Newsletter - Pigeon Forge High School

Page 2 Summer 2013 The Tiger TimesSchool NewsMock CrashWritten by:Lauren BrightOn May 9, PFHS’ SADD chapter staged a mock car wreck. The event included twocars that were set up to mimic an actual accident, the assistance of the local policedepartment, fire department, rescue squad, ambulances, and a landing from LifeStar. The event was planned over the course of three months in order to organizethe cooperation of the different emergency personnel involved. SADD had a professionalmake-up artist from Ripley’s Haunted Mansion at the school to help preparestartlingly realistic wounds on the actors and actresses, really bringing together thevisual effect of such a tragic accident.The event started with a short opening speech from club president Lauren Jenkinsin which she thanked the emergency services and all other organizations for aiding inthe development of the event and a short scenario explaining how the wreck came tohappen. A prerecorded 911 call between Officer Mashburn and Lydia Cantrell beganthe spectacle setting the grim mood for the event. The tarps were pulled from the carsand Wow! It was stunning to see the visual effects and fellow classmates sitting invehicles covered in blood. Officer Mashburn drove onto the scene on his motorcycleand was quick to call for an ambulance, fire department, and Life Star declaring oneperson was trapped, one coherent, mildly injured individual, one person partiallyejected from the vehicle and in critical condition, and one dead on arrival. Next, thefire truck pulled in with the ambulance close behind. The team worked quickly andefficiently to discover the injuries and get “victims” transported. Soon after, Life Starmade its appearance by landing on the soccer field. The victims were then movedfrom the vehicles into the ambulance and cleared from the scene.The whole event was amazing, solidifying the danger of distracted driving. BryanaMarshall stated, “I thought the entire experience was very dramatic and realistic. Thegirls played their parts well. It was very convincing. It was all very cool, and I wasshocked to see how it played out. Texting while driving is a death sentence no matterwhat.” The SADD chapter hopes that all the students were able to come away withthe same feelings as Bryana.After the event SADD president Lauren Jenkins said, “We wanted to reach out tostudents, get them to make constructive decisions instead of destructive decisions.This close to the end of school was the best time to have this because we’re aboutto have so much freedom and this will be fresh on our minds.” Lauren also statedthat she loved finally getting to see if it all came together and worked after so muchpreparation. Lydia Cantrell, the trapped “victim”, said, “I was a bit mad at LJ [LaurenJenkins] and very reluctant to do it at first, but I’m glad I did it. It was a lot of fun.The people [emergency teams] were very professional. I kept wanting to remindthem that I was fine, and the wreck wasn’t real.” She also stated the acting “wasn’tthat difficult as I am a dramatic person”. All the SADD chapter members can honestlysay that their favorite part was just watching the whole thing come together.Megan Hunter, who played the texting driver, said, “I was really nervous to act. Iloved the make-up because it was really fun and awesome. The mock crash wentreally well, and I hope it prevents people from making those destructive decisions.”Natalie Terrazzino, the partially ejected passenger, stated, “My favorite part was themake-up and just the overall performance. I felt like it went great. I had a great time.I loved when I got to spit up the blood, even though I had to hold it in my mouthfor over 20 minutes.”The entire event was dramatic, well played, and influential. The SADD chapterwould like to send out a special thank you to Principal Ben Clabo, Pigeon Forge HighSchool, Pigeon Forge Middle School, the police department, fire department, EMS,rescue squad, Life Star, Papa Johns, Firehouse Subs, and Gigi’s Cupcakes.PromWritten by: Jacob LineOn April 27th, Pigeon Forge Juniors and Seniors alike donned their nicest attirefor the 2013 Prom. This annual event serves not only as a chance for students tospend an egregious amount of money, but also as an opportunity to come togetherand celebrate the end of another school year.This year’s “Black Tie Affair” was held at the Music Road Hotel. Many groovysongs were played between the hours of 7:00pm and 11:00pm, including Thrift Shop,Bohemian Rhapsody, the Cupid Shuffle, and the Macarena. Some older classics werealso enjoyed, such as Come On Eileen and Don’t Stop Believing.Senior Prom Queen Lydia Cantrell said, “Prom was very expensive. I was sweatinglike nobody’s business, but I had a great time all the same. I enjoyed being votedQueen. I hope it wasn’t one of those ‘let’s make the weird girl Prom Queen’ sort ofthings, but, YOLO. I have my friends to thank for making it such a phenomenal nightto remember.”Senior Prom King Jacob Line stated, “Dancing with Lydia made my night complete.I was awkward to the extreme, as anyone with eyes could see, but I don’t thinkanyone expected any less.”To those who participate, Prom is more than just a formal dance. It’s more thanjust a night out on the town. It’s a chance for young adults to experience one of themost anticipated events of their high school career. It’s a chance for students to letgo and be themselves, loud and proud and free.Academic AchieversWritten by: Lucas MunasqueOn April 24th, the 28th annual Academic Achievers Banquet was held. The purposeof the event was to honor the top five academic students from East Tennesseearea high schools. From our school, Megan Hunter, Lauren Jenkins, DanielleWhaley, Katie Shields, and Lucas Munasque were part of the 320 out of some 13000high school students who attended. Of the event Whaley said, “Being able to attendthe academic achievers banquet was absolutely incredible. Being in a room filled withother valedictorians and outstanding students was humbling. The keynote speaker,UT Head Football Coach Butch Jones, gave an inspirational speech that was simplymagnificent. I’m truly honored to have been able to attend.”