Vol.4.Issue.1.October.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
Vol.4.Issue.1.October.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
Vol.4.Issue.1.October.2008 - Edgren High School EagleNet
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
the aquila<br />
volume 4 issue 1 September 16, 2008<br />
Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page one<br />
Above: Samantha Statia and Caleb Gilbert in drama class preparing for their upcoming preformance<br />
.<br />
The Show Must Go On!<br />
...and other Thespian Intrigues<br />
By Gowri Kabbur<br />
It’s another year for <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> and that means that the illustrious<br />
Drama Department is back<br />
in business. With a wide variety of<br />
drama classes, performances all<br />
year round, and the Fall Play coming<br />
up in November, this promises<br />
to be a grandiose year for the fi ne<br />
art of theater. According to Mrs.<br />
Ditschler, the drama teacher, “We<br />
will be focusing on the power of theatre<br />
to change the world!!!! Even<br />
if just a little bit, so the student understands<br />
the power of the spoken<br />
word, and uses that in the future,<br />
not just as a performer, but as a person...recognizing<br />
our innate ability to<br />
make things better or worse through<br />
our interactions....Or just say...have<br />
fun-kill time-keep adolescents from<br />
shoplifting at the BX.”<br />
The top of the list for 2008’s drama<br />
performances is the all-girl’s cast of<br />
Nine Girls, a play written by Wilfred<br />
H. Pettitt, set in the 1940’s as a World<br />
War II era mystery. This play is different<br />
than previous performances by<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> because it is a<br />
full period-piece, which poses as a<br />
serious challenge.But the cast is very<br />
excited to make this show the best<br />
it can be. “Nine Girls will be fun,<br />
but also a challenge because everything<br />
has to be time period from<br />
hairstyles and clothing to accents<br />
and postures,” said Alyssa Craig, a<br />
junior and member of the cast. This<br />
is new territory for all current actors<br />
since a suspense time-period<br />
play has never been attempted by<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
Also, an interesting performance<br />
tidbit from the <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> drama<br />
classes is their participation in the<br />
upcoming Red Ribbon Week that<br />
creates awareness of the dangers<br />
of alcohol and substance abuse.<br />
Classes are doing various acting<br />
bits to commemorate this national<br />
week of awareness. Some are opting<br />
for scenes directed towards the<br />
elementary schools, radio plays,<br />
evening performances for adults,<br />
and taped acting for the high<br />
school. All are sure to be poignant<br />
and informative. For more<br />
information about this upcoming<br />
event, ask Mr. Velez (ASACS counselor)<br />
or Mrs. Ditschler.<br />
Between the play practices and<br />
drama classes, the International<br />
Thespian Society (ITS) rears its<br />
head and takes its place as the<br />
sole theatrical club for the second<br />
year. Newly formed last school<br />
year, the ITS has exciting plans for<br />
the upcoming year. If anyone<br />
has acting credentials and experience<br />
or is interested in joining<br />
the <strong>Edgren</strong> chapter of ITS, there is<br />
a meeting on Friday, September<br />
19. Paperwork must be fi lled and<br />
points collected in order to join ITS.<br />
For further information, contact ITS<br />
President Amanda Meyer.<br />
Drama has already started with<br />
a bang and the rest of the year<br />
is greatly anticipated. Imagine<br />
what next semester will be like!
volume 4 issue 1 Back to <strong>School</strong> 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<br />
Editor-In-Chief:<br />
Erin Nicolai<br />
Newspaper Layout<br />
Editor:<br />
Heather Eiler<br />
Staff Cartoonist:<br />
Esther Khabinsky<br />
Staff:<br />
Parker Howard<br />
Gowri Kabbur<br />
Esther Khabinsky<br />
Tim Murray<br />
Tara Newton<br />
Angelique Tetrault<br />
Sarah Zediker<br />
Policy Statement<br />
This newspaper is brought to you<br />
by The Aquila staff. We are committed<br />
to supporting public expression<br />
and producing quality news stories<br />
and editorials for <strong>Edgren</strong> faculty and<br />
students to enjoy. We celebrate our<br />
diverse skills and encourage creativity<br />
among one another in order to satisfy<br />
you, the reader.<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 />
Homecoming Dances 2008-2009<br />
A night to remember<br />
By Angelique Tetrault<br />
This year’s homecoming week was<br />
handled a little differently. However, it<br />
always ends with an amazing dance.<br />
2008-2009 turned out to be no different.<br />
Starting at 7 and ending at 11, the<br />
night continued to rock on despite<br />
the cold and windy weather. The <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> dance had a new DJ, which<br />
in turn led to new music choices. Of<br />
course the student body danced to<br />
“Walk It Out,” “Soulja Boy,” and the<br />
classic “Electric Slide.” The music was<br />
put on pause only to announce the<br />
Homecoming Court.<br />
Refi ned Racquets and Taquito Tuesday<br />
The Tennis Team’s Plan for Success<br />
By Tara Newton<br />
Doing everything from drills, “intense”<br />
conditioning, the 8-lap circuit,<br />
and watching tennis tactic DVDs to<br />
break dancing and doing the hokey<br />
pokey, Mr. Milanovich prepares all of<br />
his tennis team players to be the very<br />
best.<br />
This year’s hard-working team already<br />
consists of students knowledgable<br />
in the game of tennis such as:<br />
Zack Spaduzzi; Chandra Mellilo; Jen<br />
Brent; new team member, sophomore<br />
Isaac Rodd; and, sporting a<br />
fashionable new look this season,<br />
Rico Adams; among many other excellent<br />
players.<br />
Out of more than a dozen participants<br />
in this year’s tennis program,<br />
and with the chance for only fourboys<br />
and four girls to attend Far East<br />
For freshmen, Kelsey Ellis and Julian<br />
Crawford became the Countess and<br />
Count. The Duke and Duchess for<br />
the sophomores were Trevor Johnson<br />
and Marissa Goodwin. For the junior<br />
Class of 2010, the Prince and Princess<br />
were Cheston Nurial-Dacalio and Angelique<br />
Tetrault. The senior King and<br />
Queen were Luke Nelson and Heather<br />
Eiler. Afterwards, they slow danced<br />
on stage and were led to the back<br />
for photos.<br />
Competition each student will battle<br />
it out to land a spot on the team.<br />
For the students who make the cut,<br />
traveling will begin on November 2nd<br />
and last until the 5th.<br />
So far in the season this year, the<br />
boy’s tennis team has been undefeated<br />
with the girl’s tennis teams<br />
gradually climbing their way up towards<br />
perfection. Upcoming games<br />
for this exciting season include the<br />
much anticipated matches against<br />
Kinnick, Zama, and the tournament<br />
at Iwakuni.<br />
Students should be taking every opportunity<br />
to support the tennis team<br />
such as taking part in the much expected<br />
“Taquito Tuesday,” Lumpia<br />
Bonanza or just cheering our team on<br />
at home games.<br />
To the right: Mr. Milanovich’s<br />
tennis team taking a<br />
moment from their pracitce<br />
to pose for a picture.
volume 4 issue 1 Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page 3<br />
Editorial: New <strong>School</strong> Year, New <strong>School</strong> Rules<br />
Students harbor conflicting ideas concerning the old and the new policies<br />
By Sarah Zediker and Erin Nicolai<br />
The ’08-’09 school year commenced<br />
in the midst of many changes, some<br />
not as well received as others. <strong>Edgren</strong><br />
welcomes new faculty and appreciates<br />
their fresh outlook on the way our<br />
school functions. Suggestions such<br />
as directory signs placed throughout<br />
campus, clearly visible room numbers<br />
over every door, and parking passes<br />
for individuals at the school who regularly<br />
use the lower lot have generally<br />
been acknowledged favorably.<br />
However, true to high school stereotypes,<br />
the feeling of change has inspired<br />
controversial rumors among<br />
the student body. Some proved inconsequential<br />
such as the far fetched<br />
idea that homecoming or activities<br />
associated with that tradition would<br />
be canceled. Others turned out to<br />
be more accurate than most would<br />
have liked.<br />
In particular, changes made to seminar<br />
procedure incited a negative reaction<br />
before they were even implemented.<br />
Now, with a concrete plan<br />
of change in place, grumbles sound<br />
through the halls. For those who are<br />
unclear about the new system, allow<br />
us to fi ll in the blanks. Seminar is now<br />
broken into three different sections:<br />
silent sustained reading followed by<br />
two periods reserved for students to<br />
consult with other teachers. There is a<br />
fi ve minute passing period in between<br />
each section.When students reach<br />
their destination for the 1st or 2nd seminar<br />
period, they are expected to remain<br />
under that teacher’s supervision<br />
until the next passing period.Students<br />
are only permitted in the halls duringpassing<br />
periods unless they are holding<br />
specifi c classroom passes supplied<br />
by their seminar teacher for travel to<br />
the bathroom, their locker, or other<br />
destination.<br />
Thus far, students feel strongly that these<br />
regulations are unjust, and they were not<br />
consulted before these changes were<br />
implemented. However, it is important<br />
to note that there is reason behind these<br />
seminar changes. Last year, the Advisory<br />
Council on Dependent Education (ACDE)<br />
came to <strong>Edgren</strong> to evaluate the school.<br />
While expressing satisfaction in many aspects<br />
of our school, the team found several<br />
serious faults in our seminar system.<br />
Students were found wasting time doing<br />
unproductive activities such as playing<br />
cards or loitering in the halls under the<br />
pretence that they were on their way to<br />
a teacher, restroom, or locker. Certain<br />
teachers failed to offer proper supervision<br />
by using seminar as their personal time to<br />
catch up on some sleep. This behavior<br />
was deemed incongruous with seminar’s<br />
true purpose which is to provide needed<br />
time for students to study and focus on<br />
their school work. The ACDE team cited<br />
this as a major issue, and <strong>Edgren</strong> was<br />
asked to make radical changes in order<br />
to maintain its accreditation.<br />
This is why <strong>Edgren</strong> students have been<br />
experiencing a new approach to seminar<br />
this year. While recognizing the necessity<br />
for change, the question must be asked if<br />
this is the only or indeed the best alternative<br />
to previous seminar procedure.<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> prides itself on the<br />
fact that although it is a small school in<br />
a remote location, its students rise above<br />
expectations regarding both test scores<br />
and participation in extracurricular activities.<br />
Because our student body is more<br />
limited than that of larger schools, many<br />
individuals are involved in more than one<br />
activity at a time. These enthusiastic students<br />
often carry the burden of a hectic<br />
schedule, and as a result must work hard<br />
to represent <strong>Edgren</strong> favorably in their<br />
elective activities and maintain fervor in<br />
their school work. They often put forth<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
tremendous effort to make up work as, in<br />
lieu of such a schedule, missing days of<br />
school at a time is not so uncommon.<br />
These are the individuals who value<br />
their seminar time so much, because<br />
without it, there would not be ample opportunity<br />
to see all of their teachers. Yes,<br />
students are currently able to visit two<br />
separate teachers during their seminar<br />
time; however, when faced with up to<br />
four classes to manage after traveling,<br />
two teachers in a seminar may simply<br />
be inadequate.<br />
Furthermore, not all visits can be prearranged.<br />
Oftentimes students encounter<br />
a baffl ing question while working, and<br />
need to visit a teacher right away. At<br />
other times, students need to speak with<br />
a teacher for only fi ve minutes at a time<br />
to clarify an assignment or ask a specifi c<br />
question. With the new system in place,<br />
students have to commit at least twenty<br />
minutes visiting each teacher and limit<br />
the number of teachers they visit to just<br />
two. While trying to make the seminar<br />
period more effective, these are the<br />
types of problems that could create a<br />
more frustrating system and more wasted<br />
time.<br />
Students at <strong>Edgren</strong>, while having their<br />
faults, excel in many different ways.<br />
While we appreciate the determination<br />
for improvement exhibited by faculty,<br />
we ask for lenience. Our positive attributes,<br />
and our individuality as a student<br />
body, should be taken into account<br />
when tailoring specifi c procedures like<br />
seminar. We ask that the need for structure<br />
not inhibit the equally signifi cant<br />
need for fl exibility. If we are not allowed<br />
to access all the resources at our fi ngertips,<br />
it is as if our hands have been tied<br />
and bound. True achievement can not<br />
be attained when limitations block the<br />
path to success.<br />
Response from Principal<br />
YOU HAVE SPOKEN AND WE HAVE LISTENED!<br />
By Mr. Arrington<br />
I believe that the students at <strong>Edgren</strong> are everything that you say and more. Please know that your teachers and<br />
administration believe that there are always situations that merit fl exibility to our “systems”. Though we must always<br />
have a system of accountability in place, it is our desire as well as yours to ensure that there is fl exibility afforded to<br />
those individuals and situations where improvement and highest student achievement are the motive. Please explain<br />
your needs to your seminar teacher and he/she will work with you in determining what available options will best meet<br />
those needs. We will work with you in your efforts for highest achievement whether that is something that can be covered<br />
within the guidelines of the seminar structure or you need something more fl exible.
volume 4 issue 1 Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page 4<br />
Keep Running!<br />
The Cross Country Season is looking good from the get go<br />
By Esther Khabinsky<br />
Cross country can be summed up in one simple<br />
word: running. Unlike football, volleyball, and tennis,<br />
cross country requires no other technique.<br />
“I’m very excited about this season,” says Mr. Thibert,<br />
the coach of the cross country team. “Our goal<br />
is to win Far East for small school.” Far East for Cross<br />
Country will be conveniently hosted in Misawa.<br />
Although Cross Country is essentially the same as<br />
previous years, Coach Thibert has upped the stakes.<br />
Circuit training, which consists of running half a mile,<br />
then doing calisthenics, has become larger part of<br />
the routine and after the fi rst race, when Misawa<br />
girls lost to Zama by a frustratingly small margin, the<br />
mile was added to the running. Coach Thibert is<br />
very adamant about winning this year.<br />
The previous year was a rebuilding year, but this<br />
time the team is expected big wins (such as thecross<br />
country girls’ big win at Sasebo last weekend). This<br />
projection is due to the fact that seasoned veteran<br />
runners, such as Angel Lemen, Audrey Haltli, David<br />
Blevins, and others, are returning.<br />
The team was also blessed with many new good<br />
runners, such as Kenneth Clark, who is this year’s secret<br />
weapon.<br />
With plenty of practice under their belts, a meet<br />
against Kinnick, E.J. King, Perry, Yokota, and Zama<br />
was held the weekend of September 26th. Although<br />
both teams ran their hearts out, in individual placements,<br />
Angel Lemon placed 7th with Tiffany Brinkerhoff<br />
close behind at 8th and boys falling just short<br />
of placements. In overall scoring however, the girl’s<br />
team placed 2nd just ahead of the boys who placed<br />
3rd against other school’s boys teams.<br />
“It’s so hard!” exclaimed Tiffany Brinkerhoff after<br />
a long run. Many of the new runners are gasping<br />
for breath after practice, but the results show at<br />
the meets. “You’re only as good as you practice,”<br />
remarked the Coach at the start of the year, and<br />
practice they do. Along with the aforementioned<br />
circuit training, the team also does Indian runs,<br />
suicide hill runs, and in the future they will also be<br />
spending practice in the pool because swimming increases<br />
lung capacity and helps strengthen muscles<br />
according to Coach Thibert.<br />
There are high hopes for this season’s runners. So<br />
cheer for your classmates as they run, run, and run.<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 4 issue 1 Back To <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page 5<br />
Online Gaming<br />
By Parker Howard<br />
Anyone who has ever played Mario Kart<br />
or Super Smash Bros remembers Fridays<br />
at your house playing late into the night<br />
around a bowl of chips and empty cans<br />
of Red Bull, but Xbox live and online gaming<br />
is the newest craze. Who even remembers<br />
when Nintendo came out with 64 bit<br />
games Now the most popular games all<br />
have a couple qualities in common that<br />
make them so great: “excessive” gore<br />
(with the exception of Guitar Hero and<br />
Rock Band) and epic online play. Every<br />
gamer loves beating those nobodies from<br />
halfway around the world online in Gears<br />
of War, Call of Duty, and Halo.<br />
The added monthly fee hasn’t been a deterrent.<br />
After all, what’s a few dollars a month<br />
when you aren’t buying pizza for your friends<br />
every Friday night (sure they’re going to pay<br />
you back…) Well, yes, they aren’t sitting next<br />
to you and you may enjoy that aspect of the<br />
Friday night gaming, but don’t forget, there’s<br />
voice over IP now. You can chat with them<br />
wherever they are like they’re right there, but<br />
without the frustration of their screen peeking.<br />
(of course you’d never do that…) I personally<br />
thought the classic Super Smash Bros for<br />
Nintendo 64 would never die, of course it did.<br />
I look forward to what comes after Online<br />
Halo.<br />
Need Alterations<br />
Prom dress doesn’t fi t 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 />
Main Gate<br />
Light<br />
AKI-MODE SALON<br />
Above: The X-Box game Gears of War<br />
Go out today and get your dress<br />
or other items altered by Ms. Aki<br />
Kawabata!
volume 4 issue 1 Back to <strong>School</strong><br />
page 6<br />
The Unleashing of the Eagles!<br />
2 Eagles on the Prowl<br />
By Tim Murray<br />
The Eagles opened this season with a bang in the<br />
away game against Zama; with their impressive<br />
34-21 victory they declared their malicious intent<br />
upon all opposing schools. The resulting boost of<br />
spirit put the entire student body into a frenzy of<br />
excitement! The true strength of the <strong>Edgren</strong> Eagles<br />
was unleashed onto the supposed powerhouses of<br />
Zama and Kinnick, completely obliterating them<br />
without remorse.<br />
The unadulterated team work of the Eagles was<br />
evident as the defense thwarted the plans of<br />
Zama, then charging with full force as Johnell Alexander<br />
scored 5 touchdowns leaving nothing but<br />
dust clouds as he advanced forward. This feat of<br />
excellence was far from the end for the ever resilient<br />
Eagles.<br />
The next game in which they were opposed by<br />
Ethan Blake scored one, allowing the Eagle<br />
to spread their wings with pride.<br />
In the game against Yokota, the team wavered<br />
slightly causing the fi rst loss of the season,<br />
and shortly after this fi rst loss, we were<br />
blindsided by an unforeseen loss against<br />
ASIJ. These back to back losses left us in a<br />
humble defeat.<br />
Nevertheless, the Eagles absorbed the losses<br />
and trained rigorously without falter to fi ght<br />
Zama once again in last week’s Homecoming<br />
Game. The score of 42-0 destroyed Zama’s<br />
pride and sent them home with a renewed<br />
respect for the Eagles. Not only did<br />
the varsity team annihilate Zama, but the Junior<br />
Varsity also won 32-8. With the winning of<br />
these games, our pride is once again intact<br />
and these victories give us the right to spread<br />
our wings and have no one else elevate their<br />
name above the mighty Eagles!<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 />
(Above): The <strong>Edgren</strong> Varsity football<br />
team at Zama for their fi rst away game.<br />
Exchange New Car Sales<br />
(Above): The <strong>Edgren</strong> Varsity football team<br />
at their fi rst home game against Kinnick.<br />
For more information call<br />
the Car Guys at 222-5111<br />
Harley-Davidson 222-5413
volume 4 issue 1 Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page 7<br />
THIS IS VOLLEYBALL!<br />
By Angelique Tetracult<br />
The fall sports are well under way, and the <strong>Edgren</strong><br />
volleyball team is picking up speed. Despite having<br />
their fi rst game after the a mere fi ve days of practice,<br />
the girls could not slow down. With the help of<br />
Coach Richardson, the varsity team won on Friday<br />
night against the Zama Trojans, but the junior varsity<br />
slightly shorter than expected. The angry Trojans<br />
demanded revenge early the following Saturday<br />
morning, and varsity lost. However, the team did<br />
not let this slight defeat faze them. They trained with<br />
even more intensity than ever before. The following<br />
weekend on Friday night held a horrible fate for the<br />
Lady Eagles: the varsity team lost. However, they<br />
were still on the sidelines cheering for the junior varsity<br />
team when they trampled the Yokota Panthers.<br />
On Saturday morning, the Eagles knew they were<br />
going to win, no matter what. JV won that morning,<br />
and the varsity team knew they could win too.<br />
If they keep it up, we can expect great games from<br />
them.<br />
This past weekend, the varsity team fl ew to visit the<br />
Sasebo Cobras, along with cross-country and tennis.<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> dominated the court in Sasebo; the Cobras<br />
and visiting Panthers never could have seen what<br />
was coming. Defeating the Cobras once again on<br />
Saturday morning gave them the confi dence to<br />
also win against the Panthers. Yokota was crushed<br />
under the power of Jessica Bergman<br />
Saying Our Own Goodbyes...<br />
and Da’Pree Davis’ killer spikes, and the consistency<br />
of their serves was highly unexpected.The Panthers<br />
lost 25-14. Venita Jones continued to tell her team<br />
mates one of their newest mottos, “Cover and call,<br />
get them all. Keep it in, we will win. Move your feet,<br />
we can’t be beat!” They kept this advice in mind,<br />
and the Eagles played beautifully.<br />
The next weekend, the girls traveled to Yokosuka<br />
Naval Base. Sadly, the team lost, but they took it<br />
in stride. Varsity learned from their mistakes, and<br />
defeated MC Perry during homecoming week. On<br />
Friday, they played beautifully, but on Saturday, the<br />
team lost the fi rst game. The girls knew that could not<br />
happen again. The girls were angry and determined<br />
to win, which they did for the next three games that<br />
morning.<br />
The varsity volleyball team has very few returners,<br />
one freshman, and one newcomer from Texas.<br />
There are twelve players: Venita Jones, Da’Pree<br />
Davis, Courtney Kilday, Angelique Tetrault, Marjorie<br />
Entrolezo, Marissa Goodwin, Domonique “Domo”<br />
Davis, Shamaya Stewart, Sarah Zediker, Victoria Darnell,<br />
Imani Wimbush, and Jessica Bergman. Coach<br />
Richardson instructs the varsity team, Coach Edmonds<br />
helps the junior varsity, and Shongo, a Japanese<br />
gate ID checker, visits practice sometimes to<br />
help out. Varsity practice is from 3-4:30 p.m., and JV<br />
is directly after until 5:30 p.m. New drills are learned<br />
often, and everyone is gaining something benefi cial,<br />
whether it be experience or new friendships.<br />
Paying respects to a well-missed school counselor and coach.<br />
By Tara Newton<br />
On September 29th during seminar, a memorial<br />
ceremony was held for the much-loved Anthony<br />
Lee (Tony) Ruffi n. For those who were unable to attend<br />
this service, the event was held in the Middle<br />
<strong>School</strong> gym at 10:00 A.M. and began with our Color<br />
Guard’s Posting of the Colors. Following this, a<br />
moment of silence commenced which preceded<br />
a song sung by Jordan Aanrud, Karmeshia Gray,<br />
and Amanda Meyer, titled Into the West, in honor<br />
of Mr. Ruffi n’s passing.<br />
Friends and colleagues of Mr. Ruffi n then<br />
spoke of his achievements and the wonderful<br />
times they all shared when in his presence. After,<br />
students politely fi led out towards the fi elds where<br />
fresh soil was then placed on the newly planted<br />
tree dedicated to his memory. Following the ribbon<br />
cutting ceremony, track relay-runners, as well<br />
as other sports teams, then ran a lap in his memory,<br />
concluding the memorial service for an extraordinary<br />
and respectable person. Tony Ruffi n will<br />
be forever remembered at <strong>Edgren</strong> as the loving,<br />
singing counselor who was responsible for starting<br />
the track team through care and effort, and as a<br />
wonderful individual who infl uenced the lives of<br />
countless students.<br />
Left: Christian Weldon, Angel Lemon, and<br />
Stephanie Tanner stand next to the tree dedicated<br />
to Mr. Ruffin just after the ribbon-cutting
volume 4 issue<br />
By Gowri Kabbur<br />
This year there are several additions to<br />
our staff and faculty here at <strong>Edgren</strong> and<br />
knowing how nosy we all are, the Aquila<br />
staff knew that you would want to hear a<br />
little bit about each new addition to the<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> family.<br />
First and foremost is our new principal,<br />
Mr. Jeff Arrington. Mr. Arrington transferred<br />
to <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> from Kadena <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong> in Okinawa, Japan. He has taught<br />
business, ,computers, and P.E., coached<br />
sports teams, and<br />
worked as an Educational<br />
Technolo-<br />
Arrington<br />
gist. He has taught<br />
a total of six years.<br />
His goal is every<br />
student succeed<br />
to their highest<br />
potential and all<br />
students feel safe,<br />
happy and an integral<br />
part of their<br />
school.<br />
Another new addition<br />
to our administration<br />
is Mrs. Georgia<br />
Watters. Mrs.<br />
Watters, our new<br />
assistant principal,<br />
has just transferred<br />
in from Osan, Korea.<br />
She was previously<br />
a counselor<br />
and she has a<br />
Mr.<br />
Mrs.<br />
Watters<br />
total of 31 years of teaching experience<br />
prior to moving to Misawa. She is interested<br />
in seeing new physical improvements in the<br />
school and seeing more students working<br />
together on extra curriculum activities so<br />
two to three students are not doing all the<br />
work.<br />
Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue page 8<br />
page 8<br />
Welcome to <strong>Edgren</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>!<br />
A new addition to our science department<br />
is Mr. Guy Belleman. Mr. Belleman,<br />
the new chemistry and physics teacher,<br />
has just moved to Misawa from the Naval<br />
Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Originally<br />
from Seattle, Mr. Belleman has four<br />
years of science teaching experience as<br />
Mr.<br />
Belleman<br />
Mr.<br />
Lehner.<br />
well as working as<br />
a workshop representative<br />
training<br />
chemistry teachers.<br />
He loves science<br />
and his fi rst degree<br />
was in Chemistry.<br />
A second addition<br />
to our science<br />
department is Mr.<br />
Lehner. Mr. Lehner<br />
teaches physical<br />
science and 7th<br />
grade AVID. Originally<br />
from Verdale,<br />
Minnesota, he has<br />
taught three years<br />
of science, did two<br />
years of substituting, and is now a parttime<br />
teacher here in Misawa. He is originally<br />
from Newrockford, North Dakota.<br />
Continued on the next page...
volume 4 issue Back to <strong>School</strong> Issue page 9<br />
A new addition to our English department<br />
is Ms. Teresa Snowden. Ms. Snowden<br />
teaches 7th grade Study Skills and English<br />
9. She is from South Carolina and transferred<br />
to Misawa from Iwakuni, Japan.<br />
She became an English teacher because<br />
she enjoys reading and writing.<br />
Welcome to<br />
<strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong><br />
<strong>School</strong>! I hope<br />
this year goes<br />
smoothly for<br />
all of you!<br />
Ms.<br />
Snowden<br />
After a year with no ASACS counselor<br />
at <strong>Edgren</strong>, we were happy to see the<br />
arrival of Mr. Velez. Mr. Velez is our new<br />
ASACS counselor. He is from Detroit, Michigan,<br />
and he transferred to Misawa from<br />
the Azores in Portugal. He enjoys working<br />
with teens as he informs them about the<br />
need for drug and alcohol abstinence.<br />
Mr.Velez<br />
SPIRIT WEEK CHANGED - Editorial<br />
Spirit week started with a bang and many students had to adapt to sudden<br />
changes without warning.<br />
By Sarah Zediker<br />
As spirit week started, students were automatically<br />
confronted with the changes of a new year,<br />
and though the new ideas certainly did contribute<br />
a fresh outlook, some were none too pleased with<br />
what alterations were made. Most notable were the<br />
sounds of protest as they rang through the halls on<br />
September 23, 2008. Though traditionally known as<br />
powder-puff day, a problem was seen with the idea<br />
of cross-dressing being displayed so openly simply<br />
for the purpose of humor. The whole concept was<br />
considered offensive by some and the day was<br />
changed to “Wipe Out the Trojans Day” (a.k.a.<br />
“Hawaiian Day”). Most students donned Hawaiian<br />
outfi ts and dressed with pride and glee but a select<br />
few decided to show their resentment by dressing<br />
as the opposite sex anyways. The message was<br />
delivered, that there are some who refuse to follow<br />
new rules or procedures made without the consent<br />
of the student body. Some stayed in their gender<br />
confused dress all day without bother while those<br />
whose clothing was more extreme were forced to<br />
change out by the end of the second period, but<br />
the damage was done. It seems the whispers in the<br />
halls call for the reinstatement of powder-puff day<br />
in the coming year’s festivities. Only time will tell<br />
whether these whispers will creep into the ears of<br />
staff returning next year and whether the tradition<br />
of powder-puff will live on.<br />
The other major controversy stirred during homecoming<br />
week concerned those individuals not allowed to go<br />
to the homecoming dance. This year, unlike before, all<br />
individuals not in attendance at <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> (EHS)<br />
were banned from entering the dance. This rule was implemented<br />
to keep airmen and adults from accompanying<br />
high school students. Unfortunately, such a general<br />
rule also prohibited <strong>Edgren</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> graduates, alumni,<br />
or former students. One individual in particular was<br />
unable to bring her boyfriend despite his glowing record<br />
as a 2008 graduate and former student of <strong>Edgren</strong>. The<br />
damage done to homecoming attendees was minimal<br />
but students worry about the effect this new rule will have<br />
on the upcoming Prom. Students wonder whether or not<br />
they will be able to bring their brothers, sisters, and friends<br />
who hold status as a former <strong>Edgren</strong> student and wish to<br />
relive, if only for one night, the memories the immortalize<br />
high school.<br />
The most paramount problem exposed during homecoming<br />
week was a lack of communication between<br />
staff and students. Changes were made without student<br />
body representation and implemented without warning.<br />
While recognizing the power held by administration and<br />
staff, it must also be recognized that a school does not<br />
function without its students, and their obedience comes<br />
at the high price of negotiations and communications. “I<br />
wanna vote!” one student complained. Without a voice<br />
in the operations of this school the faculty cannot expect<br />
that all of the student body will except or follow new rules,<br />
regulations, and procedures.
volume 4 issue 1 Back To <strong>School</strong> Issue<br />
page 10<br />
Homecoming Week at <strong>Edgren</strong>!<br />
Entertaining, Crazy, and Memorable…<br />
By Gowri Kabbur<br />
Although we don’t have the pleasure of having<br />
any EHS alumni come to the school during this<br />
week, this unforgettable time holds a place in the<br />
heart of every eagle as a week where memories<br />
are made. The many activities, theme days, and<br />
games played are anticipated by all students; it’s a<br />
time where everyone can show there school spirit!<br />
Homecoming 2008 boasted an array of activities<br />
such as the class decoration contest, theme days,<br />
the infamous Powder-puff Game, the Bonfi re, and<br />
the Parade.<br />
On Sunday, September 21, the upperclassmen<br />
and lowerclassmen raced from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to<br />
out-decorate the opposing classes in the hallway<br />
decoration contest. The lowerclassmen joined<br />
forces to decorate the hallways to the theme of<br />
“Burn the Trojans”. The upperclassmen opted for<br />
separate teams. Juniors and seniors had “Wipe<br />
out the Trojans”; the juniors had a tsunami theme<br />
with massive waves hanging from the ceiling, while<br />
the seniors did a tropical castaway theme.<br />
Although all grades worked hard for hours to<br />
make their hallways wonderful, in an unorthodox<br />
move, the lowerclassmen won the contest.<br />
They had great forest fi re cut-outs everywhere<br />
as well as Smokey the Bear, a fi re arch, and ceiling<br />
fl ames. Some seniors like David Blevins said,<br />
“The combined lowerclassmen against the separated<br />
upperclassmen was unfair and gave them<br />
an advantage.” Still, this unprecedented victory<br />
cast the freshmen and sophomores in the lead for<br />
Homecoming points.<br />
The four theme days this year were “Lei out the<br />
Trojans” (Hawaiian Day), “Put the Trojans to Sleep”<br />
(Pajama Day), “Mix-Up the Trojans” (Wacky Tacky<br />
Day), and “Color the Trojans Green and Gold”<br />
(Green and Gold Day). Each day, students<br />
showed enthusiastic school spirit as they dressed`<br />
up and earned their class points.<br />
There were instances of non-conformity as some<br />
students converted Hawaiian Day into a Powderpuff<br />
Hawaiian Day” in response to the dismissal of<br />
the traditional Powderpuff Day from the Homecoming<br />
theme line-up.<br />
On Wednesday, September 24, <strong>Edgren</strong> hosted<br />
the Powderpuff Game that pitted all grades 7-12<br />
against one another. It was an aggressive set of<br />
games, full of injuries and fouls. Some students really<br />
got injured by other players caught up in the<br />
game. The seniors won the contest with the fresh<br />
man getting second. Juniors and sophomores tied<br />
for third. Some of the lower classes were actually<br />
tackling during the fl ag football game, which rankled<br />
some of the other grades, causing some animosity.<br />
All in all, it was a fun, competitive game.<br />
This year’s bonfi re on Thursday night, September<br />
25, was a fun event that served to bring together<br />
students for a night of socializing and hanging out.<br />
Some students like Heather Frohling said, “The bonfi<br />
re stack was a lot smaller than what I expected,<br />
but it was still great.” This is true because last year’s<br />
Homecoming bonfi re was signifi cantly larger with a<br />
stack taller than 7 feet; as a result, this event disappointed<br />
many.<br />
One of the traditional highlights of Homecoming<br />
Week is the Parade. Classes decorate fl oats with<br />
banners and they go around the base cheering on<br />
the Eagles and their classes. Other fl oats present<br />
were the Nine Girls Fall Play fl oat with all nine actresses<br />
waving their boas and giving out candy to the<br />
Sollars kids. The Student Council and Administration<br />
had individual golf carts. The procession also included<br />
an Elmo and a motorized <strong>School</strong> Bus. The Fire<br />
Truck also made an appearance. One of the highlights<br />
was when the Zama football team was walking<br />
towards the TLF and the parade participants started<br />
chanting “EAGLES!” at the top of their lungs. It was a<br />
fun time with lots of laughter and cheering, the climax<br />
to a week of school spirit.<br />
This special week formed many new memories and<br />
bolstered support for the EHS varsity football team as<br />
they annihilated Zama 42-0. GO EAGLES!<br />
To the left: Some EHS students cheer<br />
their hardest at the Pep Rally in hopes<br />
of winning the spirit stick for their class.