue, sore throat, fever, loss of appetite, headaches, weakness, sore muscles and swollen glands.

The best treatment is to rest, take ibuprofen for fever and aching muscles, stay hydrated, and eat a well-balanced diet even if you’re not hungry.

Facts from: http://www.teenagersto-day.com/articles/health/kiss-off-1019/4http://kidshealth.org/teen/infections/common/mononucleosis.html#

A kiss & taleA new view on mononucleosis

March Issue 2011 The Bear Facts The Bear Facts 10 March Issue 2011 11

#1 in the state

How does Coach Eddie do it?

Wright on and off the track

Coach Eddie Williams has helped lead his track team to nationals every year since he started in 1992. “I think they’re good because we have a good program and a good coaching staff,” he said. “When you have a veteran group, it works top down. Seniors can groom the freshmen,” Williams said. The older runners can teach the younger students the do’s and don’ts of Bethel track. An example of what not to do, according to Williams, is to “never ask Coach Eddie how many we’re doing.” But he takes care of his team when they have personal issues too. “If something’s bothering you, come into the office.” Williams works at Northrop Grumman as an engineer during the mornings, and he comes to Bethel in the afternoons to coach. The track team thinks very highly of him. “Coach Eddie is really the best coach in America,” said senior Jazmine Wright. Under his direction, the track team will continue to see success.

Senior Jazmine Wright has been running since she was 12 years old. “I used to always race boys and I’d beat them. And I was really good at tag,” she said. After trying soccer and not doing very well, Wright has ran track for Bethel. She ran all four years she’s been here, but in 2008, in her freshman year, Wright had surgery on her knee. She had extra bone growing on her knee, and the surgery set her back a whole year, so she had to “play catch up” during her sophomore year. Now, after lots of hard work, she’s ranked number 13 in the nation for the 500-meter dash. At states, she earned 3rd place in the 500 meter dash, and she helped Bethel girls win 1st place in the 4x4 relay. It was their third time winning the gold in that relay. Wright said that Bethel girls are famous for the 4x4 relay because they’re ranked number four in the nation for it. She ran cross-country her junior and senior years because it was required for the distances she was running, but she didn’t enjoy it. “I’m not good at running three miles in the hot sun and in the woods,” she said. Despite the difficulty, she’s glad that she did it because the two years that she ran cross-country were the two years that she improved the most. Because of her high scores at states, Wright recently went to New York City for Nationals. Last year they got third, and this year they earned eighth place in the 4x4 relay. To prepare for the big meet, she started a diet, which consists of things like pasta and bananas. Track has helped Wright get offers from many colleges, including University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State, Bowie State, and James Madison University. She wants to major in Interna-

tional Relations and Foreign Affairs, and she’ll go wherever she thinks she’ll be happiest. Even if a school gives her a full ride-scholarship, “if I don’t like it, I won’t go there,” she said. It’s not about the money, or even the track team, but it’s about liking the campus and the feel, she said. Wright gives all of the credit for her success to her coaches. “I have great coaches. Coach Eddie [Williams] is really the best coach in America. He’s trained national champions.” Every track coach at Bethel has trained under Williams. They know how he works, and they know how to become champions, Wright said. “Coach Eddie believes in me even when I don’t believe in myself.” The track team practices every day for 2 hours, and they have meets on Saturdays, so they’re running six days a week. Training for cross-coun-try starts in summer, then indoor track starts in fall, then outdoor starts in spring. “Track season never ends,” Wright joked. Wright has maintained a 3.6 grade point average, and she’s taken five Advanced Placement classes in her high school career. She’s the editor of Polaris, Bethel’s literary magazine, and she performs spoken word. “Being at nationals and in all these different states with all my best friends . . . I couldn’t ask for anything else,” she said.

Maya Moore, Anise Cuffee, Jazmine Wright and Rashaun Combs won first place in the state for their 4x4 relay.

Our nationally ranked girls goof off. Photo by Lauren Pell

Senior Jazmine WrightPhoto by Lauren Pell

Lauren PellEditor-in-Chief


With a coach who has experience in win-ning streaks there’s no surprise that this season’s Varsity Basketball team finished second in the district. During the win-ning streak the team won games against fierce com-petitors such as Hampton and Phoebus. When the team played the Phoebus Phan-toms, who were currently in a losing streak, they knew they had to come in with a lot of energy. All that energy paid off, be-cause they were winning 17-5 in the first quarter. “We wanted to take their heart at the begin-ning of the game and we did,” said sophomore Ra-keen Brown. “I guess we caught them at the right time.” This year the Var-sity Basketball team had a great season that consist-ed of a winning streak and a losing streak. The team went a long way with chemistry on and off the court. Once they began their winning streak after the Woodside game, the team gained confidence and jelled together.

“You may have all the skills in the world but you need confidence,” said Brown. Before the Bruins got to their winning streak, the boys had a few losing games to Kecoughtan, Hampton, and other tough schools. “I tell my players to focus on the next task and not what we’ve done in the past,” said Coach Craig Brehon. “Personally I think at this level of sports 75% is skill 20% is heart and determination and 5% is luck.” Unfortunately the team’s winning streak didn’t last the rest of the season. They lost the last two games to Menchville 48-44, and Oscar Smith 59-57. Even though these losses didn’t let them get past the first round of the regionals. However, the team is not getting down on themselves because they did better than they did last year.

Rosie Moreno Staff Reporter

Varsity Boys Basketball

“I eat candy to energize myself,” said junior Kendra Pittman.

“I listen to ‘All of The Lights’ and ‘Moment For Life’ before every meet,” said junior Willie Davis.

By Rosie Moreno & Jean Tatum

“I listen to Mac Miller & Wiz Khalifa,” said junior Jeffrey Wiseman.

“We always stand in the same spot stretching, and we run half a pole and pray,” said senior Zach Ward.

Varsity SoccerBaseball

Field HockeyTrack Swimming“I like to stick to myself before a meet,” said Junior Am-ber White.

“I tell myself to hit all balls and prepare to catch anything,” said junior Jessica Smith.

Softball

Before every game, I...

Date Opponent Site3/15 Kecoughtan Home 3/18 Heritage Away 3/22 Gloucester Home3/25 Denbigh Away3/26 Woodside Home3/29 Hampton Away3/31 Menchville Home4/12 Warwick Away4/15 Phoebus Home4/16 Kecoughtan Away4/19 Heritage Home4/22 Gloucester Away4/26 Denbigh Home4/29 Woodside Away5/3 Hampton Home5/6 Menchville Away5/10 Warwick Home 5/13 Phoebus Away

National Signing Day is the symbolic day where high school athletes begin to sign to different colleges based on economic offering and prestige. Since Ray Smith has been Athletic Director, at least 25 athletes have signed each year. Smith has attended the event every year since he obtained his position. “It is especially meaningful for me because it is a culmination of hard work on the field but more importantly, their hard work in the classroom to guarantee their NCAA eligibility to accept a scholarship,” said Smith. Some people feel that this day can cause too much excitement and drain the focus from the sign-ers. “I think for some colleges and high school ath-letes, National Signing Day really runs the risk of being more about a specific event than it is about just the opportunity these student-athletes have,” said Girls Soccer coach Gary Lupton. Football player Logan Sandley, who signed to St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, feels that Signing Day has helped him move for-ward. “It feels good to sign and know where I will be going the next four years,” he said. His teammate Sa’id Taylor signed to Meth-odist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He shares similar views on the day. “It feels like all of your hard work paid off. You did it right the first time,” said Taylor. Athletes are still signing all through the year.

Trey AlstonStaff Reporter

College Signing

Streaks power season’s outcome

Rakeen Brown gets vertical air as he shoots the ball. (Photo courtesy of Yearbook.)Basketball isn’t always just about physical ability. Sometimes streaks, like the one suffered by the Cleveland Cavaliers, will affect the way the season plays out. For the Cavaliers, it was because Lebron James left and went to the Miami Heat. This streak has been one of the biggest losing streaks of our generation. They lost 25 straight games till it was interrupted by the Los Angeles Clippers with a score of 126-119.

2011 Baseball & Softball Schedule


The porcelain throne, the thunder box, the oval office, the potty, the john, the pool, the drop zone, the urination station... there’s lots of names for the bath-room. School bathroom visitors may encounter a number of cir-cumstances within the short time they’re there, but 45 minutes of surveillance in the bathroom. A student or teacher may be used to backed-up toilets, or tissue thrown around, but some bath-room activities are surprising. For 45 minutes a staff re-porter monitored a Bethel High bathroom for strange or unruly behavior without attracting at-tention. During the surveillance few students came to actually use the restroom. There were guys who just came in to finish up some last minute assignments, and others who simply needed a safe place to send a quick text. “Watch out!” one student cried out, while rushing in with a minor nosebleed. A number of teachers and stu-dents failed to wash their hands after blowing their noses or using the bathroom.

Custodian Josephine Carter frequently cleans the girls’ rest-rooms and said it can be a tough job. “Girls write on walls and pens and magic marker are hard to get off.” However, Carter is glad to clean the ladies’ rest-rooms because of the stories she has heard about the men’s room. Custodial supevisor, Jimmie Little said his crew monitors the restrooms the best they can, tell-ing them, “Every time you walk past (the restrooms), you’re go-ing to need to clean something.” Little also said students de-stroy materials by breaking soap dispenser and paper towel hold-ers, but they don’t realize the re-strooms need to be presentable

for students, teachers, and visitors. Custodian Caroll Greer said graffiti is a major prob-lem. “If they [students] don’t care about the place they learn, it shows how some of their houses are going to look,” Greer said. Greer also said that some students don’t respect the building or the staff at Bethel, and that will af-fect their futures.

5NUMBER OF MINUTESallowed by English teacher Jackie Proffit for students to go to the bathroom.

43NUMBER OF BATHROOMS at Bethel. Some belong to the deans, the cus-todians, or other employees.

16NUMBER OF CASESof toilet paper or-dered monthly by the custodians

DISPENSERS. Students complain about there never being soap. There are 39 soap dispensers in this school that work. James Little orders 4 cases of soap a month and 12 soap containers come in each case.

According to dictionary.com, a restroom is a toilet that is available to the public. How is this true when ladies are con-stantly using the restroom for other activities? In society to-day, a high school restroom for girls has evolved into more of a beauty salon than a place to take care of personal needs. Whether it is accessorizing with friends or fixing that single piece of stray hair, many girls will tell a teacher anything to get their sig-nature on an agenda. In a single class period over 35 students had been accounted for in the restroom. Of these 35 students, some stayed no longer than a few minutes while others stayed up to ten. Shockingly, only four actually used the toilet. Out of the 35 girls observed in the restroom, 31 had engaged themselves with their reflections in the mirror. “If I don’t use the restroom I’m looking in the mirror,” said junior April Hill. Eight girls were busy gossiping about the

latest drama. Smaller activities included brushing hair, finish-ing up those last few answers for homework, and accessorizing with a few pieces of jewelry. One young girl was even seen chang-ing into a separate pair of boots she had kept in her purse. A lot more goes behind the bathroom stalls of a ladies rest-room than most people think. According to students, the time of day, along with whether or not they are by themselves or with friends, reflects upon their use of the restroom. Junior Re-bekah Rossman claims to usual-ly use the restroom last block in Spanish class by herself. Hill said she usually goes during her first

period in Health Occupations, and in U.S. History with her friends. Different people have different preferences, but the bottom line is that ladies need that restroom break to get through their day.

Shelby PantelStaff Reporter

Bathroom visitors have no business there

Girls’ room is busy pitstop

Hanging out in the boys’ room

Undercover operation tracks average stay

Bathrooms by the

numbers

39

Staff reporter James Parker observed the boys’ bathroom to see what really goes on.

Staff reporter Shelby Pantel spent time in the girls’ room to observe.

James ParkerStaff Reporter


Wash your handsby following these guidelines:

1. Soap up the backs and palms of your hands, working up a good froth.

2. Continue soaping between your fingers and underneath your fingernails while singing “Happy Birthday” twice (about 20 seconds).

3. Use a towel to turn on the water. Use your elbows whenever you can to avoid touching the sink, the faucet, the dispenser or the door.

4. Leave your trash in the can, not in the sink, toilet or on the floor.

I stared deeply into his eyes and saw that he genuinely wanted to know: do girls pass gas? Whether it’s letting out booty air, releasing a bottom burp, tooting and pooting, launching an air biscuit, cutting the cheese, breaking wind, or simply farting, there are a lot of myths and facts about flatulence. The word comes from an old English word, “feor-tan,” which means to break wind. Most people fart between 14-25 times a day, producing over half a liter of gas. That’s a lot of stinky air.Speed of a fart is approximately 10 feet per second. (Maybe we could even bottle it and use it to power our cars). Flatu-lence occurs when food breaks down in the stomach. This breakdown cre-ates gas, and your body decides if it is released through a burp or a fart. The gas is somehow released because if held in, painful discomfort can occur. Since it is inevitable for gas to be released, do not hold it in let it rip! Just follow some basic etiquette rules. For example, say “excuse me,” walk away and then discreetly let the air go. Basic etiquette is a really good idea, but doesn’t work in all situations. For example, it is 1:30 p.m. and everyone just came back from the

lunch room where the special was chili cheese dogs. The class is now taking a test and the room is so quiet you can hear a cotton ball drop. Suddenly you feel a rumbling deep in your abdomen. You are about to explode, and it isn’t going to be silent. Its going to be dead-ly. You grip your desk hard and clench your cheeks (all of them). You stay in

this position for what seems like a decade. The next thing you know a loud sound erupts through the class. An aroma of dirty

cabbage and old bus seats permeates through the room. To your left, John Locks falls to the floor, and Samantha Cook is in tears from the scent. Your face turns bright pink and everyone knows it was you. Now here is where the etiquette rules come in. Everybody pretends to be deaf, completely lacking the ability to smell. They pretend it didn’t hap-pen. You apologize and ask for some air freshener or curl up in a ball. So, to answer the question: No, females do not fart. We are too pretty and smell too good for such a barbaric act.

Madelynn Poulson Staff Reporter

Spanish teacher Rachel Anton gives out “pesos” (the monetary unit used in many Spanish-speaking countries) to her students for their participation in class. With ten “pesos” and an agenda, Anton allows her students to get a bathroom pass that is good for ten minutes. With the incentive of earning “pesos” in order to go to the bathroom, the students participate more in class. With a differing view, Spanish teacher Carmen Thiriet allows students to go to the bathroom without restrictions, provided that the work that they missed from the time that they left until the time that they returned is complet-ed. Math teacher Lindy Heffner allows students to go the bathroom three times per every marking period. “It’s a disruption to class for both the students and myself,” said Heffner. Whatever work the student had missed would have to be made up. Math teacher Holly Johnson gives her students two minutes to go to the bathroom in order to limit the number of students in the hallway. If a student takes more than two minutes to finish their personal business, Johnson suspends their right to go to the bathroom for a week. English teacher Lydia Gross doesn’t allow her first block students to go to the bathroom unless the student has a note from the doctor. Gross limits her students to one bathroom pass per every nine weeks.

Steven DeShongStaff Reporter

It’s better to pass a class than...

Pass policies

Say “excuse me,” walk away and then discreetly let the air go.

Cartoon by Gabriell Green

Would YOU take a

PUNCHfor LOVE?

As time went on the abuse got worse. Nichole started to protect herself less and less. She started to feel unimportant as if she had no purpose in life. That is when she did not feel like herself anymore. “My self confidence no longer existed, I didn’t believe in myself and I viewed myself as an antagonistic person would.” After this terrifying relationship, she is dealing with low-self esteem. “I felt angry, confused, and hurt all at the same time,” said Nichole. Nichole tries everyday to feel better about herself to help build her self-esteem. In order for Nichole to move on she had to forgive the person that abused her and realized none of this was her fault.

Approximately four years ago on a beauti-fully depressing spring day, a student expe-rienced brutal and severe pain at the hands of someone she trusted and loved dearly.

Beat down to the ground in front of her own home, she endured beatings for minutes that felt like hours. He hit her in the face, kicked her in the back, and punched her in the stomach. Can you imagine the pain and agony she felt on that day? Over time, she became a victim of an abusive relationship. “Day after day I questioned myself, why did it happen? He fought me whenever he felt the need to do so, and I let it last for three months,” said Nichole, whose name is changed in this story for p r i v a c y reasons.

“I have assisted countless students in managing various conflicts, particularly issues related to bullying. Some of the possible signs leading to a difficult relationship are extreme jealousy, controlling behaviors, isolation, and, of course, violence of any form to include name-calling, punching walls, and pushing,” said BHS psychologist Demeatra Johnson. Johnson also said the signs of a positive relationship are good communication, mutual respect, tolerance, and lots of laughter. If someone finds themselves in an abusive relationship, her advice is to get help immediately from parents, counselors,and support groups.

Listening to various scenarios about people being in abusive relationships is just depressing. I always wanted to know why victims of abuse are so hesitant to go and get help. I wouldn’t tolerate abuse from someone that supposedly loves me. They obviously don’t, especially if they treated me the

If he beats you, he doesn’t love you

Ashley L. Preston

Art by Ashley Preston. This picture portrays a young lady that has been beaten up by her boyfriend.

>>

1How it all started

2Loss of dignity

4

Cry for help

3 Words of wisdom

She never told anyone that she was being abused because she thought no one would take her seriously because she was young. To an ex-tent, Nichole does regret the fact that she did not cry for help. Now she looks back at this situation and wishes that she would have told somebody about the abuse. “I just can’t believe that I could have gotten help right then and there but I was also afraid of what people would think of him and I”, said Nichole. Nichole feels that if this situa-tion occurs again she will not allow herself to be a

punching bag. She is going to get help.

Opinion:

Get your very own Herff Jones Class Ring

now with a down payment

of just $60.00

MissingSomething?


Student Tip: When your partner starts to take control and be aggressive, that is a

sign of an abusive relationship.

Student Tip: Talk to a parent or an adult or call the Abuse Help Hotline

800-621-HOPE (4673)

Student Tip: Be confident in yourself and think beyond the horizon.

Student Tip: Never give up on yourself. You have to love yourself because if you

won’t then who will?

same way they treat a punching bag. The first time someone put their hands on me in an abusive way, IT’S OVER! I have heard people say “I am too in love with him/her to leave,” but violence has no part in love. It is time for people to stand up and not be afraid to speak out. Remember there is always an ear listening but no one wants to step out and speak into it. If you have been physically, mentally, or verbally abused, don’t waste time, GET HELP NOW!

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The teenage boys and girls of Bethel are longingly looking into each other’s searching eyes, searching for something some may say doesn’t exist in high school: a good relationship. An example of this is the relationship between sophomore Andrew Billings and junior Jessica Britt. They have been together for nine months, even though they had only known each other for two days before setting their Facebook statuses to in a relationship. Her mom and his grandma were friends for three years before they met, and they introduced Billings and Britt. “She was beautiful. Perfect smile and an all around great person. I couldn’t have asked for anyone else,” said Billings. Billings says they don’t have many problems, but when problems arise they talk them out. He says their

relationship works because of how open they are with each other, and the fact that they actually trust each other. “Don’t be aggressive in a relationship, be understanding and work with each other to make it work,” is the advice that he would give to couples that are having problems. Another example of a good relationship in high school is that between senior Tamara Abernethy and Bethel alumni Cody Gray. They have been together since October 2009, and met through mutual friends at lunch in the BHS cafeteria. “He always had me smiling. It was weird. I just knew I guess,” said Abernethy. She still remembers their first date, “A double date . . . on our way home we talked and giggled and I was super nervous. We leaned in for our first kiss, touched, and hit a bump in the road. So now

every time we ride in the back seat of that truck together, kiss, and hit a bump, we always say how we’ve gotten better at it since [our first kiss].” Abernethy said, “I think the fact that we share a lot of the same values when it comes to relationships is what makes our relationship work. We agree that fighting doesn’t solve problems, but talking them out and finding a solution does.” Her advice to other couples is to “take a step back and look at what you have. If things seem to be falling apart, don’t just give up. Relationships take work and a lot of practice to get things right. You have to give as much as you take, then give a little more for any relationship to work.”

Elizabeth ClayStaff Reporter

LoveDoesn’thave to

hurt

TheGood


Senior Tamara Abernethy and Cody Gray, who

have been together since October 2009.

Photo by Tamara Abernethy

Dreamgirls

Kaila Warren

Katie Sherman

as Effie White

as Deena Jones

as Lorell Robinson

May 5-6 @ 7 p.m.Bethel Auditorium

$10 at the door$8 in advance

BHSDrama

AmberGonzalez

Love LifePresents

Dept.

Book and lyrics by Tom Eyen

Music by Henry Krieger

Produced with special permission from Tams-Witmark Library, Inc

The Bear Facts 16 March Issue 2011

We asked ..

From left to right: Jazmyne McBride, Angelica Kesse, Ashley Green and Dominique Johnson

Photo by: Adaoma Okafor

“I wish I was a little taller or more curvy, but there’s only so much a 4’10 person can be,”said senior Jazmyne McBride Photo By Adaoma Okafor

“The one thing I find most attractive about me is my smile and that’s why most of time I’m smiling,” said sopho-more Ashley Green.Photo By Adaoma Okafor

“ My body type is athletic. Overall I

like how I look. I find my hair most attrac-

tive,” said sophomore Dominique Johnson

Photo By Adaoma Okafor

“I love the way I look , and why shouldn’t I? It’s the way God made

me .I think my long legs are the most attractive thing about my body,” said

sophomore Angelica Kesse.Photo By Adaoma Okafor

You said...It’s all about the

confidence.

“Self image has a lot to do with how you carry yourself,” said sophomore Dominique Johnson. It’s the way you picture yourself, your mental silhou-ette, your views of your individual strengths and weaknesses. The views one has of self is usually associated with appearance, intelligence, talent, and personality. We start to develop our self-image from a very young age; it could start from kindergar-ten and continue to get better or worse throughout the years. Self-image also affects your self-esteem, what you see when you look into the mirror will reflect on your appearance and the way you carry yourself. Realizing that the images portrayed to us by the media are unrealistic and comparing yourself to others harms your self-esteem. You can improve your self-esteem by spending time developing your strong points, instead of focus-ing on what others have that you don’t. “People who are self confident trust their abilities, qualities and judgment, they are aware of their weaknesses but do not focus on them. They don’t undermine their worth by comparing themselves to others. They are aware of and have developed their strengths. They are not afraid to take risks and make mistakes,” said school psychologist Amy Otey. The media plays a big role influencing self-im-age, “ It glamorizes physical beauty by bombard-ing us with photos of models who are impossibly thin and whose imperfections have been airbrushed

away. Self image suffers when people compare themselves to these ideals and feel they don’t mea-sure up” said Otey. Instead of looking in the mirror everyday and wishing you looked more like a model or a celebrity, embrace your imperfections and work on making them better. “Love yourself, be-cause there are plenty of other people who love you just for being you” said senior Jazmyne McBride. “God, friends, and family have a huge impact on my confidence. They keep me going. But remem-ber, there’s a difference between being confident and cocky. It’s good to find a right place in be-tween,” said sophomore Angelica Kesse. Self image can be improved, it is not constant and it changes overtime. Experiences in the past contribute to the negative or positive image you have about yourself. Things like past relationships with both par-ents and peers contribute to it. Often times people say that getting compliments, embracing their faults and working to make it better helps them im-prove their self esteem. Look in the mirror and find something you like about yourself. “The one thing I find most attractive about myself is my smile,” said sophomore, Ashley Green. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not beautiful, because as long as you know what you are and you like it, you are who you are and that’s all that matters,” said Green. Adaoma Okafor Staff reporter

Documents

March Issue 2011