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Important School Dates:
1st Semester Exam Schedule December 12-15, 2017 *Students must arrive on time in order to be admitted into the testing rooms. December 12: 1st period 7:30-8:05 2nd period 8:10-8:45 3rd period 8:50-9:25 4th period 9:30-10:05 5th period 10:10-12:05 10:10-10:35 A Lunch 10:40-11:05 B Lunch 11:10-11:35 C Lunch 11:40-12:05 D Lunch (lunch served through 5th period) 6th period 12:10-12:45 7th period exam 12:50-2:25 December 13: 6th period exam 7:30-9:05 5th period exam 9:10-10:45 10:50-11:15 A Lunch 11:20-11:45 B Lunch 11:50-12:15 C Lunch 12:20-12:45 D Lunch (lunch served through 3rd period) 4th period exam 12:50-2:25 December 14: 3rd period exam 7:30-9:05 2nd period exam 9:10-10:45 10:50-11:15 A Lunch 11:20-11:45 B Lunch 11:50-12:15 C Lunch 12:20-12:45 D Lunch (lunch served through 4th period) 1st period exam 12:50-2:25 December 15- make-up exams December Sports: Basketball: December 8 HOME vs Springfield December 15 HOME vs Henry County December 18 (Charles Cowles Classic) @ Dyersburg December 20-22 (Beech Christmas Tournament) December 28-30 (Jon Overton Tournament) Wrestling: December 7 HOME (Rossview TRI/ Senior Night) December 9 @ Clarksville December 9 (Stone Memorial) December 16 (Beech Invitational & Wilson Central Individual) December 21 @ West Creek December 22 (MBA Duals) December 26 (Christian County Invitationals) December 27 (Ft. Campbell Tournament) December 29 (Mt. Juliet Invitational) December 30 (Independence Invitational & Nolensville Tournament) Winter Break December 16th - December 2nd Happy Holidays! Come out to watch the Hawks at home! December 8 vs Springfield December 15 vs Henry County Photos by Mr. Ryan Vinson   Mission BBQ Review
By Siera Millard Photo by Mission BBQ (2017) Mission BBQ 2644 Wilma Rudolph Blvd #101 Clarksville, TN Open 11AM-10PM https://mission-bbq.com/ Mission BBQ Imagine it’s summer: the sun is shining, the weather is warm, you’re surrounded by friends and family, and someone is cooking on the barbecue. That is what walking into the brand-new Mission BBQ is like. You walk in and a cloud of delicious smells envelops you. The staff welcomes you with a unison “hey folks” and a wave. You order and receive a delectable meal that is a steal for how little it costs. I give Mission BBQ five out of five stars. Mission BBQ is located on Wilma Rudolph. They serve classic barbecue like chicken sandwiches and ribs. One of the main focuses of the restaurant is the tribute to those in uniform. According to their website, their mission “is to serve you the most authentic, mouthwatering all-American food that’s done right” while honoring those who serve. The Mission BBQ chain is constantly holding fundraisers and service projects to give back to those who gave to us. Atmosphere Mission BBQ is the kind of place that can be casual, but also slightly dressy. It is composed of one large room and is softly lit, providing an open and cozy atmosphere. A variety of music is played lightly in the background and there are a couple televisions airing the latest sports games. The noise level is moderate and makes it very easy to enjoy your meal while engaging in a conversation. The entire room is filled with pictures and decorations that commemorate the heroes that serve our country, like those that serve in the military, police officers, and firefighters. Most of it was donated, so the pictures that they show of are people close to home. They pay tribute to them on their Wall of Heroes. Everything is kept pristine and tidy- even the bathrooms are clean. When you order at the counter, you can see into the kitchen and it is clear that everything is new and kept sanitary. Food and Price Before I had even ordered, I was offered a sample of chicken. If I was at all reluctant to eat there before, I was not now. It was just a sample, but it was rich with flavor! Excited now about my prospects, I ordered two meals: a pulled pork sandwich with their baked cheesy potatoes and a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. They leave a plethora of sauces to choose from and allow you to make it your own way. The greatest factor that makes the food at Mission BBQ delicious is that it is made in the house, fresh every day. This is clear from the first bite; it tastes fresh and is still hot when you receive it. You get a fairly large, mouthwatering meal for a very cheap price - especially in comparison to competing barbecue chains. Both meals were around only ten dollars! Their menu, though mainly focused around barbecue, consists of a wide variety within this constraint. They also have “seasonal specials” and I requested their caramel bread pudding, themed on Thanksgiving. It was delicious and perfect for the holidays. Service From the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out, the staff is cordial and welcoming. They make an effort to greet every person or party that walks in. When you order at the counter they ask your name and call it when your food is ready. Though they misspell names, it creates a character that is easy to remember. Never before has my name been spelled “Siara.” The service is fast and though it was fairly busy, my food was ready within ten minutes. The way that it is set up, with payment at the counter, means that you are not interrupted by waiters. It is evident that the staff enjoy their jobs and this adds a certain joyful quality to the experience. A young employee, Cody Odendahl, says, “It’s amazing. It isn’t a job for me anymore, it’s giving back to our heroes. And this is only the first week it’s been open!” Overall Quality Overall, Mission BBQ is a five-star fast-casual restaurant based on every aspect of it being far beyond what I expected. The employees are friendly, the food is outstanding, and the price is unbeatable. This is the experience you receive at the brand-new Mission BBQ in Clarksville. Not only this, but they help those who help us. Their slogan, “it’s the American way,” says it all.  Wonder Film Review
By Kat Franklin Wonder (2017) Lionsgate/ Lionsgate Film Directed by Stephen Chbosky and based on the book by R.J Palacio, Wonder tells the story of a ten year old boy and the challenges he faced while entering fifth grade. It is not a story about deformity, but it is a story about an amazing kid and his experiences. Auggie Pullman is anything but normal. His facial deformity, mandibulofacial dysostosis, is only a small part of what makes him different. Auggie is incredibly smart; he was homeschooled until fifth grade, when the movie begins. He’s witty, sarcastic, and possesses a dry humor perfectly mixed with the jokes of a young boy. So yes, Auggie thinks burps are funny. Auggie isn’t perfect, either; like all other characters of the movie, he makes mistakes. Auggie accepts his deformity and knows there’s nothing he can do to change it. He’s not delusional, nor does he believe that he will be immediately accepted. But Auggie has hope, which is much more important than a “normal” appearance. At the beginning of the film, we meet the majority of our cast of characters. Each character is perfectly developed; you can imagine them living past the movie, living in a whole other world from the one they’ve been written into. Each character is real. Each character is represented through their own segments of the movie and their own stories. You never have to guess a character’s motive or reason to do what they do: it’s right there in front of you. First, we meet his parents. Auggie’s mom, Isobel, is a children’s book illustrator who put her life on hold to raise Auggie. The part of the mother lacks the normal disability story cliches. She isn’t perfect, nor does she resent her child for being born the way he is. She’s overprotective, at times embarrassing, and she loves her child, just like any other mom. The father, Nate, is another perfectly written character, is seemingly oblivious to Auggie’s deformity. He treats Auggie the same way he treats Auggie’s older sister, and he only acknowledges Auggie’s appearance when Auggie needs him to. He plays video games, light-saber duels with Auggie, and he loves his son. He is also not a cliche. Auggie’s older sister,Via, is next. From the start, Via draws you in; you want to know more about her. And you aren’t disappointed. Via has her own segment- one that doesn’t revolve solely around Auggie. Her best friend Miranda became “cool” over the summer, complete with pink-streaked hair and a leather jacket, and ditched Via to hang out with the popular kids. At first, you’re annoyed. Hasn’t that story been told before? Not the way Palacio tells it. Enter Justin, a boy who takes an interest in Via because he thinks her to be an only child, like he is. When confronted, Via lies and says she has no siblings. Via quickly falls in love, as do the viewers, with Justin’s open manner and easy smiles. He convinces her to try out for the school play, kissing her on the way home from auditions. Faced with the fear of her lie, Via brings him home to meet Auggie. Justin behaves perfectly, treating Auggie as anyone would normally interact with their new girlfriend’s kid brother. Then, there’s Miranda. Miranda has been having problems at home, and she knew Via would ask about them when she got home from summer camp. So, she avoids Via. But when she sees Via and Justin together, she realizes how much she misses her old best friend, and how much she wants to fix it. The writers weave together a heart-warming scene where Miranda calls Auggie at the house. She ends up crying because he started public school and she didn’t know. Auggie makes a new friend as well: a boy in his class named Jack, who goes by Jack Will. He becomes fast friends with Auggie, and they become inseparable. The meaner boys in Auggie’s class consider Jack one of them, however, and during a moment when Jack straddles the line, Auggie overhears him talking about Auggie behind his back. In the moment, Jack says that if he looked like Auggie, he would kill himself. Auggie shuts Jack out, until Jack later figures out that Auggie overheard him, and apologizes for what he’s done. The two make up, and Jack gets in a fight to defend Auggie. In the end, Auggie and Jack create a project for the science fair and win first place. Of course, the main characters aren’t the only ones that have a life outside the movie. Wonder contains all of the stereotypes without any of the stereotyping. The principal, amusingly named Mr.Tushman, offers a refreshing role with his easy acceptance of the jokes on his name and his stern, but understanding, way of running the school. Contrary to the normal trope of children’s movies, the adults are not idiots, and kids are not evil. Well, not entirely. The bully and his sidekick, or sidekicks, are very evident in this film. Another boy in Auggie’s class, by the name of Julian, torments Auggie throughout the year. He says anyone who touches Auggie has the plague, and he leaves Auggie demeaning notes, even photoshopping him out of the class picture so there won’t be any “freaks”. Of course, no one can be all evil. Especially not a kid. We learn that Julian’s parents raised him this way; they’ve taught him to hate. He is later sorry for what he did to Auggie, and he wishes he could go back and change it. However, the movie does leave the viewer unsure about the fate of Julian after his two day suspension. There isn’t any sort of closure. This brings about my only other concern with the movie: the character of Mr. Browne. Mr. Browne was the homeroom teacher of Auggie’s classroom, and he was kind to Auggie without being patronizing. He was brilliantly portrayed and the character was inspiring, but he was left very vague. He had only a few scenes, although it seemed that he was a big part of Auggie’s integration into school, and Auggie was very close with him. I would have liked more on Mr. Browne. A stunning film to add to titles like Beauty And The Beast (2017) and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012), Stephen Chbosky has once again stolen the hearts of viewers in cinemas nationwide. With amazing casting by Deborah Aquila, Kara Eide, Tricia Wood, and Kris Woz, Wonder is a work of cinematic genius that we’ll be sure to see in theaters for weeks to come. Everything from the light soundtrack to the warm lighting promises that the childlike whimsy and the overwhelming heartbreak will leave you in tears- both of sorrow and of joy. And of course, you’ll laugh until you pee. Upper Manhattan creates a perfect atmosphere for the family of Auggie and the friends he makes. Further kudos to Wonder for the integration of a Broadway actor into film. Formerly in plays such as Hamilton, Red Light Winter, and The Tempest, Daveed Diggs’ first film role is played impeccably alongside actors such as Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, and Owen Wilson. Overall, Wonder has a touching theme played out with an uplifting plot and brilliant acting. It spreads the message that everyone is redeemable, everyone can be loved, everyone has a story. It’s about Auggie, but it’s not. Everyone is represented. No voice goes unheard. Auggie has a deformity, and he’s had a hard life, but there are others who are struggling as well. The message of Wonder is this: Everyone is important. WONDER Opens in theaters November 17 Directed by Stephen Chbosky; written by Stephen Chbosky, Steve Conrad, and Jack Thorne, based on the book by R.J. Palacio; director of photography/ camera; Michael Burgess; Casting by Deborah Aquila, Kara Eide, Tricia Wood, and Kris Woz; edited by Corinne Bogdanowicz; music by Kelly Adams; production designer, Kalina Ivanov; produced by Jennifer Booth; released by Lionsgate. Running time: 113 minutes. This film is rated PG. WITH THE ACTING OF: Jacob Tremblay (Auggie Pullman) Julia Roberts (Isobel Pullman), Owen Wilson (Nate Pullman), Izabela Vidovic (Via Pullman), Noah Jupe (Jack Will), Danielle Rose Russell (Miranda), and Nadji Jeter (Justin) By Marlon Cuevas and Kat Franklin
Photos by Mr. Ryan Vinson The Rossview Wrestling team is gearing up for their season, and the excitement from the team is palpable. They have a new coach and a fierce determination to get to state this year. Our team is one of the best in the district, and we commend that here at Hawk Press. We interviewed one of the junior wrestlers, Joseph Wilson, and one of the senior wrestlers, Caleb Lassiter, to see what they expected from the season. The coach was unavailable for comment. Question: How is preseason? Joseph: Preseason takes a lot of conditioning and weightlifting to physically prepare for competition when the season starts. We had multiple wrestlers that went undefeated at our first preseason tournament this year and that was very promising, so we are definitely doing something right. Caleb: It was hard and a lot of weight training and getting physically and mentally ready for my last season. Question: What are you looking forward to for the season? Joseph: I’m looking forward to success as a team and as individuals while we gain camaraderie and grow in character. It will be awesome when we put some higher ranked schools in their place as well. Caleb: Just wrestling and doing good and enjoying my final moments and watching the growth of up and coming wrestlers. Question: What do you expect out of the season? Joseph: With everyone working hard to be the best they can, I expect us to do really well. We have high hopes for winning the district tournament as a team this year, going to regionals, and maybe even to state. Our girl wrestlers are also highly favored to win state as a team this year considering they were just points away last year. Caleb: To do better than last year. Question: What weight class will you be wrestling in? Joseph: 182 Caleb: 170 Question: What do you love about the sport? Joseph: The best part of wrestling is that you gain success based on your work ethic and even if the team loses it is still possible for the individual to be successful and vice versa. Caleb: It is a very individual sport and involves a lot of discipline and everybody can see your hard work and it teaches you how to win and lose. Question: How long have you been wrestling? Joseph: This is my fourth consecutive year. I wrestled for a year in middle school and two years in high school. Caleb: 3 years. Question: Do you plan on doing it in college? Joseph: Whether I pursue wrestling in college or not will be heavily based on my success this season and next season, but if the opportunity presents itself I will definitely continue in the sport. Caleb: No, it is best because I can prevent future injuries and I can focus on school. Question: Are there any wrestling superstitions? Joseph: Depending on what we need to weigh, they tell us to think heavy or to think light when it is time to weigh in. Other superstitions vary by wrestler, some have certain socks they wear, other have lucky underwear, and occasionally you find family wrestlers who use their older siblings’ gear for good luck. Caleb: You can't wash your shoes, your gear, or your socks. Final Thoughts: Caleb: [Wrestling] builds great confidence and keeps you humble. It is a sport that teaches you how to work on your own and it creates a good work ethic, while also learning how to win and lose. The Rossview Hawks Wrestling Team will be competing from November through February, so come out and support our Hawks!
Rossview Readers By Kat Franklin Photos by Mrs. Kathleen Judd The Rossview Readers are a club dedicated to reading books and discussing them. They have parties, and there is a welcoming sense of community in the club. In the spring, members from the club enter a tournament, like a Quiz Bowl, where they answer questions on the books they’ve read throughout the year. It’s a great club to be in if you love reading! Question: What book are you most excited to read? Ellie Pageant (President): Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. The writing style from an excerpt was exceptional. Question: How do you guys pick your books? Ellie: [We use] Books that have won volunteer state book awards previous year. Question: How many books did you read last year and what was your favorite? Ellie: There were twenty on our list. My favorite was a tie between All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven and I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson. Question: What made you want to join Rossview Readers? Ellie: I’ve always really loved reading, and it was a small, tight knit club. Question: What book are you currently reading and what is it about? Ellie: The Borden Murders- Lizzie Borden and The Trial Of The Century Question: How many students are in the club? Ellie: 20 students- It’s the largest it’s ever been. Question: Why should other students join the Rossview Readers? Ellie: Everyone is so sweet, and there’s so many freshman, so the club is going to continue long past me. Multicultural Club Interview
By Rebecca Waddle 1. Can you tell us a little about Multicultural Club? Mrs. Black (Club Sponsor)- It started in 2016 and it offers opportunities for students to share their unique cultures and learn about various cultural heritages. Tiffany Min (Future Officer)- It is a fun experience- diverse, not stressful, and you get to learn about new cultures. Caleb Blocker (Club Member)- It represents coming together, and it contains very diverse, social, and intelligent students. They are very active in the community/voluntary work. Asa Ruiz (Vice President)- A place where any student can come and share their personal heritage and enjoy debates with each other. 2. How many students have joined this year? Mrs. Black- 62 3. What are your plans for this club throughout the year? Mrs. Black- Every month we will have new themes for world holidays, games, media, and costumes and languages 4. What are the different cultures you introduce? Mrs. Black- South Korean, Hispanic, Latin-American, Indian-Hindu 5. Are there any requirements in order to join the club? Mrs. Black- $20 fee for a club t-shirt and $5 fee for club dues. We meet at least once a month on Fridays. 6. Do you believe this club will be here in the following years? Mrs. Black- It will definitely be remaining at least two more years. 7. What is discussed during meetings? Mrs. Black- Music, media, games, and more. We give everyone an opportunity to voice their opinion. Tiffany Min- We discuss foods, culture, music, movies, or TV entertainment. Caleb Blocker- I am very fond of the discussions about the communications among peers. It has stuck with me throughout my time in the club. Asa Ruiz- During the meetings, we demonstrate various languages, and people get to see/hear different dialects. Also, the club brings so many cultures together and bonds the students together. The club has a sense of community, and they work together even though they do not hang out as much. The club also participates in Traditional-Dress Day, which shows the students culture and creates a visual representation. 8. Are there officers? Tiffany Min- Yes, there is president, vice president, and secretary. Holiday History
By Ashley Johnson We all know it’s that time of year. The holidays are near. Say goodbye to those stressful exams, and hello to winter break. Some go South with the flock, and some stay for the chilly weather and possible flurries. Whether it be snowman making, hot chocolate drinking, or gift giving there are great activities for everyone. Winter Holiday History Christmas ‘Twas during the winter solstice in Scandinavia (B.C), where all through the land, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21 to January’s end. This time was for the recognition of the sun. Fathers and sons would gather up logs and set them on fire. Thereafter, a feast would last till the fire burned out. This was no ordinary run of the mill bonfire, for the fire would last as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that with every spark a new pig or calf was born that coming year. We leave from Scandinavia and off to Rome where a holiday, in honor of Saturn, named Saturnalia called Rome home. Saturnalia was a topsy-turvy holiday. For, the social order was upside down. Slaves became masters, and the underclass runned the city. During this time Rome observed Juvenalia, as well, which was feast honoring the children of Rome. Another celebration occurred in this time too- the birthday of Mithra (the god of the sun). Mithra’s birthday fell on December 25th, and it was known as the most sacred day of the year. Now we travel to the early years of Christianity. Easter was celebrated, but the birth of Jesus was not. The fourth century was when the Catholic church initiated the birth of Christ as a holiday. Sadly, the Bible did not mention his birth date. Pope Julius I chose it to be December 25. That is how our winter holiday came to be known as Christmas. Hanukkah In the land of Israel, around 200 B.C., Judea was under control of Antiochus III, you see. He was the Seleucid King of Syria, and allowed the Jews to practice their religion under his rules. His son, Antiochus IV, sadly was not as great. For, he outlawed their practice with all of his hate. He made them pray to his gods and massacred Jews in 168 (B.C). His soldiers destroyed the Second Temple, made a Zeus statue, and sacrificed pigs in the sacred Gate. Jewish Priest Mattathias and his sons led a great rebellion against the tyrant’s army. When Mattathias died, it was 166 B.C. He passed his responsibility onto his son, Judah Maccabee. The Jews finally rebuilt the Second Temple; a victory with glee. That is when they put a candelabrum on the sacred altar. The branches of seven candles represent knowledge and creation. They were kept lit with olive oil for eight days, upon the altar station. This is how Hanukkah came to be. Kwanzaa ‘Twas 1966, and all through the air, was joys of good tidings and family cheer. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor & chairman of Black Studies at California State University, created Kwanzaa. This holiday was made to bring the African-Americans together. It was a symbol of the “first fruit” harvest celebrations. African-Americans would dance, make music, and tell stories. Families would gather and a child would light one of the candles on the Kinara. Each of seven candles stood for one of the seven principles called Nguzo Saba. Nguzo Saba were the values of African culture. There is also a feast called Karamu that is held on New Year's Eve in celebration of Kwanzaa. Popular Holiday Movies & TV Shows
Holiday Traditions
Sources: 12 Days of Rossview
On the first day of Rossview, my school gave to me: one hour of sleep. On the second day of Rossview, my school gave to me: two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the third day of Rossview, my school gave to me: three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the fourth day of Rossview, my school gave to me: four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the fifth day of Rossview, my school gave to me : five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the sixth day of Rossview, my school gave to me: six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the seventh day of Rossview, my school gave to me: seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the eighth day of Rossview, my school gave to me: eight hours of panic, seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the ninth day of Rossview my school gave to me: nine missing assignments, eight hours of panic, seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the tenth day of Rossview my school gave to me: ten students crying, nine missing assignments, eight hours of panic, seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the eleventh day of Rossview my school gave to me: eleven cups of coffee, ten students crying, nine missing assignments, eight hours of panic, seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. On the twelfth day of Rossview my school gave to me: twelve frustrated teachers, eleven cups of coffee, ten students crying, nine missing assignments, eight hours of panic, seven stressful exams, six review packets, five mental breakdowns, four research essays, three late night study sessions, two pounds of papers, and one hour of sleep. Winter Break Book Recommendations By Brianna Easter Romance - Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead Vampire Academy, by Richelle Mead, is a Paranormal Romance novel centered around main character Rose Hathaway, a Dhampir, or half-human/half-vampire, who is charged with protecting her best friend, Lissa Dragomir, a Moroi, or mortal vampire. Rose and Lissa go to St. Vladimir’s Academy, where they are faced with the indefinite threat of Strigoi, monstrous vampires, as well as general high school things, like aggravating administration, gossip fueled by hate, and fellow peers with vendettas. Though a bit slow at first, the first novel in this series of six becomes quite the page turner once you learn the different dynamics of characters and their motives. Non-Fiction - The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother forty whacks When she saw what she had done She gave her father forty-one An infamous nursery rhyme based on one of the most intriguing crimes of the 17th century, The Borden Murders by Sarah Miller tells the truth behind the court case that haunted people for over a century. Did Lizzie Borden kill her father and stepmother? Was she a guilty woman who walked free or an innocent girl subjected to lifelong scrutiny and suspicion? Poetry - Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty by Christine Heppermann Poisoned Apples is a short collection of poetry aimed at young girls growing up in our modern, and sometimes, cruel world. Heppermann uses the stories of classic fairy tales and princesses and inserts them into a modern day setting with modern day girls, which leads to a thought provoking and eye-opening selection of poetry about what it means to be a woman in today’s world. Read with caution though, as the poems in this book do contain some heavy material, such as eating disorders and bullying. Graphic Novel - Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang Simultaneously set in the 1980s and in the present day, Paper Girls is a science fiction comic that follows four young newspaper delivery girls. Erin, MacKenzie, KJ, and Tiffany, who are along their usual route on Halloween morning, when they are interrupted by an invasion of some mysterious origin from the future. Fantasy- His Dark Materials Book I: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman Set in an alternate reality where daemons are the animal companions of humans, and a representation of their human’s soul. The book centers around a girl named Lyra, Lyra’s shape shifting daemon Pantalaimon, and the discovery of a particle known as Dust. The dust has the power to unite whole universes; a kind of power that makes people afraid. When Lyra’s best friend, Roger, is kidnapped by the people who fear dust, she must go through countless adventures, rough terrain, and The Gobblers to find him. Historical Crime- The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Erik Larson The true tale of two very different men in 1893 Chicago during the World’s Columbian Exposition. Daniel H. Burnham, an architect, labored tirelessly to finish the World’s Fair in time for its grand opening and put Chicago on the map as one of the best cities in America. Dr. H. H. Holmes, on the other hand, was working on a more sinister project: The Murder Hotel. Memoir- October Sky by Homer Hickam A memoir about a boy from Coalwood, West Virginia and his struggle to make his dreams come true, avoid following in his father’s footsteps, and escape the confines of his small town. In October 1957, the Cold War is in full bloom, and the Russians have launched the first artificial satellite. Sputnik can be seen from the sky from all around the world, including in Coalwood. Homer Hickam is inspired by this event. With the help of his friends, the Rocket Boys, they build and launch their own rockets to earn scholarships and make something of themselves. Gift Giving Guide By Ellen Padgett For Teachers: Most students initial ideas of gifts for their teachers revolve around mugs and coffee, which apparently isn’t that far off, as Mrs. Hannah Brooks, Mrs. Erica Trout, Mrs. Nora Murphy, and Mrs. Lauren Smith suggested cute mugs, Starbucks gift cards, or anything else coffee related. Mrs. Smith also says that “[A] letter goes a long way with teachers. We like to know that we are making a difference. Mrs. Murphy agreed, divulging that she “may or may not keep a folder [of handwritten letters] labeled ‘Student Sentiment’” in her filing cabinet. Oil Diffusers are particularly popular this year, especially among teachers, as they are not allowed to have candles in their classrooms due to the fire hazard. If one of your teachers has an oil diffuser, maybe invest in a nice set of essential oils for them, but make sure you don’t get this gift for a teacher who doesn’t have an oil diffuser … #hawkward. Since so many teachers seem to love mugs, perhaps it would be nice to make them something to go with a mug. Some suggestions could be this Cake Mug Mix or a Tea Tree, which makes a lovely centerpiece. Other good ideas would be nice lotions or chapsticks, as the cold air tends to do a harsh number on people's skin this time of year. I think it’s safe to say that any teacher would appreciate the sentiment of a homemade gift from a student they love. For Friends: Rossview alumna Grace Stafford says cozy socks, candles, or nice homemade food are “essentials you always blew off when you were younger”, and they are all great gifts, especially for friends and siblings you have away at college. Cierra Lannom suggested candy, as it’s fairly inexpensive and “everyone loves candy!” As featured on Exit 8, Schwoink Clothing Line is a wonderful gift idea. Not only do these shirts have immense character, but they are only $20 each, made to order, and support fellow Rossview classmate, Jackson Quarles. Mia Upchurch suggested a few DIY projects, such as a Friends inspired picture frame or Stuffed Slippers! Some other DIYs you could make are: a small Tic Tac Toe game for all your friends who really “rock” or a Happy Jar filled with small notes of encouragement and love for whenever your friend is a bit down in the dumps. For Significant Others: Maybe you have a habit of making your significant other a bit angry (or a lot angry), so giving them a bottle of Chill Pills would help cool them down. Fill a jar with candy and a label and there you have it! Don’t give them this if it’ll only make them more mad. While Jackson Quarles is quite the popular Rossview entrepreneur with his Schwoink Brand, he’s not, however, the newest. Our very own Kendahl Edwards has opened her own etsy.com shop, Bath and Boujee Scrubs! She sells a variety of homemade and all natural bath, body, and beauty products, ideal for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin. Bath and Boujee would be a great gift for a friend or girlfriend this holiday season. Another option is this adorable You’re a Catch baseball. This cute DIY would be a great gift for your athletic significant other, and it could be easily altered to any sport! Another sweet gift could be a Reasons I Love You Jar, similar to the aforementioned Happy Jar. And lastly ... the perfect gift for anyone who is just being plain difficult  "Red Dahlia"
Part Two By Kat Franklin and Lynn Flaugh-Reynolds Sun shone through the wide windows on either side of the break room. Paloá flopped against the couch and sighed. It had been harder than usual, getting the Seedlings down for their naps. They were far too excited to sleep, due to the festivities set for the next evening. The seeds boasted and bragged that they would get to meet the Dirigeant before anyone else. Eventually, their rowdiness got so out of control that she gave up and called down Miss Fuar. Before Miss Fuar had even opened her mouth, they had scrambled into their bed and pulled the covers up to their chins. |
