By: Kayte Crook Picture taken from google photos The American College Test (ACT) is a stressful and difficult test, so Bryan Hamson decided to take it twice. Once his sophomore year, and then again Junior year. Hamson explained, “I took it my sophomore year because I wanted to try it before the real test so it would be easier.” He ended up getting a high score of 33 and is ready to take it again this year. The highest score possible is a 36.
Hamson claims that the easiest part about the ACT is “finishing sections early because it is less stressful and gives you chances to review questions.” He said sometimes it's going to be hard to review those sections because you just want to be done with it. The scariest part of his first test was the math section when he only had a few minutes left and still had ten questions to answer. He had to rush, but was able to finish in the end. The best advice he can give to people who are taking the test is to study more when you have time. It is hard to find time to do the practice tests and to study, but do it. Even going to Mrs. Jensen's for English ACT on Wednesday during Claw Time like he does or Mrs. Sanders’ on Monday for Math ACT can prepare you. Hamson tries not to focus on questions he doesn't know during the test and moves on so he doesn't run out of time for the rest of the questions. Bear River High School’s librarian Margo Tackett also has some advice for students taking or retaking the ACT this year. “Take a deep breath and just remember to breathe,” as this will help you relax and destress. She also suggests using practice tests before the ACT because it helps you learn your timing and how long or short it will feel. Using the “Shmoop” website ACT prep course is a good way to take those practice tests. Some other helpful tips to remember are getting a good night's sleep the night before as well as eating a healthy breakfast that's full of proteins. Before going into the ACT here are some things you should know: Don't bring anything to the ACT besides a number two pencil. Leave anything that connects to the internet at home. The ACT will start at 8:00 a.m. so students should be in their testing session by 7:40 a.m. You will not be able to take the test that day if you come in late. There is a 15 minute break for a second breakfast, halfway through the test. The whole test is three and half hours long and ends around noon. Go talk to Margo Tackett in the library if you have any questions about the ACT.
0 Comments
By: Dane Black Outer Fiction album cover. Pictured Logan Allen, Landon Dean, Jaxson Egli, Makane Huggins, Holden Saunders There are many talented kids at Bear River High School, Some of who create their own bands. One of the best bands we have is Outer Fiction. Outer Fiction is a band made up of students who have attended BRHS. Although the band members keep changing at the moment it's Logan Allen as lead guitarist and singer, Landon Dean on the keyboard and other assorted instruments, Makane Huggins on drums, Dylan Bailey as backup guitar and singer, and Holden Saunders on bass.
Dean said he has been in the band for just over a year and he loves it. “We practice once or twice a month and often practices are just times to make songs up on the spot, record them and keep the best ones.” At the moment they have two albums, the newest one being “Live, Laugh, Love!” “Makane’s mom had a Live, Laugh, Love sticker on her car and we thought it was funny,” Dean said. The band has been making music for about five years now. Allen said “Me and Makane made the band in eighth grade getting ready for a talent show” and now they are making albums and are on nearly every music streaming platform. Allen and Dean write most of Outer Fiction's songs. Dean’s favorite is “10 in the morning.”“That’s the time we decided to meet and we made the whole song at that time.” They made a song in a single morning that takes skill and dedication. Allen’s favorite is “Without You.” “Me and my friend Holden were unsure about it, but it turned out really well.” For the most part they have been making music in the classic rock genre. That could change with Dean and Allen who said that in the future they would like to make a rap album that’s just the two of them. Seeing how well they are doing, there is no doubt that this will turn out. There are no plans of them stopping, their only plan is to hopefully get more popular and more recognized. You can find Outer Fiction on most music platforms: Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, SoundCloud. Outer Fiction is a band with big plans starting from a middle school in a small town. They have more songs well on their way with maybe a rap album in a few years. There seems to be no stopping them. Written By: Bre’Kell Lyon Photo Credit: Bre’Kell Lyon
Everyone has dealt with anxiety at one point in their life. Especially as teenagers. An average of 31.9% of adolescents have an anxiety disorder: 8.3% have a severe impairment. MaKayla Baum knows a lot about anxiety, since she has both Social and Generalized Anxiety. Because of the extent of her anxiety, she has her service dog Angel that goes with her everywhere to keep her calm. Anxiety looks different for everyone, and people deal with it differently. “I start shaking, my heart will beat really fast, [I] hear ringing in [my] ears…..Basically it feels like [I’m] going to pass out.” MaKayla doesn’t just go through this once, but almost all the time. How severe the symptoms are depends on what is going on. Because of this she often refuses to go to school or out in public. “I would prefer not to talk to anyone. It’s like if I can avoid anything I will.” Anxiety often prevents people from doing things that others can do easily. Most people don’t even think twice about grabbing a tissue or asking a question in class, but for MaKayla it's terrifying. “It’s kinda like you’re worried about everyone watching you. So if you grab a tissue, it's like ‘oh my gosh everyone is staring at me.’ In that way it’s very limiting. You really have to force yourself to do something.” Most people who experience extreme anxiety often start to see it at a young age, as did MaKayla. “Ever since I've started school [I’ve had anxiety]. I would purposely make myself throw up, so I could stay home. Because you know, being sick means I can stay home. Making me go to school has always been a fight for my parents. Fifth grade was when social anxiety kicked in a lot worse….I have always had my general anxiety from a young age.” Luckly, MaKayla has a best friend of hers that can help her and is always by her side. Her white, mini husky, service dog, who has the most appropriate name, Angel. MaKayla was able to train Angel herself to become a psychiatric service dog. She has been training her for a year and a half and she just barely got Angel trained enough to bring to school with her. Angel is still training and learning how to help her owner with her anxiety. “...right now a task we are working on is that when I start shaking, she will jump into my lap, just her front paws. It’s called Depressure. It's what people use for anxiety…also when I don't want people around me, she will circle around me.” Although MaKayla knows many people can overcome anxiety, she's not sure if she will ever be able to overcome it herself, but is sure she will get better through time. Service dogs or pets are a great way to cope with anxiety. If you experience anxiety, please know that you are not alone and ask for help from those around you. By Zoey Kralovetz Mr. Hyde in his element. Photo Credit: Kayte Crook Teachers come and go, but not Coach Matthew Hyde who has worked at BRHS for 32 years. After graduating high school, Mr. Hyde studied graphic design and was a commercial artist at USU for two years. He decided that he didn’t really like doing other people's art and wanted to do his own art, so he followed in his fathers footsteps. Growing up, his dad taught as an art teacher at USU for 35 years. Matthew Hyde went back to college for three more years to become a teacher. He got a job as an art teacher at BRHS and it has been his passion since.
Being a teacher for this long comes with a lot of challenges. Students aren’t always respectful, and they don’t always do their work. This can bring frustration, but Mr. Hyde has learned great ways to deal with those things stating “To be forgiving, if you have a student that has done something they shouldn't have done, the next day is a new day.” Mr. Hyde uses this with every issue that comes up. When a student makes a mistake, he may be upset initially but he forgives them and treats them as he normally would. Being a teacher is hard work. Change happens all the time and problems are constantly encountered. Mr. Hyde has noticed that “Data drives our education now, and obviously, so does technology”. Students can get distracted by technology, but they can also use it to help them improve. Mr. Hyde has learned that it is better to embrace it rather than fighting against it. Students in his class can now look at reference photos so much easier. Rather than going to the library every time they need one they can find them on their phones. Mr. Hyde has impacted many students in this school. He is a respectful and helpful teacher who tries his best every day and it does not go unnoticed by his students. Ellie Carter, a student in Mr. Hyde's 3rd hour said “I think he’s awesome. He's one of my favorite teachers. He helps me with all of these weird little projects and teaches me how to make them happen and he cares about his students and how they are doing.” Kassidi added that “He’s chill. He’s understanding, and he tells us what we need to work on to help our grade.” Mr. Hyde says that not only is teaching art his passion, but it has its rewards, as past students have contacted him to tell him what a difference he has made in their lives and how his art class has helped them. Mr. Hyde has learned and adapted to become a better teacher over the years. He has accepted students for who they are and embraced change in the education system. Overall Mr. Hyde connects well with students and it is appreciated that he is a part of our staff here at BRHS. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
February 2024
Categories |