The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/479941
Kourtney Sanders Staff Writer Julissa Villalobos Staff Writer Mr. Spartan returns as annual event at RBHS FFA raises awareness for upcoming field days with spirit week Features Page 3 March 13, 2015 Brittany Lawley Staff Writer Austrian Exchange takes off for an adventure Oliver Roman, Andrew Harms and Karl Parks practice for The Mr. Spartan competition. Outside the Box partan ound S off Sound Off/Britney Miranda Mrs. Gantenbein (Teacher) "Chocolate because that's what Bon Jovi sends me every Valentine's Day." Marcus Larson (11) "Pizza because its pizza and it's da baddest." Mr. Southwick (Teacher) "I like Mexican food because it's hot and spicy." Jonessa Harper (10) "Sushi because it tastes like the ocean and because I've always wanted to be a mermaid." Brittany Manner (12) "Italian food because I love pasta." Chaos Vierra (9) "Popcorn because it's easy to make." What is your favorite type of food and why? Rebecca Frey Staff Writer "My favorite part about FFA is just the sense of being at home. You sense the fact that you're safe. - Molly Murphy Saint Patrick's Day is an annual holiday on March 17 celebrated by many countries in the world, but is originated from Ireland. It is celebrated because it marks the death of the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, and his achievements in the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. The holiday was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century, and is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Montserrat. Saint Patrick himself was born in Roman Britain in the fourth century, but was kidnapped and enslaved when he was sixteen by Irish raiders, who took him to Gaelic Ireland. For six years there, he worked as a shepherd, and seemed to have "found God." When he went back to his home country later, he became a priest. He then returned to Ireland to spread and convert the pagan Irish to Christianity for years after that, until he died on March seventeenth. The custom celebration to wear shamrocks (three-leaved plant) or green on the modern-day holiday is because Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. The Irish also used the symbol, called the 'St Patrick's Day Cross', a lot during the World War I era. Saint Patrick's Day is also widely known for the eating and drinking of alcohol across countries. This is because the Lenten restrictions on eating a n d drinking for lifted for the holiday. The day is also widely celebrated by parades. The holiday is observed and is considered a holy day by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and Lutheran Church. The Austrian Exchange is a group of students who have signed up to go to Austria and live there for fifteen days. The Austrian Exchange left yesterday March 12 and the group will be back on March 27. Altogether there are sixteen students, all girls, who are looking forward to what they will learn in Austria. "I'm looking forward to learning what it is like to be a teenager in a different country," Christina Zumalt said. She also said she was very excited about going and getting to know all the girls she is going with. "I am really excited, I think it's going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity," Zumalt said, expressing her excitement once more. She feels she has much to learn and she knows and likes all the girls in her group that she knows. Zumalt stated, "I hope to learn a bit of German and how people across the world do things differently than Americans do." She knows there are many things to learn in a whole new country and plans to make the most of it. "Watching the group experiencing the culture, oh, and the food." Rebecca Coker, teacher, stated, that she was looking forward to many things. She also said that she was looking forward to seeing the friends she had made on previous trips. Coker has been an adult adviser for the Austrian Exchange for six years now and says the exchange has been going on for almost twenty years. She has had great experiences along the years and is looking forward to have some more, that and the delicious Austrian chocolate. "It's a great experience," Coker said. "It's life changing, if anyone has the chance to go they should." The Austrian Exchange begins accepting applications for next year's trip in May. The annual Mr. Spartan pageant has arrived and this year's senior contestants will occur on March 14. When experiencing new things, you tend to remember the people that were there right beside you, rather than the actual event. You also get the opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships with others. This is what the contestants favored best. Will Macdonald said his favorite part of this event was, "All the laughs I'm getting out of it." Walker Dodero stated, "Learning the dances and watching everyone mess up." Trey Shilts said, "Becoming familiar with the scents of all the guys." They also gave us an insight on the time commitment involved and how they balance this event with academics and extracurricular activities. Josiah Vasey said, "It's two hours at night, twice a week." For Oliver Roman, it wasn't too difficult, "It's pretty easy," he said "When I get home I try to do as much work as I can and then you just have to go to practice." Elijah Scharaga said, "It is a huge commitment and a lot of the time between doing homework and Mr. Spartan there's only time left to eat and sleep." When they were asked how long they've been wanting to sign up for Mr. Spartan they gave us different ranges of time. Kevin Hinkston said, "Ever since I heard about it as a Freshman." Devon Schoelen stated, "For five years." Victor Ibarra commented, "Since freshman year." He also added, "I recommend for all to get involved in school, and if possible, Mr. Spartan." Tickets for Mr. Spartan are six dollars with ASB and eight dollars without. FFA, also known as the Future Farmers of America, have been preparing for the upcoming field days. These Field Days are every Saturday in the month of March, and the first few Saturdays of April. The Field Days take place at several different schools including UC Davis, Chico State, Arbuckle High School, Butte College, Fresno State, Merced college and several others. At Field Days those raising an animal and in FFA compete. There are many different events that are held at these Field Days. One of these events is Livestock Judging, which is where they're going to evaluate the animal's characteristics and compare it to the others. F l o r a l Design is where you use plant materials to create a b e a u t i f u l l y balanced floral arrangement. Farm Power is where they talk about the equipment they use on farms including tractors and bulldozers. Horse Judging is where they judge your house based on its appearance, muscle, health and more. FFA also includes more c a t e g o r i e s where their skills are tested. Molly Murphy, Senior, said," FFA has helped me grow in the sense of l e a d e r s h i p , speaking skills, and just as a person." To raise awareness that the Field Days were coming up, the Agriculture leadership team came up with a week of spirit days. Murphy continued to say, "My favorite part about FFA is just the sense of being at home. You sense the fact that you're safe." FFA has provided a sense of security and guidance. The students know they can always look to their fellow members when they need help. "We are all like one big family." stated Haylee Hafey, freshman at RBHS who is on her second year of being in FFA. FFA has helped inform students about agriculture, and has given them the outlook of how life would be as a farmer. Courtesy Photo $24.00 Coupon expires 03.21.15 Bring this coupon ad in and play mini golf for $2/person with paid hour of bowling Fri. or Sat. Up to $32.00 value