By: Oaklee Crowell As you know, we recently had elections for the higher student council positions. We did this by having an assembly where each person showed videos for what position they were running for and what they were striving to do for the next school year. Everyone throughout the school then voted after the assembly in third hour. By the end of the day, we had winners for each position: Ambassador: Nic Summers, Secretary: Shannon Eppling, 2nd Vice: Erica Payne, 1st Vice: Olivia Chournos, and SBO President: Dillon Stewart.
Stewart has had the goal of being the SBO President since 8th grade. He says every year of being in student council, especially in high school, has been a lot of fun and says his favorite part is the “family unit” and feels he can really be himself around everyone in student council. For Stewart, running for the position might have been the most thrilling part of it all. For a couple weeks before the assembly, everyone who was running for a position got to make and hang up to five different posters around the school to help advertise themselves. Some of the stipulations were filling out a contract, making posters, and of course the video for the assembly. The contestants were asked to create a 2-4 minute video making everyone laugh and explain what they have in store for the upcoming school year. Stewart says the funnest part of running for this position was “making the video and having everyone watch it at the assembly.” He also said he was most nervous about running against Haylee Farnsworth and Franklin Reese because they’re “really fun people!” Stewart is ready to take on the responsibility of being in charge of the student council, representing Bear River High, organizing the assemblies, and putting everything in order to make it a fun school year for everyone. Stewart says going into the school year he is most excited for working with the members of the student council, those who attend Bear River, and of course Kassidy Lake, the student council advisor. Finally, Stewart is planning to help the school by having more activities where kids can get involved and always feel like they have someone to lean on. The school will be his main focus and he will plan more activities and make mental health more of a priority. For the seniors specifically, Stewart is planning to make graduation a night to remember by hosting it on the football field and having everything that comes with it take place on our football field. In order to have a great next school year, Stewart needs the student body to be involved and have help from his fellow student council members: “Without them nothing would work,” says Stewart. With Stewart taking on this new role in the upcoming school year, we can expect to see great things and look forward to another great year at Bear River High School!
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By: Nathaniel Sidwell Cases are on the rise again due to positive tests from senior ball and lacrosse. We went some time with no cases, but we currently have two, which is a lot for our small population. The only other time we’ve had an issue was during wrestling season when 19 wrestlers tested positive. The wrestling season almost got cancelled and school was almost shut down.
So far, with quarantining and masks, we’ve been able to avoid being shut down, but now we also have vaccinations available to students. Many students have taken advantage of this opportunity. Wyatt Lambert, a sophomore, got his vaccination and said of his experience, “[My arm] was sore the next day, but it was fine the first day.” While the exact number of vaccinated students is unknown, it seems there are many who have gotten it which is a good sign. Despite vaccinations among teachers and many students, we need to continue to wear masks to avoid the spread of COVID. Mr. Gilmore, Bear River High School Principal, encourages students to wear their masks and said, “Thank you for battling this school year and having to battle the masks.” It's important to wear them correctly, because then there is a less chance of getting and spreading the disease. We are all required to wear them, principals, teachers, and students. Principals and teachers also have the obligation to enforce the mask policy. We have been fortunate to stay open this whole year and to have quite a few activities. Our efforts have paid off and we need to continue testing, wearing masks, and getting vaccinated to keep fighting to stay open. This year we have made it through and let’s hope that it is gone when school starts again next year. By: Peter Ingleby Sophomore appreciation day was yesterday, April 27. This day is when Sophomores take the Aspire test and juniors and seniors, who are very appreciative, get out of going to their regular classes. The Aspire test tests English, math, reading, science and writing and is the end-of-level test for 10th grade. This test is also intended to prepare students for the ACT test which they will take as juniors.
Regarding the test, Garret Griffin, a sophomore at Bear River, said “I really don't want to take the test, not because I’m scared, just because I don't want to test for that long.” The four sections range from 45 to 75 minutes in length, so the test pretty much takes the whole school day. Griffin said he was the least nervous about the science test: “Science has always been easy for me and I have always gotten good grades in my science classes” Another sophomore, Hayden Swain-Schmit, said that he was excited to take the test because “It is a new way to try and figure out how well I have learned throughout this year and to see if I have improved.” The Aspire test is scored based on the percentile so you can see how well you did compared to the rest of the students who took the test. Swain-Schmit said, “I think that I will do the best on the math portion because math is just small problems for me to solve.” End-of-level tests are used to help show the school district how well the students have learned; it also shows how well the teachers taught the students. The end of year testing normally starts in third grade with the Sage test and ends in eleventh grade with the ACT. Seniors do not have to take any end of year test. Last year, during quarantine, the sophomores at the time never had to take any end-of-level testing, but with students back in school face-to-face for most of the year, testing has resumed. By: Peter Ingleby The Great Utah Shakeout, a state-wide earthquake drill, is happening on Thursday, April 15 at 10:15 a.m.. Earthquakes are scary natural disasters that can happen at any time most anywhere. As much of Utah follows the Wasatch Fault, we too are at some risk. Along with the rest of the state, Bear River High School will participate in the shakeout.
EMS personnel are among those who have to respond after an earthquake. Jim Hess, who works for the Garland fire department and at ATK as a firefighter said that it is a scary thing to respond to an earthquake because “You don't know what you are going to be walking into.” Many envision earthquakes throwing objects off of walls and across rooms, but what many don’t expect is that “fires can be started from earthquakes from just loose objects and propane and other flammable materials” says Hess. When you get a fire from an earthquake, then you have two natural disasters to deal with and that much more danger. The Great Shakeout originally started in California to spread awareness of widespread earthquakes. Earthquakes are measured using a seismograph that measures seismic waves and rated on a 1-10 scale of magnitude. A category one earthquake, while detected by a seismograph, isn't felt by many people. These small earthquakes happen all the time without much notice. A category ten earthquake, on the other hand, is very severe; wooden structures are destroyed and even train rails could be bent. The most recent and major earthquake to hit Utah was a magnitude 5.7 on March 18, 2020. Many may remember this as it was easily felt and caused minor damage and power outages throughout the state. When the Great Shakeout begins, typically an announcement is made over the intercom. Students and teachers then participate in an earthquake drill where they get under desks or tables to protect the head, neck and spine. After the “shaking” stops, you are directed to leave the building and be prepared for an aftershock. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that come after an earthquake. It is good to be aware of earthquakes and what can happen in one so that you can be prepared. If a real earthquake happens, the hope is that the practice will kick in so you won’t be overcome by fear and can stay safe. By: Nathaniel Sidwell Photo Credit: Bear River Theater Department Every year, Bear River High School does their own version of Dancing with the Stars calling it “Dancing with the BR Stars.” Not only is this production a great show, but it also serves as a sophomore student council fundraiser. Brennan Theurer, the sophomore student council president announcer for the event, said before the event, “Dancing with the Stars is a traditional fundraiser here at Bear River, and I’m so excited to be a part of it.”
In this year’s event, ten couples danced. The dancers are listed below the article for your reference. Just like on the TV show, the dancers make up their own dance and are judged by a panel of judges. This year’s judges were Shamra Nielsen, Todd MIller, and Kadie Summers. As with many other events this school year, student council had to work closely with the administration and get it approved by the district. Masks and social distancing were required. After a fun night of dancing, the results were as follows: First Place Ashton Harrow and Olivia Chournos; Second Place Kinley Richards and Cael Wilcox; 3rd Place Kourtlan Rasmussen and Haylee Diamond. The sophomore student council worked very hard and were pleased with the outcome of this year’s Dancing with the BR Stars. 2021 Dancing Couples Paige P. & Tanner C. Joey G. & Elise R. Tanya B. & Preston H. Zoey S. & Kaeson B. Haylee D. & Kourtlan R. Kollin W. & Sami P. Kylee S. & Franklin R. Cael W. & Kinley R. Ashton H. & Olivia C. Anaiah F. & Easton L. |