The class never really recovered after the month before prom, which was spent dress shopping, limo-booking, tux-designing and spring break list-making.

The nature of Broer’s newspaper class is simple: get your article in by Friday.  That’s really all.  Despite the 7.5 classroom hours we have each week to “report” on issues, the number of articles (forget newsworthy and timely articles, just ARTICLES) turned in each week gradually decreased alongside the class’ concentration as the semester progressed/regressed.

On any given morning in room 240, I can count on Elisabeth Jones to eat an apple and be reading a new self-help book as she, a self-appointed officer of the Fashion Police, calls my outfit “unfortunate” and my shoes “questionable,” and bashes Republicans and everything they stand for.

Our other Democrat and orchestra drop-out, Eli Kratt, earned his fame this year as best (and only) sports writer.

Elisabeth’s best friend and fellow member of the cult that is Cross Country, Grace Harvey, may actually write an article throughout the week, but only after looking up runners’ stats and perusing Slate.com for thirty or forty minutes.  

When it comes to Will Bennett and Jonathan “Swag” Wendt, one can not be mentioned without the other.  They are cohorts, accomplices, comrades and every other random word synonymous with “best friends” that Will Bennett may incorporate into his first person narrative articles/diary entries.  Each of those words may also be applied to Kiley Blades, who graces us with his presence until the warning bell each morning.

As Will watches me write this over my shoulder, he requests that I mention his “chiseled body” and “luscious tan.”  There, I mentioned it.  I’m also including a picture, so you can make your own judgements.

Alex Stewart spends her time scouring the Mizzou website for a weiner dog-loving roommate, yelling about article titles and refusing to read Will’s articles, especially those which include quotes from “dead presidents.”  Right behind her sits Kelly Williamson, our beloved Editor-in- Chief and the most giggly person any of us have ever met.

There is never an explanation for anything that Wong-Soo Lee is involved it.  He’s pretty good with Photoshop and likes complicating layout, enjoys carrying two backpacks and coloring the chalkboard.

Nia, Maggie, Brendan, Matt and Kimmie, the sophomores of the class, diligently work on their arti-nope, wait.  Chemistry homework, not articles.  The sophomores are really the future of this class.  Other than Brendan, the sock and Croc-flop wearing one of the bunch, they mostly turn in their articles on time and are somewhat productive despite the chaos we surround them with.

Over the course of the year, the class finally broke Katy Huis of her “abbrieving” addiction (mostly), and was one of the only students in this class who wrote timely and (somewhat) relevant articles about Leesville every week.

Alex Schuler is the defender of all things Canadian: word spellings, customs and climate.  She’s often found sitting in the hallway, doing AP Stat work with Katy, or sitting in the apartment (a.k.a. the sketchy corner in the back of room 240) reading for AP Environmental.  

If there was a “most likely to die while eating something unhealthy” award, Virginia Reed would get it.  Her obsession with bacon, chocolate, cheeseburgers and bacon cheeseburgers covered with chocolate accompanied with her hilarious pessimism was a constant source of entertainment in tense moments.

A few minutes ago, my entire class was arguing about the words from the “The Lonely Goat Herder” from The Sound of Music and made plans to bring in the soundtrack on Thursday. Moments later, Broer is streaming the Youtube video and playing it over his computer speakers.  Though newspaper is now over, I will dearly miss everyone next year and wish you all the best of luck in avoiding Broer’s wrath next year.

All seniors were invited via Facebook event page to meet in the parking lot at 6:30a.m.

“Senior Days” on the eleventh day of every month were a semi-consistent effort to bring the class of 2011 together in the mornings.  Past Senior Days included “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” and “Blackout Day.”

Grant Do, senior, was the organizer and mastermind behind the idea.

“I wanted to organize something special for all the seniors, so we would be able to bond one last time before graduation and going our separate ways,” said Do.

“I came early to the parking lot and set up the breakfast,” said Do. “We had music playing, Dunkin Donuts, and orange juice to share.”

“Grant asked me if I would be interested in helping him organize it, since I park right across the row from him,” said Allison Werk, senior.  “We basically wanted to set up tailgating before school, with tables and a cooler of drinks.”

By 7:05a.m., a crowd surrounded Do’s and Werk’s cars and posed for group photos.  Groups of UNCW, ECU, NC State, UNC Chapel Hill and “Misfits” (the affectionate term for the minorities attending schools like Colorado, Wake Forest and Randolph Macon) gathered for pictures with their similarly-dressed and school-spirited classmates.

This penultimate Senior Day marked one month until the final Senior Day: graduation, on June 11.

Established in 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (and Council) was formed to “recognize the valuable contribution volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve.”  The council created the program to encourage a sustained commitment to civic participation.

Individuals, families, or groups receive Presidential recognition for volunteer hours earned during a specific twelve month period or over the course of a lifetime.  There are three levels of the award (bronze, silver and gold), and eligibility requirements are unique depending on age group.

Depending on the level of service accomplished, students receive an official President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin, a personalized Certificate of Achievement and a congratulatory letter from the president.

Using the official President’s Volunteer Service Award website, volunteers can track their hours and find service opportunities in their in their area.

Volunteers must complete an application and submit a record of their volunteer hours to the PTSA, who will verify the service and present the award at an event later in the year.   The documented hours must be completed within the specified period (August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011).

All applications must be submitted in an envelope marked “PTSA/Presidential Volunteer Service Award” by September 1, 2011.

1. Only buy gas in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold – FALSE

One of the most common gas myths involves the time of day consumers should buy gas.  According to the rumor, gas expands in your tank as it gets hot and evaporates, so the earlier in the day (and the cooler it is outside), consumers can pump more gas for their money.

There is some truth to this myth: when the car is cool, there’s less evaporation within the gas tanks while you are refueling.  With the exception of extremely hot summer days, gas (which is usually stored in underground tanks) stays the same temperature all day.  In the end, however, the evaporation factor makes up less than one percent of gas bought over the course of a year.

2. Do not fill up when a gasoline truck is re-filling the storage tanks – TRUE

If you ever have the unfortunate experience of pulling up at the gas station when the huge gas trucks are there, you now have one more reason to turn around.  As new gas is poured into almost-empty tanks, dirt and particles that previous settled on the bottom is stirred up, and can easily be siphoned into your gas tank.  Though many new cars now have filters to prevent this issue, it is better to be safe than ruin your engine.

3. Using the air conditioning significantly decreases gas mileage – FALSE

When I first got my car in March of 2010, my parents gave me a a few gas-saving pointers, and this was one of them.  My mom said to roll the windows down whenever possible, so there was less strain on the engine and battery.  But according to Michael Calkins, a manager at AAA, running the air-conditioning does not significantly decrease gas mileage except on the highway.

Contrary to popular belief, putting the windows down instead of running the A/C may do more harm than good.  The drag created by the open spaces causes the engine to work harder to move, resulting in about ½ a MPG worse fuel economy.
‘
4. Use premium gas for better gas mileage – FALSE

It is rumored that paying the extra twenty cents for premium gas can positively influence your gas mileage.  AAA’s Calkkins advises people to simply follow their owner’s manual, but the recommendations offered by the dealership are not the necessity.

On all cars made since the 1980s, using premium, mid-grade, or regular fuel will work.  It may slightly decrease your performance, but as long as you aren’t towing a trailer, pulling a boat, or racing, it is unlikely that you need one hundred percent of your engine’s power.

5. You should turn your car off then restart it instead of idling in traffic – TRUE

I never personally heard this one, but after doing some research, I discovered that many people believe in it.  The anti-idling campaigns pushed by environmentalists are not for nothing – idling uses¼-½  gallon of fuel in an hour.  Unless you are sitting in stop and go traffic, turn off your car then restart it when traffic starts moving again.

Hopefully my myth-busting will save students (and their parents) gas money, so they can spend their money on more important things, like graduation gifts, trips to the beach, and dorm-essentials.

Fresh Del Monte, the third largest banana manufacturer in the world, recently debuted a “brand new” healthy snack, and are calling it “perfect for the convenience market.”

Again, WHAT?

In my opinion, bananas are already the most convenient fruit around.  They’re fairly sturdy, I can grab one as I run out the door, and because the peel is biodegradable, I don’t feel guilty about tossing it out the window (therefore keeping my car clean and NOT smelling like banana).

I can appreciate Ziplock baggies for most fruit: grapes, apple slices, pomegranate seeds, peaches and strawberries all require something to contain juice or multiple small pieces.  But bananas already have their own nature-made baggie.  It’s called the peel!

The only purpose of packaging on a fruit can serve is for the benefit of the company: making these bananas a novelty (and therefore a reason to jack up the price), and a place to put logos.

Del Monte claims that the additional packaging uses “controlled ripening technology,” which will extend the life of a banana by more than six days.  The extended shelf-life will supposedly reduce the number of bananas that spoil during shipping.

James Harvey, Del Monte’s United Kingdom Managing Director, in an interview with ABC News said, “Del Monte’s new CRT packaging is designed to provide significant carbon footprint savings by reducing the frequency of deliveries and the amount of waste going to landfill.”

By reducing the number of bananas (which are biodegradable) in landfills, the company plans to increase the amount of plastic packaging (featuring a “recyclable” label).

“Councils and residents have made great steps in bringing that cost down by increasing recycling, but we need the food industry to do much more to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging,” said Gary Porter, a member of the Environment Board of the Local Government Association.

The only “packaging” that should ever be on a banana is its peeling.  It’s neat, simple, portable and biodegradable; adding anything else is ridiculous.

Over the past decade, the news has erupted with stories discouraging smoking.  Television stations air TRU commercials, which feature the shocking, real-life stories of victims of tobacco addiction, and health classes alongside parents continually preach the dangers of cigarettes.

The current generation of teenagers have heard anti-smoking and anti-tobacco messages since elementary school.  My eleven year old brother easily list five or six negative effects of smoking because even in his small amount of exposure to anti-smoking messages, he recognizes that it is unhealthy.

For the most part, cigarettes have lost popularity due to negative publicity, health effects, and high cost.  Hookah appeared as a replacement, and is gaining popularity among teenagers.

A somewhat new trend in the United States and among students at Leesville is smoking hookah.  Also known as shisha, narghile, and goza, a hookah is a water pipe with a smoke chamber, a bowl, and a pipe with a hose.  Specially made tobacco is heated, and the smoke passes through water before being inhaled through a mouthpiece.

Many people, particularly teenagers, are under the impression that smoking hookah is safe, but this is not the case.  Jennifer O’Loughlin, a Professor of Preventative Medicine at the University of Montreal, recently conducted a study that shows that teenagers who smoke hookah are less likely to smoke cigarettes or try other drugs.  These teenagers believe they are picking the “safe” alternative, and choosing a healthier option.

It is a current consensus among health professionals that a significant amount of carbon monoxide is produced from the charcoal used to heat the tobacco.  In addition to direct inhalation, hookah bars and group smoking increases second-hand reception, and is usually house high concentrations of the toxic chemical.  In addition to the carbon monoxide produced, the effects of other additives widely used in charcoals are unknown.

The growing popularity of hookah is a major concern for health advocates.  The director of the Nevada Tobacco-Free Kids office, Elizabeth Caldwell, believes that anti-smoking groups are partly responsible for the growing popularity of hookah.

Though these groups have done their best to dissuade the use of cigarettes and inform minors that cigarettes are hazardous for health, many smokers simply switched from cigarettes to hookah, believing that it was safer and healthier.

In reality, one “session” of smoking hookah (estimated between 25 minutes to one hour long) is the nicotine and carcinogen equivalent of smoking one hundred cigarettes.  Hookah has all of the negative side effects and cancer risks of cigarettes, but multiplied tenfold, because nothing negative is publicly broadcast about hookah.

Caldwell believes that the only way to inform teens is to change the way America informs students.  Anti-smoking messages must be modified from “anti-cigarette” or “anti-marijuana” to “anti-tobacco.”

Read Across America Day was created to motivate children to read and create “lifelong successful readers.” The minor holiday is appropriately celebrated on the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss, who once wrote, “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child.”

The idea for Read Across America began in 1997 when a small group at NEA decided that if pep rallies are held before football games and assemblies take place to promote positive character, then educators should also host a celebration to encourage reading.

With the assistance of more than fifty national non-profit associations, Read Across America provides NEA members, teenagers, teachers, librarians, politicians, actors, athletes, parents and grandparents with resources and activities for reading.

President Barack Obama made a Presidential Proclamation on March 1, which called upon “children, families, educators, librarians, public officials, and all the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

“With parents, teachers, and communities working together, we can ensure reading is a national priority and American pastime.  By recommitting to improving literacy and raising the expectations we have for our students, for our schools, and for ourselves, we will win the future for our children and give every child a chance to succeed,” said President Obama in his proclamation.

To pledge participation in Read Across America day, readers can register at the official Read Across America website and sign up to receive year-round emails regarding reading events and opportunities in their area.

Senior year brings out the worst traits in its members: laziness, procrastination, exhaustion, and apathy.  With only about three months remaining, the seniors of Newspaper have reached a consensus about the top Do’s and Don’ts’ of being a senior.

Do strongly consider late arrival or early dismissal- Trust me, seniors do NOT want to be at school, especially those who have already been accepted to college.  Teachers do not want classes filled with apathetic seniors, and seniors do not want to do any unrequired work.  Dropping one or more “filler” classes gives seniors the feeling of a two-hour delay or early release everyday, which allows for more sleep and less studying.

Don’t pack your schedule with challenging classes – One of my co-workers has a schedule consisting of AP Statistics, AP Psychology, Honors Physics, and Honors Psychology.  When juniors sign up for their classes at the end of the year, most intend to boost their GPA and get into their dream college.  Little do they know, overloading themselves won’t do much to change their GPA but only cause unnecessary stress.

Do apply for the earliest admissions deadlines possible – As soon as a senior is accepted to college, their worries and stress miraculously dwindle to almost nothing.  Accepted seniors can buy their universities’ sweatshirts and T-shirts, cover their cars in bumper-stickers or window clings, and start applying for housing or scholarships.  The seniors who procrastinated and waited until the January or March deadlines to apply will be stuck waiting for a decision until April, leaving only a month to make a life-changing decision.  

Don’t slack off in your classes entirely – As much as seniors think that high school is over the second they get accepted to college, it’s not.  Teachers are still teaching, essays are still assigned, and grades are still issued.  Although the previously mentioned “accepted seniors” have, for the most part, secured their futures, colleges still request mid-year grades.  Though it’s unlikely that a student will be rejected for slightly lower grades, a dramatic drop may cause colleges to reconsider their acceptance.

Do keep up with your commitments – I have friends who are officers of Key Club, French Club, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society.  Those who committed to time-consuming positions are not realizing that not only do they not enjoy leadership, but they do not have time to do the job correctly.  Signing up for a leadership position on a whim may have been a mistake, but it’s important that seniors maintain the quality of the club and set an example for future leaders.

Don’t risk your college acceptance on one stupid decision – In the midst of Winterfest, Prom, spring break and graduation parties, it’s easy to get carried away or make impulsive decisions.  Each of these events is fine in itself, but making good decisions (or at least not get caught making bad decisions) at these events are key.  Everyone, but especially seniors, should be careful not to compromise their futures for one stupid mistake.

Winter is quickly fading away and graduation is a mere 103 days away (including weekends, mind you).  Juniors should heed my warnings when making decisions for next year, and talk to current seniors for suggestions on classes, clubs and activities.  The biggest suggestion: chillllllll.  Senior year is supposed to be relaxing and fun, so enjoy it while it lasts.

WhenParentsText.com is a website devoted to capturing “the trials and errors that come when a parent handles a cellphone.”  The site is a compilation of the clumsy and awkward text messages of parents have sent to their kids.  

“Do you have a relationship with your parents that has been complicated by T-9 and large thumbs?” the blog asks its teenager readers.  

The hilarious posts, which WhenParentsText believes are the result of “small keypads, old hands,” are submissions made by the victims of parents’ confusing, random thoughts sent via text message.  

A few of my favorites:

Dad:
Me:	what was the last one for?
Dad:	I am less than jubilant about your test

These are extreme examples, of course.  Many parents are proficient when it comes to texting.  It usually goes one of two ways: either parents text even more than their kids, or parents don’t even know how to access the “Messaging” settings on their phones.  

The comments on the blog were very negative, especially from parents or older individuals.  Every poster over the age of thirty seemed to think of him or herself as an “intelligent user of technology,” and many were offended that the Whenparentstext portrayed them as senile or unintelligent.  

If teenagers at Leesville receive similar messages from their parents, they can email submissions to Ifwhenparentstext@gmail.com.  Submissions may also be read at WhenParentsText’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

1. First Aid Kit – As an accident-prone individual, I have restocked the Band-aids in my car’s first aid kit multiple times.  My friends and I often take advantage of the kit, which I stocked with Band-aids, antiseptic, hand sanitizer, gauze, tweezers and nail clippers.

2. Jumper Cables – How many times have you or your friends left the headlights on?  Or not completely closed the car door, causing the interior lights of your car to stay on for hours?  Simple mistakes such as these suck the life out of a car’s battery, leaving the driver stranded.  Jumper cables are a given car necessity, and many drivers have them, but HAVING the cables and knowing how to USE the cables are very different.  Don’t assume the other driver will know how to correctly connect jumper cables.  Improper connection of jumper cables will fail to start the dead car, or worse, can ruin both drivers’ batteries.  When you get your own set of cables, take the time to learn where your battery is and how to use them.

3. Water bottles/breakfast bar – As high school students, especially seniors, we tend to hop into our cars at at 6:55 a.m., roll into our parking spots at 7:22 a.m. and sprint to class to avoid being swept.  When it comes to early mornings, breakfast is low on the priority list, but by second period stomachs are rumbling.  Having a non-perishable (or non-meltable) snack and drink on hand is always a good idea.

4. Blanket and Jacket – Though we don’t have many blizzards in North Carolina, the sudden onset of arctic weather is always a possibility, and keeping a rain jacket or winter coat in your trunk is always a good idea. It may be seventy degrees today, but by next week we could have snow on the ground.

5. Flashlight/batteries – Suppose you’re driving down the road one night and suddenly your car sputters and comes to a stop.  Your battery is dead, leaving you with no head lights, no interior lights, and only a cell phone screen to light your way.  Having a flashlight and extra batteries in your car (at easy reach) will keep you out of the dark until help arrives. Many websites recommend duct taping the batteries to the handle of the flashlight, so they won’t get lost.

6. Ice-scraper/Ice melt – More times than I can count this winter, I walked out to my car to discover a solid coating of ice on my windshield and back-glass.  Because I only became a car-owner in March of last year, and I previously rode to school in my mom’s (garaged) car, I had never experienced the winter weather.  I usually cranked my car early and turned the heat on high to let the car do the work, but after several close-calls with the warning bell, I invested in an ice-scraper.

7. $5 in quarters for air in tires, tire gauge – If you car is getting bouncy, feels funny when you take sharp turns, or the weather is fluctuating, it is important to check the air in your tires.  Riding on your tires when they don’t have enough air causes them to wear prematurely, and puts drivers at higher risk of getting a flat tire.   Most gas stations have air pumps–at $1 per minute–but do not provide a way to measure the air pressure already in your tires.  Invest in a digital tire gauge and know how much pressure should be in your tires (the exact weight can be found in your owner’s manual).

8. Pen, paper – Basic, but not many people have them.  If you’re ever in an accident, a pen and paper are essential.  Drivers need a place to write down contact information, license plate numbers, and insurance information of the other party involved.  Plus, if you hit someone in a parking lot, you can be a good citizen and leave a note with “Sorry” and your contact information.