Vol.3.Issue.11.April.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
Vol.3.Issue.11.April.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
Vol.3.Issue.11.April.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
the aquila<br />
volume 3 issue 11 february 28, 2008<br />
april issue<br />
Be sure to view The Aquila online!<br />
page one<br />
Ni Hao (Hello), China!<br />
Staff Writer Shares Experiences in China<br />
By Norah Sweeney<br />
China, the largest country in Asia and<br />
home to more than one billion people,<br />
is a popular travel destination for<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> students and their families. Who<br />
would have guessed that thousands of<br />
years of history and one-of-a-kind experiences<br />
were waiting for us just across<br />
the Sea of Japan?<br />
Most trips for tourists start in the enormous<br />
capital city of Beijing, the location<br />
for the fast-approaching Summer Olympic<br />
Games. Tiananmen Square is possibly<br />
the most famous site in Beijing. The<br />
square is especially appealing to history<br />
buffs because it’s the site of the 1989<br />
protests by labor activists and students<br />
against their government’s authoritarianism.<br />
Other must-see places near Tiananmen<br />
Square are the mausoleum of<br />
Chairman Mao (the founder of Communist<br />
China) and the National Museum.<br />
Right across a super-busy highway<br />
(which can be crossed by a pedestrian<br />
underpass) is the Forbidden City, which<br />
is now known as the Palace Museum,<br />
since it’s no longer the home to an emperor<br />
and therefore accessible to the<br />
public. The Palace Museum has been<br />
fully restored, and the unique, ornate<br />
(Above): Junior Charlie Artiles stops for a photo while climbing the Great Wall<br />
of China. Read about another student’s visit to China below.<br />
architecture continues to be as magical<br />
as it was in the days of Imperial<br />
China.<br />
The real lives of Beijing inhabitants can<br />
be experienced on a tour of one of the<br />
infinite number of Hutongs (neighborhoods<br />
with classical architecture) in<br />
the city. The tour usually begins with<br />
a rickshaw ride through the neighborhood,<br />
and then lunch at an actual<br />
residence. The traditional meal that<br />
is served to company is unbelievably<br />
delicious, and completely unlike the<br />
Chinese takeout that we’re used to in<br />
the United States. Some other popular<br />
locales for tourists are the Yonghegong<br />
Lama (Tibetan monk) Temple; and the<br />
Beijing Zoo, home to the famous giant<br />
pandas native to the country.<br />
Every tourist will tell you that the highlight<br />
of his or her trip was a visit the<br />
Great Wall, which can, believe it or not,<br />
be seen from space. The Great Wall<br />
project was started by an emperor of<br />
the Qin (pronounced Ching) Dynasty<br />
in the 5th century BC, with the hopes<br />
of further unifying China and defending<br />
the new country from its enemies.<br />
Seeing one of the seven wonders of the<br />
modern world, and climbing up the<br />
surprisingly steep stairs to the top, is<br />
beyond rewarding.<br />
Another stop that is highly recommended<br />
by tourism agencies is the<br />
city of Xian (Shee-ahn), which was<br />
the capital of China for 13 dynasties.<br />
It was believed in Ancient China that<br />
one could take material possessions<br />
an with him or her to the afterlife. As<br />
such, Qin Shi Huang, also of the Qin<br />
Dynasty, ordered that thousands of<br />
Terracotta (which is a special kind of<br />
clay) warrior statues be built, so that<br />
he would have an army to command<br />
all eternity. The statues were lost for<br />
thousands of years, until in the 1970s;<br />
a farmer discovered one of them<br />
while trying to dig a well. In the Terracotta<br />
army, there are 7,000 soliders,<br />
130 chariots and 670 horses.<br />
Of his trip to China over this past<br />
Spring Break, Junior Charlie Artiles remarked,<br />
“I had a really great time in<br />
China, and the Great Wall was the<br />
bomb diggity!” Therefore, China is an<br />
unforgettable experience, and completely<br />
worth the four hours spent uncomfortably<br />
crammed in Economy<br />
class.
volume 3 issue 11 april issue<br />
page 2<br />
Robert D. <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong><br />
Misawa AB, Japan<br />
Unit 5040<br />
APO, AP 96319<br />
Newspaper Advisor:<br />
Ms. Lorayne Johansen<br />
Newspaper Editor:<br />
Stephanie Wehrung<br />
Staff Cartoonist:<br />
Esther Khabinsky<br />
Staff:<br />
Samantha Cannon<br />
Norah Sweeney<br />
Becca Gilbert<br />
Nicole McNabb<br />
Erin Nicolai<br />
Victoria Lively<br />
Alex Daigle<br />
Gowri Kabbur<br />
Parry Draper<br />
Policy Statement<br />
This newspaper is brought to you by<br />
The Aquila staff. We are committed<br />
to supporting public expression and<br />
producing quality news stories and editorials<br />
for <strong>Edgren</strong> faculty and students<br />
to enjoy. We celebrate our diverse<br />
skills and encourage creativity among<br />
one another in order to satisfy you, the<br />
reader.<br />
Spring Break 2008<br />
Countless Different Ways to Have Fun<br />
By Nicole McNabb<br />
Spring break can be both a relaxing<br />
and exhilarating time, yes even for the<br />
lucky teenagers of Misawa AB. Life simply<br />
cannot get better than a week off<br />
from school to enjoy with friends and<br />
family. After interviewing many fellow<br />
classmates at <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>, it appears<br />
that most took advantage of the<br />
break and used their creativity to avoid<br />
boredom.<br />
The students that remained in Misawa<br />
definitely had some interesting and unusual<br />
stories to share. Senior Becca Gilbert<br />
and Junior Courtney Kilday learned<br />
how to line dance and loved watching<br />
the lemurs in the movie, Madagascar. Junior<br />
Mark Garces had the awesome opportunity<br />
of getting a new ID card. Clipping<br />
his toenails kept Senior Klay Marcum<br />
occupied. Junior Jordan Brown played<br />
around with fireworks. At our splendid<br />
base movie theater, Senior Andy Verbeek<br />
watched Horton Hears a Who. Senior<br />
Jeniffer Stryd played a ton of soccer<br />
and also took a trip to the air and space<br />
museum, where her younger sister had to<br />
sit in the cockpit of every single airplane.<br />
At a sleep over at Senior Stephanie Wehrung’s<br />
house, Senior Samantha Cannon<br />
watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and<br />
was lucky enough to have Stephanie<br />
make her eggs in the morning.<br />
Those who ventured away from<br />
Misawa during the break were able to<br />
have incredible experiences that the<br />
majority of teenagers in the U.S. could<br />
only dream of. Junior Amanda Meyer<br />
petted a penguin in Iwakuni. In Tokyo,<br />
Junior Dajuan Groves gave free hugs to<br />
random people. During her week of fun,<br />
Junior Erin Nicolai made new lifeguard<br />
friends and almost got bitten by dangerous<br />
sea snakes in Saipan. On the island<br />
of Oahu, Senior Nicole McNabb spent<br />
time with two former <strong>Edgren</strong> students,<br />
Mia Angelella and Jeffrey Glover. Nicole<br />
returned with a tan to make many<br />
Misawa residents appear ghostly pale<br />
in comparison. Senior Daniel Draper attended<br />
what he considered to be “Mormon<br />
boot camp.” In Beijing, Senior Andrew<br />
Palmer bargained with a Chinese<br />
vendor for a Mao Zedong t-shirt for $2,<br />
tobogganed down the Great Wall, and<br />
became a Communist all in the same<br />
week. Last but not least, Mr. Milanovich<br />
seriously almost perished in an elevator<br />
while spending his break in Malaysia.<br />
All of these people surely made<br />
memories they can never forget. Hopefully,<br />
spring break was fun and absolutely<br />
amazing for everyone! It’s exactly what’s<br />
needed to survive fourth quarter and<br />
make that final push until the upcoming<br />
and highly anticipated end of the school<br />
year.<br />
We reach out to the community with<br />
our interviews, and by including direct<br />
quotes and specific incidences as support<br />
in our writing. The Aquila staff<br />
experiences school and community<br />
events first-hand to ensure a legitimate<br />
source. We also take pride in our original<br />
photos that capture the memories<br />
of these years so perfectly. The Aquila<br />
staff hopes that you remain enthused<br />
about each issue we print. Remember,<br />
it is our hard work and dedication that<br />
makes this publication possible.<br />
(Above): While spending spring break in Hawaii, Senior Nicole<br />
McNabb (center) had the chance to visit with former<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> students Mia Angellela (left) and Jeff Glover (right).
volume 3 issue 11 april issue<br />
page 3<br />
Spring Drama Festival<br />
Tickets on Sale Now<br />
By Parry Draper<br />
Feeling Misawa boredom? Looking for something<br />
to do? Well, look no further: the Spring<br />
Drama Festival is coming to town! On May 8,<br />
14, and 15, <strong>Edgren</strong>’s stellar drama students will<br />
be putting on three top-notch comedies in the<br />
Moketeki at 1900 (doors will open at 1830). Tickets<br />
can be purchased for $3 in advance from<br />
Mrs. Ditschler or any drama student, or you can<br />
pay $5 at the door. All proceeds will go to the<br />
drama program to help fund future plays and<br />
musicals.<br />
On May 8th, you can enjoy Arabian Nights,<br />
presented by Mrs. Ditschler’s A2 Drama class. In<br />
this play, a king marries, loves, and kills a woman<br />
every night until he finally meets a special woman.<br />
For a thousand and one nights, she delays<br />
her death by telling fabulous stories of varying<br />
topics. Witness this exotic play as performers portray<br />
the unique characters and culture through<br />
acting, belly dancing, and much, much more!<br />
The Good Doctor, performed by the A4 Drama<br />
class on May 14th, takes the audience out<br />
of the Middle East and into Russia. If you’re<br />
How is your son/daughter getting to college<br />
classes?<br />
Let us take the worry out of purchasing a<br />
dependable car.<br />
2008 Ford Focus starting @ $13,507<br />
not up for sitting through a whole play with the same<br />
plot and characters, this is definitely the play for you!<br />
Delving into the mind of a scatterbrained writer, you<br />
will watch as his farcical stories are brought to life<br />
and performed in a way that will keep you laughing<br />
the whole night.<br />
Finally, on May 15th, the Third Annual Spring<br />
Drama Festival will end with a bang as the B1 class<br />
presents their hysterical comedy, Saving the Greeks:<br />
One Tragedy at a Time! In this play, the comedic<br />
duo of Dialysis and his servant Peon attempt to permanently<br />
rid Greece of tragedy and war, and in doing<br />
so, they create Betterland, a land where things<br />
are, well, better. Filled with funny allusions and audience<br />
interaction, this play will keep you wondering;<br />
according to Senior Daniel Draper, “Does this even<br />
make sense?”<br />
This is an excellent opportunity to receive high quality<br />
entertainment at an affordable price. “<strong>Edgren</strong> is<br />
the drama powerhouse of the Pacific,” Mrs. Ditschler<br />
boasted. “We know that each play is going to be<br />
great. And this is also the last opportunity to see seniors<br />
perform on stage. So don’t miss it!”<br />
Need Alterations?<br />
Prom dress doesn’t fit quite right? Need other<br />
items altered?<br />
Ms. Aki Kawabata comes highly<br />
reccomended in alterations and<br />
service. Her prices are affordable, and<br />
she works very quickly.<br />
Exchange New Car Sales<br />
Main Gate<br />
Light<br />
AKI-MODE SALON<br />
For more information call<br />
the Car Guys at 222-5111<br />
Harley-Davidson 222-5413<br />
Go out today and get your dress<br />
or other items altered by Ms. Aki<br />
Kawabata!
senior spotsinterviews by<br />
Name: Lissi Johnson<br />
Birthday and Birthplace: Feb. 13, 1990, Portland,<br />
OR Nickname: Lissijo Favorite movie: She’s the<br />
Man What’s your favorite childhood memory?<br />
Having nerf gun wars with my brothers and sisters.<br />
Where do you want to go to college or what are<br />
your plans after high school? I’m going to Weber<br />
State University in Utah. What is your biggest fear?<br />
Spiders and drowning. What is your ideal job and<br />
why? Being a music teacher because I love music.<br />
Who makes you laugh? Stupid people.<br />
What is your favorite sport?<br />
Soccer & volleyball. Who<br />
were/are your role models?<br />
My mom and sisters.<br />
Favorite color: Red If you<br />
could be any super hero<br />
who would you be? Peter<br />
Petrelli If you could have<br />
any super power what<br />
would it be? Shape Shifter<br />
Favorite/Special quote: “In<br />
the end it’ll be ok, if it’s not<br />
ok, then it’s not the end.”<br />
What is/was your favorite<br />
cartoon? Justice League<br />
johnson<br />
lissi<br />
Name: Susan Rollins<br />
Birthday and Birthplace:<br />
Cheltnum, England September<br />
20, 1990 Nickname:<br />
Prongs Favorite<br />
movie: The Pirates of the<br />
Caribbean(all 3). What’s<br />
your favorite childhood<br />
memory? Family reunions. rollins<br />
So far what is your favorite senior year memory?<br />
Sports Trips. Where do you want to go to college<br />
or what are your plans after high school? I’m accepted<br />
to Utah Valley University. What is your<br />
ideal jo0b and why? A Ninja, it would be fun. How<br />
would you describe Misawa? My home. What is<br />
your favorite sport? Soccer Favorite accessory: I<br />
love shoes. Favorite color: Blue What is your favorite<br />
city/country you have visited? Okinawa<br />
Dream Car: some shiny black one What is your<br />
biggest pet peeve? Dirty socks touching me.<br />
susan<br />
jeniffer<br />
stryd<br />
stephanie wehrung<br />
Name: Jeniffer Stryd<br />
Birthday and Birthplace: Cinco de Mayo 1990, Hanford<br />
CA Nickname: Jen, Jenny, Batman Favorite<br />
movie: Zoolander Choose one word that best describes<br />
you: pink What’s your favorite childhood<br />
memory? The beach, I’m a beach child. What is<br />
your biggest fear? Sharks Who makes you laugh?<br />
My friends. How would you describe Misawa? Bittersweet,<br />
over all can’t wait for it to end. What<br />
is your favorite sport? Soccer Favorite accessory:<br />
iPod & cell If you could be any super hero who<br />
would you be? Batman What activities do you<br />
nicholas<br />
sarrasin<br />
participate in at<br />
EHS? XC, soccer, Far East<br />
Drama, NHS, Japan Club,<br />
snowboard club What<br />
would be your theme song<br />
of your senior year? “Now<br />
or Never” – Madina Lake<br />
What is the best feeling in<br />
the world? Butterflies in the<br />
stomach. What is your biggest<br />
pet peeve? Obnoxious<br />
know it alls.<br />
Name: Nick Sarrasin<br />
Birthday and Birthplace:<br />
9/17/89 Boston, Mass Nickname:<br />
Nick What is the craziest<br />
thing you would do for<br />
$50,000? As little as I had<br />
to. Where do you want<br />
to go to college or what<br />
are your plans after high<br />
school? Heading off to File<br />
Academy of Arizona. What<br />
is your biggest fear? Losing<br />
one of my siblings. What is your ideal job and<br />
why? Firefighter, cause I can do it. Who makes<br />
you laugh? D-Ray What are three things you want<br />
everyone to know about you that they might not<br />
know already? Hyde from the 70’s show is named<br />
after my uncle, I know an NHL hockey coach, I also<br />
know the winners of the Amazing race. Favorite<br />
color: Green What is your favorite city/country you<br />
have visited? Thailand If you could be any super<br />
hero who would you be? Juggernaut Dream Car:<br />
67 Shelby GT500 Favorite/special quote: “Starting<br />
something is easy; finishing….now that’s the hard<br />
part”
senior spotsinterviews by<br />
Name: José Carlos Brooks II<br />
Birthday and Birthplace: Sheppard AFB, Texas,<br />
9/11/1990 Nickname: Moose, Jojo, Jo-zay Favorite<br />
Food: Ramen Favorite Movie: I Am Legend<br />
Choose one word that best describes you:<br />
Relaxed What is your biggest fear? Cockroaches<br />
What are three things you want everyone to know<br />
about you that they might not already know? I<br />
am half Panamanian, my favorite team is the<br />
San Antonio Spurs, I’m related (by marriage) to<br />
an NBA player. What is your favorite sport? Basketball<br />
Favorite accessory:<br />
my watch Favorite Color:<br />
Blue What is your graduation<br />
day nightmare? My<br />
name being skipped.<br />
What is you favorite city/<br />
country you have visited?<br />
Capadocia, Turkey So far<br />
what is your favorite senior<br />
year memory? AVID What<br />
was your favorite childhood<br />
toy? Big Wheels<br />
brooks<br />
josé<br />
jonathan<br />
barber<br />
stephanie wehrung<br />
Name: Jonathan Charles Barber<br />
Birthday and Birthplace: Jan. 18, 1990, Shaw AFB,<br />
South Carolina Nickname: Jonny, JB, Barber Favorite<br />
Movies: The Ocean movies Choose one<br />
word that best describes you: NASCAR If you got<br />
two round trip tickets to anywhere in the world,<br />
where would you go and who would you take?<br />
Italy Piza during the first week of summer, with<br />
a friend from Bitburg. So far what is you favorite<br />
senior year memory? Youth Conference! What<br />
is your biggest fear? Loosing all my friends. Who<br />
makes you laugh? Tom Lynn, sorry for spiting on<br />
you. What are three things<br />
you want everyone to<br />
know about you that they<br />
might not already know?<br />
Been to a NASCAR race, I<br />
visited London, I’m allergic<br />
to milk. How would you describe<br />
Misawa? My home<br />
alex<br />
Name: Alex Newton<br />
Birthday and Birthplace:<br />
Feb 12, 1990, Alabama<br />
Favorite food: chicken Favorite<br />
movie: Fight Club<br />
Choose one word that<br />
best describes you: Amazing<br />
Where do you want to<br />
go to college or what newton<br />
are your plans after high school? Go to college<br />
in Florida. Who makes you laugh? Mr. Edmonds<br />
Do you speak another language fluently? No<br />
What is your favorite sport? Football Favorite color:<br />
Green What is your favorite city/country you<br />
have visited? Panama City, Florida If you could<br />
be any super hero who would you be? The hulk<br />
What is/was your favorite cartoon? Aqua Teen<br />
Hunger Force<br />
SENIORS 2008<br />
Senior Class of 2008<br />
Graduation Day<br />
Countdown<br />
44<br />
days
volume 3 issue 11 april issue<br />
page 6<br />
Evening in the Garden<br />
Arts Concert in Misawa<br />
By Gowri Kabbur<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> has its fair share of artistic and<br />
talented students; however, there are seldom opportunities<br />
to showcase their talent to the Misawa<br />
community. On May 30th, in the Officer Club Ballroom,<br />
there is a sterling opportunity to appreciate<br />
the Fine Arts. “An Evening in the Garden” Arts Concert<br />
is being hosted by Mrs. Mary Petty as an encompassing<br />
tribute to the Arts. It is an old style performance<br />
with 6 ballet pieces and another 6 choral,<br />
acting, and orchestral pieces with a spring theme.<br />
The event is based in the Victorian/Romantic period<br />
and doors open at 6pm.<br />
Mrs. Petty divulged the reasons for holding the<br />
concert saying, “It was originally suppose to be a<br />
ballet recital, but I thought it’d be better to put together<br />
an Arts Concert. When I was in college, they<br />
held similar concerts that I enjoyed greatly.”<br />
Mrs. Petty is currently looking for 4 more acts to complete<br />
the event, so any musicians, singers, or actors<br />
interested in performing in the concert should contact<br />
her through her email at mry160@yahoo.com.<br />
She already has a piano/violin duet and a choral<br />
duet set in place. Also, any artists interested in displaying<br />
their art work at the gala should contact<br />
Mrs. Petty.<br />
Any art work should be centered on a spring/garden<br />
theme. There will be an audition for potential<br />
performers to show their pieces on April 24, 2008 at<br />
4:30-6:30. It will be at the Mokuteki Community Center<br />
in the upstairs Conference Room. People who try<br />
out will then find out who performs, receive information,<br />
talk about costuming.<br />
There will be dinner at the club during the concert,<br />
so attendees should bring money for a meal. Tickets<br />
will be sold primarily for friends and family of performers,<br />
but then they shall be available to the public.<br />
“An Evening in the Garden” is a perfect opportunity<br />
to show off your skills as a performer and celebrate<br />
the Arts. It is great for the aspiring musician,<br />
beginning artist, or novice thespian to display their<br />
ability to an audience. It’s also an excellent event<br />
to attend to unwind before Prom night. If you are<br />
interested, contact Mary Petty for further details and<br />
make this May event a night to remember.<br />
SENIOR PORTRAITS WITH<br />
PHOENIX REDSTONE<br />
Cut out the Burger King Card and redeem before<br />
purchasing. Remember only one per customer<br />
per visit. Valid until Feburary 28, 2009.<br />
THERE ARE OPTIONS OTHER THAN THE STAN-<br />
DARD. GET PHOTOS WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
WHO HAS A DEGREE IN FINE ART AND KEEPS<br />
UPDATED WITH THE LATEST ART PHOTOGRA-<br />
PHY TRENDS WHILE MAINTAINING A STRONG<br />
UNDERSTANDING OF CLASSIC FUNDAMENTALS<br />
IN THE WORLD OF PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY.<br />
$50 sitting fee includes:<br />
-Choice of Outdoor or Indoor Studio Locations<br />
-Black/White and Sepia Options<br />
-Online photo proof viewing at your leisure<br />
-Choose from you own wardrobe, up to three outfits<br />
_Keep your gallery private with password protection<br />
-Family and Freinds can order online from anywhere<br />
Getting tight on lunch money because food is too expensive?<br />
Popeyes wants to help you out. The store manager<br />
will be taking suggestions on what high school students<br />
would like as a lunch special and a price suggestion as well.<br />
Contact Ugi Battle, store manager at<br />
battleu@aafes.com<br />
Contact Phoenix for a free consulation:<br />
Phone: 53-7432<br />
E-mail: PhoenixRedstone@aol.com<br />
WWW.PHOENIXREDSTONE.COM
volume 3 issue 11 april issue<br />
page 7<br />
Base Authorities Incompetence Leads Misawans To Question Their Authority<br />
Assembly Raises Frustration Within <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong><br />
By Stephanie Wehrung<br />
“What was the point of that?” was<br />
the only question heard through the<br />
hallways on Monday, March 31, 2008 after<br />
the MCAP assembly held in the high<br />
school gym. Frustration filled classrooms<br />
as discussions were held between students<br />
and teachers, leading everyone<br />
to wonder how seriously they should<br />
take base authority.<br />
Capt. Day from the 35 Security Forces<br />
Squadron and two representatives from<br />
the 35 Judges Advocate Office came<br />
over to conduct a “briefing” covering<br />
the MCAP program here in Misawa.<br />
This program is designed to deal with<br />
misconduct on base and those facing<br />
punishment. The basics were covered,<br />
such as why we as students should care<br />
about our conduct, punishments, and<br />
ways to stay out of trouble.<br />
“Good morning,” says one of the two<br />
representatives from the legal office. After<br />
not getting a response, she points the<br />
microphone to the audience expecting<br />
an enthusiastic answer. Students wondered<br />
if she really expected a response<br />
displaying our gratitude for her imposing<br />
presence on our much needed seminar<br />
period.<br />
She began talking about base conduct,<br />
and discussed all the consequences<br />
of our actions. She listed of a<br />
written/personal apology, community<br />
service, restriction from AAFES and Services<br />
facilities, written essay, handing<br />
out flyers in the BX and finally debarment<br />
from Misawa Air Base. She emphasized<br />
that debarment can only be decided<br />
by Colonel O’Shaugnessey, the installation<br />
commander.<br />
She proceeded to ask if everyone<br />
knew who Colonel O’Shaugnessey was.<br />
This is like asking “Does Dolly Parton sleep<br />
on her back?” In a demeaning way, the<br />
second representative from the legal office<br />
proceeded to explain to us who the<br />
base commander is and what his job<br />
was. “They’ll never understand this,” was<br />
her snide comment, all the while pronouncing<br />
the base commander’s name<br />
wrong.<br />
Her demeaning attitude was clearly<br />
the wrong way to approach high school<br />
students who are about to be adults.<br />
Talking to seniors like children is the<br />
wrong way to go about addressing their<br />
conduct because in the end the seniors<br />
did not take the assembly or her presence<br />
seriously.<br />
At the end of the assembly, the three<br />
representatives had a question and answer<br />
session, where there were more<br />
questions than answers. When asked the<br />
basics, neither of the three could deliver<br />
the answers.<br />
The first order of business was the base curfew.<br />
With her bragging about how four years<br />
of college prepared her so much for her field<br />
of study, the representative who demeaned<br />
every student in the room had no answer.<br />
She told us to check the Misawa Conduct<br />
rules to find this information, without giving us<br />
a source of where to find it. She also stated<br />
that this information is covered at the New<br />
Comers Briefing that everyone in Misawa attends<br />
upon their arrival at Misawa. This was<br />
definitely not true. After talking with people<br />
who had recently gone through the briefing<br />
(a week before the briefing held at <strong>Edgren</strong>)<br />
themselves just a week ago, they stated that<br />
this rule was never covered, nor where they<br />
aware of it.<br />
I gave my own scenario of being in trouble<br />
for base curfew. I was at the Mokuteki, and<br />
was leaving at midnight, when a cop rudely<br />
told me that I was out past curfew and would<br />
have to be taken in to the police station so<br />
my parents could come pick me up. There,<br />
after a rude and disrespectful process, I was<br />
informed that by the police in the office that<br />
base curfew was eleven at night on weekdays<br />
and one in the morning for high school<br />
seniors and anyone over 18.<br />
After being picked up from the police station,<br />
my mom and dad realized that they had<br />
never heard of any curfew rule. I presented<br />
this to the representatives only to be told that<br />
“my lack of knowledge wasn’t a defense.” I<br />
had the urge to throw this back into her face<br />
and tell her that she did not know the rule herself<br />
and was throwing up a defense to back<br />
up her own lack of knowledge.<br />
After the Capt. Day pulled out his cell phone<br />
and called the LE Desk, he informed us that<br />
the base curfew was midnight on the weekends<br />
for high school seniors. This was frustrating<br />
because people are getting in trouble for<br />
base curfew, and it is not their fault. They simply<br />
just have the wrong information, but this<br />
cannot be used in their defense.<br />
Other topics covered during the assembly<br />
were shoplifting, drugs, and how to stay<br />
out of trouble. They discussed how much the<br />
cameras in the BX can monitor. In the same<br />
way however, many students felt stereotyped<br />
as a “bad kid” in Misawa. “Drugs, where you<br />
getting them?” said Capt. Day with a slight<br />
chuckle. His nonchalant attitude was disappointing<br />
as he put a spotlight on instances<br />
that happened last year with students getting<br />
in trouble for related issues. Their punishment<br />
was understandable, but the presentation just<br />
seemed to be a way to bring all the hardships<br />
students faced last year as they were handcuffed<br />
in their classrooms in front of teachers,<br />
friends and fellow students. They also covered,<br />
briefly, how to stay out of trouble. This<br />
consisted of one slide referring to the<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Misawa Code of Conduct. We were told<br />
that we could simply read the rules included<br />
and know how to behave on Misawa<br />
AB. However, no location to this Code of<br />
Conduct was given to students.<br />
As a disclaimer, this article is not meant to<br />
give the cops on this base a bad reputation.<br />
I, myself, know some cops who are very<br />
personable to students, and know what the<br />
rules without having to call the LE Desk to<br />
ask what they are. This article is published in<br />
hopes that change will come around, and<br />
base leadership will soon be taken seriously.<br />
It is unacceptable to not know solid rules<br />
when delivering an “important” briefing.<br />
STUDENT RESPONSES:<br />
“I thought it was kind of stupid, but<br />
people needed to know that there<br />
are consequences for their actions,<br />
and that not only can they get in<br />
trouble, but so can their sponsor.”<br />
-Zach Spaduzzi, Junior<br />
“It was disappointing.”<br />
-Rebecca Girlbert, Senior<br />
“It seemed like the whole point of<br />
the presentation was to intimidate<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> students. Ironically, they also<br />
used a Big Brother allusion while at<br />
the same time they said that they<br />
were going to ‘let us do whatever<br />
we were doing’ aka bad things.<br />
Shouldn’t they stop it and nip it in<br />
the bud rather than let them go on<br />
with it? Also, the fact that the cop<br />
at the presentation had to call the<br />
LE Desk showed their lack of preparedness.<br />
I felt like it was a waste<br />
of time because all they did was try<br />
to threaten us.”<br />
-Emely Vallee, Senior<br />
“Although I appreciate them coming<br />
out of their busy work schedules to give<br />
us some insight on the consequences<br />
we could encounter if we get into legal<br />
trouble, their ways of approaching<br />
us personally did not appeal to me.<br />
I felt as if I was spoken down upon by<br />
certain speakers and some of their usage<br />
of “ranting” wasn’t effective in my<br />
point of view. It ultimately turned me off.<br />
I felt as if I was being generalized with<br />
all the “bad kids” of Misawa because I<br />
was a “teenager”, but not all teenagers<br />
are like that. A good chunk of us know<br />
how to use common sense to keep out<br />
of trouble. In the end, I got the overall<br />
message that they were conveying to<br />
us, but I think they could have done it in<br />
a more effective manner.” -Anonymous
volume 3 issue 11 april issue<br />
page 8<br />
Seniors Share Feelings about College<br />
Interviews Reveal College Anticipation<br />
By Rebecca Gilbert<br />
What is your first choice college?<br />
Nicole McNabb: Maryville in Tennessee (I didn’t<br />
have much of a choice.)<br />
Josh Scherrer: Montana State University<br />
Danny Blayer: University of Dubuque<br />
Kiwanna Clark: University of South Alabama<br />
Why do you want to go to college?<br />
NM: College seems like a great first step to life after<br />
high school. I think it can prepare me for work and<br />
give me better job opportunities. Plus it seems like<br />
fun!<br />
JS: To become an Air Force Officer.<br />
DB: To earn a decent wage and become involved<br />
in a career that I love.<br />
KC: To make money and be rich.<br />
How are you preparing?<br />
NM: Honestly I’m just trying to graduate at the moment,<br />
but I am taking 2 AP classes.<br />
JS: Taking on more responsibility<br />
DB: Received a few scholarships and financial aid.<br />
KC: Staying focused in school.<br />
What career field are you looking into? Why?<br />
NM: Probably medical, like a surgeon, but also<br />
maybe psychologist or coroner. Yes I know I’m a<br />
freak.<br />
JS: Medical field, and I’m not too sure why.<br />
DB: Medical because I’m very interested in the human<br />
body and how it works.<br />
KC: Radiology because I like science and the human<br />
body.<br />
How (if at all) do you plan on adjusting your lifestyle<br />
to adapt to the changes?<br />
NM: NOT PROCRASTINATING anymore. And make a<br />
lot of new friends right away so I’m not lonely.<br />
JS: Being more independent.<br />
DB: I would just have a positive outlook; after all<br />
you’re finally independent.<br />
KC: By just being me and being optimistic.<br />
What are your expectations of daily college life?<br />
NM: Really busy but so much fun at the same time.<br />
JS: Par-tay!!! And studying.<br />
DB: Sleep, freedom, and occasional stress.<br />
KC: Being Free……..<br />
How are you planning on dealing with the finances?<br />
NM: I received a really great scholarship already<br />
plus my parents made a college fund for me,<br />
except now they want to use part of it to<br />
buy a bigger house.<br />
JS: With scholarships.<br />
DB: Received a few scholarships and financial<br />
aid.<br />
KC: Giving them all to my dad.<br />
Applying for any scholarships?<br />
NM: I already received a $68,000 one if I stay<br />
at Maryville 4 years.<br />
JS: I have received a 4 year ROTC scholarship<br />
and a $4000 leadership scholarship.<br />
DB: Yes.<br />
KC: Yes.<br />
What is your living situation going to be?<br />
NM: All I know is first year I HAVE to live at<br />
home. It’ll be really really close.<br />
JS: Co-ed Dorms.<br />
DB: In a dorm on campus.<br />
KC: I will be living on campus.<br />
What do you predict you will experiment<br />
with?<br />
NM: Seriously I’ll probably drink more and<br />
have fun relationships and make lots of<br />
friends.<br />
JS: I think I will try a lot of new things I’m just<br />
not sure what they are yet.<br />
DB: N/A<br />
KC: N/A<br />
Do you really think you have what it takes?<br />
NM: Do I have what it takes? Yeah I do because<br />
I’m awesome! I’m totally meant for<br />
college. I keep good grades and work hard.<br />
JS: Hai<br />
DB: Yes<br />
KC: Yes