Inside Are snoozers losers Tragedy on Third Floor Stress, stress, stress Clowning around No right to fight

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By Shauntel SpruillRamble staff writer

“One-third of young women in the United States become pregnant during their teens. More than 80% of teen pregnancies are unintended and unintentional,” according to a Women Health Channel report.

One third of teens who are pregnant in the US are having unprotected sex.

Teens who get pregnant have a big responsibility for taking care of their child (ren). “ I feel that if it’s meant to be, than you should make sure that you can take care of your responsibilities,” said Shonta Williams, a junior at East. The effects may include dropping out of school because they are not able to provide childcare for their child (ren). They might have to relay on social services to provide them with money to get their child (ren) needs.

“I think you should wait until you get married before you start a family because everyone that has a child (ren) don’t always have a happy family to support the child (ren). That is a major responsibility and factor so that the child (ren) can grow and learn new things from both parents,” explains Danika Williams, a junior at East.

Consequences Teen pregnancy

by Tiara ModleyRamble staff writerStudents choosing to smoke and destroy their health

is one thing but passive smoke poses another hazard. “Some students at East smoke in the bathroom and

they don’t get their work done.” said Octavia Hill, a ‘08 East graduate.“Teens think it is cool to smoke because they have

seen older family members, parents, and friend’s who smoke. Peer pressure is a reason why teen smoking spreads through out Northampton East.” said Patricia Motley, an area public health worker.“Students may have been use to smoking so bad that

it has became a habit,” said 11th grader Tya Delotch at Northampton East. Statistics show that teen smokers at East have hard

physical and social consequences. “Some effects of smoking are shortness of breath persistent coughing, and poor lung growth.” said Motley.

Smoking is risky behavior

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by Sam ParkerRamble staff writer

Sleeping in class can be a problem at any school.“I feel that sleeping in class should not take place at the New

East,” says Principal Pamela Chamblee.Ms. Chamblee shares the same view as many teachers at the New

East. If students sleep in class they miss out on the opportunity to learn.

Some students at East have a different view than teachers about sleeping in class. Some students believe that students should be able to sleep in class as long as they have good grades in the class. “Other people can sleep in class, it doesn’t bother me,” says junior Devin Britt.

Some teachers think that if one student falls asleep in class then they have to stop what they’re teaching and wake them up. Students however, feel the opposite way. In their view, if a student sleeps it’s their fault. They want the teacher to keep on teaching to them instead of stopping.

Teachers and students may have confl icting views on sleeping in class; but even so, school snoozing is not listed on the NC Standard Course of Study.

by Sam Parker

Snoozin’ is not allowed

There have been a countless number of teens, which have attended or are attending East that have passed on or are facing some kind of destructive illness. For others, it is watching a loved one die. Hospitals are a hot spot for taking on gruesome injuries, surgeries, and unfortunate deaths as planned medical procedures and unexpected walk-ins flood the doctors and nurses who vigorously strive to alleviate the patients.Tending to a dying patient while their family stands

nearby to watch is even more heartbreaking than it sounds, especially if the scene is dramatic. About three years ago License Practical Nurse (LPN) Betty jo Odom, a nurse at the Franklin hospital, worked a patient on the third floor in the skilled care unit. The patient (an elderly woman) was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, cancer of the pancreas. The pancreas is what produces insulin and if something is wrong with the pancreas, one will have diabetes. The two daughters of the patient were visiting day by

day, waiting in anticipation to see even a smidgen of improvement from their mother but none shown. It had only been the third day of being hospitalized but for the patient, it was her last.That night LPN Betty jo journeyed

into the room, where the patient and daughters stayed, to check the morphine pump. Morphine is narcotic, which is a pain medication and the patient was getting hers intravenously (IV). “I noticed that the patient was

gasping for air and couldn’t catch her breath,” stated Betty jo, “In a moments time, black charcoaled colored blood poured from her mouth and nose, preventing her from inhaling.”Because the patient was a DNR,

do not resuscitate, Betty jo could not perform any lifesaving. Trying to offer some kind of support and comfort, she sat at the patient’s side

Tragedy on theThird Floor

with towels holding her upright in bed as the blood spilled endlessly. Her daughters, one positioned at the front of the bed and the other at the foot, watched in horror as they cried for their mother. Barely able to even watch, the daughter standing at the foot of the bed starts to feel sick. She races for the bathroom but looses her balance and falls. Stumbling to pick herself up, she finally makes it to the trash can and starts to throw up.“After the patient stopped vomiting

blood, she fell limp in my arms,” replied Betty jo, “I laid her back down in her bed and all of the air seemed to leave her body. My face burned as I checked for a pulse that

didn’t exist anymore. As I looked into her eyes, I knew she was gone.”Witnessing traumatic scenes and

getting the “unwanted news” is hard for many people to cope with. There has been more than one occasion of which students have encountered car accidents and illnesses, only to leave their torn hearted friends and family behind. Teens may take life for granted everyday not knowing how fortunate they are to even see the next morning. It’s important for students to make something of themselves and do their best in life because death, though it seems so distant, may only be a heartbeat away.

by Brandi Odom ramble staff writer

Paper balls are flying as laughter floods the air at Northampton County High School-East.

Some students at East disrupt their class on a daily basis and prohibit others from learning. Many class clowns strive to entertain their class, while others may crave to be the center of attention. Students may also be embarrassed because they lack knowledge and they discovered a loophole from allowing their companions to know. There are various opinions about class disruptions at East.

“People who disrupt class are childish, rude, disrespectful, and need home-training. I have a chaotic class and I have to deal with this everyday”, said Dylan Wilson, junior.

The majority of teachers disapprove of students disrupting their class.

“Class clowns hinder students from learning what they need to know. Students need to concentrate to pass the EOCs and they can’t focus due to interruptions that occur”, said Cynthia Ellis, teacher at East. “It’s a mystery why they behave the way that they do.”

However, multiple students at East are entertained by class disruptions.

“I think class clowns are cool because they entertain you in a boring class. They help the day go by faster, too,” said Trenton Burgess, freshman.

Some students misbehave or interrupt the learning process that occurs at East due to their lack of interest in the class or the desire to speak to their friends.

“I have an online geometry class and it gets boring because everyone just stares at the computer screen. Sometimes I try to liven things up a little”, said LaKiesha Bowlin, junior.

Steven Bryant, junior, shares the same opinion. “I like to laugh and be funny when I’m around my friends. I say phrases like Achmed, Mrs. Bowser, and Blade because my friends have shared my experiences and know what I’m referring to. Class isn’t boring when you’re having fun.”

Just Clowning Aroundby Maci Bridgers,Ramble Staff Writer

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“Class clowns hinder students from learning...”

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by Brandi Odom ramble staff writer

by Malcolm WilkinsRamble staff writerA lack of student interest and a lack of adequate

staffing have resulting in a lack of Advanced Placement courses at Northampton-East. “ Teachers are hired according to needs, perhaps, not enough students are scoring high enough to justify teachers in that area,” said Mrs. Chamblee, Principal of East.Advanced Placement (AP) is a program that is run by

the College Board. AP courses are a group of thirty-four college level classes that are available to high school students across the United States. According to The Good Schools Guide International,“Advanced Placement” means exactly what it says;

many colleges and universities will award credit for these courses if a student has scored a Level III or higher on the AP exam (they are scored on a I to V scale). Therefore, college bound students can be exempt from certain courses by passing the required AP exam. “I think that AP courses are essential in this day

and age for preparing our students, especially for

college,” stated Mrs. McCullough, assistant principal at Northampton-East.Taking AP courses in high school makes a student

more competitive when applying to colleges and universities. In fact, the United States Department of Education released a study that says that participation in AP courses in high school is a stronger predictor in determining success in college than test scores or grade point average (GPA). However, Northampton-East currently offers only three AP courses. The main reasons for this are the absence of student interest and a shortage of sufficient staffing.“Most students just don’t want to be challenged at

all,” states East junior Alfred Tyner.Mrs. McCullough mentions that in order for there

to be more AP courses available, there must be enough teachers to provide both AP and core courses that are required for graduation. A random poll of both Northampton-East students and faculty shows a demand in bringing more AP courses to East, especially in the subject areas of science and history.Bringing in new AP courses would “be a new

concept,” states Mrs. McCullough.

APAdvanced Placement or Absent Participation?

4

North Carolina Public Schools: High School Class of 2007

AP Equity and Excellence

� 18.5% of the public high school class of 2007 earned a 3 or higher on one or more AP Exams during high

school. This compares to 15.2% for the nation.

� 10.9% of the public high school class of 2007 earned a 3 or higher on one or more social science AP

Exams - more than in any other subject area.

The Class of 2007: Percent of North Carolina Students Who Earned at least one AP Exam Grade of 3 or Higher During High School, by Subject Area, Compared to the Nation

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by Brittney RoseRamble staff writerThe ways that teenagers

communicate has changed over the years. Many teenagers feel that it is a necessity to be

in constant communication with their peers. Between talking on the phone, texting, and social networking sites, such as Myspace and Facebook, they are able to do this.“Myspace used to be my addiction, and I still love it,” says

sophomore Kristen Martin, “but texting has become my addiction.”This new trend is worrying teachers. Students often use the

time that they could use for studying to contact their friends. “Of course I believe it’s a great distraction. I feel that in this

New Age of technology like cell phones, cameras, and other electronic devices take away from the learning process,” says East’s assistant principal Joan McCullough.There are also worries that students will use “texting lingo” in their academic work.

Grammatical and spelling errors have been found in students’ writings more often since texting has become popular. This new lingo affects

some students’ grades. Using abbreviations becomes a habit.Some students, however, believe

that their use of these electronic systems is beneficial to their work.“If I forget what I have to do for

homework, I’ll text someone,” says Amanda Bridgers, sophomore.Though nonverbal methods of

communication have become popular, teenagers still enjoy talking on the phone. Some teens even prefer it.“My favorite way to communicate

is on the phone,” says senior, Robert Chambers, “It’s person to person; more personal.”Though it has changed over the

years, communication remains important in the life of teenagers.

:) ur netwrkin

Jasmine Gee, senior, lives in a day when computers are both tools for learning and social networking devices.

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by Justin LassiterRamble staff writer “It takes courage, strength, and integrity to be a ath-

lete at NCHS-East,” said Corey Neal, a senior student athlete at NCHS-East. As a student athlete it takes stamina to complete all

of you work and perform on the gridiron. It also takes attitude. Most college coaches would rather have a team fi lled player who work hard than a team fi lled with slackers. If you plan on going to a college with SAT/ACT

requirements try to test during your junior year. Send information to schools that you are interested in. Put together information and videos from the season as a highlight fi lm because coaches can’t recruit if they don’t know you exist. Playing through injury is an-other aspect of being a student athlete. Corey Neal says, “ being an athlete changes the way

you carry yourself in school and it also changes the way underclassman look at you as a person.” Corey plans to go to college to work on his educa-

tion and academics as well as sports to.

2008 Season

Athletes havea Ram’s heart

By Colin HollomanRamble staff writer

Stress and dedication are shown by employed students at the New East.

Employed students could be under a great amount of stress because they would have to balance school and work.

“When I had a job I would work over forty hours a week and I would get home and be stuck with a lot of homework,” said LaKiesha Bowlin student of East. “Then when I go to school the next day I’m really tired.”

Having a job can affect in more than one way according to Candace Beasley, student of East. “Along with all the stress your job carries it also leaves you a little tired and irritable, and that’s never a good state in to be at school.”

Stress at school can branch out and

Sabrina Bottoms, junior, takes a moment to lighten up from the stress of school. One survey says 75 percent of student experience stress on a daily basis while at school.

StressStressStressStress

cause problems with people around you.

“Yeah one day I came to school and the day before we worked until

eleven thirty that night picking cotton and I was extremely tired. At school somebody was just messing around with me and not trying to pick a fi ght but since I was so tired I got aggravated and almost got in a fi ght just because I was so stressed,” said Greg Outland, student of East.

Studies show from the National Health Interview Survey that 75% of the general population at school experience stress everyday. It is certain that employed students suffer from stress. They go through a lot like getting home late and having to do an enormous amount of homework. Students struggle to overcome stress lingers at the New East.

5/15/2007

3

Causes of Stress: Category “Other”

Stressor

Frequency

Administrative Demands/Lack of Support 2

Meetings 1

Time Management/Late hours 2

Co-workers behavior/incompetence 2

Paperwork 2

Underutilized 1

Other Causes of Stress

ResultsResults

Subjects were asked to evaluate the waysSubjects were asked to evaluate the waysthey manage stress. Subjects were askedthey manage stress. Subjects were askedto check all statements that applied to theirto check all statements that applied to their

personal stress management.personal stress management.

The following graph represents theirThe following graph represents theirresponses.responses.

Results

How many subjects would actively

participate in a School Stress

management program if provided?

What kinds of activities or programs do

teachers show interest?

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By Lynette LongRamble staff writerEvery so often students may

disagree about things with other students, causing them to fuse or have a dispute about it. When asked why do he fi ght in school Antonio Brown, a sophomore at Northampton-East said “because he was running his mouth and he was showing off”. When students seriously

disagree about something it sometimes ends with a fi ght or big argument. Students don’t always fi ghts because they disagree with someone. “I fought in school because I felt disrespected and I wanted to prove my point,” said Malcolm Everett, a senior at Northampton-East. Other students feel different about fi ghting in school. “I think it’s stupid because they’re

wasting,” said Jasmine Hendricks, a junior at Northampton-East. When asked have she ever got in a fi ght at school she said “no because I’m to pretty, but I have got in an argument with someone in school”. When students fi ght in school it causes a lot of chaos for the teachers and staff and a lot of excitement for the students. “They’re fun to me, they get me hyped”,

said Keeshada Deloach, a sophomore at Northampton-East. “I have never been in a school fi ght before but I have seen plenty” she said. Most likely when this occurs the students involved in the fi ght will get suspended from school or even expelled for the rest of the year.

disagree about things with other students, causing them to fuse or

asked why do he fi ght in school

by Alex CuffeeRamble editor

“There are many talented students at Northampton-East, some more talented than others, stated Ms. Chamblee, principal of East, but still most students feel like the ways that they can express their talents are pretty limited.”

There are many admired students here at East with talents, like the football and basketball players, and sure they get a lot of attention, but what about the smaller talents. Students who do things like sing and dance, or paint and draw, or students who like to do hands-on things like electronics or crafting look for ways to show off their talent. Its pretty sad, but many students with these talents have very little times when they can show-off their talent.

As Mrs. Joan McCullough, assistant principal of East, stated, “As a former athlete myself, I personally think that we need to improve and express our art department more than we have been.”

She also stated, “That because we’re humans its naturally easy for us to dribble and/or throw a ball, but talents like singing or drawing, now those are special and they need to be shown.”

There are many talented students here not being exploited, such as East junior, Ebony Powell, who loves to write poetry. She has been writing poetry since the 6th grade. “Most are about love or to express my feeling,” stated Ebony Powell.

She felt like her talent had some limitation to it, saying, “In school, poetry can be used to help literature-wise, but that’s it. Poetry is words of the

soul, that means to be expressed freely, and you can’t really speak your mind freely here.”

There is also Greg Outland, an East junior, whose talent is playing the trumpet. When asked why he chose this instrument, he stated, “I chose this instrument because I liked the way it sounded on Drumline The Movie.”

He stated, “Playing the trumpet can benefit me by allowing me to use my skills in the band to get recognized by very good musical colleges.”

Most students like them all have a talent in which they had come to them naturally or one that they really had to work hard on. Many of the students that were surveyed on this topic, all stated that they wanted more ways that they could express or use their talents at school. Its like the old saying, “a good mind is a terrible thing to waste,” well, a good talent is a terrible thing to waste too.

Got talent?Can be difficult to show it

Graduation is a great thing for students; it is the next step of being an adult.Graduation usually takes four years or less. When

students realize that they are adults, something clicks in their head saying that I have to do something with my life. When students wait for graduation day it seems like a long journey. Some students drop out of high school and say it is not worth it. According to the economy’s national institute only

74 percent of African Americans graduate high school and 76 percent of Caucasians graduated high school. The numbers are very low. According to East Principal Ms. Pamela Chamblee,

“Graduation is a transition into the real world and it is a good time for parents and students.” Both parents and students get excited for the big

day. Some parents say they can’t wait until their son or daughter graduate so they can get out of the house. When students graduate they have the decision to join the military, go to college, or get a job. Senior Ebony Long decided she wanted to join

the Navy. Students that graduated high school have more opportunities than a non-graduate. High school graduates make more money.Many students are happy and anxious about

graduation such as Randy Boone, “I just can’t wait until graduation that is all I have to say.” Many students can’t wait until that day to walk

across the stage, imagine the music is playing, and family watching to see their student graduate. “I am happy and excited about graduation, I can’t

wait,” said Kiera Hardy.

Horizon Graduation day draws closer for seniors

by Corey Joyner